Rally!

Fish1200 · Post by **Fish1200** » 14 Jul 2016, 08:08

Hi folks,
I have a 96 850 na. I know that I'm not going to build any power with it so, I've decided to focus on aesthetics. That being said, I'm kicking around the idea of building a rally poseur for the street. I just want to do something different, and I imagine it'll be the only one like it around. Sooooo... any of you fine folks have any suggestions? I'm thinking lights, maybe an almost straight pipe (nothing too loud or crazy), some sweet wheels. Maybe kicking the wheels out a tiny bit and running fender flares? IDK, my goal is to build something unique and (most importantly) cheap! Before the haters come out: Hey, at least I'm not asking about stance...

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 14 Jul 2016, 09:51

: 5se7dutrcfvkgj8gyihb.jpg (433.44 KiB) Viewed 1793 times

I don't remember where these are from, but some idea of how it could look, at least.

- S

kippster41493 · Post by **kippster41493** » 14 Jul 2016, 10:04

I'm doing the same thing, you actually don't get a lot of haters because it's an old Volvo and not something that everyone else has.

I've lowered mine a little bit (1.25" drop) with Eibach springs. I'm using the wheels off my 98 V70 because they look much better with some lower profile tires. I want to somewhat go for the BTCC car look but maybe not the paint scheme so much. Get a Volvo windshield banner maybe. I do have some engine upgrades in mind but I don't plan on going crazy with them though. Currently working on underbody stuff. Suspension, brakes, exhaust, wheels/ tires, etc. My engine and trans are running fine for the most part. Couple of things here and there I'm getting done at the same time.

It's fun working with these cars because it's easy to stand out from the crowd, especially on the aesthetics. Doing things like lowering the car a bit, going with aftermarket/ upgraded suspension and steering parts not only make the car look cooler but obviously bump up the handling as well. For the style you're going with, definitely try to find some rally style front four hood mounted lights. Unfortunately the Volvo rally cars were 240's so it won't look exactly the same, but I bet you could get close to it with enough time/ searching for parts.

kippster41493 · Post by **kippster41493** » 14 Jul 2016, 10:05

Sommerfeldt wrote:
hKETKT5.jpg

5se7dutrcfvkgj8gyihb.jpg
I don't remember where these are from, but some idea of how it could look, at least.

- S

Those are BTCC cars not rally, but that's the look I'm going for eventually.

Fish1200 · Post by **Fish1200** » 14 Jul 2016, 11:07

Whew! I was really afraid I was gonna be inundated with snarky comments. Thanks so much for keeping it positive!
I thought long and hard about doing a BTCC clone, since I have a friend who does vinyl wraps (finding that wing might be a little tricky, though). Ultimately, that might be the route I go but, I was sort of inspired by the resurgence of scramber/retro motorcycles. Lights are definitely a must. I'm wondering how it would look with the stock height but some rally-style wheels and knobby tires? IDK, it might defeat the only thing that car has going for it, the handling. That being said, I live in Michigan and our roads are absolute garbage all year long, so I'm not sure if having a lower, stiffer suspension and low profile tires really jibes with elephant-sized potholes and six months of snow lol.
Good luck with your BTCC-esque build! I'm sure it will be awesome!

kippster41493 · Post by **kippster41493** » 14 Jul 2016, 11:30

It's nice to know I'm not the only one going for a unique Volvo! I've been to Michigan before, I agree I don't like the roads. Wisconsin is basically always under road construction so our roads aren't that bad. I can kind of see why you want the rally style haha. I've seen lifted Subaru's with mud tires around my area, I think it would be very cool to see a Volvo like that. The wing in the picture you may not even be able to find it, that was most likely made for the race cars only.

Fish1200 · Post by **Fish1200** » 14 Jul 2016, 11:52

I think Volvos lend themselves to unique builds, since they aren't the most popular tuner car and don't necessarily have "rules" for building the "right" one like, say, the JDM guys.
Oh, BTW, props to you for your DSM. I had the pleasure/misfortune of owning a '92 Talon TSi AWD. When it ran, it was a beast. Sadly, it only ran about a third of the time I owned it :/ I sold it to a kid with an Eclipse GS who wanted the 4G63.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 14 Jul 2016, 11:52

The BTCC wings were available for a while, but the last one I saw for sale was an S40 wing, used for about 400 bucks. Best thing would probably be to make one or have one made - did someone say carbon fiber?

- S

kippster41493 · Post by **kippster41493** » 14 Jul 2016, 12:30

My eclipse was a whole different story, it was ridiculous. 10/10 would not own one again. I did like being that low, but unfortunately you can't get to a lot places, not with out saying goodbye to the front bumper anyway. It usually meant parking a fair distance away depends on where you were going and leaving way ahead of time to make sure you can take your time pulling into driveways. It wasn't too low to the point where I couldn't make it over speed bumps, just went slow and was fine. That's why I only did a modest drop on my 850 so I had the "low" look but was able to get places. Even now there are some driveways I have to go at a pretty good angle.

I've been looking for a btcc wing, haven't been looking very hard I'll be honest but nothing yet. I wouldn't get it till I get to the point of doing body work which is last on my list. I like the "sleeper" look for now. I've won a few street drags with friends because no one believes me an "old Volvo" can be quick. I'm for the most part stock even, nothing to add mass amounts of power. By sleeper look I mean my paint is pretty terrible. It's faded, clear coat is gone on most of the vehicle, gas door isn't on (bought a replacement hinge but it broke installing), it has ugly wheels with paint chipping off of them, the windshield is cracked, etc. But as far as they know they just see what it looks like, not what's under the hood

Volvos do scream "modify me!" but it takes a Volvo enthusiast to do it though. I've seen a lot of people just use them as "work and back cars" which kills me seeing that. These cars, 850's especially, are really good cars if taken car of well. I like the body style and all the luxuries you get them and they are actually pretty cheap to buy and not bad on maintenance. The only reason these cars get expensive to repair is because they get neglected and then someone has to mend it all as soon as they can because they get used and abused till right before they die pretty much from what I've seen anyway.

Fish1200 · Post by **Fish1200** » 14 Jul 2016, 14:10

I agree. I bought mine last fall with 84k on it. Thankfully, the previous owner did the timing belt and water pump at 70K. I still had to put another two grand in to it to rebuild the front end (wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, steering rack, both axles) among other various things that tend to fail on a 20 year old car. It's still not perfect, but now I'm not scared to commute it 80 miles a day to work. If you jump on problems as soon as you discover them and do your maintenance, you can save yourself a ton of money and headache.