Order Of Upgrades

glockyman · Post by **glockyman** » 20 Feb 2005, 19:23

Im trying to get an idea of what to work on first on my 850. After a lot of research I now have a pretty good idea of what kind of things I need, but since I'm not able to just throw money away, I need some help in ordering the upgrades in importance. The car's stock, so Im really starting from scratch, and I'd be glad to hear any ideas from you guys about what you think is most important, both in performance and aesthetics. If you couldn't tell from some of my previous posts, I enjoy building cars towards class, not sportiness

. Though the ability to show paper mache Hondas who's the boss does have its appeal...

Lists? Ideas?

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 21 Feb 2005, 06:55

If you want to make your brick go fast, do this:

1. Cat-back Exhaust
2. 3" downpipe
3. ECU upgrade
4. Aquamist
5. Bigger turbo w/ ECU remap

This is where you have to start being careful. The auto tranny in it's stock form is reported to be good to around 330 whp. Also, you can start bending rods around that same number, especially if you're not well tuned.

There are, of course, solutions to this problem. As far as the transmission goes, most people making big power swap in a 5-speed M56H Volvo transmission that with the right clutch can easily handle in excess of 600 whp. I personally took advantage of my auto transmission's failure as a chance to upgrade it. I wanted to stay with an auto since I do mostly city driving. I had the transmission custom rebuilt with high-performance clutches and reaction plates. I had a brand new orbital and secondary gears put in, all cryogenically strengthened. This process dramatically strengthens the parts. My tranny has been estimated to be good to somewhere around 450 whp.

As far as preventing bent rods, there are a bunch of companies that make high strength connecting rods for these cars. Autoverdi and Cunningham are some of the more commonly used ones.

To make your brick handle good, do this:

1. IPD sway bars
2. 17 or 18 inch rims on some good tires
3. Strut Brace
4. KW Coilovers or Shocks (Konis or Bilsteins) and springs (Eibach, Vogtland, TME, Lesjof

glockyman · Post by **glockyman** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:21

Really think a cat-back'd do that much for it? What kind of gains would that bring? Most people I've talked to seem to think the downpipe is the biggest deal.

glockyman · Post by **glockyman** » 24 Feb 2005, 20:38

Nevermind.....I just totalled the car. The brakes failed. Crap.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Feb 2005, 09:17

glockyman wrote:Nevermind.....I just totalled the car. The brakes failed. Crap.

What?!?! Brakes failed??? I've never heard of brake failure on these cars. Please do explain.

glockyman · Post by **glockyman** » 25 Feb 2005, 18:46

Well, the formal report hasnt come yet, but we think the brakes got wet and slipped.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 May 2005, 22:56

we had a caliper on our volvo xc '98 fail, it siezed on the rotor, and ruined a tire and smoke came out everywhere. Ironically, it happened while pulling into the brake/tire shop. But still, the repair of a new caliper was expensive. Our XC is a rolling problem.