C30 or V50 convert FWD to AWD?

Uncle_Chop_Chop

Hi all, new member here, my name is Rob and I'm wondering if converting a C30 or V50 T5 from FWD to AWD is a fairly straight forward exercise, or the mission from Hell?

It's obviously a big mechanical change, but what about wiring looms etc? Are the Volvo looms multi model or do they all have specific looms?

The main thing is, if I have a donor AWD S40, can the components be put in another P1 car without needing loom swaps? A V50 R design AWD swap would be awesome. Maybe a Focus RS engine .......

Cheers

Rob.

Ex850R

@timbo has done it.

timbo

It mostly depends if you want the AWD to function with stock modules, or if your going to use a standalone controller.

There's some loom changes with the various facelifts

Since the v50 was available AWD it's probably easier to manual swap an auto AWD

ab1

I've also just completed the conversion. I managed just fine and I'm not a mechanic. I would recommend the standalone controller if you're going to go to the effort of conversion as it really transforms the car!

I will also be selling the car I got the gearbox out of so that will have all AWD bits you need to convert it minus the GB and rhs driveshaft

rado

@timbo

@ab1

What cars did you convert out of interest ?

timbo

We both have AWD swapped manual C30s I took @ab1 for a spin in mine a couple of weeks ago while he was visiting Canberra. His swap is almost complete he is just waiting on a haldex controller

rado

timbo
We both have AWD swapped manual C30s I took @ab1 for a spin in mine a couple of weeks ago while he was visiting Canberra. His swap is almost complete he is just waiting on a haldex controller

Nice . Has it made a noticeable difference ?

I do like those C30s . Cool looking car .

ab1

Haldex controller has since arrived and boy has it made the whole swap worth it.

Only thing missing is the k16 now @timbo yours bloody hauls ass in the wet

timbo

@rado it's a massive difference compared to fwd. Even fwd with a quaife LSD it would wheel spin in the dry and you couldn't put the power down in the wet. Now I can turn traction control off and drive just as aggressively in the wet and it just sticks to the road.

ab1

Yep absolutely unreal difference. Being able to change the power split on the fly incredible as well.

So much better than any reactive haldex setup as the power is already being diverted to the rear before any wheel slip occurs

rado

That sounds great guys . The mrs has an old mk1 tt and sounds pretty similar especially driving in the wet . I've never been able to spin the wheels even with traction control off .

With your set up do you have to have same width wheels and tyres as not to upset the AWD set up ? They say you can roughly go 5% difference on the say golf r32 mk4 / audi tt mk1 . Something like 8,5 wheels front 9 or 9.5 rear but near enough same rolling radius tyres . That'll be where the 5% comes ino the tyres. I played it safe , 8.5 all around

Sorry going way off course OP

Uncle_Chop_Chop

Thanks guys, I'm currently in XR5 Focus. Actually have been for many years but been considering getting a Volvo for quite a while and looking at the options. I'll keep one of the XR5's even if I get a Volvo. If I could get a manual AWD box I would convert the XR5 to AWD. A friend has done it. Actually he made a Focus sedan into an AWD XR5. Big job. I would go for an EMU Black PCM which can run the Haldex without an extra module. Got an RS engine I can use, K16 etc etc. Used to have one of my XR5's running an RS conversion.

But an AWD V50 auto R design would be my best pick for my Volvo choice and how I want to use it. A C30 auto would be interesting but I really want to get a wagon. Did consider a V70 T6.

Ex850R

Uncle_Chop_Chop
Thanks guys, I'm currently in XR5 Focus. Actually have been for many years but been considering getting a Volvo for quite a while and looking at the options. I'll keep one of the XR5's even if I get a Volvo. If I could get a manual AWD box I would convert the XR5 to AWD. A friend has done it. Actually he made a Focus sedan into an AWD XR5. Big job. I would go for an EMU Black PCM which can run the Haldex without an extra module. Got an RS engine I can use, K16 etc etc. Used to have one of my XR5's running an RS conversion.
But an AWD V50 auto R design would be my best pick for my Volvo choice and how I want to use it. A C30 auto would be interesting but I really want to get a wagon. Did consider a V70 T6.

Give a V60T6 a run, damn it's a torque monster , so much fun. Not as much room or comfort as V70 but quick and nimble, pushes from end a bit so work on rear sway bar and judicious use of bushes and link rods needed. Even the Polestar pushes the front .

Uncle_Chop_Chop

That may be fixable by control of the Haldex for chassis balance. Has anyone played with that in a T6? How about rear LSD?

Ex850R

Uncle_Chop_Chop
That may be fixable by control of the Haldex for chassis balance. Has anyone played with that in a T6? How about rear LSD?

The Haldex is controlled by its valve cover thing, the Polestar had software giving more rear bias not available even in the Polestar power upgrade to lesser models but don't know anyone who has done modifications to the controller itself. Level Ten Transmission in America do the gearbox upgrade valve body and I believe there's a upgraded cover for the Haldex , I'm sure someone could figure it out, changing tyre profile to have the car thinking the fronts are turning faster than rears will incurr the software to activate the rear drive more so that could be an easy way. I'd put a cooler on the Haldex fluid at that point. ( P* may have that already I'm unsure)

Uncle_Chop_Chop

I was actually looking at a salvage S40 but the auction was ridiculous. It went for too much money.

Uncle_Chop_Chop

Tyre mismatch may also play havoc with the ABS when not in a straight line though. Not sure how forgiving Volvo are. It messes with the Focus quite a lot.

timbo

I'm running staggered wheels and tyres with no issues. I could use a decent tune though have you looked into doing some UCC Volvo tunes?

Manual V50 AWD exist but they're super rare.

Are you able to edit the config of the GEM/CEM modules to add accessories?

Uncle_Chop_Chop

I haven't played with Volvo yet.

Gab is tuning Volvo yeah?