97 960 Turbo... how do they compare to our good ol' P80s?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 17 May 2016, 23:06

Just saw this on craigslist...

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/5589679891.html

And saw one the other day, too... The engine looks all weird being sideways and all! Can anyone tell me how they compare to our P80s? I get the feeling their needlessly complicated and finicky... Do they haul proverbial "ass"?

Post by **erikv11** » 17 May 2016, 23:57

Go with that bargain-priced 97 850 GLT in the FS section, the LPT will scoot very nicely!

Post by **bskeels** » 18 May 2016, 03:01

The 960 was never a turbo.

Azik09 · Post by **Azik09** » 18 May 2016, 06:41

960 is a real road cruiser. Very comfortable and stable at high-speed maneuvering due to Multi-link rear suspension. But this suspension is complicated and expensive, this is a payment for good driveability.
If engine was overheated, it will have the same problems as a P80's 5-cyl. engines - warped cylinder head, damaged gasket etc. P80 are much simpler and cheaper in maintenance, but if you liked 960 - why not to try?

bskeels wrote:The 960 was never a turbo.

You are wrong... There were 2.0l and 2.3l four-cylinder turbo engines, but only before 1995 and were never officially presented at USA.
Also, in 1991 some of 960th and 760th were equipped with 2.8l V6 normally aspirated engines taken from Renault.

Post by **scot850** » 18 May 2016, 11:57

I also was not aware the car was ever a turbo in NA. Especially not in 6 cylinder form, so if this is an aftermarket mod, run a mile!

If the car has overheated, then I wouldn't touch it. There are sure to be others out there without the hassle.

These cars sun beautifully when good and have often been tempted to look for a run out S/V90.

Neil.

Post by **precopster** » 18 May 2016, 15:32

Btw that engine bay doesn't have a turbo fitted. Looks totally stock standard to me.

The 960s adapt well to a turbo installation by getting a S80T6 block with low compression pistons while retaining the 960 head. More popular is a Toyota 1GZ V8 conversion.

Post by **j-dawg** » 18 May 2016, 21:24

If I wanted a old-world big RWD Volvo I'd rather have a 940 over anything with a whiteblock. Those you could get with a snail, and the engine is probably easier to live with. The youngest 960 is 20 years old now, so the extra age of a 940 will make no difference if the car's been taken care of.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 19 May 2016, 21:39

j-dawg wrote:If I wanted a old-world big RWD Volvo I'd rather have a 940 over anything with a whiteblock. Those you could get with a snail, and the engine is probably easier to live with. The youngest 960 is 20 years old now, so the extra age of a 940 will make no difference if the car's been taken care of.

So something like this 940 Turbo wagon?

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5577997708.html

Everyone, thank you for your insight. REally interesting to hear about the differences between the 960 and the 850.

ktuuri · Post by **ktuuri** » 20 May 2016, 00:07

Well I have always had a rear wheel drive until recently when I got my S70 T5 FWD and I said what's going on, the engine is in there sideways!! lol

Post by **abscate** » 20 May 2016, 07:59

When you drift a P80 around a corner the engine is facing forwards...