Viggen clutch is the way to go with 9-3s. The 2002+ 9-5 Aero clutch is bigger than the Viggen one, but cannot be used in a 9-3 apparently. Considering you have a hydro clutch in that 9-3, slap a Vig clutch kit in and call it a day.

 

why can't the 9-5 aero clutch be used?

This might be more technical than anyone is willing to get, but I'm hoping it's more straight forward.

Looking for a performance clutch, it seems that most "performance" clutch kits are really just a viggen pressure plate with a special clutch disk.

If a 9-5 and ng900/og9-3 share the same flywheel (which I'm pretty sure they do)

then a 9-5 pressure plate will bolt into place in an ng900/og9-3

so if a 9-5 is heavier than an ng900/og9-3, the clutch set from a 9-5 aero will be stronger than a viggen clutch set.

so why don't people just use a 9-5 aero clutch set for their performance builds?

or at least use the 9-5 Aero Pressure plate?

9-5 Aero PP
Genuine SAAB Clutch Plate 5337571 - Free Shipping

9-3 viggen PP
SAAB Pressure Plate (Viggen) - Sachs 3082302731 - Free Shipping

 

That was my thought. I haven't decided what I want to do for turbo yet, but I doubt I'll be over 400hp and equal torques.


In a google search, it came up that there's a Sachs Racing clutch that abbott used to sell, which was ~400gbp, which would be pretty affordable with the dollar doing well.
do we know much about this thing?

 

People have "stage 4" Viggens with stock healthy clutches. Most of the 9-3 aftermarket clutches are stock Viggen pressure plates with a more aggressive clutch disc material.

 

Ive had my Spec stage 3+ for over two years holding stage 5 powa

No problems

 

I'm running a viggen clutch and PP with a big T28, w/m, and a very aggressive tune. Still holds fine and has been doing so for 20k.
-Cm

 

Viggen clutch it is!!!
Are the slave cylinders that come with the sachs/valero kits any good?

 

So, I've been looking into this, as the work's going to start soon.
Sachs seems to be the only company that lists a different kit for the 3 power levels of the 9-3.

Is LUK selling everyone viggen pressure plates, or is everyone getting base model clutches?

The Sachs is only $450 for the kit, which is pretty dang reasonable, but if I could save a few bucks on this, I'd love to.
Anyone know?

Is there a place to buy the sachs racing pressure plate? It's only $400 from sachs, which means it's probably $300-ish retail.

 

ClutchNet has a full line of clutches on their website now. Might be something to look into.

 

I'm planning on sending my viggen pp to clutchnet to have it overhauled with new updated better clamping springs and levers

 

So, my plans have changed. considerably. I've now got a wossner'd b234R with hx35 to shoehorn into the 9-3. This means I'm going to need a stronger clutch than the Viggen.

I don't know what happened to clutch prices, but the last ACT 2600 I bought for my DSM 5 years ago was only $360. what happened that these things are $800 now!?

Do we have any options for lower pricing? I'm looking for a clutch that will hold 500 ft/lb incase I decide to go wild with this thing, and a grand for a clutch seems steep.

 

Find a local clutch shop and have them make what you need. The basic pieces are straight off the GM style parts shelf for them and they should be able to easily build to suit your need.

Increase the clamping force of the pressure plate and get a dual friction disk built. You can get the ease of a street clutch on engagement, but the lockup of a race clutch. Possibly not a "perfect" solution, but makes for a drivable/streetable solution for high torque needs.

 

Saab clutches have always been expensive. That price may include a slace cylinder if it is from spec.

 

So, I pulled the trigger. Spec stage 3+.
Spec says 650 lb/ft capacity which is certainly overkill, but I've been told it's also the most streetable.
I tried ordering through a Saab vendor, but ebay was about $100 cheaper.
Should be here shortly.

new question; lightening the stock flywheel. I haven't held one in 5 years or so, but I seem to remember them being 20lb or so. Aside from the $600 option from spec, are there others? are there instructions online to hand to a machine shop to have the stocker lightened? These cars have high-ish idles, so I can't imagine that they really NEED the heavy flywheel.

 

The flywheel I would get is from Abbott motor sport in the UK...Its the best..
Or a cheaper option is to get a machine shop to lighten you stock flywheel...There is lots of metal on the back that can be cut away....I done this ..

You will love the Spec Stage 3+

 

That forged Abbott unit looks nice, single piece, probably safer at high RPM... but I went the other way and have been running the aluminum flywheel that Nick sells for years now, looks like he's asking $400 for it these days (I think it's the same SPEC that you mentioned?). It's listed as 7.5 lbs compared to the forged Abbott at 9lbs and stock at 15.4lbs.

Mainly I like that the friction surface is replaceable for not a lot of money and no machining--the no machining part is nice if you're working on a weekend and want to get it back together.

It did need to be balanced brand new out of the box which was a little disappointing. I'd buy it again from a technical standpoint. If you go with SPEC and have a problem don't expect any help from them, after I had one of their clutch disks fail in less than 10k miles, the engineering support guy I spoke with was a total flaming asshole--it was really outrageous how much of a jerk the guy was with no provocation, it's been years now but I've been boycotting SPEC ever since lol.

Aluminum Flywheel For NG900/9-3, GenuineSaab.com

 

Local machine shop in NH has been resurfacing and lightening all of Mike D and I'd flywheels over the years.

 

I've got the aluminum spec one as well. I love the fast reviving.

 

I may have made a mistake. I ordered a spec stage 2 clutch kit. supposedly good for 468 ft./lbs.
I've never had a problem with a viggen clutch kit, but I've never tuned up a b234r in an ng900 before. Hopefully the Spec clutch kit holds up for me. If not, it will be a waste of the $450 it cost.

for some reason there is a spec line of clutches for the ng900, and also the og9-3. stage 2 for each car is good to 468 ft./lbs. but the og9-3 clutches are quite a bit more money.

I guess we'll see what happens. I'll just try to be nice to it.

 

I may have made a mistake. I ordered a spec stage 2 clutch kit. supposedly good for 468 ft./lbs.
I've never had a problem with a viggen clutch kit, but I've never tuned up a b234r in an g900 before. Hopefully the Spec clutch kit holds up for me. If not, it will be a waste of the $450 it cost.

for some reason there is a spec line of clutches for the ng900, and also the og9-3. stage 2 for each car is good to 468 ft./lbs. but the og9-3 clutches are quite a bit more money.

I guess we'll see what happens. I'll just try to be nice to it.

Ohh noooo....

Good luck mate...

 

maybe I'll get lucky and they're a little better quality now.

just in case though, I'm going to see if I can cancel my order.

 

I was thinking about just running the 3+ clutch from spec, but it's a lot of money. If I can just use a viggen pp and have a disk rebuilt with a better friction material I'll be ahead of the game for a fraction of the cost.

I still have to buy the GS DP and figure out my turbo and buy injectors, and get a tune for the car.

Not to mention my engine right now is sitting with just the rotating assembly in it.

I've got a lot of work to do and not a ton of money right now to do it.

 

as long as they cancel my order for the spec clutch, I'll go to the local clutch shop here and see what they can do for me.

 

I think I dodged a bullet. I was able to cancel my clutch. I'll update on my next course of action after I talk to the guys at the clutch shop.

 

You can always use a viggen PP and buy a 3+ friction disc.
I'm fairly certain that spec sells them separately.
I know that Nick used to sell a viggen PP and 2+ disc for short $$. I had one in my old 99 9-3. I'm not sure that he still does, though.

I hope you get it all sorted out.
I agree that the kit is pricey, but it *does* come with a new OEM slave cyl.
Maybe call and ask for just a disc+PP. maybe you can save some $$.

If all this talk of it just being a blue viggen PP is true, you know you'd save $$ by just buying a 6-puck and viggen PP.

 

unless I'm thinking incorrectly and the 9-5 flywheel is not interchangeable with the ng900/og9-3. then this all goes out the window.

 

I haven't done a 9-5 clutch yet, but I think they're thicker than the OG 9-3 and won't work because I think the bellhousings are deeper/bigger on the 9-5 transmissions. Otherwise the diameter, bolt pattern, and tooth count are the same, I know a 9-5 flex plate out of an automatic will fit on both a Viggen 2.3 and SE 2.0 engine and the starter can engage it; that stuff is all the same.

I think the 9-5 flywheels are just bigger all around, they weigh like 100 lbs or something (joking, but I know they're big and heavy).

 

this would make sense then. I wish I had more spare saab parts to test things out.

 

I love my Spec 3 plus