
94 VVIS intake manifold on top, and '95 non-VVIS manifold on bottom
[admin edit: split from 95 to 97 850 manual swap topic, photo added]
93 and 94 850s had a variable-geometry intake manifold with a switching-length intake runner. It switched between two intake runner lengths to account for pulse effects in the intake manifold at different engine speeds.
For more info see http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/850glt ... chinfo.pdf. It's an interesting read. Look at page nine - the variable intake lets you ride the top of that ve curve. It's responsible for the sorta croissant-y shape of the manifold. More discussion on this here VVIS vs. Non-VVIS, Would You Do It? <- I Did.
Volvo evidently decided it wasn't worth the cost and complexity because the system was cut after a few years. I'm surprised your car has that because it's a 95, and i thought the system was discontinued after 94.







