1998 V70 T5 Parts compatibility with 1999

[Conrad Birdie]

I have an opportunity to purchase a non running NA S70 sedan, same color and interior as my V70 T5 ( dark gray leather ). I know about the engine/electrical differences. hydraulic lifters, coil packs, electronic throttle etc. but wondered about the doors - specifically the door locks as well as changing the lock cylinder from my T5 and any differences if the seats are non power, as I am hoping to use the driver's seat. I should be able to use the alternator, starter,radiator I believe. Would the transmission be an issue beyond the gearing differences and could I also use the transmission shifter?

Fairly new to these cars and was also thinking of finding another '98 T5 as I specifically want to stay with this year and model and am finding they are hard to come by, especially when one does not like the tan/beige interiors. Mine is currently at 437,000 km = most of which are highway by two previous owners as I bought it last year for 1,000 cdn. Still goes but will need control arms ( ordered ) and I was going to also put in some Bilstein touring shocks , IPD sway bars at some point in the near future as well as those delrin sub frame bushings as the front end is pretty loose feeling and I get vibration at around 90 - 120 kmph. The engine is very clean under the oil cap and the pcv system was free of any buildup, at least at the intake, I have yet to check it at the engine block but the indications are it is working well.

I wanted to use at least two of the doors and the hood as mine has enough dings that it would be worth just replacing them if possible, and I could probably get the non driveable S70 for 600 or so. I really like this year design and a T5 and think I might just as well fix it over time and just grab a car such as this one when they come up and start hoarding parts. I also need to have the overdrive solenoid replaced and assume one should just replace all of them while in there. The transmission fluid was a bit on the used side and supposedly replace about two years ago and I just changed it - the car was not driven much since I bought it but I was looking at the odd 850 turbo wagon but again, I personally think the V70 is nicer overall. Any thoughts?

[Ozark Lee]

The doors and locks will all swap out with no problem. The seats are a bit different in the way the SIPS works. On the '98 the SIPS is triggered by the sensor on the seat while on the '99 it is triggered electronically and that will not work with your '98.

The transmission will not swap correctly either. The transmission ratios are specific for turbo and N/A cars and they won't swap without triggering an error code. The transmission speed sensors are also different but those can be swapped. The shifter will swap as will most of the bolt on body parts from the doors forward.

...Lee

[Conrad Birdie]

Thank you for the clarification - as far as the SIPS is concerned, is this an air bag issue? I am not quite clear on what it entails, just thought the SIPS on these earlier cars was structural only, as I said I am still learning! If a person did not care would there be any reason one could not simply use the seat?

By the way, does anyone think it would be wise to replace the valve stem seals if I am keeping this T5? It does puff the blue on start up at times when hot, and I read on here that going to a Magnaflow cat to reduce back pressure ( along with resonator ) is a good way to also reduce exhaust valve temperature. From what I have been seeing I can only surmise that if the engine itself lasts it will be only a question of time before I either get a head gasket leak or a burnt exhaust valve, though I would like to think I could go 500,000 km plus, is that too optimistic? I would like to switch to synthetic oil and wonder if it is worth it at this point.

[obayha]

The seats will not switch out, but the seat covers can be removed and changed out. Not a huge deal. They are already stretched and easy to handle. Be careful of the '98 air bag.
Fix the valve stem seal as soon as possible. My '98 died for that very reason. Burnt valve gave zero compression in number one, so fixing is a job, but if nothing else is major wrong on it, then do the repair.
I have my '98 sitting next to my '99 and am in the process of pulling every part I can get from it.
The A/C fan motor just stopped working the other day, 20 minutes later, parts car to the rescue.
Shane