Open Air or Snorkel?

[GeminiMoods]

Hey Guys,



I have a 2000 9-5 Aero wagon that is completely stock. I am looking to get a performance intake, mainly for a performance gain but I do want more intake sound. I have been reading all of the past performance intake threads posted on the site, but I am still left with a big question: Do I get a larger inlet pipe (snorkel) and combine it with a performance air filter to fit in the stock airbox? Or do I get a K&N open air intake...no more air box or anything. I want as much of a performance gain as I can, but I do not want an overly loud turbo noise...That is, not a constant whistling and hissing while I'm just driving around at normal speeds and RPM's. Also, I have driven in naturally aspirated engines with open air intakes, and I love that sound...I know this is a turbo car, and given the intake feeds the turbo, there will be a lot more turbo noise, but will it sound anything like a Naturally Aspirated engine at all???

Anyway, thanks a lot for the help! BTW: The parts I am referring to are all at GenuineSaab.com

[stipud]

If you don't want to hear the turbo, just stick with the snorkel and get a new stock airfilter go with it. The new design flows more air than the older stock part, and is good to well over 400hp anyways. Running a performance filter in the airbox will only suck up more dust and filter oil into the engine.

The open airfilter does make the engine note a bit gruntier, however it's barely noticeable over the sucking and releasing of the turbo.

[GeminiMoods]

OK, thanks...that's pretty much what I was leaning towards. So there is no performance/sound increase with a performance airfilter like this one: http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/p...roducts_id=450 ??

[stipud]

With that filter you would hear a bit more of the turbo, but not much more grunt.

[GeminiMoods]

Right, but you wouldn't recommend it over the new style stock filter correct? There is no performance advantage to this filter compared with the stock one? Thanks for the response.

[stipud]

Bingo. You want this one:
http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/p...roducts_id=388

[GeminiMoods]

Yup, thats the one I ordered. Thanks a lot man.

[saab95lpt2l]

The only reason to change to an sports air filter in my opinion is that is washable and reusable. in my country 2 oem filters cost the same as a pipercross filter...not a difficult choise in my opinion. I am gone order my self a pipercross when its time to do a filter change.

[ivoneh]

I am a new Saab owner as of 9/7/07. I bought a 04' 9-5 Aero and am looking to replace the current air filter. I want more sound, but not at the expense of hydro-lock and fabricating a splash guard (Chicago winters are brutal!). So, I am going to pick up a replacement Saab filter from genuinesaab.com and possibly the snorkel, but my confusion lies in the wording for the snorkel on the site:

"Latest production parts offering improved airflow over 99-03 design" Considering I have a 2004, should'nt I have this "new" design already?

Further detailed explanation would be greatly appreciated and help to buy it or not.

Thanks,

Ian

[djrpowell]

I got a performance filter that you clean and my fuel economy is better so is my accleration. Not a lot but 3pmg is cool!

It is a PFS standard one blue one which you oil and clean every year from France

[MacNoob]

Originally Posted by ivoneh

"Latest production parts offering improved airflow over 99-03 design" Considering I have a 2004, should'nt I have this "new" design already?

Take a look at the end of the snorkel (behind the grille in front of the radiator, approx in the center).

If the end opening is a flattened oval about maybe 2"x4" then you have the old snorkel.

If the end is an almost round shape then you have the new one. I suspect you are correct that the '04 already has the new one.

[GeminiMoods]

Yes, I would say that the '04 already has the new snorkel....

[ron22]

Geminimods, where exactly did you find the snorkel? I can't seem to find it on the genuinesaab site.

[GeminiMoods]

You can find it here:

http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/p...04a0e507db5ef0

[Teckniec1999 9-5V6]

Just got my open air kit today I can't wait to put it on

[Raven18940]

I've run an open element intake back to back with a improved snorkel and improved stock paper element. I can say with confidence there is no difference in performance. There was an improvement switching from the old snorkel design to the open element though.

[SaabBlackMan]

I just ordered the 06 filter and the new snorkel..they will go well with my new pcv update. cant wait for it to arrive.