New 850 T5 saloon project

[T5rookie]

Hi peoples.....

Well I had nothing but bad luck with my nissan silvia so I was desperate to get back in a volvo! Now my 5th t5 but my first 850.

Its a black 850 T5 CD saloon and more importantly a manual!! I fapping love it!!!!! Its specced to the moon and in the best colour! Has had 3 owners, FSH, 90k on the clock, last owner had it for 15 years! A stack of paperwork too...

Cambelt changed at 70k, only thing is the car takes a while to heat up and can fluctuate between half way and then drop to a third....so may have a dicky thermostat. Previous owner said any issue in the next few weeks that need mechanical work, he will pay for! Shwing!

Its been polished weekly and the bodywork is immaculate apart from stone chips around front grill and a pin head sized dent in one door from a shopping trolley back in 1997!

So as I'm sure you all know on a CD spec its got the ski shoot(awesome for me as i'm off to the alps for a month for skiing in it soon!) electric adjustable seats, heated seats, premium sound system, 6 disc cd changer, full leather, heated mirrors, cupholders, etc etc etc......

Interior is unmarked...a little dirty but the next few days the car is getting fully polished and waxed again and I will treat all the leather inside.

Wheels are stock and absolutely mint, not a kurb mark on them.....it doesn't have the rear spoiler but I prefer it without to be honest.

Ok so plans are:

Replace PCV breather system

Wheels finished in gunmetal
Apex 40mm lowering springs
Front strut brace
Uprated ARB's
Poly top engine mount
Cat back exhaust - custom as my mate works for longlife and if I supply the 3" pipework he does it for half the cost
Induction kit
Grill finished in satin black


After all this an MTE remap along with a decat downpipe. Then maybe an R front bumper. I saved a load of money selling my silvia so I have the luxury of being able to do most of that list in the next 2 months. Not going crazy until I am happy with all of the above, then I can look at stronger rods and bigger turbos/injectors etc etc.

Pics show the bumpers as part faded but I have treated them and they look like new Will get more pics tomorrow after I have made a start on the wheels and grill.








I'm so happy with the bang for buck and if I keep it as well as my others it can only gain value eventually

Alex

[Volvostorm]

That looks great

But, it needs the spoiler!

[T5rookie]

Each to their own ha.....I actually love the interior! I think the wood works on such an old school dash.

My only worry is the amount of times I have fitted coilovers to cars, with british a and b roads, you often find you have ruined the driveablility of the car. This is a fast road daily which will see the odd track day. So Hopefully poly bushes, ARB, springs and the bilstein black dampers should be plenty stable but still comfy.

I'm just worried a 40mm drop on the front won't look low enough, rears will be spot on but fronts have a bit more of an arch gap. Are there 50mm springs on the market or not? Otherwise it would be coilovers so just gotta live with it.

[claymore]

40mm drop will be fine

[T5frankie]

nice little motor that

[the young mechanic]

nice but does need the spoiler

[T5frankie]

if its a daily driver leave the suspension alone mate

[T5rookie]

Everything is a daily as I don't see the point in multiple ownership, multiple tax/insurance/fuel blah blah blah and I'm used to skylines and 200sx's with coilovers that will make event he most constipated person drop their guts after 20 mins so this to be is super super soft.

I am happy to firm it up, I just want a little rebound to remain rather than the violent jolt from coilovers.

[T5rookie]

Oh and I'm trying to find springs that are listed for a t5 but can only find either 2 litre or diesel for saloon?? I know diesel ones are less of a drop due to coping with the sag from the extra weight of the engine.

Surely the spoiler is useless on the fwd car? Giving a little downforce at speed causing the front to go light and lose steering feel?

Anyone used these?
http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=3838

Self levelling shocks have a wierd ribbed looking exterior to the shock don't they? Mine appear stock so these could work.

[martybelfastt5]

looks super tidy nice milage too

[T5rookie]

Little engine bay cleanup, bumper work and sprayed the grill up today....

[T5rookie]

Update,

I have started work on the wheels going dark grey/gunmetal

Will be getting delivery of a big k&n filter, kilen 40mm lowering springs and picking up a thermostat and new coolant mid week!

So expect it to look a bit more aggressive as of next weekend when me and judgeninja can hopefully bosh the work out pretty quickly.

Still after a cat back exhaust, may have sorted a decat

Oh can someone recommend me the correct thermostat for the 850 T5?? Eurocarparts have 3-4 in stock and all open at varying degrees....Think ones at 87, another at 90 and another at 92...

[T5rookie]

Thin base coat after primer.....


Second coat.....


I added a third coat last night and 2 layers of lacquer and I love the look......annoyingly the rain for the first time in weeks has stopped progress so far today to get the others painted.

[claymore]

It's unusual to see a completely standard engine bay on here (I wonder how long that will last) No Strut Brace, RIP, Air filter. looks nice and clean though

[T5rookie]

cheers mate, you'll see a filter in there next week but thats it for now....

I love the look of a stock T5 bay in good condition.....The weather has stopped me being totally anal and getting the toothbrush and cleaning products out as I like my bays to be cleaner than the exterior! Makes a nice surprise when you do a trackday covered in dirt and rubber and then on the cooldown in the pits you reveal a shiney shiney T5 lump!

[AndysR]

Looks like a lovely tidy car, excellent base for what you have planned, as your so close to Judge you should convoy up with him to the next Essex meet and show us what the car is like

[T5rookie]

when is the essex meet?

If the springs/filter/thermostat are done in time I will My old man lives in Upminster so can always crash there as its a bit of a drive.

I'm actually really happy with the stock power.....I have had 300+bhp skylines and think I'm growing up a bit ha.....

Might leave the remap until the Summer.

[AndysR]

when is the essex meet?

If the springs/filter/thermostat are done in time I will My old man lives in Upminster so can always crash there as its a bit of a drive.

I'm actually really happy with the stock power.....I have had 300+bhp skylines and think I'm growing up a bit ha.....

Might leave the remap until the Summer.

Essex meet is next Sunday (11th March) it's at the Dick Turpin pub on the A127 just outside Wickford.

Be good to see the car if you can make it.

[Jim S70R]

Nice looking example you've got yourself, coilovers are not that bad on normal roads if you have them setup right and not just set on rock hard!!

[T5RPete]

Looks very nice man!

Great base for what you've got planned! I look forward to seeing it transformed!