Best modifications made to your P80 Volvo

[erikv11]

I will second that about the IPD HD rear springs, I put those on my V70. They are great, improve the handling without changing the ride height.

On the 95 R the best modification for me is the m4.4 tuned ECU. It's the little things - like it starts up so much more quickly. That and stage zero, which I fight for every month.

[Cookeh]

Can you elaborate on the iPD HD springs for those of us outside the US? Assuming HD is heavy duty, one would assume they're rated for higher weights, and hence would have higher spring rates? You say they improve handling without affecting ride. The former is believable mechanically due to the higher spring rate offering greater mechanical grip (situationally of course), but surely it would have a negative impact on ride?

[yanga001]

HID projector retrofit for the headlights. Ive noticed a big improvement over the stock, although my reflectors may have been going out. The only nuisance is that you might have trouble reading tall street signs as the cutoff on the projectors are significantly lower. The volvo headlights are perfect for these as they have a huge amount of space which allows you to stuff the full projector into it.

[erikv11]

Can you elaborate on the iPD HD springs for those of us outside the US? Assuming HD is heavy duty, one would assume they're rated for higher weights, and hence would have higher spring rates? You say they improve handling without affecting ride. The former is believable mechanically due to the higher spring rate offering greater mechanical grip (situationally of course), but surely it would have a negative impact on ride?

I said they improve handling without affecting ride height, not "without affecting ride."

As for "the ride" as you say, the P80 stock wagon when empty (i.e. with just a driver) is already an exercise in loosening the fillings in your molars, perhaps that is worsened now I am not sure. I would say the ride may be improved with HD springs when the wagon is loaded, including when it is full of just people.

You can read about these springs, including comments from other users, on the IPD web page.

[Cookeh]

Beg pardon, tired eyes! I actually agree about the sentiment of these cars both riding and handling better loaded, as its certainly been my experience - both with stock springs and uprated ones. Their webpage offers precious little information to be honest, failing even to mention the most basic of details such as spring rate or the increase in rated load. As for customer comments, very little can be learned from a comparison of any worn spring with a brand new alternative.

[erikv11]

Ah ok - good points! I had a look too, that is annoying IPD doesn't give you some useful info, guess they are trying to protect their markup.

To be fair I am also comparing new-ish overload springs to old factory ones when I say improved handling. I've not swapped the springs around much. But I do like them.

[abscate]

I could measure the coil diameter and compressed length as some kind of metric on my two 1999s

[scot850]

My friend just fitted IPD HD rear springs to the rear of his V70 base to bring his sons stuff 3800km back from Eastern Canada. Said it made a huge improvement to the ride height at the back when loaded (I had fitted new Lemforder standard springs just before he bought it). I rode with him in the car recently and can't say I found it particularly jarring.

Funny when I see all the mods folks add and like all things is comes down to taste. In several cases with my 'R' I have removed some of the mods and find the car better for it. Removed the IPD front sway bar as the creaking drove me mad. Broke the Bilstein HD on a snow rut at the front of the car and replaced with Tourings. At least now with both those removed most of my teeth are still firmly in place along with the fillings. The Bilstein HD's are way too hard for our roads. Even IPD recommended against them except for track use.

Remove the 'air intake kit and re-fitted OE. Never understand why people fit cold air intakes which are not connected to actual cold air?? There are a few that have boxes around them that may improve air flow but not many out there.

Biggest improvements are a tune (Rica) and an IPD TCV fitted correctly in spite of their bad instructions causing damage to the first one.

These are worthwhile and sufficient without going too high as auto trans are only rated to 320 bhp. My car tune 'allegedly' has around 312 bhp and 300 ft/lb of torque. It is relatively quick but not stupidly so. IPD TCV allows for over 20psi boost and my car is running somewhere around 18 psi.

Only other improvements are 225/45/17" wheels and tires, and an ipod/AUX input to the standard SC-900 head unit. Blue tooth would be nice but don't use the car enough to warrant the cost. Last thing (already done when bought) is the tinted windows. Those I like but are a pain at night when checking behind you when driving.

Neil.

[j-dawg]

Quaife diff. The most expensive bolt-on, and the hardest to install. But the best.