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850 subframe conversion (c70 convertible ) Topic is solved

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Is an 850 with c70 convertible subframe to harsh to daily drive ?

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Jamesmoore850T5
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Year and Model: 1996 Volvo 850 T5
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850 subframe conversion (c70 convertible )

Post by Jamesmoore850T5 »

Hi

I’m considering doing the c70 convertible subframe swap on my 850 T5 after bending my current one during a snow/kerb accident

Does anyone have any expericance with the swap?

I’m wandering if doing the swap will make my car uncomfortable/ too harsh to daily drive ? With the solid bushings and extra stiffness ect I don’t want it to make the ride so harsh that I can’t drive the car. I want this car to be my daily. My car is already lowered 30/40mm

Only reason for considering the swap is I’m in need of a subframe and atm this is the only one I can find. And it’s a good price

Thanks for any help

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

I think fellow countryman Cookeh can guide you on this one, best.
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Chuck W  
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Post by Chuck W »

The solid bushing inserts in the convertible subframe aren't any different to the Delrin bushings used as a upgrade for the standard subframe.

You won't notice any difference in "harshness" really. Unless you are extra sensitive to that sort of thing. I noticed no harness change in my 854 when I added the Delrin.

The convertible uses the 4-bolt front control arms vs the 2-bolt in the rest, so that is something to keep in mind.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.

The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '93 F-150 I6

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Cookeh
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Post by Cookeh »

I'd have to echo Chuck's thoughts. I didn't notice any significant additional NVH, though I haven't polybushed any other suspension components. If you can live with the current NVH then you'll be fine with the subframe conversion. In my experience, if you've just slapped lowering springs onto the stock shocks then that's the greatest source of increased NVH. If your new springs are matched to your shocks then this is not an issue.

Chuck brings up another valid point, in that the C70 vert uses 4-bolt arms, which means you'll need to replace those too (and they're a minor pain compared to the 2-bolt arms!). Not enough of an issue to deter from swapping the subframes though.

Whilst you're grabbing the subframe grab the horseshoe brace too, it braces the subframe to the centre of the car, and is a nice little performance upgrade.

Jamesmoore850T5
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Post by Jamesmoore850T5 »

Thanks buddy. That’s really great to here. Subframe comes with the 4 bolt control arms too with only 20k miles, as well as coming with the extra horseshoe brace

Looks like I’m all set thanks again, good first experience using this forum

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foggydogg
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Post by foggydogg »

Jamesmoore850T5 wrote: 16 Feb 2021, 14:32 Thanks buddy. That’s really great to here. Subframe comes with the 4 bolt control arms too with only 20k miles, as well as coming with the extra horseshoe brace

Looks like I’m all set thanks again, good first experience using this forum
I've been wanting to do this to my new-ish '97 850T5, and thought I had a line on the C70 setup when an old friends' wife wrecked her convertible. Then she turned into his future ex-wife, and the idea went back into my dream folder.
Glad you found you solution.
69 1800s, @500k Death by Rust
94 850 Turbo, T-boned, ambulance for me, crusher for it
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98 V70R x2, Silver Junkyard rescue, Coral Red
98 V70GLT x2, parts cars
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Chuck W  
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Post by Chuck W »

foggydogg wrote: 17 Feb 2021, 14:55 I've been wanting to do this to my new-ish '97 850T5, and thought I had a line on the C70 setup when an old friends' wife wrecked her convertible. Then she turned into his future ex-wife, and the idea went back into my dream folder.
Glad you found you solution.
Just get some Delrin bushings.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.

The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '93 F-150 I6

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