150mph volvo 440 please help

[timway]

When you say the speedo was checked, what do you mean by that exactly?? Because the maximum allowed speedo error can be up to 10% (over reading only). So if it was within that limit it might be considered ok, but could be reading up to 150mph at a true 135mph.
I would have thought you'd need around 200-250bhp to do a genuine 150mph in a 440 automatic...

[foggyjames]

Let's look at the evidence. At high speeds, aerodynamics play far more of a role than weight in determining terminal speed. A late 440 looks very much like an 850, so let's assume they have similar drag coefficients. An 850 T5 will supposedly do 175mph+ if unrestricted, but it does have 225bhp to play with against the 440 2.0's 110bhp. 440 Turbo stock has 120bhp and a top speed of 121mph. I can get to an indicated 135 (125 on the dyno-calibrated digital speedo on my MPG computer) with 140bhp and the 360's slabish aerodynamics. Good thing the private test track was open!

Volvo claimed a top speed for the 440 2.0 of 119mph. I think that's a very non-standard car if it can really do 150mph. Chipping a typical non-turbo car makes very little difference. A friend paid several hundred quid to get his 440 1.8 chipped, and gained 7bhp IIRC. Totally not worth it.

cheers

James

[timway]

Yes, the power required to overcome aerodynamic drag is proportional to the speed cubed - so it takes 8 times as much power to do 200 mph as it does to do 100mph.
I worked out it would take twice as much power to do 150mph as it would to do 120mph
(assuming aerodynamic drag only)

I'm off to bed now

[foggyjames]

Ah....must have NAWS then

cheers

James

[guitarcarfanatic]

Ny old 1.7 volvo 480 ES (non turbo) would hit 137mph - did it twice! Speedos on the 400 series are very bad though! With gps 137 on speedo is about 124 in real life. Can only assume this is whats happened. I doublt a standard 440 would reach these speeds in real speed. Rich pruen on 480 owners club has a 250 bHP volvo 480 1.7 turbo and it will hit 155mph as read by gps! Also does 80-130 in 2.1 seconds but thats another story...

My totally standard 440 GLT Turbo Automatic with 115k on the clock has been up to 115 mph then i ran out of road but i don't think it had much more to give. I would have thought that was about right for it's age and mileage.

[sandythecaddie]

great thread this ! carmagedon, tell us what kind of playing ground your on, level , hilly twisty etc . when i was a regular at knockhill, a mechanic friend of mine (who worked there) always went to the volvo trailer to see the 850's being set up for the track. the things you can do with a computer and a disc.......different track, different disc.....want to take my own 440 round knockhill just to see.

[foggyjames]

I can well believe that the 480 did a GPS-measured 125, as those things are pretty damn aerodynamic.

Amusingly, my mate who had a 480 En-Suite claims that his recorded 2-3mpg worse on the trip computer with the headlights up at motorway speeds

cheers

James

[imac]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

An 850 T5 will supposedly do 175mph+ if derestricted

Maybe once heavily modified - by heavy I mean more than a simple chip

A 225bhp T5 will do 150mph tops, despite what the speedo may say. Thats said from experience of our three T5's

[SIAMBLUE]

I think he must have dirty great 70 profile tyres, and a taller gearbox then it would do that speed on a 4 mile strip.

Gary.