How fast is a 850 Turbo?

csbrian · Post by **csbrian** » 24 May 2004, 18:46

I bought my 94 850 turbo about a year ago. It was running okay but not as good as it could, but it was still relatively fast. After learning how to read the diagnostic codes, I fixed four problems. All I can say now is that this thing hauls. Using a Gtech Probe to record 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, I've been able to judge each modification.
My first run with everything stock was 6.78 seconds to 60, and 15.15 in the quarter. My average was more like 15.35. I increased my boost (2 turns, explained on this site), and saw my first 14 second 1/4 mile with a 14.93. Since then I have added a cold air intake (also explained on this site), and have practiced launching properly with the automatic transmission. My best run to date is 6.06 to 60, and 14.40 in the quarter mile. I did every run on the same stretch of road with the tempture in the 70's. On cold mornings or late evenings in Southern California I get an over-boost situation, but it will disapear if I'm wide open.

The Gtech Probe is pretty acturate, but from what I have read a 14 second reading shows about a .18 faster time. Still 14.60 is not slow. I don't show MPH because the Gtech is off by some 8MPH.

I'm in the process of changing the pipe, and getting it chipped, and will report the progress.

If your 850 turbo doesn't spin the tires when the turbo comes in, could mean that something isn't right. Eventhough I'm pulling 12lbs of boost, I can spin the tires through first gear once the boost comes on. Making launching a bit tricky.

Brian

Post by **matthew1** » 24 May 2004, 22:42

Wow Brian, that's fast. And frankly I'm not surprised. My 850 does haul too, but K&N is my only real 'power' mod. I will re-locate the horns one day. Even though I haven't done much, I'll still be suprised some cool nights when the traffic is thin and I punch it.

Got any pics of your 850 or the mods you've done?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 30 Jan 2005, 22:39

sweet man, i have a greddy boost controller and just a cone filter, and the response is great when you're running twelve pounds of boost. does your car ever have problems with cutting out when the turbo is turned up high? mine does when i'm in the midrange.

xcaliber912 · Post by **xcaliber912** » 10 Feb 2005, 18:17

brian, when i took my 95 850 turbo to the track at the end of november i ran a 14.9 as my best time at 92 mph. Although it may have helped that i was at maryland international raceway where many records are set due to low elevation I think your timer might be off by a little bit considering i only have a K & N performance filter...not much. Although i am hoping to run mid to low 14's within the next few weeks. My boost controller arrived in the mail today and im taking my car to Pit Stop Performace in Arlington, VA tomorrow to get it installed. im gonna have the boost pushed up to 14 PSI. generally 10 HP for each psi. then by the middle of summer i will have the chip from speed tuning in and wil be runnning 14 flat to very high 13's.......hopefully my engine will be able to handle the chip and extra boost at the same time......if anyone can help me out with how to counteract the fuel cut off problems that would be great kaus as a general rule....I LIKE FUEL GOING TO MY ENGINE WHEN IM RACING.

Patrick@volvospeed · Post by **Patrick@volvospeed** » 17 Feb 2005, 17:27

throw some bigger injectors in there, from the V70R would be the easiest to obtain. your ecu is going to counteract your MBC most likely, the chip will help w/ that. but first time you hti the fuel cut off motronic will not let that happen again. polishing the ex manifold(very restrictive) and running a downpipe to new exhaust will make you much much more power also. free up some of that pesky turbo lag too.

dubs · Post by **dubs** » 18 Apr 2005, 16:20

Im consideing buying a K&n sport air filter, do you know of anywhere to find a cold air intake, i have a 1995 850 turbo

h2oiamwater · Post by **h2oiamwater** » 28 Jul 2005, 01:25

I have a 95 850 turbo im only 16 and this is my first car and my families first volvo im not so car savy but i know a lil bit about cars im still running stock everything but i would like to know what i can do to have my car at its peek performance. couple things, on the turbos boost gauge in the dash the needle only goes a little bit into the white area ( this is what it looks like (((((|).)))) on my gauge with the dot being where my needle goes to) is that how its suppose to be or should it go all the way to white side of the gauge the people before me where older people so i dont know if they really tuned it up and took care of it like it should be and would the timing belt affect performance because im lookin in to gettin it replace to. also sometimes the orange arrrow blinks while im in drive (i havea automatic) and driving down the road could the transmission fluid need to be changed. i just want it to be at its peak performance even though it is stock like ive had it up to 100 mph and it did it pretty easily. and last thing is if you could tell my any little modifications i could do myself for like 100 dollars to make my car faster or better please tell me thanks

email
[email protected]

thanks CHRIS[/b]

brianp · Post by **brianp** » 23 Sep 2005, 18:36

Well, there is one thing I see right off the bat. The boost gauge should travel into the white quite a bit. My 95 goes past the white at times, usually at the bottom. Replacing the timing belt is a great idea and not too difficult to change either. Also I would read the codes out of the front of the car and maybe just resetting everything might do the trick. If everything is working and no codes are showing, I would turn up the boost (how to found on this site) and start driving like the rest of us.

Brian

brianp · Post by **brianp** » 23 Sep 2005, 18:41

Anonymous wrote:sweet man, i have a greddy boost controller and just a cone filter, and the response is great when you're running twelve pounds of boost. does your car ever have problems with cutting out when the turbo is turned up high? mine does when i'm in the midrange.

Yes, on cold mornings if the pedal isn't mashed the fuel cut steps in. I have the problem a little more that I should, because of the 14 pounds I run.

Brian

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Sep 2005, 19:13

xcaliber912 wrote:brian, when i took my 95 850 turbo to the track at the end of november i ran a 14.9 as my best time at 92 mph. Although it may have helped that i was at maryland international raceway where many records are set due to low elevation I think your timer might be off by a little bit considering i only have a K & N performance filter...not much. Although i am hoping to run mid to low 14's within the next few weeks. My boost controller arrived in the mail today and im taking my car to Pit Stop Performace in Arlington, VA tomorrow to get it installed. im gonna have the boost pushed up to 14 PSI. generally 10 HP for each psi. then by the middle of summer i will have the chip from speed tuning in and wil be runnning 14 flat to very high 13's.......hopefully my engine will be able to handle the chip and extra boost at the same time......if anyone can help me out with how to counteract the fuel cut off problems that would be great kaus as a general rule....I LIKE FUEL GOING TO MY ENGINE WHEN IM RACING.

Your are probably right about the Gtechs numbers. I recently put smaller (shorter) tires on my car (205/45/16). This raises the gear ratio making the engine spin a little harder at freeway speeds. I ran it at Firebird raceway here in Phoenix. Of course it wasn't very cool but I did manage a 14:39 at 97 mph. The new tires have little wheel spin and when it shifts it seems like it's not long before it shifts again. I finally broke into 5 second 0-60 times.

What is really crazy is my car now gets great gas mileage. Before the tires I averaged 22 mpg around town and 25 on the highway. Now my highway averages 28.5, and around town never below 25. A friend told me my numbers improved because the wheels are turning faster and showing more miles driven. I agree, and that might be worth 1 maybe 1.5, but not 3 mpg more. Right now with 65 miles on this tank I'm averaging 31.8, and of course it's mostly freeway.

Brian