Ex850R
Nice , nice yellow bits and those remotes!!
So you can determine your own specs for the rebuild?
AshDVS
We should be able to, yes. It'd be nice to be able to pick my own spring rates too, but the car isn't getting coilovers so that isn't going to happen.
We have a communal set of Intercomp racing scales that I've had the 240 on a few times to help myself better theorise spring rate ideas.
The purpose of this little build is to demonstrate that these cars can be fantastic bang for your buck now and you can wind up with something very capable and that you can still enjoy on the road for not a huge amount of money.
Spac
It took a while for me to realise this, but it's now at the point where the older FWD Volvos offer FAR more bang for your buck than any of the RWDs.
The only RWDs that realistically go close are manual 740Ts, but (for cars in comparable condition), they're only marginally cheaper than the T5/T4s - and are (at least) as hard to find than manual FWDs...
I still love my RWD Volvos, but they are increasingly an emotional choice, rather than the logical one.
So I can fully relate to Ash's comments.
AshDVS
Bang for your buck is very good. handling-wise, they're 'ok' and with some work can be quite good.
For less than half the used price of an LS-LV focus XR5 you can have something that will measure up to it very well, be cheaper to insure and is fairly practical for both track days and sunday morning visits to Bunnings.
Tigabu
Wouldn't mind a V70R/850 T5 AWD and there's been plenty about at ridonkculous prices... C30 gets piques my interest too...
AshDVS
850 AWD is just a low pressure car, so not really a 'T5'. Essentially it's a V70XC before the V70XC came out. Quite unusual.
C30 or Focus XR5 will be the next project, but not really a bang-for-your-buck project just yet. Both very capable though.
Spac
There seems to be at least one decent sub-$10k manual turbo V50/S40 for sale per month. That always makes me sit up and pay attention - especially when they're T5s.
But then I remember how many cars I already own, and decide that I'd be happier with my cash sitting on the mortgage.
A_Volvo_Driver
I really love the 240's personally. A C30 would be my next choice :)
AshDVS
The 240 is my favourite ever Volvo - so typically and stereotypically a Volvo, excellent safety features for their time and were a formidable force in Group A racing for a couple of years despite looking awkward and being fast at the same time. Long production run made them cool without too many aesthetic changes over a nearly 20 year period.
My second favourite is an 850T5R. If I could come across a reasonable one that wasn't more than $10k, I'd buy it.
Next is C30/new S40 and V50.
Ex850R
V/S 50s are secumbing to the Volvo water pump failure and busted heads from overheat. The pump is now down the back of the motor so is put in too hard basket as being too hard to get to and bigo bango , big $$ to fix.....
So we should see some cheap ones coming our way in near future!!
AshDVS
Floor in the home workshop is now clean and the 240 is gone. Will wait for it to dry and then bring the V70 in.
Ex850R
@Tigabu , if you find an 850 AWD like the recent cheap one in QLD which was manual , with a good tuned ECU the LPT wakes up big time , heaps of low down torque .
AshDVS
This is todays starting point. Shifter surround and console section requires the console to be removed which is really annoying.
BUT... My console is damaged behind the lid hinge and features woodgrain in view of the unfortunate rear seat passengers. V70R simply has dark plastic here.
So, jump on the phone and get a replacement sent out. Hopefully it'll arrive on Monday.
AshDVS
Getting the radio surround section out of the dash is hard going - rather than just peel off and overlay the new trim on, im replacing sections.
Ive got the dash top off, cluster out, passenger side airbag out. May have to remove the dash entirely but I don't really want to.
Ill see if I can pick up a short T25 torx screwdriver in the morning. If not, dash out.
Rob
Are any of the dash mounts broken. perfect opportunity to check them out.
AshDVS
Im beginning to think I should just pull it out and take a look.
Do you know if I can pull the dash and leave the steering wheel on?
Rob
Not sure, maybe... but its not a huge deal to remove that.
Rob
Actually, i think you will need to pull it off regardless, you also need to pull the indicator switch etc off the column so that you can slide the dash over it.
AshDVS
Pulling the dash will save me buying more tools but I kinda like buying tools.
Ive had the wheel off my 850 before so no big deal - I just wanted a quick Saturday morning rather than a chunk of the day. :)
Rob
If i were nearer I would come give you a hand in exchange for a hand with mine.. I have a couple of broken mounts
