Griffins new cosmic vert

[Griffin dai]

Copied & pasted from SC...will add to this as and when I do the upgrades

After a long & hard think last week I decided to break my 9k Aero.
Full project thread on UKSaabs:
UKSaabs • View topic - Griffin's GT3076R 9000 project

Had done a fair bit to it but the bodywork needed a lot of attention and when I weighed it all up...better to cut my losses now than pump another £5/6/7K into it.

Few days before it goes...


Snow cleared up! So last thursday I loaded it up for the final journey and off we went







Here it is with my friend who's now breaking it, been a cracking car, have enjoyed the last 3 years and I'll surely miss her.


Never thought I'd get rid of it but the cost of fixing it would have been too much so it had to go....gutted! Had BIG plans for it too....

[Griffin dai]

So onto the new one!

Its a B204 9-3 lpt vert, pretty much standard except for TSW (???) 17" alloys, lowering springs (look like Abbott Racing) and a different head unit.

Previous owners pics:











Drove up to view this one and a silver SE Sport in the same area, as soon as I saw this I knew it would be a good one! Test drive showed up no problems, bodywork was in very good condition bar a scuff on the door and small ripple on the passenger wing...odd stone chip (its 12 years old so expecting that) and most importantly...NO RUST!!! Condition was a massive concern on the 9k's replacement as I don't want to be spending thousands on this car only to scrap it in 3/4 years time again! Also had 89k on the clock and a new (6 month old) roof!! Left him a £500 deposit...

[Griffin dai]

Drove my 9k back up next morning loaded up with kit for my friend to bin/sell...then he took me to collect it. Paid the remaining balance, aaand....

GOT ME A COSMIC BLUE 9-3 SE VERT ;ol;

30 minute drive back to his place and although its just a tad slower than my 9k!.....being down by a good 300bhp!!!! It feels much much nicer to drive, hard to imagine its only 5 years younger than my 9k as it feels like its just a couple years old. Was expecting the longer drive to show up all sorts of problems, as the test drive was pretty short due to the icy roads. Couple of small niggles that need attention like the wing mirrors don't work, SID1 has missing pixels and there's a small crack on the Carbon look dash. Nothing major...for £1,500 I'm well happy!!

Got to my mates workshop and the mods basically started within 3 or 4 mins!!

9-5 Aero perforated leather steering wheel to replace the standard one!



Both cars facing off!! Gonna really really miss the 9k..been a good mate to me!



Left there after around an hour...said goodbye to the 9k (sad day) then took the long way home in my new purchase and got back around two and half hours later! Apart from the mirrors, had a trouble free journey...got picked on by a few boy racers (think its these alloys) but couldn't do a thing about it with only 154bhp to play with....love days like that in my 9k!! Has wiped a few smirks off peoples faces Pulled up back home and noticed a slight fan like noise coming from inside the cabin down by the gearstick....will sort that out next week.

New home!


Just had to wait for the missis to come home from work now and explain why there's a blue Saab on the drive with no roof...told her I was going to just view a couple ....she was not a happy bunny!!

[Griffin dai]

Next morning once she'd gone to work and my battered body could function I had a better look at the car to see exactly what needed doing/changing and if any nice surprises were waiting!

First up is the modified grill, looks nice and has the mesh installed behind it. Might stick a small 'turbo' badge on there later on....


Stickers!!! These are going next week!


This one stays!


Small scuff on drivers door needs touching up


Some wear on the drivers seat bolster, will dye that with the kit I've got upstairs


Rears are in good nick


Door cards look grubby in the pics but they're fine in the flesh! Can also see the difference with the tints. Big fan of tinted windows!


Carbon look dash...not sure about this yet. Might sell it later and cover a wood one in C/F vinyl instead (same as my 9k) you can just make out the crack here.


Clarion double din head unit.

Wasn't too impressed with this at first as it seemed to just have 3 different sound modes! But now I've sat down and had a play around with the settings its really REALLY good!! Was going to swap this for an Alpine touch screen unit when I upgrade the system (more on that later) but I'll leave it for the time being! Also found some high quality RCA's in the boot...maybe the speakers have also been upgraded?? Will take a look. SID1 will be replaced with a working SID2 in time.

Am over the moon with it! Have been fancying one for ages but kept putting it off to get bits done to the 9k instead.

[Griffin dai]

The next day we had a bit of sun so I dropped the roof and went to pick the missis up from work.



Took the car up to a bit of speed to see how it felt with the roof down & windows down/up....def not a 100-150mph car like the 9k!! The plan for this one was a Holset Super HX40 build and push for over 600bhp!! Nope...don't think so!! I think it'll be too much so will come down a few turbo sizes and go for a TD04 Hybrid instead. Should be pretty quick below a ton with around 350bhp...besides I've been pushing my luck with the 9k, time to calm down a bit.

Timed a 60-100 to see where its at...got 9.5 seconds!! 9k used to get under 4! Hoping to get around 5-5.5 when its al done.....we'll see!

Also found out my iPhone connects up to the Clarion unit so I can access all my music! Saves me buying an ipod now!

Next up....mods

[Griffin dai]

Onto the fun stuff!!

Will be concentrating on the handling side first. Tbh its no where near as bad as I expected, actually pretty impressed!! But I'm sure it can be improved. (My 9k must have been shagged in the handling dept!)

Will be just adding to/adjusting this list as I go on...can't do it all in one go but want it done by the summer!

Have got the following coming next week to be fitted in March:

PFS Steering Rack Clamp

http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product...oducts_id=2894

Ebay 6 Point Subframe Brace

SAAB BRACE 9-3 / 900 - 6 Point Sub Frame Brace Upgrade | eBay

Abbott Racing Sherical-Joint Track Control Arm Bushes, Inner Part


Abbott Racing - Spherical-Joint Track Control Arm Bushes, Inner Part (SAAB 9-3)

Also getting some nearly new Powerflex TCA bushes off a friend next week with some luck... so that lot should sharpen things up a bit by all accounts! My own DIY VRK!!! I'll pop down to the local screwfix depot and get some decent bolts for the PFS clamp though as I've been told they're not too hot.

9k polly upper engine mount modified to fit the 9-3 strut brace.



Definitely doing this mod once I get the parts back off my 9k as I've got a yellow one on there already ;ol;

[Griffin dai]

Stuff to get as and when funds allow:

Bilstein B8/Maptun springs combo from Neo's, will be ordering on Monday after I chat with them....

Neo Brothers - Saab 9-3 Bilstein/Maptun Suspension Lowering Kit - 34-031056 24-0

A couple Powerflex bushes, was initially looking at getting the full kit but as I've got the inner & outer TCA arms coming, plus PFS clamp and Abbott bearing kit I just need a few more bits instead!

Powerflex Rear Axle Mounting Bush (Monday)

Neo Brothers - Saab NG900 9-3 Powerflex Rear Axle Mounting Bush - PFR66-315 4467

Piggy back ARB!!! Def getting this done! Was looking at the SAS one but this is miles cheaper and apparently just as good (ASAP)

Also will be looking at a Rear Strut Brace but as I'll have a small sub & one or two amps in the boot...not sure if I can do it yet? (TBC!!)

Can't stretch to a LSD so I just need to add some decent tyres to all that and I'm hoping it will improve things a bit. Tyres I'm considering a few ranging from Kuhmo V70A's to Toyo R1R's (had the Toyo's on my 9k for a year and they're very good...pretty cheap on ebay to) but the V70A' are meant to be fantastic (Trying to bag a V70A deal!!)


Not sure about the following? I don't think need the steering rack mount now as I've got the PFS clamp...need to 100% confirm this though...

Neo Brothers - Saab NG900 9-3 Powerflex N/S Steering Rack Mount - PFF66-412 4242

The front ARB bushes and drop link bushes..50/50 on these but will probably go for them...need to chat with Neos about it.
Neo Brothers - Saab 9-5 Powerflex Front Anti Roll Bar Bush - PFF66-204-19 454351
Neo Brothers - Saab NG900 9-3 Powerflex Front Drop Link Bush - PFF66-310, 424611

Was hoping to get these parts further down the line when I get the cash... but the shipping from the States is just too expensive so will have to leave it for a while

GS Taliaferro Engine Mount

GenuineSaab.com

GS Taliaferro Gearbox Mount

GenuineSaab.com

GS Taliaferro Strut Brace, this I REALLY fancied!! And have been told it will fit as long as I don't use a Viggen Master Cylinder....but again the shipping is just too rich for me, so that idea will have to be shelved for now.

GenuineSaab.com

GS Taliaferro Steering Rod Bushes...will probably also go for these if I do get the above bits later in the year.

GenuineSaab.com

Expensive shopping list that seems to get bigger & bigger!!...still in shock after getting the Abbott bush kit!!!!! But its meant to be worth it and a few guys have recommended I do it, so we'll see how it goes....

[snowsaab]

Nice ride! I like the wheels, those 18's?

I like the color as well, not a fan of the top being blue also but that seems to be popular over in the U.K.

Sounds like you have alot of work to do! I really fell in love with my convertible too, mines a midnight blue with black top and tan interior. Such a sexy color combo.


Oh, and by the way, your steering wheel is on the wrong side

[Griffin dai]

Thanks, wheels are 17"...not too sure about them just yet, might be swapping them for some 9-3 or 9-5 Aero ones later this year, bit too bling for me!!

Just trying to get the audio side sorted out now. Have got some 6.5" Focal components for the front doors and tweets for the dash, 5.25" Focal components for the rear (need to figure out a place for the tweeters!) and a Focal 11" Sub for the boot...needs an enclosure though and 11" is a funny size

Then get some soundproofing done on the doors, rear quarter and boot.

Amps I'm not too sure on yet, been fancying a 5 channel Audison LXr 5.1 and just missed out on one, also been looking into some Genesis and DLS amps...quite a few to choose from. Will probably just end up getting a 4 channel to power the front & rears then re-use my old Alpine amp to power the sub! Would prefer a 5 way though, less clutter!

Also collecting the go faster bits off my broken 9k in around 2 weeks, not much left to sell, maybe a couple things but most has already gone.

Will be keeping the following for this one, then I think its just a case of bolting the parts back on, send the TD04 to be 'hybridised' get a 3" DP made up to fit back up to the tubular, 3" exhaust and a Viggen clutch!

Bits to be re-fitted:

Tubular Manifold
T7 Moded T5 ECU
T7 APC with pipes
3 Bar Map Sensor
Walbro Fuel Pump
630cc Injectors (getting cleaned/flow checked before fitting this time)
Magnaflow Race CAT
Chinese 450x300x76mm Intercooler
Any 3" Pipework that can be used again!
Abbott Racing 234 Stage 1 Cams (fitting in 2013)
Upper Engine Mount (will be modified for the 9-3)
Red DI Pack (good one- keeping as a spare)
Forge Competition DV
Forge Actuator
ITG 99mm Filter (hope it fits!!)

All that's to be done after the summer though, just going for a nice stage 1 tune for now as it needs a bit more oomph! And sort the handling out as best I can. Gonna be a busy couple months!

[NickTurbo900]

I think you'll really miss that 9000. Those pics are awful of it going off.

Nice color.

I would say a six point subframe brace to the top of the list

[Griffin dai]

Originally Posted by NickTurbo900

I think you'll really miss that 9000. Those pics are awful of it going off.

Nice color.

I would say a six point subframe brace to the top of the list

Yeah I really miss the performance of it, was a very quick car that one...so close to getting 500bhp I could taste it!!

Got sent this yesterday...engine's out! No turning back now!!


I've got the 6 point brace coming this week mate

First jobs are fit this and the steering rack clamp, then the rest of the suspension will be fitted over the next month or so. Hopefully I can crack on with the speakers next week, got a week off work so if the weathers ok I'll get as much done as I can.

[BobSabbert]

Originally Posted by Griffin dai

Yeah I really miss the performance of it, was a very quick car that one...so close to getting 500bhp I could taste it!!

Got sent this yesterday...engine's out! No turning back now!!

I've got the 6 point brace coming this week mate

First jobs are fit this and the steering rack clamp, then the rest of the suspension will be fitted over the next month or so. Hopefully I can crack on with the speakers next week, got a week off work so if the weathers ok I'll get as much done as I can.

Forget that audio stuff... get cracking on the performance bits. Get your priorities in order, my good man!

[christian900se]

I love the blue paint, this is making me miss my ng900! Just a word of advice from a guy who had every suspension and chassis upgrade on my ng900 vert, it will never handle as well as a 9k with shocks/springs and sway bars. These convertible chassis' are unfortunately pretty flexible which reduces the effectiveness of handling upgrades.

Ps. Don't skimp on the front strut brace, it made a huge difference on my car even after all the other upgrades.

[Griffin dai]

Originally Posted by BobSabbert

Forget that audio stuff... get cracking on the performance bits. Get your priorities in order, my good man!

Usually I would just whack a ton of performance mods at it, but the engine work is a good 6 months down the line. Hopefully we'll get a few days sunshine here next week (South Wales so I doubt it) then I can crack on with the Renovo on the roof, give it a good wax & polish and make a start on the sound deadening. Will be taking my time on the audio side with this car and try do a better job...rushed the last one and this was the result!






Erm....this didn't stay long!!


Tried these Fli twin 12" ones out....bloody crap so they went after a week!


Then got a couple more V12 amps, JVC x-over and a pair of Alpine 1500w Type R subs...much much better...and much MUCH heavier!


Won't win any awards but god it was loud!!! For a first attempt not too shabby!


Next systems going to be a lot simpler/lighter, hopefully with a decent single 5 channel amp and single sub. Boot space is a worry though due to the roof so need to figure something out as I need the boot for my work gear.

[Griffin dai]

Originally Posted by christian900se

I love the blue paint, this is making me miss my ng900! Just a word of advice from a guy who had every suspension and chassis upgrade on my ng900 vert, it will never handle as well as a 9k with shocks/springs and sway bars. These convertible chassis' are unfortunately pretty flexible which reduces the effectiveness of handling upgrades.

Ps. Don't skimp on the front strut brace, it made a huge difference on my car even after all the other upgrades.

Thanks, yeah Cosmic Blue has really grown on me over the last few weeks, was initially after either a black or silver car but after seeing a local blue one...that was it...I'm getting one!

I'd go for the strut brace tomorrow if the shipping wasn't so high mate
Still cant believe no one back here in the UK does them

I think my only option is to get one made so will look into that later this year...then again my missis keeps nagging me about a 5 day trip to New York! I wonder how far Nicks place is from there...rent a nice big V8 for a couple days and go for a long drive to see the sights

[BobSabbert]

Originally Posted by Griffin dai

Thanks, yeah Cosmic Blue has really grown on me over the last few weeks, was initially after either a black or silver car but after seeing a local blue one...that was it...I'm getting one!

I'd go for the strut brace tomorrow if the shipping wasn't so high mate
Still cant believe no one back here in the UK does them

I think my only option is to get one made so will look into that later this year...then again my missis keeps nagging me about a 5 day trip to New York! I wonder how far Nicks place is from there...rent a nice big V8 for a couple days and go for a long drive to see the sights

Unfortunately NY is a long, long way from Nick. Maybe you could have whoever you are visiting in NY order it and you could pick it up there? They are going to charge you a bit these days to bring it on a plane... might cost more than shipping it.

[Griffin dai]

Yeah I think i'm basically screwed! Will probably go for the engine/box mounts later this year though.

Just been drooling at this guys boot build
Russian Viggen Project "Blue arrow" - SaabCentral Forums

Way way past by skill level but its given me a few ideas on how to go about it. I should really get a drop box sorted a few miles from home...my other half's going to have a melt down when all this audio kit starts dropping through the letter box!!

[Griffin dai]

Best update this!

Got on with a few jobs last week. Most important job was to Renovo the roof. No before after pics of this but I only had a chance to do one coat and thats made a nice difference, will get a 2nd coat on there next time I'm home.

Also cracked on with the audio side of things. The Focal Sub turned up, just needs an enclosure built now:





Onto the sound deadening. Had a look at Dynamat but its way to expensive!! So went with all Silent Coat products instead which get really good reviews.

This is the thinner stuff, 2mm damping mat, should have enough to do most of the doors and boot. Might need doubling up on some areas but have something else for that.



This is the Multilayer Extra Door Kit, 4mm thick that's also got a composite-bitumen layer in the middle so it's a fair bit stronger (packs are heavy!!) Used this to double up on the larger holes and also directly behind the speakers:



And finally some Sound Absorber 15 which is a egg boxed shaped foam and this will go directly behind the speakers and stuck on top of the 4mm stuff.

[Griffin dai]

That's the drivers door done, 2.5 hours but pretty easy to do as long as you watch the sharp edges!

Pulled the card off and found this;





Previous owner said the guy before him had a bit of work done to the music side which turned out to be an all Clarion Component & Co-axial system.

[Griffin dai]

Got started on the outer skin first. Covered most of it with Silent Coat 2mm deadening, then added some 4mm Multilayer Door kit and Sound Absorber 15 foam directly behind the speaker...not sure if that'll improve it at all? Will see how it goes!