Tweaking an 8502.5 20V

Hi Guys,

Having read stuff about making T5's etc quicker, I was wondering if there are significant things you can do to a normally aspirated 850 to improve performance. (I have a bad track recorder with turbos, keep blowing them!!)
My 2.5 20V estate isn't slow, its done respectable mileage (130000).I'm just wondering if there's something not too expensive to hot things up a bit that won't dramatically reduce the life of the engine, or am I best just leaving it alone.

I understand if I'm asking the impossible!!

Thanks Folks,


John

Most of the mods on a T5 are centred around making a higher turbo boost. Something you obviously can't do!

There isn't a huge amount of things you can do, but these are some:

1. Highflow panel air filter, around £40 probably only 2 or so hp increase, but will get better throttle response lower down - best done when your air filter needs changing - these last for 1,000,000 miles with cleaning!

2. Stainless steel performance exhaust, around £350, should add around 10bhp, and obviously will last for ever - most have lifetime warranties.

3. 'Superchip' or similar, which will increase fueling and alter timing a little to give you around 15 bhp for £300.

There are other things like performance cams etc but these are very rare for volvos and decrease driveability, which is what volvos are all about!

[Davef]

Alex has pointed you to the easy options. To go further you would have to have the head off and get the ports machined out and polished. I am not aware of anywhere you can get high lift cams for the 2.5 although you could get the ones you have re-profiled. There is no scope to skim the head either as the tolerances on it now are on just about maximum. Having things like the flywheel lightened and balanced, crankshafts balanced are just cost prohibitive. I’ve played with mine but having the resources of just about one of the best workshops and mechanics you will find we have got near to 240 bhp on the road with out compromising the drivability of the car. On a race track I have had it up to 150 mph + and 0 - 60 in 5.2 seconds which would make a lot of these T5 and R owners green. (with no Turbo lag!). I wouldn’t attempt to do on my own what has been done to my car but I must admit it is great fun to drive. Surprisingly all the work hasn’t had a detrimental effect on the fuel consumption getting 25 ish around town and 40 ish on a long haul. I came back from Barcelona recently and averaged 41.8 mpg!

Dave have you ever considered making a small website about your car? I'm sure there would be a lot of people who would be very interested in it!

If TWR can get 290bhp outta a 2 litre NA I'm sure we've all got a way to go :) Go to www.swedespeed.com and have a look in the features, the 'Coupe de Grace' and try not to dribble anywhere!

I agree with alex, I'd be very interested (love modding cars! - Performance not bodywork......)

Stu

[Davef]

As I put in the post I have lots of other people to thank for the tweaks on my car. I spend my life trying to get the best out of cars and I think mine was a bit of light hearted relief! To see the cars I play with normally either go to www.mclaren.com or www.mclarencars.com
The new SLR Mclaren Merc is coming along a treat looking good. It won't be as good as the F1 but thanks Daimler-Benz for a few million to pay my wages! I'm just a back room boy who has all the fun of doing all the testing. You want to try and get the chassis up to the new crash test regs without gaining weight. Lots of little parts tested and tested, really boring!!
The car looks just like a standard 850 just how I want it, not drawing attention it, if you know what I mean?
One thoght that was banded about at work was to lose the air-con and power steering that would gain quite a few bhp!

Dave you wouldn't happen to work at the Woking mclaren place would you? I'm only over in Guilford might have to come and spy on your car or force the boys to do some work on mine!!

[Simon Linton]

The other posts have dealt with engine mods; the other side of the coin is to improve the handling, braking and dynamics.

This can start with a strut brace, go on to 17" wheels with lower profile tyres and finish up with a full lowered/stiffened suspension similar to the R.

None of this need look like a Max Power escapee - there are specialist firms like TME or Kalmar Union that will provide discreet but effective modifications.

A word of warning; don't get "soft" alloys just because they're cheaper than the Volvo originals; people who have done this have found that they will dent and warp very quickly.

I notice that someone is selling a set of Volans on this site; worth investigating.

[Davef]

Just for a short while then we are off to Paragon out on the Chertsey road. Most of the R&D equipment will be going after the end of this season. The wind tunnell is up and running. We will have better facilities than NASA by the time everything is finished.
The suspension on my car has not been tweaked at all, it handles OK without it. The brakes have been upgraded to R specs and it runs on 205/50/16 Goodyear F1's.The top engine mount is a one off, looked into the cross brace but after tests on the dyno there was no lateral movement on the front so gave up that idea. I know there are a few of you who are local to me, at the end of the season if I can swing it I'll try and get a tour of the works for you.It is a bit limited as certain areas are strictly off limits. (don't get your hopes up too much as we are in throws of moving it might be difficult, it is bad enough normally, paranoia, any Ferrari fans?)
Dave