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#1 2013-12-10 18:59:31

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

skidave's 05 Aero

Just put new wheels on last night, so I figure it's about time for a "Post My Ride" thread!

Performance Mods:
COBB high-flow catted downpipe
Catless uppipe from 07 WRX
COBB replica catback exhaust with rusty tip mod
Stage 2 Accessport tune

Wheels/Tires:
Summer - 17" Stock Aero wheels / Hankook Evo V12
Winter - 16" Gold Sparco Assetto Gara / Blizzak WS60

Audio:
JVC KW-HDR720 head unit
Polk DB6501 woofers + tweeters in the front
Infinity Reference 1060w 10" sub in Audio Integrations enclosure
Dual Kenwood amplifiers - 1 for speakers, one for sub

Misc:
RA flaps
Kartboy short throw shifter

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4734754/sparco_saabaru.jpg


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#2 2013-12-10 19:10:20

thebillsman
@villadelph
Supporter
From: Philadelphia
Registered: 2010-03-30
User Number: 4417
Posts: 4486

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Looks great, I like the winter setup!


05 Aero Limited | VF34

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#3 2013-12-10 19:31:10

AERONH
Member
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2012-04-13
User Number: 7177
Posts: 1813

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Nice! I dig the gold on blue  up


2005 Aero 5MT - US Production # 123   RIP

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#4 2013-12-10 22:10:39

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Thanks guys! Now all I need is a little bit of snow smile


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#5 2013-12-11 01:22:03

ikbrown
long live R0LO!
From: Fair Oaks, CA
Registered: 2011-10-06
User Number: 6094
Posts: 5263

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

up Looks nice!


2019 VW Alltrack 6MT
2005 Saab 92x Aero 5MT | The basic mods, Stage 2.04
1968 Dodge Charger 383 | SOLD

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#6 2013-12-11 11:04:52

animalpak
Member
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Registered: 2012-01-19
User Number: 6824
Posts: 384

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Looks good. I'm a fan of gold on blue, makes a nice winter set-up!  up


.                 .                       .                    .                     Instagram@ work.hustle.ki11           .                     .                           .
08 Evo Gsr Wicked White
11 VW Tiguan Candy White
05 Saab 9-2x Aero, Lexis 8U1 Ultrasonic Blue - VF39 - SOLD!!!

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#7 2013-12-11 13:48:20

goob_os101
Supporter
Supporter
From: Arlington, VA
Registered: 2008-02-25
User Number: 2572
Posts: 1123

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

get some KartBoy XL hangers before you have a melted bumper mod.


-Goob

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#8 2013-12-11 14:03:31

BlkSaabaru4Me
Monkey W/ Wrench
From: Arlington, VA
Registered: 2011-04-14
User Number: 5379
Posts: 1565

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

goob_os101 wrote:

get some KartBoy XL hangers before you have a melted bumper mod.

Haha. Yeah I agree with Goob. That exhaust looks awfully close to that bumper. Wheels look great, specially for a winter setup!


Black 05' Aero - 5MT - Cold - Current DD 
Cobb Protune, VF-48, 850cc, turbo inlet, 3-port EBCS, SPT w/ Shield,  3" DP, STi UP, STi Cat-back, STi TMIC w/ diffuser, GS BMCB, Kartboy SS+ bushings,
Whiteline (22)FSB/(24)RSB, Whiteline RSTB w/ quick release, IXIZ HD, IXIZ PSP, STi 11mm Oil pump, Gates Racing TB, STi shift knob, WRX 17x8 w/ 225/45

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#9 2013-12-12 09:00:46

juniebugs
Member
Registered: 2012-02-18
User Number: 7080
Posts: 251

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

I love the "rusty tip" mod. That mod can be applied in more ways than one though  biggrin

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#10 2013-12-12 09:02:39

juniebugs
Member
Registered: 2012-02-18
User Number: 7080
Posts: 251

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

BlkSaabaru4Me wrote:

goob_os101 wrote:

get some KartBoy XL hangers before you have a melted bumper mod.

Haha. Yeah I agree with Goob. That exhaust looks awfully close to that bumper. Wheels look great, specially for a winter setup!

I have the q300 exhaust mod and I also have the exhaust tip touching my bumber mod. But I am still waiting for the melt my bumper mod.

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#11 2013-12-12 10:44:56

dotmaster206
Member
From: Denver, CO
Registered: 2012-03-10
User Number: 7123
Posts: 2151

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

juniebugs wrote:

I love the "rusty tip" mod. That mod can be applied in more ways than one though  biggrin

lol

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#12 2013-12-12 13:18:51

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Same, I was originally considering longer hangers but did not get them out of laziness! It has been a bit over 1 1/2 years and no melted bumper mod yet. Though now I'm going to get some XL hangers for cheap insurance.


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#13 2014-02-01 17:34:19

mclapine
Member
From: Asheville, NC
Registered: 2012-04-30
User Number: 7216
Posts: 125

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Dude, this is too funny... Finally I know what lies beneath this bad Susan.


2005 Saab 92x Aero, Cold Package

2017 WRX in WRB- Bone stock until the warranty runs dry.

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#14 2014-02-01 17:53:54

2JZ
Member
From: Canada
Registered: 2011-06-30
User Number: 5647
Posts: 1775

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

up up up


2003 Subaru STi EJ207/6MT widebody wagon (daily driver)
1997 BMW 328is (racecar)
2005 Saab 9-2x STi 6MT
2006 Saab 9-2x Linear 5MT

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#15 2014-02-18 08:10:10

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

MOAR ROAD SALT

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4734754/salty.jpg


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#16 2014-02-18 09:21:04

juniebugs
Member
Registered: 2012-02-18
User Number: 7080
Posts: 251

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Lookin good!

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#17 2014-02-19 00:05:45

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Thanks!

Alright, time to ask some advice from you all...

My rear left strut has been blown for a few months now and the handling is getting worse by the day. I know suspension setups have been debated to death, but maybe you can help me decide what to do!

Options I'm considering:
-replace all struts / springs with a similar setup to OEM (Epic + KYB)
-replace suspension with ISC N1 coilovers (with minimal drop)
-continue to drive the car as-is to save $$$ until WRX hatchback, Levorg, XV STi etc. comes to the market

I'm considering going the coilover route. The main thing that worried me was losing the adjustability due to corrosion, but I'm moving to Portland this summer so I won't have to deal with road salt anymore. I enjoy pushing the car and love the twisties, so the stiffer suspension sounds very intriguing. However, I don't track it, and the majority of my trips are long highway drives to mountains. I'm a bit hesitant to do anything that might ruin the ride comfort on the long drives, hence the reason why I'm considering going with a stock-ish setup. A plus about doing coilovers is that this could be my first real mechanical DIY job on the car.

Any suggestions? I keep going back and forth on what to do and have spent too much time researching my options... confused


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#18 2014-02-19 00:37:25

juicebox
I'm Rod and I like to party
From: St. George, Utah
Registered: 2011-01-17
User Number: 5151
Posts: 600

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

I have Cobb springs and Koni inserts, that setup is awesome. If you don't want that much drop, I'd do Epic springs with Koni's... Truth be told, I only have experience with stock struts vs. Koni inserts. I'm sure any new, good quality strut would be good. I had Epic springs on my black 92x, they were about 1" higher than the Cobb springs.


Black 2005 Aero 5MT - Sold
Red 2005 Aero 5MT - Sold

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#19 2014-02-19 21:27:25

d4rkv
Supporter
Supporter
From: Chester County, PA
Registered: 2007-10-13
User Number: 2322
Posts: 1302

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

I still got a set of KYB + Epic E. springs in the garage and planing soon to install them since I saw one of my back struts looks pretty rusty.
I took that choice because it was fairly cheap and I just wanted something stock so maybe in the near future I can put some 17" on it instead of dropping the car.

I thought of selling them since my car accident in 2012 but luckily I didn't install them before the accident because I now got another 9-2x, I ask Psybin how they were and he said they are similar to stock ones with the same ride quality.
I think I paid for the KYB $65 +/- each and $300 (without shipping) for the Epic Engineering Springs they are great people, they offered me a week later a test set for almost half the price but I already had a set from Rallysportdirect.com and didn't want to deal with the return shipment/ warranty.

If you are thinking of selling the car in the near future, I would try to find on here if someone sells a strut at the Sale/ Wanted section/ ebay or at a near by car (subaru) yard.
Thats probably the best and cheapest way to do it.


2014 VW CC Sport w/ AFS - Night Blue - so far reliable on my 80mile commute
2007 Cannondale Scalpel 3 - minty w/ upgrades
2005 Saab 9-2x Linear - Satin Gray - unregistered/ stored away, afraid to check rear strut towers
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero - Mica blue - RIP 10/17/2012

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#20 2014-02-19 22:13:50

sdunlimited
Member
From: Seacoast NH
Registered: 2007-08-07
User Number: 2206
Posts: 106

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

You have certainly gotten the snow you asked for!

Blizzaks are the cats ass in this weather for sure.  They've been put to the test damn near every day this week.  Rolling up 95 from Burlington on Saturday in the snow, it was the old 92x and a few WRX/Sti's that were firmly planted to the road.

I grabbed some OEM rear strut replacements off Amazon last week for something like $110 shipped.  They were cheaper than RockAuto.  If you're pretty certain you're going to sell, it's definitely a cheap/quick route to getting at least stock ride quality back.  Better than having that rusty, failing strut clunking around.  I'm in the same boat as you til the snow is gone (garageless  sadbanana)

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#21 2014-02-19 23:09:39

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Yeah, I'm glad I got new snow tires this year! I'm renting a house near Sugarbush with some friends, and we have a nice steep hill to go up in order to get to the house. It was unplowed on Friday, but had no problem getting up it driving

I think I'm probably going to go Epic springs + KYB struts...~$650 shipped in total! Now it's time to do some research to see if I can handle the install (once the snow melts!) - maybe I'll have a shop assemble the springs + struts, and then do the rest myself. Thanks for the advice, everyone!


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#22 2014-02-20 06:53:31

sdunlimited
Member
From: Seacoast NH
Registered: 2007-08-07
User Number: 2206
Posts: 106

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Others who are actual mechanics can certainly chime in here with more experience than I however, I can say emphatically that with proper tools changing out struts and springs on these is super easy.  There's another current thread here:  https://saab92x.com/viewtopic.php?pid=913753 with a few more details. 

I did my fronts last year on a weekend when I also did the timing belt and passengers side VCG.  The drivers side took me about 35-45mins with some help from a friend because my spring compressors seemed just a little too big for these tiny springs.  Reassembling was the problem because it was difficult to get the springs compressed enough to fit the top hat on.  Not sure if the Epic springs would cause any issues or not, but with a good set of spring compressors, a breaker bar or air compressor along with your standard sockets, etc you should be well on your way. 

I'm NOT a mechanic by any means and do all this in a dirt driveway.  Suit and tie by day, shi!tty shadetree mechanic weekend warrior big_smile

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#23 2014-02-20 21:06:30

d4rkv
Supporter
Supporter
From: Chester County, PA
Registered: 2007-10-13
User Number: 2322
Posts: 1302

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

I agree with "sdunlimited", I am not a mechanic either but I have done quite a lot on my own and I can say as long as you are handy/ confident in your self have the proper tools and a second hand you can accomplish it on your own. It should be fairly easy. I almost did the change back in 2012 but I realized my tool set I had didn't have 24mm socket (it only goes up to 22mm). I rented the spring compressor from pepboys, I had to pay $45 (you get $40 back once you return it). But I have seen cheap spring compressors for like $20 at Harbor Freight.

Another good thing is to buy some new  KYB spring boots and KYB strut mounts/ tops. I got them off amazon, same place where I got my KYB struts from.
Also same here I am just waiting for the spring time (50+ F) and I will change my struts/ springs and do my 105k miles maintenance/ service including thermostat,
done it before and it went well with input from members here.

Good luck.


d4rkv


2014 VW CC Sport w/ AFS - Night Blue - so far reliable on my 80mile commute
2007 Cannondale Scalpel 3 - minty w/ upgrades
2005 Saab 9-2x Linear - Satin Gray - unregistered/ stored away, afraid to check rear strut towers
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero - Mica blue - RIP 10/17/2012

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#24 2014-04-09 18:34:12

skidave
Member
From: Portland, OR
Registered: 2010-08-17
User Number: 4770
Posts: 603

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

banana

I was going to do the mounts too but decided to hold off since it was $200 extra for the set. Hopefully I won't regret that decision when I can fully inspect my current ones during the install...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4734754/newparts.jpg

Last edited by skidave (2014-04-09 18:38:27)


05 Arctic Silver Aero MT Stage 2
05 Blue Aero MT Stage 2 - Totaled 5/10/14 by stop sign runner sad

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#25 2014-04-09 18:47:26

d4rkv
Supporter
Supporter
From: Chester County, PA
Registered: 2007-10-13
User Number: 2322
Posts: 1302

Re: skidave's 05 Aero

Awesome, and good decision for waiting/ spending an extra $200. Got new boot covers and new strut mounts too?


2014 VW CC Sport w/ AFS - Night Blue - so far reliable on my 80mile commute
2007 Cannondale Scalpel 3 - minty w/ upgrades
2005 Saab 9-2x Linear - Satin Gray - unregistered/ stored away, afraid to check rear strut towers
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero - Mica blue - RIP 10/17/2012

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