The consensus (including Saab documentation) is that the two are identical as far as firing the spark plugs correctly.
The differences are between the circuits inside the ignition cassette which sense what is going on in the cylinder. So, if the car is running perfectly in other ways, either cassette will work on the T5 ECU (assuming you have the right plugs to go with each cassette). Since Saab recommends changing the plugs at the same time as the ignition cassette, this should not be a problem. If the engine is not running well, and if the ECU has to make adjustments based on the feedback from the ignition cassette, expect problems.
I know this is an old thread, but I'd just like to thank all the contributors and share my experience of a black DIC on a T5.
The DIC went on my '99 9-3S (not completely but it constantly stalled at idle speeds and mis-fired through the driving range). I took it to a specialist Saab mechanic close to home, who diagnosed it as the DIC.
The replacement DIC definitely fixed the problem, however, as soon as I drove away, I knew something wasn't quite right. Although it was idling and running smoothly, it seemed sluggish.
I opened the hood when I got home - and saw I had a black DIC. I knew I should have the red one and started researching - thanks SC and this thread! Another problem I had was that it sometimes took 5 secs or so of turning over before it would start. Previously, it would always start immediately.
The Technical Service Bulletin PMI posted above gave me the confidence to request they replace the black one with the red one. They tried to tell me the red one has been superseded by the black one - and that the black one would last longer. But they still agreed to replace it.
As soon as I drove away from the workshop with the replacement red DIC, I could tell my Saab was back to its former glory - running perfectly and no longer sluggish!
I'm so glad I made them replace it, but feel for others who might be running the black one in a T5 without realising - and not have their Saab at its full potential (but it sounded like some people don't have issues). Anyway, thanks again everyone!
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