VVT camshaft(s) for 1998 v70 AWD?

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 12 May 2012, 00:32

Hi folks

I've tried to search for mention of this so if anyone knows where a previous discussion has taken place please post the link!

Is it possible to install the variable valve timing camshafts into a 1998 V70 AWD (low press turbo)? I'm very interested to hear if this has been done, and if there is anything to be gained from doing so (so is it worth the trouble), and what else would need to be changed / modified in order to support the different camshafts?

I'm still waiting for my manual to arrive, however when I see pics of volvo's 5 cyl engines with VVT, some seem to show only a VVT camshaft on the exh side, whereas other pics seem to show only a VVT camshaft on the inlet side??? It'd be great if someone could share some details about these setups??!?

Thanks

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 May 2012, 15:16

Anything is possible but being possible and being practical are often two different things. The entire ECU and harness will need to be changed out. My '99 with CVVT on the exhaust side also scrapped the coil and went to individual coil packs. As far as the block goes I'm not sure if it is different or not. The head is different for sure as it has the CVVT solenoid mount as well as an additional oil passage milled into it.

At the end of the day it would be cheaper to just sell the '98 and buy a later year if you want CVVT.

...Lee

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 22 May 2012, 04:04

Thanks Ozark Lee
Indeed I'm certainly not looking to outsmart myself here, and as there wasn't exactly a flood of replies to this query / suggestion I'd kind of figured this was not going to be a fairytale story of bolt on performance improvement with no strings attached. I imagine that over the coming months I'll gradually speak to more and more people about what sort of straight fwd options (eg possibly fitment of a T5 turbo unit etc etc) there may be for inching improvements that are worthwhile without compromising (to a significant degree) longevity, reliability, common sense and represent genuine value. I know this machine is a pretty neat design out of the box......... however it rarely hurts to ask the question.

Thanks again

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 May 2012, 07:50

The only thing that VVT helps with anyway is get-up-and-go off the line and (slightly) with gas mileage, though it doesn't show in the EPA numbers for this car. Early turbo models only have VVT on the exhaust camshaft.

Seeing as you've got a light-pressure turbo model anyway, I'd say you would probably see very little difference for the incredible amount of effort this would be - you'd have to change the top end of the engine and the car's ENTIRE electrical system (99's and 98's are completely different in respect of everything underneath the hood).

You have more potential in that 13G turbo, either with a tune, manual boost controller, or fitting a T5 ECU. Fitting a 15 or 16 turbo will lose you initial acceleration (what makes the light-pressure turbo cars so much fun IMO), but you'll pick up power at the top end of the powerband (over 60 mph).