I have a 1997 Model L Siberian Tiger River Spa...This is what I know...I have a Jetmaster 8000 Pump 230v and a Silent Flo 5000 Circ Pump

I purchased this tub used and there has been many hands in there..wire broken..Circuit boards removed...Heater shorted...

Anyways ..I want to maintain my Jet pump and the circ pump since I know they are good...but I need to replace/upgrade the Control Keypad on top...the controller and the heater..the only thing else to run is the light...I do not want to replace with original parts as it seems logical and more feasible to replace with newer digital controls...But I talked to many techs and they say the issue would be to find a low flo control/heater because of the circ pump..but I talk to another guy and he said that a flow switch should rectify that problem...What would be my best bet for controls on this tub...without replumbing to eliminate the circ pump

Best bet would be to replace with the same parts. Not sure if you would be able to find a control pad that would plug into the control box properly. Is the current control panel no good?

Quite honestly, the older models were more reliable and easier to fix than newer electronic controls anyway.

The 97 is essentially the same logic as current. Instead of digital it uses an electronic reostat. Inexpensive, reliable, and it does everything the new "digital" stuff does, except it doesn't have a digital display.

I'd stick with the original stuff too