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Volvo 850: A Block of Butter.


Conan

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8 hours ago, Conan said:

The car seems to be very dependable so I hope it stays that way

I've never had a car so reliable mechanically as my 850 T5, the only things I had to do on mine were suspension related and things that had worn out and were lacking in performance. Nothing ever broke, it never let me down, it just soldiered on. I've never liked a car so much. 

I'd still have my T5 if it wasn't so abysmal on fuel - it was auto, and did 23mpg however you drove. 
Apparently the manuals do 26mpg. 

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6 hours ago, Dave_Q said:

Am very moist for this excellent combination of Yellow and Volvo.

I notice the numberplate is shorter now, do you have to re-register when you transfer ownership or is it a like a private/vanity plate?

 

I plate raped the 626, yes. In fact, any plate is transferable provided the car is in the same area of constituency. If not it just take more time to move it in. It's also pretty easy in my case because I own both cars.

 

1 hour ago, Ghosty said:

I've never had a car so reliable mechanically as my 850 T5, the only things I had to do on mine were suspension related and things that had worn out and were lacking in performance. Nothing ever broke, it never let me down, it just soldiered on. I've never liked a car so much. 

I'd still have my T5 if it wasn't so abysmal on fuel - it was auto, and did 23mpg however you drove. 
Apparently the manuals do 26mpg. 

 

I've been averaging 19-20mpg what am I doing lmao. Supposedly a remap would help this a bit though.

 

I should also point out that Volvo 850 reputation as being reliable varies a lot from person to person. A lot would say they're as hardy as a brick wall while other will say electrical gremlins and exploding transmission. I think it depends a lot on the example.

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1 hour ago, 2MB said:

It was Murray Head, taken from a concept album about a chess tournament 

 

I believe the album was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the Bb out of Abba. Yes I am a massive nerd as hairnet would attest.

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  • 4 weeks later...

I have also taken my Swedish Estate car to IKEA because it is mandatory.

 

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Also did brake pads, rotors, inner and outer tie rod ends, full set of new Maxxis Premitra HP5 tyres (which is superb, btw). Still drive kinda naff in my opinion but I've come to terms with that. The PAS is waaaay too light and the car is waaaaaaay too heavy.

 

I've got iPD subframe bushings insert coming soon which probably won't help the handling all that much but it was on sale. Still deciding on the next course of action though. There is no record for timing belt service so it might be that. What I really want to do though is the "R" exhaust manifold and glasspack cherry bomb thingy to make more noise. But if the turbo's coming off I might as well upgrade the wastegate spring and billet turbine along with turbo control valve. Also still need new fuel pump even if the old one is fine.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 11/6/2020 at 10:23 AM, Conan said:

 

- Walbro GSS342 255 Fuel Pump

- Either "Blue" S70 T5 or "Green" S60R injectors

- K24 Turbo with accompanied Exhaust Manifold from S60R

- Aeromotive Fuel Regulator

- Remap

 

This should allows for 300hp for est.700 quid.

 

Yeah... About this theoretical list. Turns out I don't really need half of it. I have bought new fuel pump, Walbro GSS342 255 litre per hour unit. This is getting fitted tomorrow. Not really needed but old pump is falling apart.

I don't need the injectors and fuel regulator up till 300+hp, or the bigger Turbo, the TD04HL-15G will do fine up to 300hp. I am really aiming more at 280bhp. So about 240-250whp.

I'd still like the S60 exhaust manifold though as it flows a lot better for very cheap price, gonna sounds better as well especially when I put glasspack on it. But if I'm removing the exhaust manifold I might as well upgrade the Turbo Wastegate Spring, Turbine Blade and Turbo Control Valve. (TCV really don't need turbo remove but might as well do it at the same shop). This should be coming late January or early February.

Of course after all of that I will also need a remap to make use of all the upgrades. This will come a bit later.

I have also bought subframe bushings insert which supposedly makes the car handle a lot better. Will fit and report later.

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I fitted subframe bushing inserts today. Let's talk about that.

 

The entirety of my ownership of this car I've always thought it drive like wet sponge. After reading up on US exploits of various Volvos there is a lot of great solution to many issues. This is one of them.

 

The P2 series of cars which includes S80, S60, V70, XC70 and XC90 has this issue of front subframe bushings being too soft and pliable. It's good for comfort but makes the car drive like an absolute arse with massive shop time for replacing the bushings with a new one. (The entire subframe has to come off).

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Thus, iPD (other brands are available) did this polyurethane subframe bushings insert in order to help this. It is much easier to install and the benefit is immense.

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Luckily, those P2 series of cars use the same type of subframe bushings as the P80. And despite using a harder, tougher rubber and not having as much of an issue. The 850 and S70 also benefits from this upgrade as the earliest ones are pushing 30 years old at this point and the bushings likely wouldn't be replace in it's lifetime.

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After fitting I immediately went for a nice little drive. The effect is pretty damn obvious. The car isn't a wet sponge anymore. It is actually toight like a toiger for once.

 

For 70£ including shipping and fitting this is pretty much the best upgrade this car could have received so far.

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  • 2 weeks later...

A little update to this thing. I have made it worse.

 

As we're speaking the LPG system is being removed. Even though it is the FUEL OF THE FUTURE there are a few reasons I cannot continue using it.

 

Local law states that LPG tank has the maximum life of 10 years, you can extend this for another 5 if you do engineer inspection every year. The tank I have indeed is now 15 years old and cannot be inspected for another year of use. Another reason is that the system interferes with fuel injection system, thus the Lambda light is permanent and annoying. Also the petrol is exceedingly cheap at the moment so there's no reason to use it.

 

But as a consolation, I have ordered the S60R manifold. Which will be fitted next month. There is a reason why I won't be fitting it as soon as I got it, which will become apparent very soon.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Changed the cambelt, idler roller, tensioner roller and water pump, along with accessory belt. Fresh stuff. I reckon they've never been changed the entire 112,000 miles the ECU is telling me this engine has done. Now I am not playing roulette every time I drive this thing. 😀

 

Guess what? After IAC outlet hose which I discovered is split in half's replaced. It's turbo time.

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