1996 volvo 850r engine/tranny swap, need some advice

Highwaykiller · Post by **Highwaykiller** » 01 Dec 2016, 15:35

Hey guys, I currently live in calgary Alberta, Canada. I just picked up a 1996 volvo 850r automatic really clean with only 150k. What I want to do is convert it from auto to manual, I got a awesome mechanic thats willing to help me. I buy salvage cars fix them and sell them for a living. I also have a total for 4 volvo in my yard 2 98 s70 t5 manual, a 98 v70 t5 wagon manual also, and a 98 s70 t5 auto. One of the s70 t5 has alot of upgrades done to it. So my question is since I want to do a auto to manual swap, would the tranny in the volvo s70 t5 fit in my 96 850r auto car. I have read online that they are the same. Question 2 to would be, my 96 volvo is leaking alot of oil, wouldn't it be easier if took the engine and tranny together out of my standard s70 t5 and threw it in once in the 850r with the Ecu of the s70 t5, and if course did all the rest of work inside the car and other things that need to be done. Are they not both 2.3 turbo cars with the difference being the 15g and 16t turbo between them. I have the Ecu for the 98 t5. I was also going to pull out the 16t and buy the 19t conversion kit, and put it on all once when I swap the engine/tranny, and then have the Ecu tuned. I hope I'm not repeating a thread someone else created, I'm kinda new to the forums. I know there's some volvo gurus here, so advice or info would great. Thanks, look forward to hearing from you guys.

Post by **tryingbe** » 01 Dec 2016, 17:37

97 and older M56H/M56L manual transmission have external salve cylinder, they also have single mass flywheel.
98 and newer M56H have internal salve cylinder, they have dual pass flywheel.

You can use either type of trans. Both type of transmission will work with single mass flywheel.

98 ECU have to be recalibrated before using with 97 and older cars.

Read this first, then come back with questions.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 75#p421922

Post by **rspi** » 01 Dec 2016, 22:28

Yes, it would be good to keep the engine and trans together.

Post by **scot850** » 03 Dec 2016, 16:57

Met the guy that bough this car. He got it for a steal as it was not anywhere in the condition claimed, in particular under the hood, oil everywhere and drove like crap on the aftermarket wheels.

I wish the new owner the best of luck and have offered to help if needed if I can. He has a bunch of 98's for parts or whole if anyone is looking for anything.

Neil.