Volvo 850/S70 Project advice

[Willeh85]

I want to buy an 850/S70 saloon and I plan on doing some modification to it over time.

If I’m planning on modifying and getting it up to circa 300bhp would I be better off just trying to get an R version and work from there or look for a 2.4 turbo and modify that with bigger turbo etc with supporting modifications?

[M-R-P]

Any T5 variant will be the easiest starting point.

Welcome aboard

[jamesy12345]

hello there!

An S70R manual has an 18T turbo and LSD (viscous coupling type) in the gearbox as standard, but they are pretty rare. S70 T5s and (S70R autos) come with a 16T turbo and not too hard to get them up towards 300 hp with a new exhaust & remap.

Just about all of the S70s had M4.4 management system, but the last of them had ME7 management systems so fly-by-wire throttle I would avoid those. A throttle cable is better and throttle body cheaper to fix if it goes wrong! Plus easier to stick a bigger item on there from a 960 or naturally aspirated S70/850.

850 T5s have the 15G turbo and M4.3 management, 850Rs has the 16T with same management but again becoming rare.

Attachment 23685

Have a look in my garage, not exactly as pretty as a nicely done 850 or S70R but does the job!

I thought about this before and decided on an S70 T5 with M4.4 and a 16T......I have an 18T in the pile of spares but the 16T is very good for pointing and squirting can you tell I am biaised

edit: forgot to add this link for helping with deciding....click on 'engine data'

http://www.wothrline.com/main/main_e...erformance.htm

[Willeh85]

Well I wasn't quite expecting as much detail as that with regards to engine management, so thank you.

Have you got any thoughts on the automatics? I personally would prefer a manual.

[jamesy12345]

lol sorry just I went through that thought process when deciding what to get....the S70R manuals and 854Rs were out of my price range so tried to get the next best thing (IMHO)

Mine is an auto, it's OK probably useless for track days but does alright for drag racing. Lots of guys on here would say go for a manual...mine is a daily driver and I like the auto box and for up to 300 hp probably will survive if the fluid is changed regularly