Hey all, had to park my new-to-me S60 2.5T AWD (~95k miles with the B5254T2 engine) for a bit and leave the country, but that's given me plenty of time to plan repairs and upgrades, wait for sales to buy parts, and map out everything for efficiency. Figured I'd post my plan here and solicit recommendations/tips/tricks, suggestions, etc. from you fine folk.
I'm not very good with cars, though ironically have a masters in mech engineering, which I would think would help me out but seems to mostly make me overthink **** and spend ages researching and doing what probably should be simple jobs, then Fing them up anyway. Anyway I've got time to research things now before I dive in, so I figure this is my chance to finally learn something about cars and get over the intimidation I've always felt when it comes to working on them. Also some of this will likely be useful to others planning their own Stage Zeroes, and my plan is to dyno the car before stage zero, after stage zero, and after stage II.
Before reading further I recommend you grab a cup of coffee or a beer and find a good chair:
Before starting: Get VIDA/DICE and an ODBII reader. Get a ceiling-mount compressor and impact wrench. Get a set of TORX bits up to #60, a >10" wobble head extension, a set of those fancy ratcheting metric socket wrenches, and six-pack of Guinness (for me), a six-pack of cider (for my dad).
Day 1:
Dyno the car to establish a baseline.
Replace PCV System (also need to replace intake manifold gasket): OEM kit from IPD Volvo ($361.95):
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4991/11 ... JoQAvD_BwE OR Dealer Part Price $195
Using this video on PCV replacement from FCP Euro:
While PCV is mostly out and intake manifold is off:
Replace ETM: with this OEM Bosch one from Amazon ($205) AND add IPD phenolic throttle spacer ($50) OR Clean for $5 w/ throttle cleaner from autozone?
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Original-E ... B00BJJ9OI0 AND https://www.ipdusa.com/products/10377/1 ... ody-spacer
Drain coolant (for purpose of both radiator and water pump replacement).
Replace Radiator: Upgrade to All-Aluminum do88 Radiator ($470 ) OR OEM Replacement from IPD Volvo ($315) OR Dealer Part Price ($396)
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/16446/1 ... ansmission
Using this Intercooler replacement guide from IPD (link below) (also requires removing the radiator, so is kind of a guide to both... also the video below:
https://www.ipdusa.com/files/product/55 ... MATION.PDF
While replacing Radiator:
Upgrade to IPD Intercooler ($575): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/12145/1 ... 0-xc70-s80
Upgrade to silicone hoses where possible:
Silicone Radiator Hoses ($140): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/9205/12 ... 0-v70-xc70
Silicone Turbo Coolant Hose Kit ($20): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/10085/1 ... e-kit-blue
Expansion Tank Hose Kit ($50): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/12166/1 ... 0-xc70-s80
Replace brake vacuum pump switch: from FCPeuro ($63): https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 25#reviews or if that doesn't work, New vacuum pump from fcpeuro: $130 (to fix weak braking action that occurs only within first 30 seconds after cold start).
Don't refill the coolant or start the car yet. Drink beverages if all is well so far.
Day 2:
Replace Timing Belt, idler, tensioner, Water Pump, front and rear cam seals, (crank seal?).
Need these tools first:
30mm crankshaft socket, ($13): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8360/11 ... olt-socket
Camshaft locking tool, ($100): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/9735/12 ... cking-tool
Coolant from dealer.
And this timing belt/water pump kit ($241): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/9222/12 ... r-pump-kit
and these seals:
2x Front intake cam seal for CVVT ($24) each: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/16400/1 ... r-actuator
2x Rear intake cam seal (for cams with cam position sensor) ($24) each: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/14295/2 ... shaft-seal
For timing belt, VIDA and this video:
For water pump, VIDA and this thread/videos (not for my specific model but should be similar. skip coolant draining because it's already drained from previous day): https://blog.fcpeuro.com/replacing-the- ... lvo-s60-t5
For camshaft seals, VIDA, this awesome video:
and also this video:
and this thread: viewtopic.php?t=67874
and this thread: https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... ics/213702
Last one is for a '98 V70 but still somewhat relevant.
Replace vvt hubs? Probably not yet, just check them for play and then decide? If they're good just put them back in. Thoughts?
REFILL COOLANT!
Run the car again to make sure I didn't mess anything up. Check for proper braking action (due to new vacuum switch), smooth and improved engine operation. Drink beverages (if all is well).
Day 3:
Replace Leak Detection Pump: $65 off Amazon for Bosch OEM replacement (link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0159BPDQA/?c ... _lig_dp_it) OR Dealer Price $195 ($420 for whole job including labor) OR OEM kit from IPD: $361 OR $229 for Duralast version on autozone.
Replace spark plugs with these OEM spark plugs from IPD ($60): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4876/11 ... k-plug-set
and this guide from FCP Euro:
I'll probably leave the coils alone, or take the plunge and replace both plugs and coils with this kit ($300): https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... it#fitment
Change the cabin air filter, fuel filter, and change the oil & oil filter (autozone stuff, probably about $100).
Run car again to check operation.
Drain and fill transmission fluid using this kit ($26): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4808/10 ... h-hose-kit
and this funnel ($2) (guide from ipd is on the kit page): https://www.ipdusa.com/products/10891/1 ... uid-funnel
Use 14 qts of JWS-3309 compliant fluid (probably the Toyota T-IV) (estimate $10/qt=$140)
Do the transmission fluid replacement reset using VIDA/DICE and any calibration driving required.
Stage Zero (minus cosmetic fixes/some hoses) are now complete.
Drive to the dyno place and dyno the car again to check improvement. Drink beverages (if all is well).
Day 4:
Need some help with this part - car is registered in VA right now but I just relocated it to CA and will probably register it there soon. Anyone smart on what the laws/regs are regarding downpipe/cat/exhaust upgrades in CA? Anyway here's what I'm thinking:
Upgrade downpipe (to larger diameter and high-flow cat - suggestions?)
Probably this Phuzzy downpipe for $550, which is CARB legal: http://www.phuzzymotorsports.com/index. ... p1p35tb853
OR this Elevate 3.5" downpipe and high-flow cat ($1200: https://www.elevatecars.com/store/volvo ... erter.html
OR this Ferrita downpipe and race cat (£744 aka $970): http://en.bsr.se/product/ferrita-downpi ... 2-2007-awd
which I'm guessing I can't actually order or install in CA. Also the Phuzzy is 50% of the cost of the others and seems to work well.
Upgrade exhaust (to larger diameter and keep a relatively subdued sound - suggestions?) Maybe this Elevate 3" exhaust ($786): https://www.elevatecars.com/store/volvo ... ystem.html
Any good lower cost options? What about using a local shop? I just want a little more performance and to keep pretty quiet (think don't-wake-the-neighbours-starting-the-car-at-3am quiet).
Install IPD HD TCV ($90)? Or Phuzzy HD TCV ($60): http://www.phuzzymotorsports.com/index. ... p1p35tb853 thoughts/suggestions? I'm not really clear on the merits of this. From perusing forums it seems like an OEM replacement might be just as good and have less potential for issues.
Install IPD BCS ($82)? thoughts/suggestions? Same as above, I'm not quite sure if this is worth the money or quite how it works, or if my car even has one of these. I need to research this part more, in the meantime any suggestions/info are welcome.
Run car again to check operation.
Day 5:
Change to ARD stage II tune ($507) based on downpipe, exhaust, and drop-in IC upgrades, or Hilton Stage II tune (based on DP, exhaust, FMIC recommended but again I'll be using the drop-in from IPD)
Run car again to check operation. Drive to dyno place and dyno the car again. Drink last two beverages (if all is well). Post dyno results here.
Total cost to stage zero (including the intercooler/radiator upgrade): $2778
Total cost to stage II: (with Phuzzy DP, ARD tune, and $500 budgeted for an exhaust): $4335
Last two days/down-the-road plans (mostly cosmetic/hose/suspension stuff):
[]Restore headlights
[]Repair cracked front lower bumper (or not), was cracked when purchased in the middle, probably nosed into a curb, but not super inclined to fix it as I don't care much about looks.
[]Inspect & replace vacuum lines and radiator/IC piping rubber (where not already replaced)
[]Verify proper fuel flow using a fuel pressure tester and replace fuel pumps if needed
[]boost gauge/AFR gauge or dash logic upgrade
[]suspension components
Congrats on making it to the end and thanks for reading! Excited to get some feedback, thanks all.
Oh, one last thing: when/where are the best sales I should try to catch?






