First new Car Ever: '05 Saab 9-2x

guy1138 · 12-20-05, 06:40

Here's the car, I just realized I haven't posted it here yet, even though I've had it for about 4 months. The Saab 9-2x Aero is a Subaru WRX wagon with a revised suspension and a Saab facia. I haven't posted any detail pictures because I haven't had to do much of a detail yet, I've just been doing upkeep. Hopefully it'll stay that way!

Neothin · 12-20-05, 07:17

your killing me! You start a thread and only give me one picture. I really like the lines of the 9-2x and with the turbo 4 under the hood, its an overall good car. Was the transmission revised in the saab or is there still a weak transmission problem like there in the subaru counterpart?

guy1138 · 12-20-05, 09:40

Heh, I put up the best picture I have. I still haven't taken all that many, I finally got a decent digital camera last weekend.

The trans is the same as the Subaru. I wouldn't call it weak though, I would call it "oft abused". Some people just don't realize that it isn't a drag car. Other than the Syclone & Typhoons, I don't know of any good AWD drag machines.

Sarcazmo · 12-20-05, 10:33

Does it have the 2.5 or the 2.0? I always liked the Saab fascias. Congrats!

guy1138 · 12-20-05, 11:22

It's got the standard Subaru 2.0 Turbo motor

It does have an STi steering box though....

In 2006 the Impreza & 9-2x are getting the 2.5L Turbo. It's not the 300 horse version like in the STi, it's like the one currently in the Baja and Legacy Turbo. It has more low end torque. The torque should help the driveability of the car quite a bit too, it needs it. I had heard about the turbo lag, but when I test drove mine I was shocked at how bad it was. I got used to it pretty quickly, but it would be nice to have that additional 25% displacement.

G35stilez · 12-21-05, 04:21

Nice Saabaru

!

Thats a great pic. Did you get one when they were blowing em out around the same price as a WRX?

awdirtdrifter · 12-21-05, 07:02

Nice car! I had a WRX wagon (02) for a couple of years. I really enjoyed that car. You can reduce that lag a little bit by replacing the uppipe with a catless one. The one that's in there now is actually just a pre-catalyst.

Re the tranny, I had a minor issue with first gear grind. Subaru promptly replaced all my gears and I had no problems after that, even after autocrossing it a few times. And you're right--it's not a drag car, and with AWD, the tranny takes a lot of abuse if you launch it hard.

Mikeyc · 12-21-05, 07:15

Congrats! You never forget your first . . .

guy1138 · 12-21-05, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSRstilez

Nice Saabaru

!

Thats a great pic. Did you get one when they were blowing em out around the same price as a WRX?

Yeah, I got the employee discount for everyone & a $7k rebate, so it was actually less than a WRX

Quote:

Originally Posted by awdirtdrifter

Nice car! I had a WRX wagon (02) for a couple of years. I really enjoyed that car. You can reduce that lag a little bit by replacing the uppipe with a catless one. The one that's in there now is actually just a pre-catalyst. ?

Yeah, I really want to do an exhaust on this car, but according to NAISOC, Subaru changed the tune in 04 so that the car is running a lot leaner, and any exhaust mods can create a dangerous lean condition. Essentially, you have to get the exhaust done and tuning at the same time. So I guess I'll start saving and wait until the warranty is through before I start doing power mods.

klnyc · 12-21-05, 11:29

Dope Saaby!
FHI inside? or reg motor?

drewski59 · 12-21-05, 11:53

Nice car, man!!!

I think those look much more refined than the WRX wagons(read: not boy-racer looks)

Have fun and post more pics!

TortoiseAWD · 12-21-05, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy1138

Yeah, I really want to do an exhaust on this car, but according to NAISOC, Subaru changed the tune in 04 so that the car is running a lot leaner, and any exhaust mods can create a dangerous lean condition. Essentially, you have to get the exhaust done and tuning at the same time. So I guess I'll start saving and wait until the warranty is through before I start doing power mods.

You may have been led astray there . . . there's no reason (that I know of) why exhaust modifications to a MAF-equipped car will affect air/fuel ratio. The mass airflow sensor measures the mass of air coming through the intake, and that (along with temp/pressure corrections) is what is used by the ECU to determine how much fuel is needed. Making your exhaust more free-flowing will allow the turbo to spool more quickly, but in the end, the MAF sensor still determines the mass of air coming through the intake, which in turn determines the required mass of fuel. I know NASIOC is one of the largest forums for Subies out there, but it's not always long on tech knowledge. As a Subaru mechanic fried of mine says, take all information from NASIOC with a teaspoon of salt.

I understand that you want to be cautious about mods (and that's a Good Thing), but seriously, an up-pipe and a cat-back shouldn't cause any problems with the stock ECU.

Tort

Warning: IANAM (I am not a mechanic

), but I ran this by a a friend of mine who IS a mechanic that works mostly on Subes.