Rear Wheel Drive S70?

[Disco427]

This idea has been kicking around in my head for a while now and an impending change in circumstances might allow room for a project and a T5R estate, fingers crossed.
So i thought it was time to do some research and see if anyone has done a RWD conversion or knows of one anywhere?
I have the basis of the project already, my 97 t5 which i love to bits apart from 2 things..... its beige interior (yuk!) and it being front wheel drive.
So i'm hoping someone can help me with some questions i have....

1)Is the AWD rear axle any good? Ive read about the propshaft woes but not really found much about the axle as yet.

2)Are the rear floor pans in the Fwd's the same as the AWD? Thus making it easier to fit the AWD axle and suspension set up. Other option would be a 700/900 axle with a slipper as i know it would be strong enough but would it be major agro to fit?
I know my way around a tape measure/grinder/welder etc but i'd rather not spend months married to them.

Finally ( for now ) Can anyone recommend a good source of s/h bits either from a breakers around the Midlands or someone on here who breaks the odd one or two?
A big thank you for any help given, i'd really like to see this project make the road.
Oh and feel free to call me mental if you wish... i might just be.

[T4Rick]

I will be watching this with great interest ive always wanted to do this to my 850 saloon.I was gonna use 960 rear axle and box maybe even a skyline box

[Tomcat]

Not much info yet but this may help a little (once he posts some more info)

[M-R-P]

Antz is undergoing a similar project with a 240, I think he's using a lot of 900 series bits (gearbox and propshaft) It might be worth a look at his thread.
Good luck with the project, keep us updated as this will obviously make interesting reading.

[Tomcat]

Antz is undergoing a similar project with a 240, I think he's using a lot of 900 series bits (gearbox and propshaft) It might be worth a look at his thread.
Good luck with the project, keep us updated as this will obviously make interesting reading.

The difference there is that the 240 was already RWD so he's just (lol, yeah just) converting it to a T5, S70's FWD.

[claymore]

This also
http://forums.t5d5.org/topic/15067-v...eel%20%20drive

[M-R-P]

The difference there is that the 240 was already RWD so he's just (lol, yeah just) converting it to a T5, S70's FWD.

Good point TC, although the act of fitting the T-5 lump with a rear drive gearbox and propshaft, modifying the sump and mounting it would still be handy to observe.
The only downside of a T-5 is the catastrophic understeer when booting - it onto/off of a wet roundabout. I always wondered why they didn't make it rear drive.

[LiamT4]

If only volvo had made them rwd, think they'd be worth a bit more now.

Good luck with it.

[p fandango]

the AWD rear axle is based on the Volvo 900 unit, & do believe they have different boot floors according to Vadis

[T4Rick]

Good point TC, although the act of fitting the T-5 lump with a rear drive gearbox and propshaft, modifying the sump and mounting it would still be handy to observe.
The only downside of a T-5 is the catastrophic understeer when booting - it onto/off of a wet roundabout. I always wondered why they didn't make it rear drive.

I wouldnt mind drifting an 850 round a round about lol

[Kerry_T-5R]

These guys did it : [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyX6yiXKga0[/ame] Maybe you could get into contact with them?

[T4Rick]

Seems to handle quiet well.How would i get in contact with them Kerry ive always wanted to a rwd car lol

[T4Rick]

Im also 80% certain a cosworth box will mate upto the volvo block as well then you could either go 2wd or 4wd

[smithy]

most peeps run a 940 with 850 body panels or s70 body panels and i think that vid is a 940 with 850 panels the rear quater windows look like 940/960 ones .and dont forget the 850 and the 5 pot engine was designed in the 940/960 first before they made them fwd.

[T4Rick]

But could you use a 960 axle

[Dangerous Dave]

The AWD model uses a modified 960 diff (with auto locker) and multilink suspension with self levelling shocks, so its practically the same but with coil springs instead of a leaf spring.



To transplant an AWD system into a FWD 850 would require a huge amount of effort, you need the fuel tank and suspension setup and a whole load of other things. Plus like Pedero says, I think the floorpan is different (need to clarify)

[smithy]

use an awd platform in the first place then things get alot easier for a rwd 850 and you could also fit a redblock 16v turbo too

[T4Rick]

Couldnt you get away with a 960 transmission tunnel and remove the boot floor for added clearance.

[smithy]

or just get a 940 and play

[T4Rick]

Never been keen on the 960 .Ive got the 850 saloon and ive always liked them but always wondered what it would be like if it was rear wheel drive