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The Saab Innovators Improving the Cars We Still Drive, Including KPR Engineering

Independent engineers, proven ideas, and the small mechanical fixes that keep Saab 9-3s usable long after factory support ended.

Saab 9-3 NG shown with KPR Engineering upgrades including solid subframe bushings, billet lift blocks, fire extinguisher mount, and ECU bracket

Long after Saab stopped building cars, a small and highly specialized group of engineers and enthusiasts has continued to move the brand forward in a very specific way. Not through generic aftermarket upgrades, and not by chasing trends, but by identifying real technical weak points in Saab cars and engineering precise solutions for them.

Names such as Mark Van Kampen (KM-tronic), Ákos Égő (BT Changer, SCL Emulator), Anders Johansson (GlobalXCM), Henrik Glad (eSID3), Ahmad Abu Maizer (ICM4), and Henrik Blom (hblom.se) are well known to experienced Saab owners because their work replaces what factory support once provided: thoughtful engineering, platform-specific solutions, and long-term usability.

Kamil Polniak belongs to that same group.

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SaabPlanet readers will recognize his name from our earlier coverage in 2018 and 2019, when we documented his deeply modified Saab projects, including a Saab 9-3 Turbo X and an extreme 2.8T Aero build. Those cars stood out not only for output figures, but for the amount of engineering work designed, fabricated, and refined in-house.

Today, that same approach has evolved into something more broadly applicable to everyday Saab ownership: a small but carefully focused range of Saab-specific components offered through KPR Engineering.

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From Personal Fabrication to KPR Engineering

Kamil’s background as an engineer has always been evident in his Saab projects. Even during the high-power builds we covered years ago, his emphasis was not on assembling catalog parts, but on designing components that addressed platform-specific limitations – subframe movement, mounting integrity, thermal exposure, and serviceability.

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Over time, certain solutions proved reliable enough that other Saab owners began asking for them. Rather than expanding indiscriminately, KPR Engineering remained focused on parts that solve clearly defined problems found on NG9-3 cars, particularly those with higher mileage, increased power, or long-term ownership plans.

The current Saab catalog reflects that philosophy clearly.

Front Solid Subframe Bushings: Correcting Factory Compliance

The Front Solid Subframe Bushings are one of the most fundamental products in the KPR lineup. Saab’s factory rubber bushings were engineered with comfort in mind, but over time – and especially on higher-torque cars – they allow measurable subframe movement.

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Front subframe of a Saab 9-3 fitted with KPR Engineering solid billet aluminum subframe bushings
A removed Saab 9-3 front subframe shown alongside KPR Engineering’s solid billet aluminum bushings, illustrating the replacement of factory rubber mounts with rigid aluminum components designed to eliminate subframe movement.

KPR’s billet aluminum replacements eliminate that compliance entirely. The result is not an abstract “performance upgrade,” but tangible improvements in:

  • Steering precision and feedback
  • Consistent alignment under load
  • Reduced drivetrain movement during acceleration and braking

These bushings are aimed squarely at owners who want their NG9-3 to feel structurally tight again, whether stock or modified.

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A Fire Extinguisher Mount Designed Around Saab Interiors

Safety equipment is often added as an afterthought, and universal fire extinguisher mounts frequently interfere with seat movement or interior trim. The 2003+ Saab 9-3 Fire Extinguisher Mount avoids those compromises.

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Fire extinguisher mounted under the front seat of a Saab 9-3 using a KPR Engineering seat-mounted bracket
A fire extinguisher installed beneath the front seat of a Saab 9-3 using KPR Engineering’s dedicated mounting bracket, with the extinguisher positioned securely while allowing full seat movement.

Designed specifically for the NG9-3, the mount:

  • Attaches securely to the seat structure
  • Allows full seat travel without interference
  • Requires no permanent interior modification

It is a simple solution, but one that reflects close attention to Saab interior packaging and daily usability.

Billet Aluminum Lift Blocks for Saab 9-3 

Incorrect jacking remains one of the most common ways Saab 9-3s suffer unnecessary damage, especially cars equipped with Hirsch side skirts or lowered suspension.

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KPR Engineering billet aluminum lift block installed at the factory jacking point of a 2003+ Saab 9-3
A billet aluminum lift block from KPR Engineering mounted to the factory jacking point on a Saab 9-3, showing the reinforced attachment method designed to prevent block failure or detachment during lifting.

KPR’s Billet Aluminum Lift Blocks provide a repeatable, clearly defined jacking interface. Their increased height protects side skirts while distributing load safely at the factory lift points. Machined from solid aluminum, they are built for repeated workshop use – not just emergency lifting.

For owners who plan to keep their cars long-term, this is a small component that prevents costly and irreversible damage.

The 2.8T ECU Bracket: Addressing Heat and Vibration Exposure

On 2.8T V6 models, ECU placement can become a long-term reliability concern, particularly on cars that have seen extensive engine bay work or increased thermal load.

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The 2.8T ECU Bracket from KPR Engineering secures and positions the ECU to reduce exposure to heat and vibration. It is not a cosmetic modification, but a preventive measure designed to protect electronics that are increasingly difficult to replace.

KPR Engineering ECU mounting bracket securing the engine control unit in a Saab 9-3 2.8T V6
The engine control unit on a Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 secured with a KPR Engineering aluminum bracket, showing improved mounting stability and reduced exposure to engine vibration and heat.

Clear Policies and a Focused Product Philosophy

KPR Engineering’s return policy mirrors the straightforward nature of its products:

  • Returns accepted within 15 days for unused, unmodified items
  • Full refund issued after inspection
  • Clear restocking terms beyond that window
  • No returns on damaged or special-order components

In a niche aftermarket where trust matters, clarity remains essential.

Why Independent Saab Engineering Still Matters

Saab’s survival as a platform now depends on individuals who understand the cars well enough to improve them without compromising their character. The engineers and developers mentioned at the beginning of this article – along with Kamil Polniak – represent a decentralized but highly effective continuation of Saab engineering values.

KPR Engineering’s products are not generic upgrades. They are mechanical corrections developed through real-world use, aimed at Saab owners who intend to keep driving their cars – not simply display them.

For those owners, this kind of quiet, precise innovation matters more than ever.

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