Should I man-up and just fold, Or get a new manifold?

[Oro]

I'm under all this archived peer-pressure to get a new exhaust manifold. I don't think I need to when I really go over it in my head, but I'm not an expert at this. Unlike I am with the writings of Joseph Heller (embedded joke below).

Car is 119k mile 2000 V70 XC. Great condition, all thoroughly gone-through the last year. Stage 0 to the nines and also rebuilt brakes, suspension mods. Ready for more power.

Coming: 16t turbo, Snabb intake, and an Upsolute tune. No other mods as I've done a lot of research already and the bang/buck curve fails on things like a RIP kit, 3" exhaust, etc. The last remaining question is the exhaust manifold as it's not huge bucks, but is huge hassle.

Do I really need to put in a Japanifold or other manifold? I ask as it greatly increases the hassle/work (which I will be doing myself, not farming out). I had lined up a 2.5t/"R" manifold but it was warped. I CAN track down another one at modest cost, or pay up for a Japanifold, but do I REALLY need to? Honestly? What will it really get me?

I don't care for maximum horsepower from this car. I like the handling, interior and exterior are quite nice. I do dislike the low gearing (in 1st and 2nd) on the AW 4-speed vs. the later 5-speed in a mature 2004+ P2 2.5t, which really hurts it. The poor gearing in the 4 speed really hurt these cars off the line, but have absolutely no effect over 35mph. Upsolute says the flash tune is worth taking it from roughly 200hp/200 ft/lbs to 225/260, that's stock without the intake mod and 16t upgrade. I figure from research those will help me be happy. For reference, the 2004+ numbers are ~210/235. I am mainly concerned about torque to get the P80 4-speed to feel close to the mature P2 in the lowest gears and run a little freer up high. I think the tune, 16t and a better intake (which is a serious choke point from the smart people I have listened to, not my own personal experience) are the key.

So here's the real question: Do I REALLY need to also change the exhaust manifold with the attendant hassle, or do you think I can just leave the stock 2000 manifold on and be happy? The car is relatively low mileage, no reason I feel the need to change the manifold, and I am not looking for maximum HP or torque. I am just looking for a big enough bump to make the 2000 V70 XC feel equal to or a smidge better than the 2004-2007 lpt 2.5t. If I leave the manifold in place (and hot side of the turbo), it makes the swap SOO much easier.

If on the other hand, a 2.5t/"R" manifold or japanifold makes a big difference all on it's lonesome (which I doubt), or in combination (I don't know), then I'm listening.

Somewhat sleepless on this subject in Seattle,

I am yours in Christ,
Capt. A.T. Tappman,
Chaplain, U.S. Army

[abscate]

The stock XC exhaust manifold is pretty good and I would leave it in. If you don’t have Dyno results on mods, improvements are usually virtual. What is a sane Volvo owner to do in this insane world of mods?

[Sveedy]

I'd stick with your stock exhaust manifold. I believe they are better than the original 850 type, which was prone to cracking.
That said, replacing the exhaust manifold is not difficult at all, particularly if you already have the turbo out.

[scot850]

They are not to hard to fit, except on an AWD turbo. Angle gear and turbo pipes make it much more challenging. Unless there is an issue I would leave the manifold alone.

Neil.

[matthew1]

Manifolds are pretty far down the cost/benefit list when you're starting at Stage 0.

[Oro]

Alright, that's good news to my ears. I was leaning this way and just did not see a big upside to the hassle. When I thought I had a good 2.5t/R manifold for basically free, it seemed worth it. But sourcing another + the hassle around the awd unit just seemed to greatly diminish it.

This will make it a lot easier and maybe I'll have it done by Christmas!

[scot850]

The XC motor is tuned to give more low down torque. So this may actually be to your advantage anyway. If you want to change it down the line for giggles, then do it then once you have some run time under your belt. Still don't think it is worth it unless you are planning a lot of high speed driving.

[Oro]

The XC motor is tuned to give more low down torque. So this may actually be to your advantage anyway.

Good point.

Is there anything else I should change, like oil or coolant hoses to it? I've not seen any leaks or evidence of, but I haven't poked around down there a whole lot. The cars clean with a relatively modest 119k on it, but it any lines down there are 21 years old at this point. I will replace the turbo hoses with silicone at a minimum. They all work fine and the TVC is new, but I figure I might as well if I am in there.

[MoVolvos]

The XC motor is tuned to give more low down torque. So this may actually be to your advantage anyway.

Good point.

Is there anything else I should change, like oil or coolant hoses to it? I've not seen any leaks or evidence of, but I haven't poked around down there a whole lot. The cars clean with a relatively modest 119k on it, but it any lines down there are 21 years old at this point. I will replace the turbo hoses with silicone at a minimum. They all work fine and the TVC is new, but I figure I might as well if I am in there.

Unlike a timing belt that is changed 2 or 3 times the life of the car you'll never touch those, so do it while you are in there as you'll pay later if any of those hoses go.

*

[scot850]

As our friend MoVolvos says, if you have the opportunity and are swapping the turbo, especially on the AWD cars, is the time to swap anything in the back of the engine. So any rubber hoses like the coolant hoses to the turbo, and seals on the oil lines. Maybe even the heater hoses while you have the room. Then hopefully you won't have to access that area again for a very long time!

Goo Luck!

Neil.