Newbie - where do you start?

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 18:29

Hello fellow Volvo enthusiasts. I have recently been given a 1996 850 T5 which was my Uncle's for the last 14 years. It has 228000 miles on the clock but pulls like a train, so I've decided to keep it and get her nice and neat.

I have been advised that the plumes of blue smoke after prolonged idling are a problem with the oil seal on the Turbo, so I've bought another '96 T5 with 180000 on the clock to nick the Turbo, re-build it and put it onto mine.

In the future, I would like to re-map or do something to increase the horses a little, maybe around the 250-260 mark, as long as it can be kept reliable and strong, and also with a moderate budget. I'd alsp like to improve the handling a little without losing too much comfort and I'm planning some Amalthea wheels as the only external modification.

Anyone have any advice about any of the above - power increase, handling, oily smoke?

Gratefully appreciated...

**claymore** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 18:35

Hello and welcome, HLM remaped ecu will take you north of 250bhp for £150,and perhaps an mbc. front strut brace will help the handeling quit a lot.

**Jamest5r** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 18:35

Hi, welcome

,

Re the smoke, does it happen after you have been in traffic for a min or so and then you get a plume but then clear's? if so my guess would be valve guide's not the turbo.

Full stage 0 including PVC would be the best place to start

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:02

Hi, thanks for the welcome.

Cool cool, strut brace is definitely on the list of things to do then, but what's an MBC?

Yes, the smoke is as you described. Hoped that this was not the case as that's a big job, too much for me!! I was going to do the Turbo as this is relatively easy for me to tackle & in-expensive and hope it went away! What's a PVC (other than Polyvinylchloride?)

Cheers

**claymore** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:05

MBC = Manual boost controler

PCV = Positive Cranckcase Ventilation

**M-R-P** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:14

Welcome aboard

theres many bettet experienced brains around here to answer your performance questions but riddle me this....
Ameltheas?
Although they serve their purpose very well, they are probably The dullest 17" wheels in the world! I even painted mine gay blue and theyre still dull lol.
However, I have a clean set of 5 and will happily swap them for 4 18" Pegasus wheels

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:14

Aah, wicked. The PCV - I've read something on an older thread about a breather somewhere under the intake manifold that has to be kept clean. Is this to do with the same thing by any chance?

**andyb1375** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:16

Welcome mate

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:20

Originally Posted by martinrpeachey

Welcome aboard

theres many bettet experienced brains around here to answer your performance questions but riddle me this....
Ameltheas?
Although they serve their purpose very well, they are probably The dullest 17" wheels in the world! I even painted mine gay blue and theyre still dull lol.
However, I have a clean set of 5 and will happily swap them for 4 18" Pegasus wheels

Ha ha, wicked, that's why I love forums, everyone has different perspective! In an ideal world, I'd love some T5R wheels but the scrapper that I have in Chichester has 2 17" Amaltheas on it already. Due to my restricted funds at the moment (getting married in August!!!!), the Amaltheas are bigger and wider than the standard 16" T5 wheels and look a little more modern - so a means to an end really for the moment.

**oblark** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:30

Welcome aboard, another southern softie.....

**T5frankie** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:33

welcome to the club

**stephenevans99** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:38

Welcome matey......always keep an eye in the forums 'For Sale' section, often bargains to be had.

Steve

**M-R-P** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 19:54

Ameltheas are 225 45 17 so would work well for an 850R but you may need spacers. Hope to see you at a southern softies meet soon

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 20:07

Hello all, thanks for the warm welcome. The wheels seem OK on the scrapper but I've not taken them off yet to see if they have spacers. Hope to do that either Tuesday night or next weekend.

I'm definitely up for a meeting some time, I'd love some ideas as to what to aim for with my Volvo. I used to be quite into my Volkswagens - shows, meetings, etc, until I got this T5 - now ~~ I'm Volvo through and through. Want to learn more about my beast and get her back to better than factory condition in time.

**y2blade** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 20:14

Welcome along

**dalhousie2008** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 20:21

Hi wally Im also Portsmouth (waterlooville) there's about 5 of us here now. Feel free to pm me and pop up for tea (unbranded) and I'll take you out in mine, so you can see what a remap is like.

**dalhousie2008** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 20:25

What colour is your car?

**Wally Dog** · Sunday 6th May 2012, 21:00

Mine is dark metallic blue - really set off by the blue dash and blue leather inside too! Sounds great, I'd love to meet up and see what the re-map will do. Just saw the thread about the RICA ECU - gutted I missed that, as it's a plug and play option for a wee bit more grunt.