Tme 3" downpipe

[ColoradoVolvo]

I was just surfin across youtube watching videos on exhaust systems on volvos. I came across an 04' v70r with a 3" downpipe exhaust withut a resonator. I'm in love with the sound but i have an 01' v70x/c. Will this exhaust even fit. The manufactor is Tme.

[jtp]

There are two types of exhaust out there. Catback, which means from your stock catalytic converter all the way back to the tail pipe, and turbo back, which means from the turbo all the way back to the tail pipe.

The most performance gains are seen from the turboback exhausts, which are sold either as a unit (IPD for example) or seperately as a downpipe (the section from the turbo to the end of the cat) plus a catback.

I don't think the xc's run high pressure turbos, but rather low pressure turbos. My knowledge of models later than 98 is basically nil though so maybe I'm wrong there. If you want to go turbo back the big issue is that the downpipe has the same opening as the flange (outlet) on your turbo. Every turboback system I've seen is designed for the high pressure turbo cars, which again, I don't think you have.

So if you want to go catback I'm sure you could find something. Google eurosporttuning for example and go to your model type. They run in the 500$ range I think.

To really get your money's worth on a full turboback exhaust you would probably need to replace your turbo with a high pressure turbo. At that point you would need an ECU tune, especially if you got a really big turbo (18t or 19t). Otherwise you could destroy your engine internals by running too much boost @ low rpms. Again, I'm a total speculator when it comes to your model year so maybe you do have a high pressure turbo that would bolt on to an aftermarket turboback exhaust.

I will be doing an exhaust at some point and am pretty sold on a local custom exhaust shop of very high repute. If you can find one in your area all the research I've seen points to them being the most cost-effective solution by far (this is assuming they are both good at their job and honest).

There is a guy at volvospeed who has taken an xc to the next level if you want more details look around over there in the performance forum's recent posts. he posts a lot but I can't remember his username.

My guess is your best option would be a catback system as you could pretty dramatically improve your sound without dealing with a lot of other issues.

[Davie Motors]

I would definitively take off the resonator. It gives the car a deep sound. very nice

[ColoradoVolvo]

Yea it is a low pressured turbo and i did have hopes and dreams of putting a high pressured turbo in eventually. thanks for that explanation though, makes a lot more sense now. Do you think that a cat-back exhaust would give a purr kind of sound? because thats what the tme downpipe gives. I don't want a straight pipe or anything of the sort, because they simply sound so diesely its annoying

[jtp]

Just from research and asking here, not my experience, you can get a really dramatic change/improvement in sound with a catback. Look up some youtube vids and you may be able to hear somebody who has the system your thinking of.

[Beck]

I have a 3" OBX on my v70 AWD. I think that model fits your XC.

The downpipe is a great improvement in torque, flow and sound. However, the downpipe + a free flowing exhaust moves your peak torque way down the revs.

It's a great improvement for the highway but not so much if you're into low RPM city driving - if so it will feel slow an underpowered.

AND a 3" downpipe won't feel good unless you have a tuned file.

[ColoradoVolvo]

I'll definitely take a look. How much torque are we talking? I tend to drive a lot of highway anyway. Is it ridiculously sluggish or just noticeable? I'm not sure what you mean to a tuned file either.Thanks for your help!

[Beck]

It's not rediculously slow just noticeable. A tuned file I mean a new ECU software file optimized for more power (ARD, RICA, IPD)