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#1 2016-09-08 18:49:27

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

New to me Saabaru

Hello. I just bought an 05 Aero. 91k miles.
The dealer I bought it from picked it up with a broken timing belt. So he rebuilt the heads, replaced the belt, water pump, oil pump, and clutch.
I feel good about the car. It is my new daily driver. Runs and drives good. The engine ticks a bit, but he told me that they should... I don't know too much about these yet, but I do trust him. (the second car I've bought from him). He stated that because it has solid lifters, they should tick. Any truth to this?

Has all the options that I wanted. heated cloth seats. 6 disc in dash changer, and no sun roof!

Best part... All stock!

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii82/Mattyone1984/front_zpsfdvkd5ot.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii82/Mattyone1984/rear_zpsl1e8rsat.jpg

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#2 2016-09-08 19:02:57

racerjim
Headroom is overrated...
Supporter
From: Kennesaw, GA
Registered: 2005-06-16
User Number: 247
Posts: 3415

Re: New to me Saabaru

Congrats!  They tick when they are cold, it quiets down once it warms up.  Probably the clearances shrinking?


My Car: 2014 Mercedes Benz E63 4-Matic S-Model
SOLD April 2024: 2009 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG
SOLD August 2016:  2005 Saab 9-2x Aero 5-Speed, Cold, Premium, Arctic Silver
Her Car: 2024 Mercedes Benz GLC300 4Matic

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#3 2016-09-08 19:44:35

Ahmed
Member
Registered: 2016-08-07
User Number: 37593
Posts: 15

Re: New to me Saabaru

Welcome aboard  smile

I'm a new linear (2.5i) owner myself. Purchased my car with a bad engine and swapped it for another used one. I can confirm the engine does tick indeed when it's cold, so don't get too worried ... as long as it does quiet down when it warms smile

Enjoy the aero ... beautiful cars indeed

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#4 2016-09-08 20:13:51

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

Thanks for the warm welcome.
About the tick, it doesn't quiet down, it's steady...

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#5 2016-09-08 20:43:48

edfromsf
Member
From: San Francisco,CA
Registered: 2015-10-30
User Number: 33969
Posts: 38

Re: New to me Saabaru

congrats looks like my 05 Aero with 96,800 miles


Owner of a small Subaru/Saabaru fleet
2005 Saab Aero 5-Speed with Cold Weather and Premium packages,Trunk Sill Plate,Door Sills,Armrest Extension,Rear Cup Holder,Momo Shift Knob,All Season Floor Mats,K&N filter,Rubbertite Cabin and Trunk mats,OEM WRX Radio/Aux and Sat radio,OEM Electric Auto Diming rear view mirrior/compass,OEM Air Deflector, 2008 Tribeca Limited, 2000 Forester L, 1997 SVX LSi

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#6 2016-09-08 23:18:51

myzislow
Member
Registered: 2012-11-10
User Number: 7861
Posts: 347

Re: New to me Saabaru

Subaru engines are loud. Congrats on the purchase!

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#7 2016-09-09 10:23:53

Skorpion25i
Just a dumb 20-somethin' year old
From: Epping, NH
Registered: 2013-10-12
User Number: 11520
Posts: 2022

Re: New to me Saabaru

Even louder in mine with DI  roll roll


2006 Turboless Unicorn. Red. CWP. UEL. HBE.
2016 Subaru WRX. Crystal White Pearl 13.8 @ 100.5

Sellin' Subarus since '13 cool

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#8 2016-09-09 10:48:49

krazykarguy
Worst ninja editor, ever.
Supporter
From: South of North Carolina
Registered: 2007-04-06
User Number: 1944
Posts: 8802

Re: New to me Saabaru

A failing timing belt tensioner can be mistaken for a loud valvetrain...


2005 Aero 5MT
2014 Ford Mustang GT Premium 6MT - Sterling Gray Metallic - 475hp of crowd munching fun

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#9 2016-09-09 13:20:26

gatesrex91
Member
Registered: 2016-08-25
User Number: 37832
Posts: 23

Re: New to me Saabaru

Nice Aero!  Are you planning to leave the car all stock?


2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Stage 2+ with all bolt-ons (daily driver)
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero DSM 5-Speed (family wagon)
1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II with 13Brew swap and many upgrades (toy)
2003 VW Jetta GLI VR6 with basic bolt-ons and coilovers (wife's ride)

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#10 2016-09-09 18:11:14

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

Skorpion25i wrote:

Even louder in mine with DI  roll roll

Direct injection?

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#11 2016-09-09 18:12:05

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

krazykarguy wrote:

A failing timing belt tensioner can be mistaken for a loud valvetrain...

I sure hope not! I forgot to ask if he did the tensioner!

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#12 2016-09-09 18:26:12

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

gatesrex91 wrote:

Nice Aero!  Are you planning to leave the car all stock?

Thanks! to you and everyone else! I'm happy to see such an active crowd for such a rare car!

And about modifications: I can't hear it, so I must open up the intake and exhaust! I'm researching that now. I know I don't want a cold air intake, because rain storm happens.  As far as exhaust, I want Turbo back, plus a cat less up pipe. Tuning is a no brainer. I like the latest access port from Cobb. I'm still learning about these cars though. From my understanding the access port can read everything that the car has a sensor for. 500 bucks after that for a dyno tune and I'll probably leave her alone. I'm already impressed with the acceleration. I've had some high hp cars, but it's been a few years and this one satisfies my crave!
I'm still up in the air with TBE. I see exhaust as pipe and am still trying to understand why some companies can charge as much as 2k for a TBE. While Ebay is asking 200. I have had some good experiences with cheap chinese exhaust, but I am learning that these engines don't like any little problems (ie:leaks). I don't want fitment issues either.
This is my daily driver and I don't want to skimp out on anything, but I'm not rich either...

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#13 2016-09-09 18:52:46

snowphun
Member
From: Central CT
Registered: 2005-11-09
User Number: 890
Posts: 683

Re: New to me Saabaru

Do not skimp on the up pipe, fitment is key, and absolutely change every gasket you disturb. Leaking UP is a PITA. A well made DP with a cat isn't going to be cheap, I bought a cheap Ebay one (Godspeed or similar) a few years ago, what a POS. The flange wasn't flat, things don't line up. Find a used setup namebrand setup on NASIOC if you want to save money. I had a TurboXS setup on my car for over ten years, looked as good as new when I sold it.

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#14 2016-09-09 19:58:29

racerjim
Headroom is overrated...
Supporter
From: Kennesaw, GA
Registered: 2005-06-16
User Number: 247
Posts: 3415

Re: New to me Saabaru

I never modded mine, but I did wish it was a little louder, made it tough to shift by sound when you can't hear the engine if music is playing at a moderate volume....


My Car: 2014 Mercedes Benz E63 4-Matic S-Model
SOLD April 2024: 2009 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG
SOLD August 2016:  2005 Saab 9-2x Aero 5-Speed, Cold, Premium, Arctic Silver
Her Car: 2024 Mercedes Benz GLC300 4Matic

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#15 2016-09-09 20:19:16

sohlman
21O2OLOR MA I
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: 2013-10-29
User Number: 11977
Posts: 1538

Re: New to me Saabaru

Congrats looks like a great purchase.

In regards to TBE price differences I'll just say you get what you pay for. Catted is going to cost you, but if you don't want your car to gas out every car following you it's the right move. Also keep in mind only catted downpipes are supported by Cobb OTS maps, so the cost of a protune (which isn't a bad idea either way) should be factored in.

If you're trying to keep costs down I'd check nastysock for used parts as the higher end stuff usually holds up really well.

Last edited by sohlman (2016-09-09 20:21:01)


06' Silver Aero 5MT
-White 2015 WRX - Whiteline rear swaybar, Perrin Spherical endlinks, Perrin brass shifter bushing, Cobb J pipe, Cobb Accessport, custom buzzard damage, Cobb Catback
-1968 Land Rover Seres IIA 88in- Top speed 65ish downhill, 0-60 if you're lucky, RHD, 2 1/4 liter diesel, a mess but it's my mess

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#16 2016-09-09 20:25:02

sohlman
21O2OLOR MA I
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: 2013-10-29
User Number: 11977
Posts: 1538

Re: New to me Saabaru

urabaas wrote:

Skorpion25i wrote:

Even louder in mine with DI  roll roll

Direct injection?

Haha I've noticed that with my 15 as well. Glad to hear it's not just my car.


06' Silver Aero 5MT
-White 2015 WRX - Whiteline rear swaybar, Perrin Spherical endlinks, Perrin brass shifter bushing, Cobb J pipe, Cobb Accessport, custom buzzard damage, Cobb Catback
-1968 Land Rover Seres IIA 88in- Top speed 65ish downhill, 0-60 if you're lucky, RHD, 2 1/4 liter diesel, a mess but it's my mess

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#17 2016-09-10 07:10:45

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

snowphun wrote:

Do not skimp on the up pipe, fitment is key, and absolutely change every gasket you disturb. Leaking UP is a PITA. A well made DP with a cat isn't going to be cheap, I bought a cheap Ebay one (Godspeed or similar) a few years ago, what a POS. The flange wasn't flat, things don't line up. Find a used setup namebrand setup on NASIOC if you want to save money. I had a TurboXS setup on my car for over ten years, looked as good as new when I sold it.

I'm glad you brought up turboxs. I've heard it on a WRX and it is very nice. But I haven't seen it on a 9-2x. The pictures show that it has a nice (not huge) rolled tip (could be a stock photo). But what I've seen on the WRX is that big angled (ugly) canister. Are the pictures for the 9-2x correct? Nice looking like the stock muffler?

Also, what up pipe did you go with?

And what gaskets? My experience with large exhaust and 2 bolt flanges has not been good...

https://www.amazon.com/TurboXS-WS02-TBE … rbo+xs+tbe

This "looks" like what I want.

Last edited by urabaas (2016-09-10 08:09:53)

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#18 2016-09-10 08:36:26

snowphun
Member
From: Central CT
Registered: 2005-11-09
User Number: 890
Posts: 683

Re: New to me Saabaru

That looks like the setup I had, 4" bellmouth tapers to 2.5", muffler tip is a big 4" but wit the rolled double wall lip it doesn't look silly. Some people don't like that they taper to 2.5", but this allows you to do the "stealthback" setup using the stock catback with their DP. Look for it used, it wears like iron.

Grimmspeed has quality thicker gaskets for the UP job. Their pipe is good stuff as well.

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#19 2016-09-10 09:54:24

Superchunk
Member
Registered: 2009-07-26
User Number: 3866
Posts: 548

Re: New to me Saabaru

I've had turboxs on the exact same car as yours for 300k km and it looks and sounds great, imo.

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#20 2016-09-10 10:16:40

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

snowphun wrote:

That looks like the setup I had, 4" bellmouth tapers to 2.5", muffler tip is a big 4" but wit the rolled double wall lip it doesn't look silly. Some people don't like that they taper to 2.5", but this allows you to do the "stealthback" setup using the stock catback with their DP. Look for it used, it wears like iron.

Grimmspeed has quality thicker gaskets for the UP job. Their pipe is good stuff as well.

How sure are you that it tapers to 2.5? I have read none of this. It states that it is 3in?

I have read that it allows the "stealthback" as you've stated. So it does make sense... I'm just unsure.

Also, what's the point of making it so it mates to your stock axle back if their axle back looks taste full like the factory one? I'm over thinking i'm sure lol

Last edited by urabaas (2016-09-10 10:19:04)

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#21 2016-09-10 12:14:38

snowphun
Member
From: Central CT
Registered: 2005-11-09
User Number: 890
Posts: 683

Re: New to me Saabaru

Back in the day all they offered was 2.5", certainly possibly they changed that or offer both now. 3" would be better, you can always get a 3" to 2.5" DP adapter if you want to run stock catback.

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#22 2016-09-10 13:22:24

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

The exhaust is in decent shape, but I want it all big and new!
I am pretty set on this exhaust, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to find a good TBE at such a low price!

Lets talk intake now. I'm usually a drop in K&N guy, but I figure this engine can benefit more from a short ram?

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#23 2016-09-16 19:36:30

urabaas
Member
Registered: 2016-09-08
User Number: 37936
Posts: 46

Re: New to me Saabaru

About the exhaust, I am seeing that it does go down to 2.5. Looking at the factory exhaust I would guess it is 2.5 until to gets to the axle and goes to 2.0?

How much power might I lose going to a 2.5 instead of say buying the Cobb exhaust that is 3in?

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#24 2016-09-17 07:19:32

snowphun
Member
From: Central CT
Registered: 2005-11-09
User Number: 890
Posts: 683

Re: New to me Saabaru

urabaas wrote:

About the exhaust, I am seeing that it does go down to 2.5. Looking at the factory exhaust I would guess it is 2.5 until to gets to the axle and goes to 2.0?

How much power might I lose going to a 2.5 instead of say buying the Cobb exhaust that is 3in?

Stock exhaust is 2.5" all the way back. People will argue for days about exhaust designs, the TXS 2.5" was one of the few options way back when, it dyno'd +/- to the 3" Cobb setup. Cobb makes great stuff too, either will sound good and last a long time. I liked the sound of the TXS catted DP and stock catback, and it's much cheaper.

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#25 2016-09-17 10:25:21

TNAero2005
Member
Registered: 2016-05-14
User Number: 36665
Posts: 31

Re: New to me Saabaru

I have a question about this exhaust, is it everything you need, the up pipe, down pipe, cats, etc, i mean does it replace all the factory exhaust and does it still use the 2 O2 sensors?

Thanks


2005 Saabaru Aero 5MT, 1994 Integra jdm built GSR, 1995 Impala SS Candy blue 20s, 1994 Jeep Wrangler 5sp body & suspension lift 35s, 2003 Acura TL Type S, 2003 Honda CRV, 1966 Chevelle SS Clone 402 BB, 1999 Chevy Silverado LT, 1992 Honda Civic VX Gas Miser, 2005 Ninja 250R,  1986 Toyota Truck........Admitted Car Hoarder.........and knowing is half the battle.

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