Help with updating my 98 S70 Non Turbo

[mikeylove]

I had some general questions for people with a 98 s70 with at least 150k miles. I am at this point, and I drive her quite well and fast on the highways so my spring seats and sway bars need to go, along with my motor mounts.

This is going to be a massive job, I am also doing the brakes and rotors at this time with new steel brake lines from IPD.

I was wondering if anyone can help me with updating this car with anything else it may need, or soon will need? I dont mind the investment as this car is with me for life, I just want to put her back in tip top shape cause the noise from the spring seats is killing my soul.

The main question is there anything else I can do while all of this work is being done? I saw a Transmission torque mount on IPD, is this worth changing? I know my transmission is going to be the next major job after this, and then she literally has almost all brand new parts in her. I notice sub frame bushings can be modified with IPD bushings to help with stabilizing, should I replace all 4 bushings too?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks!
Mike

[FlyingVolvo]

If you don't know the history of or there are no record of the oil pan o-rings being done at your mileage and car's age, they should be done. After years and/or miles, the pickup o-rings begin to deteriorate, initially causing lower oil pressure on startup, but potentially progressing to low oil pressure while driving. Either way, not ideal. It's not a super hard job, but is a bit involved. I and others have writeups on the board here we can link to.

The transmission torque mount will be most noticeable if yours is already broken. If it isn't, you may notice some more "performance" out of IPD's poly bushing, though it may transmit a few extra vibes to the cabin. Personally, I don't notice much difference, but the rest of my engine mounts are in good shape, so that helps.

For the subframe bushings, if they aren't totally shot, you can do the IPD inserts as a cheap and easy way to stiffen them. New bushings do help a lot though if the original ones are bad. If you want the most tight suspension you can get, you can get Delrin bushing in there which are solid. I have them on my XC and they definitely help the front end be less squishy.

I would check the steering parts as well if you're diving into the suspension. Check tie rods and sway bar links for play.

[mikeylove]

Awesome, stuff like the Oil rings is what I was mostly getting at. This car was purchased by my Poppa when I was 16 in 98, and I know all the history, which is basically all OEM, nothing done till I got it at about 70k miles, then as stuff happened, OEM parts were always replaced in areas that demanded them imo.

As far as the bushings go, def are not bad, ( I think) but I mean its a 20 year old part at this point and 150k miles, so things like this, the sway bars, and the steering parts (did not think of steering) I want to change out if its going to happen no matter what in the next 10k or so miles. Not sure the exact thought on time frame but I have extra money I want to put into it to ensure shes good in all areas for another 10 years. It has new radiator, fuel and water pump, alternator, basically everything but suspension and transmission are the main things I am waiting to happen. I was thinking I wanted to protect the transmission more, if updating the torque mount would do that, and maybe help the life of the transmission in general. Lastly, anything I can replace and update while the car is on the lift and the mechanic already has easy access to it doing the motor mounts and struts and brakes etc, was my overall thoughts on replacing stuff now.

Also I use Mobil 1 oil in this for the last 80k miles, is there better oil? The engine gets the most love of course.

Thanks for all the help as always!

Much Love
Mikey