Current Modifications

Performance:
- 3" Mandrel Bend sys. from the Turbo Back (No Restrictions)
- Turbosmart "Veeport" Blow off valve
- Monroe performance suspension, and King springs lowered 30mm
- K&N Pod filter
- Custom Cold Air Intake (into Pod)
- GFB Duel stage boost control set at Low 6 psi, High 12-14 psi
- EMS Stinger 4 (ECU) with 10 degrees of ignition advance
- Ported Head
- New Turbo T3 (Rated to 275hp)
- Intercooler and radiator reconditioning

Sound & Style:
- Sony Xplode head unit (4 x 52W)
- Pioneer 6x9's (260W)
- Kenwood 12" Subwoofer (800W)
- Blaupunkt GTA-470 4 x 150 / 2 x 400 w amp (800W)
- 17'x 7' Advanti shadow chrome mags, with Nangkang 235 rubber
- Blue "crystal" halogen lights
- Aftermarket Boost gauge face (in PSI)
- Head (Rocker Cover)painted black
- Brake Calipers painted blue

MY VOLVO'S STORY - STAGE 1

The plan for this Australian 'Volvo Beast' is not just for huge power or 'bling', but a reliable sports car, so the vitals like handling, brakes, electronics all with general reliability come before performance and look modifications.

The score of the century is the best way to describe this mean machine. Volvos generally are highly criticized causing them to be significantly undervalued. I purchased this car in December 03' for $2500 (AUS) with the only big problem at the time being the wastgate was stuck (due to the carbon build up) slightly open. This caused the car to over boost then cutting out at about 4000rpm (but giving amazing performance to that point!), well $180 later solved that problem. More time and money was put into fixing the electric overdrive, stopping the fuses from melting the fuse box and fixing the odometer (as it chose to stop working as i bought the car).

Well a lot of TLC was put into the car over the next 8 of months. Things included were; putting Goodyear F1's 205/60/15 on all fours, completely replacing all bushings(front and rear), the ball joints, tie rods and boots, putting Monroe performance shocks in the car, as the volvos parts were quite worn and tired.

In early 05' i got into a new profession which helped in the modification quest of the "Turbo Brik". With some money saved i had some King springs and a Turbosmart Vee-Port BOV put in. The springs lowered the car by 30mm (a practicle but sporty ride height). The Blow off valve was put in to protect the turbo and turn a few more heads, and more importantly gain the respect the turbo volvos deserve!

The volvos new boost gauge

Now my father was keen on using my rims on the 245 volvo we own, and as i was keen on getting some decent wheels for my car, so getting new mags was the next modification. Now any 200/700 series owners would know that there aren't a lot of performance mags made for volvos due to our interesting 5 x 108 PCD and our weird 20+mm offset, making it particularly hard to find 17 and 18 inch rims. So the hunt for mags that are not 'chrome & bling' took awhile. I finally (In June of 05') worked out a deal with Tyerpower. They were selling rims that looked amazing,5 spoke and were shadow chrome. The mags were Advanti 17' x 7', with the rubber being Nangkang ns2's, 235/40/17 on all four wheels, with the rims needing to be machined and spacer plates required to suit the car. $1700 (AUS) dollars later she was good to go! (18" would have set me back $2000!)

So with all my pennys gone i was back to saving again. With my ambitions on performance upgrades now and 240 000km on the clock, my plan was to set the car up for performance modifications. So i booked the car into the shop for a full service, engine compression tests, cooling system clean and check. This was done to make sure i had a solid base to work on, because i could so easily pump the boost up and really stuff the engine up. This service cost me a little more than expected with the brake master cylinder needing to be replaced, the rear pads as well, and all the other little things that a 21 year old car needs fixing.

Well i just taken out Just car insurance which covers me with unlimited modifications so i dont get stung by the law.
Thats taken me to this present day. Im currently saving for some performance mods now. but with christmas approaching it may have to be put back a bit, although i just bought some new seat covers and floor mats (early chrissy present), and took the rear mud flaps off, so everyone behind me can admire my fat tyres.

STAGE 2

HAhah on New years eve my cars cluch decided to die. Afterwards i found out it was only a leaking pipe from the slave cylinder, which was replaced with a braided line and now works perfectly.

Before i was going to increase engine output i went to Natrad Gosford (the radiator specalists). On 16/1/06 they removed top tank, gave the bayonet core chemical clean, pressure flushed and tested, used R&R radiator conditioner and put in performance coolant. This Service was all done to ensure the engine would not cook itself under more strain.

Well after the radiator service on the 20/1/06 i droped my car into the "Throttle Shop" (Tathra st. Gosford NSW) for some performace upgrades. I was wanting a UNI-chip, but unfortunately it couldnt be fitted ot an older volvo Doh! (so im still on the look for a chip / ECU for fuel and ignition timing).

So i booked the "Brik" to get a custom Cold air intake(K&N pod filter). Much less restrictive than the old box filter.

A Go Fast Bits (GFB) dual stage boost controller (which is activated by a switich next to the steering wheel!), was also installed.

This set me back $1000. The car is now able to breathe so much easier and on high boost (9 psi), especially in 2nd gear the car absolutely flys.

Overall power has gone up about 13% to 108.3kw at the wheels and the torque is signifigantly higher than before. As seen on the dyno chart.

I also purchased some quality pioneer 6" x 9" speakers for $70 ( down from $180), to replace the standard volvo ones. The sound quality and capability has improved a lot. I just need to fit them in properly.

Heres my car with a fuel leak, 1 dodgey pipe and i lost 30 L of 98 octane fuel @ $1.40 a L.

STAGE 3

On the 29/5/06 I bought a Stinger 4 EMS (Engine Managment System) installed and dynotuned for $2200.

At the same time i had the Vovlo fuel pump replaced, the distributor and ingnition system replaced with a volvo aftermarket one.

Also the fuel injectors were serviced and cleaned (with 2 injestors being really clogged!).

We ramped up the boost to 11-12 psi and ran better mixtures, through the laptop.

The results speak for themselves with 177.6 Hp or 132.4 kw at the rear wheels! Thats 24 rwkw gain!

Ive just bought a Kenwood 800W 12 inch sub

and a Blaupunkt GTA-470 4 x 150 / 2 x 400way amp (800W)

This installation was done by the boys at Audio Concepts at Gosford on the 10/06/06

With a bit of creation, we setup a custom cold air intake. this was done by removing the drivers side fog light to make room for the Ag pipe. Here cold air will be forced into the K&N pod filter.

Heres what it looks like from the front

The Garret T3 AiResearch turbo (.42, .48 trims) is doing well with the 12 psi boost required on high, but it does need a clean!

STAGE 4

The Turbo was on the way out as well as a few other parts like the fuel pressure regulator, the water pump. So... I basically did a whole engine recondition.

The turbo was reconditioned, with a new T3 turbo exhaust turbine required due to the old one had cracked (not bad for 245000km out of one turbo!).

The turbo is now running a solid 12 pounds on high boost.
Old one...............................New One

A rising rate fuel pressure regulator was installed,

The water pump replaced,

NGK spark plugs put in, timing belt replaced, intercooler and radiator fully reconditioned,

The Head bored back 1 thou', Ported (flowing previously at 160ci to flow at 200ci) and the chambers smoothed.

Also the head was painted a head black adding to the black and blue colour scheme of the engine bay.

Also the old by-pass-valve (BOV) was removed due to the fact that it was leaking boost, rattling when coming on boost and was an eyesore anyway.

This now results in the same power as before, but i now have a bullet proof, reliable machine. With proof of doing an 1100km trip without a hic-up and a fuel economy of 13 litres /100km.
Stoked!

Stage 5

With the christmas break over 4 months have come and gone. Rego was due so a few things needed to be done.

Firstly the windscreen was replaced. Then a big service was done including replacing the inlet manifold gasket, fixed leaks around the injector seals and Engine oil and filter change.

I also had the gearstick serviced as it had become loose. This invloved the refitting of the rubber around the top of the bolt socket, adjusted and refitted the circlip and checked a slight turbo oil leak (which was just a loose clamp).

With this sorted it was time to continue modifying the Volvo.

I went to Liverpool Exhaust and got a 3" Mandrel Bend System from the Turbo back ( No restrictions!).

It now sounds Evil and The turbo Spools fast and Whistles very loudly!

Check out the old 2 1/4" sys compaired to the new 3" sys

Now how it looks from the rear of the Car.

Also, My father painted my brake calipers while he was minding my car. Thanks DAD!

I ordered some of the new NGK Iridium spark plugs BPR7EIX.

There is quite a difference between the stock and iridium spark plugs, the gap is now 0.7 and has a much smaller head. Ive noticed a smoother idle and power delivery.

Coming Soon IPD Turbo Camshaft & Adjustable Timing Wheel

Stage 6

Well i put the IPD Turbo cam in and am not happy with the results at the moment.....however the IPD adjustable cam gear is very good!

The cam has great lift but no duration....giving no top end.....

This is Good!...makes changing engine timing very easy...

Having a bit of time on the weekend...i decide to degrease the engine bay and modify the Turbos' air intake....taking the old vane airflow meter, which was very restrictive.

The old vane airflow meter.....

I also "freed up the pod filter" giving it more room in the engine bay

The degreesing.....it made a world of difference in the engine bay!

Having a clean engine bay is very satisfying!

The turbo looking mint!

*** NEW 400+ HP TO4E TURBO (FROM A VL TURBO)WAITING TO GO ON!***