S80 V8 What issues should I look out for?

[nemesisthewarlock]

Ok, I maybe about to fall for another big engine Volvo this time an S80 with the V8 rather than the Six Pack in my 960 Estate.

What pitfalls do I need to avoid?

I do know that the T6 is probably a better bet, but I am seduced by the sound of that V8 and my 960 has awoken my "need for swede speed"!

I hear that drivetrains maybe an issue with the AWD cars and that water can get into the block.. What other issues could trip me up?

All help and advice much appreciated

Ben

[griston64]

Originally Posted by nemesisthewarlock

Ok, I maybe about to fall for another big engine Volvo this time an S80 with the V8 rather than the Six Pack in my 960 Estate.

What pitfalls do I need to avoid?

I do know that the T6 is probably a better bet, but I am seduced by the sound of that V8 and my 960 has awoken my "need for swede speed"!

I hear that drivetrains maybe an issue with the AWD cars and that water can get into the block.. What other issues could trip me up?

All help and advice much appreciated

Ben

The T5 is probably the better bet !

[Familyman 90]

Leaking cam cover gaskets. An access nightmare, requiring double digit hours to replace for someone that knows what they are doing. And they do leak, so check carefully.

Ditto the alternator. Its an access nightmare, and while its a PITA the easiest method is simply to lift the engine out, so any doubts about the integrity of that and you might want to pass. It can be done by removing a wheel and tunneling in from there, but that isn't actually any quicker I'm told.

The engine itself is fundamentally quite strong, so if its been serviced as required there should be no major issues.

Depending on the transmission it's only 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 than the T6, and 1.2 seconds quicker than the T5.

In the US there was an "Anniversary Edition" of a few hundred S80's with a mildly tuned T6 that was actuslly 0.2 seconds quicker than the V8 that came along a few years later. That being the case, if you got yourself a T6 and a mild remap it will be quicker than the V8, which is another option you could consider.

[nemesisthewarlock]

Originally Posted by Familyman 90

Leaking cam cover gaskets. An access nightmare, requiring double digit hours to replace for someone that knows what they are doing. And they do leak, so check carefully.

Ditto the alternator. Its an access nightmare, and while its a PITA the easiest method is simply to lift the engine out, so any doubts about the integrity of that and you might want to pass. It can be done by removing a wheel and tunneling in from there, but that isn't actually any quicker I'm told.

The engine itself is fundamentally quite strong, so if its been serviced as required there should be no major issues.

Depending on the transmission it's only 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 than the T6, and 1.2 seconds quicker than the T5.

In the US there was an "Anniversary Edition" of a few hundred S80's with a mildly tuned T6 that was actuslly 0.2 seconds quicker than the V8 that came along a few years later. That being the case, if you got yourself a T6 and a mild remap it will be quicker than the V8, which is another option you could consider.

Thanks for the info, I just like the sound of the V8 and of course the rarity of the wee beastie.. just 12 showing on how many left...

[ferg55]

There must be more than 12 left - they actually come up for sale fairly regularly and there has been 3 or 4 in the last few months alone.

If you head over to Swedespeed, there is a lot more info on them, practically Ford Focus' over there.

[Sotosound]

Hmmm.

Does the small number in existence combined with a high incidence of these vehicles coming up for sale suggest that people don't keep them very long?

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Hmmm.

Does the small number in existence combined with a high incidence of these vehicles coming up for sale suggest that people don't keep them very long?

The price of fuel and road tax is probably the major factor why people dont keep them very long. If you want a toy with a V8 there are a lot better ones out there than a Volvo S80

[nemesisthewarlock]

Originally Posted by griston64

The price of fuel and road tax is probably the major factor why people dont keep them very long. If you want a toy with a V8 there are a lot better ones out there than a Volvo S80

Oh I know that, I looked at some Hemi 300Cs, Jags and the German crowd but I am a Volvo convert now and the car is a real sleeper especially if you de-badge it and remove the v8 badge

[Familyman 90]

Originally Posted by griston64

The price of fuel and road tax is probably the major factor why people dont keep them very long. If you want a toy with a V8 there are a lot better ones out there than a Volvo S80

I'd be inclined to agree. It's not a bad engine my any means, fundamentally very strong and able to take a lot of tuning, but in standard form it's pretty weedy for any engine of that size, never mind a V8. The power delivery isn't typical V8 grunt either, and the overall performance doesn't justify the running costs.

That's my personal view. I also like real ale and Roger Whittaker, so no accounting for taste.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by nemesisthewarlock

Oh I know that, I looked at some Hemi 300Cs, Jags and the German crowd but I am a Volvo convert now and the car is a real sleeper especially if you de-badge it and remove the v8 badge

It's more asleep than a sleeper. As Familyman rightly pionts out it's a very poor V8 performance wise

The Hemi isn't great performance wise unless you get the 6.1SRT with 425bhp but you will need to tow a tanker behind you and it will handle like a demented North sea ferry