Cold air intake for 850's

Pete · Post by **Pete** » 10 May 2003, 20:27

ive recently managed to get hold of some 100mm flexible hose. i removed the old intake hose that goes from above the radiator to the airbox, and installed the new hose onto the airbox. Then routed the flexible hose down through the trans oil cooler pipes, and around to the front of the A/C condensor where it gets the ram air effect under the bumper.
Ive got some picutres if you'd like to have a look. I found my fuel economy increased to 10.5l/100km around town. down from 12l/100km

Post by **matthew1** » 26 May 2003, 23:06

See the pics here https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/airbox.php

I've heard lots of talk about this mod but never seen it happen. Congradulations to Pete in Australia!

ozbricki · Post by **ozbricki** » 21 Oct 2003, 01:06

I wonder whether the economy gains Pete has experienced has something to do with the (hot) climate he's in. Maybe the Volvo's fuel system is designed more with colder climates in mind, and the mod makes things more efficient for such warm climates... just speculating... I'll try the mod soon and see whether it makes any difference in the cooler climate of Sydney. I'll have to wait till after summer though, to see if the temp makes a difference to any economy improvements. Thanks for the tip Pete & Matt.

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » 12 Jan 2004, 12:30

Cool mod but I would be real and I mean REAL careful about water. The ram system is at spoiler level. The airbox water vent is tiny beacuse it does not need to drain much as Volvo designed it. One good puddle and you are goanna choke or even hydraulic the motor. Bent con-rods are a bad thing. You may want to look at cold air inlet in the fenderwell area higher and safer from frontal puddle attacks. Yikes! you dont want your air snokel to go SCUBA diving on water!

JD

Pete · Post by **Pete** » 14 Jan 2004, 16:41

Thanks for your reply. Here in australia, mainly up north i haven't come across any situations where ive been placed in a "SCUBA" diving driving position, but i can see your point in some countrys that may occur. The other point is the intake to air box height is about 30cm (or a foot) straight up so either the water is getting driven up there so hard (and youll probably find the front bumper is under the back wheels by now of you are fording water way to high anyway. Keep the point in mind if you are going to fit this mod but the benifits i think farout way the disadvantages in my case.

pete

Thaddman · Post by **Thaddman** » 29 Jan 2005, 07:27

improving air intake is always a great mod, but sticking a hose at basically ground height (10 inches off ground) is bad news. regardless of height to box from entry point, the volvo will such a pool ball right up in there. Better off getting a kit designed for this purpose. Most everyone will hit puddles sooner or later. In your case, if your in the outback, you'll have a monsoon sooner or later. Or, you'll suck up so much road dust from the car in front of you, your engine will choke. As someone on this forum has stated many times. 850's are interference engines. Don't interfere with it. you will not like the results.

CtKahanamoku · Post by **CtKahanamoku** » 08 Jan 2006, 18:08

About one year ago I did the modification described above. Mileage and HP increased. I am, however, terrified at the prospect of inhaling a big gulp of water. I've been trying to come up with a sensible baffle system but thus far I'm at a loss. The other problem is that when I modified the intake, I also modified the exhaust. All is well except its just too loud. I put a straight through type muffler on which did not seem to dampen the HP noticably but would like to know if there are any thoughts on quieting the roar down a bit more.

Post by **matthew1** » 08 Jan 2006, 18:21

CtKahanamoku wrote:All is well except its just too loud. I put a straight through type muffler on which did not seem to dampen the HP noticably but would like to know if there are any thoughts on quieting the roar down a bit more.

This has a bit about sound-deadening in it:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/exhaust.php

d-sop · Post by **d-sop** » 11 Jan 2006, 21:06

there is a thing called a bypass valve, which is required on all cold-air intakes. it actually (and i know its hard to believe), STOPS water from getting into your engine.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 27 Mar 2006, 09:24

I bought a Jackson Racing cold air induction kit for my Miata, which takes air from the area above the radiator. I'll have to pop the hood of my 850, but I would guess there is a way to place the 100mm tube in that same area, getting all of the benefits without worrying about large amounts of water.

One thought; the air filter in my '97 850 sits in a box with a large area underneath it - might any water that would get this far into the system hit the filter, reduce its velocity and either (a) stay in the filter or (b) drop into the space below the filter instead of getting into the engine?