Best Volvo to modify

[Thejdizzler]

Hi all,

I am looking for an Volvo estate to restore / modify. I like the 240 but they seem a lot rarer and more expensive than I expected. I would look to spend up to 5K on buying the car. I also like the 850 and 940 which seem cheaper than a 240. Which is the best model to buy for value for money / availability of parts and availability of modified parts? My only requirement is that it is an estate model. Do certain models have better engines to modify or are they all similar? Thanks in advance!

[S60D5-185]

A well sorted 850 T5 is a very enjoyable, quick car as standard with plenty of potential for further development if required.

[don kalmar union]

By far the best of Volvo's turbocharged 5 pot engines was fitted in the V70 T5s from late '08 onwards the P2s. Not in the later models which have Volvo's wretched PINCODE BANDITRY installed that prevents easy installation of good aftermarket software via the OBD.

That 2.4l engine, not the preceeding 2.3l will give 330bhp with just good software, a wee bit more if you replace the complete exhaust, that is d'pipe with 100cel cat and cat back.

Don.

[Thejdizzler]

Thanks for the info. Was the engine you recommend used in any other models? I have had a look online and the V70 does look quite reasonably priced but I have not found any from 08 onwards. I’ll keep looking though

[AllHailKingVolvo]

If you intend to modify it yourself, 940s have the indestructible redblock motor and the turbo examples can easily go to around 200bhp with very minor tweaks to existing hardware such as the wastegate actuator. Beyond that, it's easy to make ridiculous figures with the right kit.

It's not the end of the world to go +T on a naturally aspirated car too. I have a 240 and 740 and love them...I mainly recommended the 940 due to them being the cheapest of the "brick" cars currently, being the youngest. Parts are super cheap too, a modders dream.

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by AllHailKingVolvo

Beyond that, it's easy to make ridiculous figures with the right kit.

There are a good number of redblocks out there making over 1000BHP, 500BHP is within reach of the home tuner just doing fairly basic things

[classicswede]

It is a heck of a lot of work to fit a axle to a 850 and turn the engine around so that it faces the right way. For modest power the 5 cylinder will get you there and the T5 does make decent power out of the box.

The 940 turbo is the ideal platform, just need refining

[griston64]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

By far the best of Volvo's turbocharged 5 pot engines was fitted in the V70 T5s from late '08 onwards the P2s. Not in the later models which have Volvo's wretched PINCODE BANDITRY installed that prevents easy installation of good aftermarket software via the OBD.

That 2.4l engine, not the preceeding 2.3l will give 330bhp with just good software, a wee bit more if you replace the complete exhaust, that is d'pipe with 100cel cat and cat back.

Don.

I thought 08 was P3 V70 ?

[chelle_belle]

The 2.4 t5 ran from late 2004 to 2008/9, not from 08 onwards,.

Craig.