[Varilux]

Since the day I bought my 9-3 last year, I've been wanting a tune. Just clicked the "confirm order" button- so time is now officially going slower than normal as I await its arrival!

Thinking of ordering a DashHawk as well. Does anyone own one of these devices?

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

 

[Hoss33]

I can't comment on the DashHawk. But, you're going to love the tune. I haven't had the chance to drive my 9-3 much since I've tuned it, but I love it so far!

Brian was great with communication through the process. Enjoy.

 

[SpoolinUpBlue]

Excellent tune choice!

 

[mikesul]

You will love it, only problem is now I want more! HP bug has bit me again.

 

[NickTaliaferro]

Brian seems to be doing lots of testing on his own car for development before releasing it to paying customers. Definitely a good sign of a standup tuner. It is the experience that you are paying for. Anybody can just get the tools and dig around in the maps.

You will love it, only problem is now I want more! HP bug has bit me again.

Simple fix for that is to turn it back to stock for a couple weeks. Has to get to feeling fast again then OR.. I usually drive my old -72 or my 2.3i R&D car until it feels peppy. Then back to the big HP car and you get that :cheesy: feeling again. Even on 500hp they get to feeling "normal".

 

[LtD]

congrats! i am still debating whether to get it or not. It might even fix my issue with the warm restart stalling. Just concerned that it will dropped my mpg. I know Brian indicated before that it actually helps but I would think more HP/torque means >fuel use. Plus my vehicle is still under warranty with only <14,000 miles on it.

 

[North Toronto Punter]

@Nick:

I'm also feeling that addict's threshold for a greater high!

Detune = detox (temporary relief). But for the automatic equipped Turbo X junkie how can he ensure his 'Liver' processes a bigger 'Hit'?

I'd make my pact with the devil to go for Brian's Stage 2 (@ 390 HP and 420+lbs torque): Sleeper Panamera-Killer.

1. Do you have anything in your 'tricks bag' to bolster the existing automatic transmission on a tuned car (like the Turbo X)?

2. And if, God forbid, the transmission failed (I have more faith in the Haldex, though I have nothing to back up my prejudice) and I showed up at your door, would you simply replace the transmission with the stock one or ...?????

 

[mikesul]

Brian seems to be doing lots of testing on his own car for development before releasing it to paying customers. Definitely a good sign of a standup tuner. It is the experience that you are paying for. Anybody can just get the tools and dig around in the maps.



Simple fix for that is to turn it back to stock for a couple weeks. Has to get to feeling fast again then OR.. I usually drive my old -72 or my 2.3i R&D car until it feels peppy. Then back to the big HP car and you get that :cheesy: feeling again. Even on 500hp they get to feeling "normal".

Can't go that long without the tune.
Nick, I am going to go with Brians stage 2, but would like to do your new DP at the same time. When will you be shipping?

 

[Varilux]

Plus my vehicle is still under warranty with only <14,000 miles on it.
I just turned 19k myself, but I figure its better to get the tune now and enjoy the car rather than a year or two before I trade in (I usually keep a car about 4 years, and I've already had my 9-3 for a year).

The only part that gives me any concern is my automatic transmission. However, I'm figuring that a.) in '08, Saab upped the HP and torque out of the same exact set up, and b.) there have been documents posted which indicate the transmission is designed to take the torque.

I'm really hoping the tune turns what is already a "somewhat peppy" convertible into a sports car. Before purchasing my 9-3, I had test drove an SLK350 (just too small to be practical, but man that thing pleasantly threw you back in your seat). The SLK350 puts out 300hp- so I have high hopes!

Doesn't seem like anyone is using the DashHawk? Seems like this little device can show you just about anything you want to know about what's going on under the hood (if they would just format it into a round 62mm that would fit in a gauge mount, it would look awesome mounted on the pillar).

 

[North Toronto Punter]

No question you will enjoy Stage 0!

The tune is magnificently suited to the automatic (BTW: Exploits wonderfully the traction of XWD) and if you're not drag racing (but looking for spirited 'power to merge') then I wouldn't be overly concerned with the integrity of the automatic (at Stage 0) so long as you do your trans fluid changes at 'severe' schedule (I'm sure you're aware of the exhaustive discussions here...).

But be warned: You're starting on grade 0 Heroin...and it's a slippery slope (as per the testimony of me and mikesul) to full-blown Stage 2 Crack!

 

[zingZACH]

Simple fix for that is to turn it back to stock for a couple weeks. Has to get to feeling fast again then OR.. I usually drive my old -72 or my 2.3i R&D car until it feels peppy. Then back to the big HP car and you get that :cheesy: feeling again. Even on 500hp they get to feeling "normal".

Completely agree... I drive my 90 900S N/A for the winter while the Stage 3 Viggen sits... I get so used to the Viggen that it feels slow. Then I hop in that when it comes out of storage and it's like being in a rocket ship and I forget all about the torque steer and the ability to roast the tires at 45mph with ease :lol:.

 

[Ferms_93_2.8T]

Since the day I bought my 9-3 last year, I've been wanting a tune. Just clicked the "confirm order" button- so time is now officially going slower than normal as I await its arrival!

Thinking of ordering a DashHawk as well. Does anyone own one of these devices?

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

I may have to hit you up for a ride once you get the tune. I imagine that would ultimately seal the deal for my purchase. Minus the extra 2 doors I imagine it would feel exactly the same.

 

[LtD]

anyone here from Washington state with the Stage 0 tune?? i wanna feel the power before i make any commitment

 

[Varilux]

I may have to hit you up for a ride once you get the tune.
Just shoot me a PM, and I'll send you my contact info. I'm just down the road in Hickory Creek...

 

[Vector-SS]

anyone here from Washington state with the Stage 0 tune?? i wanna feel the power before i make any commitment

There is no need, trust us :cheesy:

 

[4warned]

I'm going to order stage 2, soon as i can find an Aero i want.:cheesy:

 

[Autotechnica]

I've got a dash hawk. I mainly use it for keeping track of AFR's. It doesn't have a PID for boost, and there is no longer any further support for this device. The guy that was working on development got fired so MSD dumped the project. Happily, you can still buy the devices. Just don't expect any support.

It works well with 4 PID's displayed at once, anymore than that and you can't read anything. The ability to sync data to your PC is fantastic. You can record performance data as well as temps, timing, etc, all in real time. It also reads codes. It's a great device for tuners or people who want custom tuning on dynos. I've been using it for quite some time and I get RICA to send me custom tunes based on the data i've collected.

Bry

 

[Varilux]

Holy mother of god!

Wow... You read post after post from people who have VTuned their Saabs, but then you experience it yourself and- wow!

Amazing how a 26 second upload can transform things. Its still civilized (well, except the torque-steer is quite a bit more evident), but its just a different car! Even more impressive than the 0-60 acceleration is the 50-90 surge.

Saab may have made my 9-3, but Brian made my 9-3 fun! I'll repeat what many have already said- Should have come this way from the factory!

Obviously, I'm another exceptionally happy VTuner customer! :cheesy:If you have a V6 Aero, my only advice is "Just do it!"

PS- ...and I have yet to install the K&N filter- supposed to arrive on Monday.

 

[tnkr111]

All this talk about the VTuner...I might have to give Brian some of my money.

 

[Ryno]

Yea I mean it’s not just the speed, though the increase there is staggering, the adjustments to the tranny (6spd man. Here) have smoothed out some of the notching in the shifting and the gear ratio’s seemed much more intelligent and natural.