93 to 97 850 head interchange

Post by **JimBee** » 15 Aug 2014, 22:36

Since I have an extra '93 head with camshafts, sprockets and cover, I'd like to understand what the VVIS is and how to identify one of those heads. Are all '93's VVIS? And, again, what is VVIS?
Thanks.

Post by **JimBee** » 15 Aug 2014, 22:36

Since I have an extra '93 head with camshafts, sprockets and cover, I'd like to understand what the VVIS is and how to identify one of those heads. Are all '93's VVIS? And, again, what is VVIS?
Thanks.

Post by **JimBee** » 15 Aug 2014, 22:38

Since I have an extra '93 head with camshafts, sprockets and cover, I'd like to understand what the VVIS is and how to identify one of those heads. Are all '93's VVIS? And, again, what is VVIS? And, how does it improve a later engine's performance?
Thanks.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Aug 2014, 22:58

I think this photo credits to Ben850. Look at the intake manifold, if it has that funny actuator underneath then the car has VVIS:

As for what VVIS does, I am not qualified to chime in. Some people do really like it, I remember a long thread about somebody adding VVIS to a later model vehicle that came without it, but my impression was VVIS is more trouble than it is worth. I do know Volvo got rid of it during the 94 production run ...

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Aug 2014, 22:59

This is the thread I was thinking of, bigdaddylee82 was really into VVIS:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =5&t=30281

Post by **precopster** » 15 Aug 2014, 23:43

If you swap a non VVIS manifold & head into a VVIS car you don't really have to do anything at all other than block off any previously used vacuum lines.

Post by **phat78ta** » 16 Aug 2014, 07:50

rspi wrote:I have one of those '93 heads sitting in my parts closet, just ready to bolt on. Lol

There is a chance that the cam cover won't fit right from one head to another. The cam lobes may bind and cause issues.

I plan on using the entire unit from the other car. I will use the cam sprockets from my car to be sure they are correct.

Post by **rspi** » 16 Aug 2014, 08:31

They will charge you for the cams so you may want to leave those. Or you can use or resale them.

Post by **phat78ta** » 16 Aug 2014, 08:58

rspi wrote:They will charge you for the cams so you may want to leave those. Or you can use or resale them.

It's only $10 more, so it's worth it. Should be under $100 with head, intake, and the stupid core charges.
Plus, I'll have a complete head (minus valves) as a spare or to sell.

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Aug 2014, 10:33

You can probably get $30-40 for the 93 cams on one of the for sale boards, especially over at VS. If you are patient and don't try to gouge on pricing there are buyers out there.