$2000 to spend on mods for an 850

Alden · Post by **Alden** » 13 May 2013, 17:57

Let's say you're given $2000 to spend on the following car; 1996 Volvo 850, NA, 5 speed manual, M56H. Everything on the car is in perfect and functioning condition. The main goal would be to get faster times at autocross. Currently, the Volvo only has IPD sport springs.
Things that you can't buy
A turbo swap
A turbo Volvo
Tires (I have R-comps, semislicks, and all seasons)
Aesthetic things for the exterior/interior

As of right now, I have two choices
1. IPD track-spec sways, Bilstein HDs all around, IPD strut tower bar, Poly bushings, EST cat-back exhaust, and then find something else to blow the remaining $500 on.

2. Full roll cage ($1000), bucket seats (600), 5-point harnesses ($200), stripped interior, weight reduction, and squeeze my wallet for IPD sway bars.

Ideas anyone?

Here's a picture of the lolvo

Post by **Ben850** » 13 May 2013, 18:53

You could do the throttle plate modification for free. It does help the response.

See performance and tuning. N/A throttle body mod.

: Plate tools.jpg (97.6 KiB) Viewed 1440 times

: comparison plate.jpg (54.29 KiB) Viewed 1440 times

: Throttle body done.jpg (63.13 KiB) Viewed 1440 times

: throttle installed.jpg (38.28 KiB) Viewed 1440 times

Post by **matthew1** » 13 May 2013, 19:44

^ Ben has good info on the N/A throttle plate mod. Go to the last page, or start at the beginning, 2008 or so.

Big brake mod? You'd need bigger wheels... those Cetus won't work. Sixteens -- but not Columbas -- may work, and 17"s will work.

Pretty

Alden · Post by **Alden** » 13 May 2013, 20:23

matthew1 wrote:^ Ben has good info on the N/A throttle plate mod. Go to the last page, or start at the beginning, 2008 or so.

Big brake mod? You'd need bigger wheels... those Cetus won't work. Sixteens -- but not Columbas -- may work, and 17"s will work.

Pretty

Well damn, that's not happening then. I have 16" columbas for every day, and those 15 Sport Edition wheels in the picture for autocrossing

Post by **matthew1** » 13 May 2013, 20:27

Depends on what side of the Grind Calipers for Columbas you fall on.

Alden · Post by **Alden** » 13 May 2013, 20:33

matthew1 wrote:Depends on what side of the Grind Calipers for Columbas you fall on.

I'd be more than happy to, but I still need to fit them on 15" wheels for these guys

and

Post by **burnout8488** » 13 May 2013, 20:44

I'd go with option 1. Sways and brakes will make it an animal with the tires you're running. Keep the interior, these are pretty nice comfortable little luxury cars if you keep them detailed and vacuumed inside!

Option 2 just ruins the car, IMO.

Do you have a known good set of OEM control arms installed?

Alden · Post by **Alden** » 13 May 2013, 20:55

burnout8488 wrote:I'd go with option 1. Sways and brakes will make it an animal with the tires you're running. Keep the interior, these are pretty nice comfortable little luxury cars if you keep them detailed and vacuumed inside!

Option 2 just ruins the car, IMO.

Do you have a known good set of OEM control arms installed?

That's honestly what I'm leaning towards. And yeah, the control arms are in great condition

Post by **mercuric** » 13 May 2013, 23:53

#1 sounds like a great plan, but I might be personally more tempted to go with Koni adjustables instead. Then again, HD's might be better for cross... cross isn't my area of expertise. HD's also cost a bit less.

Lucky from ARD has also been doing some N/A tuning lately, he has a really interesting project going tuning a N/A 850: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/16 ... rbo-build/

Looks like it's still a WIP, but when he's done he very well may be able to set you up an ECU with improved fuel/ignition maps -- He's a well respected tuner for sure. The OBX header he mentions looks like a neat piece, too: http://www.obxracingsports.com/products.php?pk=1839 -- but no good unless this is a dedicated track car, because if I understand cali laws properly you can't modify anything behind the last O2 sensor. If it's a track car, that header might be a nice addition to the exhaust. Lucky also knows what to do to delete the rear O2 sensor, allowing you to remove the cat while you're at it for even more exhaust flow / less weight.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 May 2013, 15:36

mercuric wrote:Lucky from ARD has also been doing some N/A tuning lately, he has a really interesting project going tuning a N/A 850: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/16 ... rbo-build/

Ahem.

No Turbo? No Problem! Part 1
No Turbo? No Problem! Part 2
No Turbo? No Problem! Part 3