As a long time Saab owner I have quickly learned my aftermarket options are very limited here in the states. I currently work for a large aftermarket company in the auto industry and have been designing and manufacturing performance products for years. I have currently been working to design a down pipe and a cat back exhaust system for the 9-5 and also some modular pieces for the 9-3. These systems are full 304 stainless and v banded at all connections. My current prototype on my car has been flawless. I'm writing this post to ask you Guys if you think I have there is a market here for me to send this system in to production? This will be a major investment for me and I look to make many 9-5 and 9-3 owners happy and also perhaps support a domestic market. Any thoughts, comments, questions would be graciously accepted.


Matt

As a long time Saab owner I have quickly learned my aftermarket options are very limited here in the states. I currently work for a large aftermarket company in the auto industry and have been designing and manufacturing performance products for years. I have currently been working to design a down pipe and a cat back exhaust system for the 9-5 and also some modular pieces for the 9-3. These systems are full 304 stainless and v banded at all connections. My current prototype on my car has been flawless. I'm writing this post to ask you Guys if you think I have there is a market here for me to send this system in to production? This will be a major investment for me and I look to make many 9-5 and 9-3 owners happy and also perhaps support a domestic market. Any thoughts, comments, questions would be graciously accepted.


Matt
Performance exhaust ( 3in) ? or stock sizes.

THere were 483,593 9-5s built and sold globally. Figure 50% of those came to the US of those how many are in the hands of people willing to do aftermarket work to thier cars? maybe 10,000. THose numbers are gong up as the prices drop on older models and confused kids think sicne they have a turbo they can me easily modified,

So how many uints do you need to breakeven on your investiment?

Standard business marketing 101 actually

I appreciate the info as knowing the actual numbers gives me some idea of how large the market really is I was looking to manufacture the 3", and believe my manufacturing minimums start around 20. I really don't have a break even point as long as i sell what I've invested in production.

So assuming you were to get a run of 20, how much would an exhaust system run?

can you post some pics of what you put on your car?

Yes pictures and price would help us to give you feedback. Nick at genuinesaab makes a beautiful downpipe that sells for ~$600 that is an absolute work of art in full stainless. There is also a full turbo back JT system available in aluminized steel for ~$500 depending on mufflers and without a cat. Can you compete with those prices?

Too early to pinpoint price now, but I'm guessing in the 600-800 USD range for full 304 stainless, v band, with a race catted downpipe. and around half that for just the down pipe/reducer section...

Ill see if I cant get some pics up here in the next few days... thank all you guys for the feedback!!

I am interested in getting an exhaust for my Aero. Does your prototype have any drone with the windows up?

The cabin noise with my current setup is pretty minimal. It seems to be a close mix of tone without drowe. I have noticed if seated in the rear left passenger seat crusing on the highway there is a a very small drone around the 2200rpm range. I think a minor internal muffler change to the rear muffler could eliminate this issue.

i'd be very interested. I'm looking for a full 3" stainless system. was going to go for the GS down pipe and possibly a custom cat-back? but i'm always open to new options!

i'd love to see pictures of your prototype as well

V-band to the turbo? If so that would be a tough sell as that would require modifications.

If v-bands to hold it together, that sounds cool!

$600-800 for a full system in stainless sounds very nice though!

Again, to go by genuine SAAB and what most people (or at least myself) consider the holy grail of exhaust, for the GS 3" DP w/ cat and then a BSR 2.5" exhaust it's over $1000.

I have heard of too much noise/droning from the a full 3" system though and 2.5" being a much more pleasant sound.

put me down for 1.......I would love to be a beta tester. I have a 2001 Aero with forged pistons, lighter flywheel and other goodies....need a neat exhaust

Man really grateful for all the feedback!!! Looks like I need to move forward with this project and get the prototype out for production.

put me down for one

downpipe to be made with or without cat installed?

downpipe to be made with or without cat installed?

i'd vote with if it were a high performance cat. I don't have to deal with emissions at this point but knowing I may in the future makes me more inclined to pay a little extra for a nice race cat

not mechanically hands-on here, biggest concern with DP is if it will be a direct fit to existing hardware? If it is not a direct plug and play, would be an issue since my indie guy can only do direct fit...

guess I second what Cark is talking about?..

I think I would be in

if you can price it in/around the same as JT, you may very well pull some business. I paid $700 or so for my full 3" JT with sport cat (you need to have a cat where I live, as the inspectors will ding you if you don't). You are in VA - would love to see this exhaust sometime.