Moving to Stage 1

[Mike Langlois]

Greetings All,
My 2002 V70 X/C has completed Stage Zero and is heading to Stage One! After some research, I realize that I am almost a Decade behind the rest of the crowd that is modifying their V70's; just my Luck(y). A complete stage Zero has been completed, including all suspension, sub frame bushings, springs; plus the motor has had everything external replaced or resealed. A larger 'Drop In' Inter-cooler is waiting on install and the turbo is at the shop ready for rebuild, port and polish and a larger wheel. I am also looking at both the Elevate 3" exhaust and the Ferrita exhaust.
This is an X/C, so I am looking for a general increase in power that is still focused on the lower RPM ranges. I would like to set it up with a 19T wheel and tune for all out power, but that is not practical (Jeeeeze, am I getting that old?). Planning on upgrading to a 16T wheel at this point in time. Any thoughts and advice regarding turbo wheel size (especially maintaining a fast spool up) and exhaust options would be appreciated. It appears that the Elevate 3" and the Ferrita dual pipe are my exhaust options. Looking for a free flowing exhaust, not an impressive sounding exhaust (I have a Shelby Mustang with glass packs for that). If anyone has had any experience with either exhaust (or knows of another option), please post your opinion.
Yours,
Mike

[matthew1]

Hey exciting. Have a look at Lucky's writings in Fast Fridays. viewtopic.php?t=57982

As well as VRD Performance category.

[- Pete -]

Good shopping list, but don’t forget a downpipe. You’ll notice more oomph per dollar with a downpipe vs only exhaust. Obviously the two paired together make for a nice increase. Definitely shop for ECU tunes first before throwing hard parts at the car.

If you do a DP and exhaust just know that it will be significantly louder & being a wagon you will most likely have drone at certain loads & RPM’s.

I feel that for non-R cars, a very nice compromise is a catted DP paired with a deleted S60R/V70R stock catback exhaust. Deleted simply means the resonator has been cut out and replaced with straight pipe. Very nice sound, no drone, not loud by any means and nice muffled pops/crackles on decel (and far cheaper than a 3” catback). I have this setup on 2 of my P2’s and a full 3” catted turbo-back on my V70R. The last of the bunch makes beautiful sounds but by most people’s standards is noisy.

For downpipes, I personally like the Mototec 3-piece downpipes. They come with a catted section but you can remove it if you want to run catless (you’d obviously need to weld together some 3’ SS with v-ban ends). I’ve found you need to spoof the downstream O2, even with the cat in there. My RE-VOLV catted DP doesn’t populate a CEL & it doesn’t have a spoofer installed.

With your list, and a bigger IC you should be looking at stage 2 or 2+ since you’re keeping your turbo.

Edit:
You may also want to look at all the piping on the intake side - for example the intake pipe that contains the MAF & runs from airbox to turbo, as well as all the pipes on the pressurized side. There are upgrades available here too. Also plan on replacing the TCV. Your MAP sensor will most likely still be fine, I replaced mine when I replaced the intercooler with the larger do88 intercooler. Another thing to consider if you’re turbo is already off is to replace/upgrade the CBV. It’s doable with the turbo on the engine but it’s very time consuming (and painful).
Lastly, don’t forget to replace all the vacuum lines with good quality thick wall silicone lines.

[Mike Langlois]

I have read the Fast Fridays (2 or 3 times now) and seem to consolidate more information into my brain each time I read them. Just a little sad that I missed out on all the interest they generated years ago. Thank you Pete for the exhaust information. I need to look into that, right after I figure out what I am doing with the turbo. It is nice to know there are viable options to the two system I could locate. I plan on installing a 3 " down pipe (and taking it off for smog every two years in California). Elevate makes a nice Down Pipe with a catalytic converter that is large and legal in 49 states; *#!!$% California is the only state that won't certify the converter. The use of a stock exhaust from a R model sounds like just the thing I am looking for. Understated performance is the goal on the Stealth Volvo. I purchased the fancy piping for the do88 intercooler (from Viva perf) and intend to install it along with a new a/c compressor, power steering pump and alternator. Planning on porting and polishing the turbo while it is in for a rebuild and upgrade to a bigger wheel. Just need to decide the best compromise on Wheel size, spool up time and low end drivability. Turbo charged engines are my favorite to build and I really want to build a 350 hp engine, but this seems like the wrong hp/performance profile for an all wheel drive Volvo wagon.

[- Pete -]

I think there’s 4 or so exhaust makers. IPD has one also. Eight8fab makes some pretty awesome DP’s and will even do a full exhaust, but he is back logged quite a bit.

350 WHP? That would be pretty awesome from a LPT. If you have the money you can pull it off. I’d fear for reliability though. Not so much the engine, but drivetrain. Might want to have a spare bevel gear on hand.