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High flow turbo inlet pipe installation on a 1999 Saab 9-5. A shiny polished stainless piece of art by Taliaferro. Prohibitively expensive and obsoleted by the Saab's own 2006+ cobra kit, this inlet pipe is still a nice thing to have both for the performance benefits it offers and the attention it grabs when you open the hood. It is a recommended accessory for stage 3 and higher for those who prefer to stick with the trusty old TD04 turbo, but wish to make it easier to breath at the top end.

The installation takes under an hour. Let the car cool off, since you will be working around the turbo - burning your hands is not fun. Be extra clean - wipe the pipe thoroughly before installation and be careful not to introduce any dirt into the intake or the turbo while it's open.

Tools:

  • 13 mm socket and extention: heat shield, banjo and bracket bolts;
  • 10 mm socket: return pipe screw;
  • Torx T30 socket: turbo clamp and PCV line screw;
  • flat screwdriver: screw-type hose clamps;
  • pliers: spring-type hose clamps.

 

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19.08.2008: Inlet pipe
It is a good idea to have a fresh rubber O-ring and a new clamp when replacing the inlet pipe.

 

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19.08.2008: Return pipe
Remove the clamp on the bypass valve, undo the screw on the lower end of the return pipe and remove the pipe.

 

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19.08.2008: Heat shield
Undo the 13 mm nut on the heat shield overthe turbo and unlatch the spring clamps grabbing onto the studs on the manifold.

 

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19.08.2008: Clamp
Reach down and loosen the Torx T30 bolt on the clamp holding the inlet pipe to the turbo. If it's rusted - just break it, you have a replacement.

 

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19.08.2008: Connector
Lift the protective sleeve and unplug the electrical connector on the boost control valve (BPC).

 

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19.08.2008: BPC
Slide the BPC from the guides and move it aside.

 

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19.08.2008: Vent pipe
Unbolt the banjo bolt on the PCV pipe, detach the pipe from the valve cover. Unscrew the inlet pipe from the bracket and loosen the intake hose clamp.

 

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19.08.2008: Vacuum line
Pull the inlet pipe off the intake hose. Detach the vacuum line on the back. Lift the pipe making sure the old O-ring did not get stuck on the turbo.

 

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19.08.2008: Old vs new
The Taliaferro pipe is noticeably larger. Its turbo flange also has a wider opening to accommodate upgraded turbos rebuilt to the 18T or 19T spec.

 

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19.08.2008: Clamp
Grease the O-ring, seat it on the pipe and connect the pipe to the compressor housing on the turbo. Make sure that bolt holes on the bracket are aligned before tightening the clamp.

 

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19.08.2008: Intake hose
Bolt the pipe to the bracket, insert the banjo bolt and connect the intake hose. The vacuum nipple on the pipe was a bit larger than stock, so I had to find a thicker elbow.

 

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19.08.2008: Vent pipe
Screw the vent pipe to the valve cover. Fit the BPC and plug in the connector.

 

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19.08.2008: Heat shield
Attach the heat shield over the turbo, tighten the nut.

 

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19.08.2008: Return hose
The original aluminium return pipe doesn't fit anymore. Taliaferro offers a pretty silicone piece to replace it. I had this rubber return line from NG900, and it worked just fine.

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