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2008 Rear Diffuser

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31K views 63 replies 20 participants last post by  francis-4321  
#1 ·
Ok, so I'm finally going to do my first mod to my 2008 2.0T. Going to have a new exhaust put on the car probably next Saturday. I'm having a local guy I know who does excellent work put the exhaust on for me. I'm thnking 3" cat-back for now as I don't have the money for the 3" DP yet. So this will strictly be for aesthetics.

So, here is my issue. I went to my dealer and bought the Aero exhaust diffuser because I love the look of the dual outlets and want it to look stock. However, after looking at my current bumper my assumption of just swapping out the two pieces seems to have hit a road bump.

I didn't have a lot of time today to investigate, but it looks like the 2.0T bumper is one piece and I'll have to carefully cut out the area where the Aero diffuser will go.

Does anyone know if the stock 2.0T bumper actually is one piece and I'll have to cut out that part or is it riveted/screwed/clipped together for easy swappage?

Anyone have any experience with this?

On a side note, Stage 1 is next, but probably still a few months away unless money starts growing on trees. This modding stuff is going to get expensive but after reading everyone's comments from doing the different stages it'll be worth it. Not going to get too crazy, probably end it at Stage 3 and maybe lower it.

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to getting pictures up in the coming weeks to show you how it came out.
 
#2 ·
These instructions here Saab 32025847 instructions in English show how to install the 2009 Saab Accessory Bumper Skirt/Rear Insert shown below.
Image


Don't know if the Aero one fits in the same way, but it may give you some pointers.
 
#4 ·
Looks like the Aero Insert I bought is very similar to the instuctions Steve posted. Now I just need to find out if the guy doing the exhaust will be ok with putting this on at the same time.

Thanks again stevedol for the info, much appreciated.

If I get the exhaust done this Saturday I'll try and get pics up Sunday.
 
#8 ·
Hi there, do you happen to have the stock part number for the diffuser? How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Ok, so I'm finally going to do my first mod to my 2008 2.0T. Going to have a new exhaust put on the car probably next Saturday. I'm having a local guy I know who does excellent work put the exhaust on for me. I'm thnking 3" cat-back for now as I don't have the money for the 3" DP yet. So this will strictly be for aesthetics.

So, here is my issue. I went to my dealer and bought the Aero exhaust diffuser because I love the look of the dual outlets and want it to look stock. However, after looking at my current bumper my assumption of just swapping out the two pieces seems to have hit a road bump.

I didn't have a lot of time today to investigate, but it looks like the 2.0T bumper is one piece and I'll have to carefully cut out the area where the Aero diffuser will go.

Does anyone know if the stock 2.0T bumper actually is one piece and I'll have to cut out that part or is it riveted/screwed/clipped together for easy swappage?

Anyone have any experience with this?

On a side note, Stage 1 is next, but probably still a few months away unless money starts growing on trees. This modding stuff is going to get expensive but after reading everyone's comments from doing the different stages it'll be worth it. Not going to get too crazy, probably end it at Stage 3 and maybe lower it.

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to getting pictures up in the coming weeks to show you how it came out.
 
#9 ·
I have an 08 model, and I went with the rear diffuser with twin exhaust cutouts. You can order them from saabpartsonline.com, the part number is 12-769-770, and the price is $42.85. You may need the rivet (Qty = 2) depending on how you install it, part 12-779-106 which totals another $4.37. This site is actually run by a Saab dealer in Winston-Salem, NC ... I cant remember the name but basically if you have issues with the order you just call their Parts Department and ask for their web order guy.

They have to order those parts from Saab, so it takes a good 2 to 3 weeks to come in. When they receive it, they inspect it, repackage it and then send it to you ... tedious but they want to ensure you got what you asked for. I ordered the rubber mat set (32-026-015) for $44.10 at the same time, so the shipping on all the parts was $15, which is a fair price because the diffuser comes in a big box.

This is way cheaper than the $200+ price you pulled up.

BTW ... I should have taken pictures of the install but I was in a rush and didnt. I was nervous cutting into the rear bumper but basically I used an exacto knife set from Harbor Freight, and I probably went through 3 or 4 blades. When they are sharp they cut through the bumper easy. I used Gorilla Marine Glue to hold the bumper in place, on the bottom I used weatherproof fiberglass nuts and matching bolts with nylon washers to secure it ... you can get these on any RC replacement parts website. Yes ... I used RC parts and they work great. I was concerned metal bolts would rust because the salt in the roads in DC where I live.

Let me know if you have any questions.
 

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#13 ·
Thanks so for much the hookup! I assume this fits either sedan or convertible?

Thanks again!

I have an 08 model, and I went with the rear diffuser with twin exhaust cutouts. You can order them from saabpartsonline.com, the part number is 12-769-770, and the price is $42.85. You may need the rivet (Qty = 2) depending on how you install it, part 12-779-106 which totals another $4.37. This site is actually run by a Saab dealer in Winston-Salem, NC ... I cant remember the name but basically if you have issues with the order you just call their Parts Department and ask for their web order guy.

They have to order those parts from Saab, so it takes a good 2 to 3 weeks to come in. When they receive it, they inspect it, repackage it and then send it to you ... tedious but they want to ensure you got what you asked for. I ordered the rubber mat set (32-026-015) for $44.10 at the same time, so the shipping on all the parts was $15, which is a fair price because the diffuser comes in a big box.

This is way cheaper than the $200+ price you pulled up.

BTW ... I should have taken pictures of the install but I was in a rush and didnt. I was nervous cutting into the rear bumper but basically I used an exacto knife set from Harbor Freight, and I probably went through 3 or 4 blades. When they are sharp they cut through the bumper easy. I used Gorilla Marine Glue to hold the bumper in place, on the bottom I used weatherproof fiberglass nuts and matching bolts with nylon washers to secure it ... you can get these on any RC replacement parts website. Yes ... I used RC parts and they work great. I was concerned metal bolts would rust because the salt in the roads in DC where I live.

Let me know if you have any questions.
 
#11 ·
As posted in post #2. It's good that someone who's installed the insert can confirm that these instructions are correct for the Aero insert as well.
 
#12 ·
That is the Aero insert, so yes it is the same. I know cutting seems gruesome but once you do it and you see how the parts fit, and how well the bumper insert fits over the bumper cover ... it will look like the car came that way from the factory. I'm a novice and this took less than 45 minutes start to finish.
 
#22 ·
Wow, so I wasn't getting updates to the fact that people were posting in this thread. I feel like an ***, sorry about not replying 96mn12.

Well tomorrow is the big day for the exhaust install. A week later than I originally wanted, but I can't do much about it when the guy doing the work was on vacation last weekend.

I should have pics up either tomorrow night or first thing Sunday.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped myself and others in this thread. I'll make sure and stop in a little more often since I can't trust getting email updates.
 
#23 ·
Well I have to wait yet another week for my exhaust. The guy got the car up on the lift and then had me show him what I wanted to do. And his response was he'd have to order everything since I wanted to do 3" all the way back(I'm preparing for when I get the 3" downpipe).

And I possibly might not be using the diffuser I bought but we'll see how good of a job he does by cutting out the bumper for the exhaust.
 
#33 ·
I finally got the exhaust done today. Looks incredible and it sounds really good. It's going to take a little getting used to. It's a little louder than I thought it would be and when you really get on it it gets pretty loud.


I ran 3" from the cat back and the guy used 3 glass packs. The tips he used were Magnaflow 4" SS which look incredible. I thought the guy did a really good job. Looks like I'm going to have to sand the area where he cut out for the exhaust as it's a little rough and I didn't end up using the part I had ordered from the dealer. I'll have pictures up in the next day or two.

Worst case scenario I'll have to have it redone a little bit so it's not quite so loud. Maybe try and put actual mufflers on but leave the tips. I'll drive it for awhile. Don't want to make a hasty decision.
 
#35 ·
Please share the details of your exhaust. Did you keep the stock DP?

I finally got the exhaust done today. Looks incredible and it sounds really good. It's going to take a little getting used to. It's a little louder than I thought it would be and when you really get on it it gets pretty loud.


I ran 3" from the cat back and the guy used 3 glass packs. The tips he used were Magnaflow 4" SS which look incredible. I thought the guy did a really good job. Looks like I'm going to have to sand the area where he cut out for the exhaust as it's a little rough and I didn't end up using the part I had ordered from the dealer. I'll have pictures up in the next day or two.

Worst case scenario I'll have to have it redone a little bit so it's not quite so loud. Maybe try and put actual mufflers on but leave the tips. I'll drive it for awhile. Don't want to make a hasty decision.
 
#36 ·
Yeah stock DP is still there. I'm giving it some serious thought about eventually getting a different one once I get stage 1. Then again I might take my experience with my exhaust and not do anymore hardware changes.

After having the exhaust done for 3 days now, I have to be honest in that I'm not as happy with it as I thought I would be. As an everyday driver it's just way too loud. I've already talked to the guy who put it on and I'm going to change it up a bit with some mufflers and get rid of the glass packs. I definitely underestimated how much louder it would be from stock exhaust. Obviously glass packs don't do much for dampening sound and the inside of the car at 2500rpm or higher is almost unbearable, for me at least.

My question to the people who have done this and put a magnaflow muffler on is, how much louder was it from stock both inside and outside of the car?

Part of me regrets making the decision to cut a perfectly good exhaust and bumper, but then I look at it from the back and just have to smile. You win some you lose some.

Btw, pics should be up tomorrow. I had to borrow a camera from a friend and they forgot to give me the transfer cable.
 
#37 ·
Looking fwd to the project pics and finished job pics. What muffler/silencer/resonator are you using ? I'd make sure that it will mate up with whatever you are planning to do further forward later. DP should yield the most pwr.
 
#44 ·
Yeah the guy just cut the bumper to make room for the exhaust. I need to clean up the cut a little bit as the guy didn't sand any of the little burrs off. So I still have the rear diffuser I bought from the dealer. Not sure if I can return it or if I'm stuck with it as I won't be putting it on the car now. I think it looks pretty clean the way it is now.

Also, I did have the guy put some mufflers on it, doesn't really look any different, you can see the mufflers a little bit. Sounds a lot better as it's not nearly as loud as it was before while driving around. As I stated before didn't use any name brand stuff so I'm a little concerned about how long these mufflers will last but if I get a few years out of them I'll be happy.
 
#48 ·
Thanks, yeah $239.99 on that piece. It's very odd the twin cutout would be so much less than the singe cutout diffuser. I think I'll just make my own template and use 3M carbon fiber material in that section, then trim off the cut area with universal door edge gard trim.
 
#50 ·
Maybe I am a bit dense this morning, but can someone who has it post a pic of the new '08 diffuser next to the one they have on the car? I seem to be missing the effect of the added lines. I have seen the Hrisch one, but the OEM one seems hard to find a pic of...


Sean