1996 850 GLT Non Turbo Wagon

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 14 Apr 2010, 14:38

I am looking to get a little more zip out of my 1996 850 Non turbo wagon. I'm not looking to race the world just give it some more power when getting on an expressway and for passing. Not that it is slow I just would like a little more. This is my first Volvo.Any suggestion???
Thanks for the input.

Post by **Hoov** » 15 Apr 2010, 20:04

carlr wrote:I am looking to get a little more zip out of my 1996 850 Non turbo wagon. I'm not looking to race the world just give it some more power when getting on an expressway and for passing. Not that it is slow I just would like a little more. This is my first Volvo.Any suggestion???
Thanks for the input.

Carl,
I don't think you are going to find anything inexpensive that will make a perceptable difference. What's more, Volvo did a damn good job getting the most out of this car while still keeping it reliable.
Example: The Turbos have stronger rods & bearings ... There is a reason for that.
My 96' 850 GLT, 163.000 miles is no slouch (as you yourself stated) but I started out doing a "Stage 0" tune & she runs to the max of what she was designed for.
I noticed significant preformance gains when I did this! Not huge gains but gains none the less & frankly, if your statement about "Not racing the world, just a little more zip" is honest, than I suggest starting there if you have not already done so.
LOL, & THEN if you want more ... Time to sell her & buy a turbo! Hahaha! ... Not laughing at you! Laughing at myself because I have SOOO been there in the past!!! Was major into racing not just cars but boats too ...Right now, I just want a reliable, comfortable car which will still blow the doors off most of the stock cars in THIS catagory. (Hit the "sport" button on the center console & tromp on her getting on to the freeway!) And ... AND go 300,000 plus miles with excellent maintenance. ... 1996 Volvo, 850, GLT fits this criteria. ... Assuming your suspension & such is in good shape, find a stretch of safe highway & run her up! You may be surprised!!! I was, Ya fur shure!!! hehehehe
I know this doesn't help your immediate wants but I think it at least might answer part of your question.
OH! I swapped over to full synthetic oil, (engine & power steering ATF), still using Dex III in the trans because it works flawlessly right now, Seafoamed the whole engine (As per DIRECTIONS), Stuck in a K/N airfilter & have max pressure in the tires. 87 gas, pretty even highway/city driving & get about 24MPG average. ... It's simply not a race car & if you start tweaking, my guess is, she will die. ...A good chip that is mapped might help but figure $600.00 to $1500.00 bucks & even then, these work best on turbos.
Hoov

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 17 Apr 2010, 13:16

Thanks for the reply. I think I will leave this one alone and find a nice 1996-98 turbo sedan to play with. Keep the wagon for what I bought it for in the first place:hauling our kayaks and bicycles.
Carl

Post by **Hoov** » 19 Apr 2010, 19:21

carlr wrote:Thanks for the reply. I think I will leave this one alone and find a nice 1996-98 turbo sedan to play with. Keep the wagon for what I bought it for in the first place:hauling our kayaks and bicycles.
Carl

Carl,
I was just reading a thread here about swapping out the Throttle body plate of the 850 NA to one from the 960. Seems they are the same size (65mm) & the 960 doesn't have the plastic "bump" on one side which restricts air flow.
I'm more interested in fuel economy (I have a sedan) but it sounds like you actually gain some "omph" too!
Might be just what you are looking for. Look in the performance section & search for "throttle body plate change".
If you can't find it let me know & I will figure out how to include links here. I need to do that anyway. Hehehe

I'm still researching it. Easy breezy proceedure & not expensive. About an hour or so & $12.00 to $30.00 bucks depending on where you get the plate. If the claims are true I'm going to do it.

I think your decission about the wagon is a good one!! Ya wanta "go-fast" ... get a "go-fast"!!! Leave your everyday car as reliable beast she is. The throttle plate mod sounds promising to me though.

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 21 Apr 2010, 14:37

Thanks,
Maybe down the road I my try that. Let me know how you make out if you take the plunge.
For now I will enjoy it for what it is. A very nice economical and comfortable car that was very inexpensive...

Post by **vjaneczko** » 26 Apr 2010, 09:08

Carlr, it's my understanding that all 850 GLT's had a turbo - maybe I'm getting confused because I have 97 850 GLT and things changed over the one year, but am I wrong or do you have a GLT with the turbo removed?

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Apr 2010, 09:48

GLT's were N/A till 1997.

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 02 May 2010, 10:12

I do have a 1996 850GLT base model no turbo. Maybe my next one I will go for a turbo.