Can't Sleep

[Rstrnt]

I ordered the Saab Sport Cat Back exhaust and the 3" downpipe. It is coming next week. Hopefully next week I can order the balance of the stage 3 upgrade. I know this is an old question ... but in everybodies opinion, what should I be doing next?

I want the car to be an everyday driver ... but I have to show the rice burners who really owns the road if and when the need arises.

I have been wanting to start this for a long time, and I am finally doing it. I have spoke with Nick a few times, and I have to ask, Could you find a better guy to deal with? I am sure I asked him some pretty stupid questions, and he has always been informative, and polite. I look forward to working with Nick in the future. I don't care what my Viggen needs, I will order it from Nick.

[Jeremy R.]

Do you have a steering rack clamp? That should actually come before any other modifications. Really once you have all the stage 3 components installed on a Viggen, ricers should be running for cover.

[Rstrnt]

After reading the reviews, looks like Nick is gonna be gettin some more bling out of me. The steering rack brace, and rear bar look like the next items. What about the 6 point frame brace ... ???

[Viggen Dave]

The Viggen intercooler is really too small. If I were you, a great big intercooler would be high on my list.

[saab_family]

ooooooo nicks downpipes are gorgeous! you lucky guy! my next upgrade will be the 6 point brace by the way. i agree viggen dave, get a big intercooler in there as soon as you can afford it. it made a bigger difference then i would have ever guessed!

[andrewarm]

What bigger intercoolers are there out there?

[kaltorak]

But is it necessary to get a larger intercooler if you are only going to a Stage 2? I placed my order for my 99 9-3 and am getting: Nordic Stage 2, Catback, 6-point, Steering Rack and Viggen Intercooler. I have done my rear bar and replaced my intake with a K&N. I too am using her for day-to-day but would need her to 'learn' the Civics and Golfs.

[Viggen Dave]

Originally Posted by kaltorak

But is it necessary to get a larger intercooler if you are only going to a Stage 2?

Necessary? Maybe not absolutely necessary, especially in Toronto. But a good investment? Absolutely!

Look at it this way: You're going to pay Genuine Saab $150 for the pitiful Viggen intercooler. The hoses to adapt the cross-flow intercooler to your car cost another $200 or so. Then, to do the install, you'll be tearing the bumper off the car, or paying someone to do it. Let's call that another $100.

So you're paying $450 installed for an intercooler that you're not going to be happy with. It will still heat-soak and limit performance on summer days, even in Toronto. You'd be better off delaying the intercooler upgrade until you could afford the better one. It's another $400. Skip the meals out for a couple of months, and you're there.

Just one man's opinion, but I imagine many others will agree.

Best regards,

Dave

[greenhobby]

I have the Nordic stage 3+, with all the rescue kits. I installed Jak Stoll's InterCooler (8"x3.5"x20"). It made a huge difference in the warmer weather. Highly recommend it. The down side of Jak's IC is that it takes some fiddling to get it in there. It's also held in place a little different then stock. Nick's IC fits better, but it's not as big (at least when I was looking).

As far as other things, definitely go for the 6 point subframe, brace, fat rear sway bar, nice wide wheels/rims. The 6 poing subframe makes the whole front end feel like one piece (very smooth). There have been discussions about the subframe changing the dynamics of the front end crash design. Not conclusive though.

I've walked Bimmers, Acura's, Honda's, hemi's from a roll-on . I have the original (80K miles) stock clutch, so I'm not into whole shots and drag racing.

It always starts, get's me there (in style) and returns me/us home safely. It is the perfect daily driver IMHO.

good luck!
-greenhobby