'98 V70R AWD with high mileage should I plunge?

Post by **precopster** » 09 Aug 2014, 16:06

Bottom line is $2,000 asking price for a car with 380k kilometres and a head that's been removed with bent valves. Looks straight in photos but has NO Turbo.

So far seller has been answering questions but is not the owner (local indie repairer that is selling the car)
New brakes, radiator and intercooler. AWD system is working. That's all I know. I feel that I can negotiate a little on price to $1,500 or $1,600.

I have a 96 VVIS head and intake manifold in excellent condition. Would this be ok with a HPT engine?

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 09 Aug 2014, 17:29

That seems like a lot of money for a car that age with that many miles - and not running to boot. The fact that a shop is selling it "not running" is probably a good indicator.

I'd pass, but maybe Volvos in your area are a whole lot higher-priced than they are around here.

Post by **precopster** » 09 Aug 2014, 17:39

With lower miles this would be an $8,500-$9,000 car in our market but with this many ks probably $5-5.5K. They also offered to make it work for $5K but getting it past inspection etc is up to me.

Post by **precopster** » 12 Aug 2014, 05:52

Wrangled a deal with the seller. He threw in a good 16T turbo and lowered the price to $1,500. Looks like my spare 20V head with 70K miles will bolt up with the VVIS manifold (with short intake runners chosen) or I can swap the valves out of my head into the R head.

The bores look really good with zero lip and little damage from the clashing valves on the piston tops.

The body is very straight and interior/door panels are very good but I DO have some work ahead of me. My first performance car ever!!

Post by **erikv11** » 12 Aug 2014, 10:02

Love those R seats. Looks like a beauty Mike, keep us posted!

Post by **precopster** » 13 Aug 2014, 07:02

Thanks Erik. Apparently door trims have some extra stitching which keeps them from delaminating...

I have a VVIS NA manifold and cylinder head with under 80k miles. I compared my VVIS manifold and apart from all the extra weight it carries due to the extra set of inbuilt intake runners, it seemed very similar in design. The NA manifold carries a larger throttle body so the R one can be swapped over for extra pressure. Later if things seem sluggish in the up and go dept. I'll look into rebuilding the turbo head and go back to the R manifold.

So far I have a plan that involves putting most of my 2000 V70s front end (except springs) on the R as it was recently rebuilt and putting most of our low mileage 850s front end on the 2000 V70. Being an AWD would it have 4 bolt control arms?

I assume AWDs run Nivomats on the rear but have read posts of standard spring and shock conversion??

Lots to consider and any suggestions are welcome.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 13 Aug 2014, 12:51

I don't think the 1998 came with 4 bolt control arms, but we have different versions in the US. Yes, the "R" came with Nivomats and there is not an easy 'conversion'.

The R intake manifold breaths better than the other versions, same is true with the exhaust manifold.

If you 'rebuild' the head, replace the valve stem seals, there are only 20 of them! There is an outfit in Florida that reconditions 5 cyl heads for less than $1000US, don't know about shipping or customs.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Aug 2014, 12:56

I thought you can easily convert rear Nivos to standard, by just putting in standard springs and shocks?

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 13 Aug 2014, 13:12

The springs are 'sport' length and the shock mounts are different. Welding is needed. It will compromise the handling if different springs are used.

Post by **precopster** » 13 Aug 2014, 15:07

Thanks Klausc and Erik. Noticed the different shock mounts online on FCPs site for the 98s which have no bolt holes.

It seems the 2000 Nivomat system went uniform with the non Nivomats by sharing a similar mount.

I don't know if the rears are OK yet. The bounce test seemed ok but will need to get underneath to view them.
The front end looked old with cracked top mount rubbers and rusty shock threads. Why do some performance car drivers neglect their suspensions? The owner gave up and bought a XC90 V8 from the indie repairer so he didn't lack the folding stuff.

Good news is there's a new radiator and intercooler.

The VVIS head shares exhaust profile so I can use the R exhaust.

It's coming on Friday but I can't keep it at home for now as the 2002 XC is having the subframe dropped for access to the side cover.