Let give a late intro into my Volvo ownership experience. So, I have been on swedespeed, volvospeed, volvo-forums and other places since 2007 when I bought my first Volvo. I have always been hovering without registering here, but finally did. I had an 850 T, that I tuned decently well for a guy in his garage. I fell in love with that car, and it eventually hit it's demise when the oil pump rod fell into the motor and shredding a piston. I did not feel like rebuilding the motor, and the body was last on the list, and decided to part it out. I have owned and built rock buggies(Jeep XJ's) for years, and do all work myself. Motor swaps, complete suspension fabrication as I weld. All in, I can do it.
Moving on. Car:
2004 V70R GT - bought with 143k
I had been on both sides of the car biz for many years until 09, but despite that, had never seen a P2 R traded, I had always wanted one, but it was never the right time. Since 07 until two years ago, I still would search from time to time to find one. My Allroad was pissing me off, and I couldn't get the tune I wanted for a small enough outlay. So I kept searching. I finally found one at a small indy dealer here in Denver. I showed up, it wouldn't start, was a bit rough but not enough to where I would walk away. BTW, previous owner had repo'd the car, and did not take care of many maintenance fixes that would have left this car in way better shape.
Got it started and drove it, to find out that it would stall frequently. Dealer told me he had replaced fuel pump, to no avail and could not get it to run well. I did a thorough check over, and noticed it started to leak coolant. I checked oil to see it either had a PCV problem or blown head gasket. I showed the dealer, and offered $3500 OTD. Knowing it probably had a head gasket, I had it towed to my old indy, and it had a turbo coolant line causing the leak, and the PCV needed to be reworked. He also stated he thought the tank was dirty, pump was incorrect pump, or poorly installed and needed to yank tank. Car ran okay until a 1/4 tank, than would piss out.
Replacement/fixes since April '14(mostly insignificant):
PCV system replaced
Turbo line
Fuel Tank dr side gasket/o ring
Slid into a guard rail in snow storm to the tune of $6700 insurance paid
All ignition coils
Plugs
3x - Strut spring seats, pass side (bought the aftermarket, against read advice here, now have XC90's)
Strut bearing
'06 S60R transfer case following an angle gear failure, had 30k on clock
Radiator
Intercooler pressure sensor
Dr CV shaft
Yanked silencer due to drive shaft rub
Saggy bumper aluminum brace
Both headlamp lenses - Eurosporttuning models
Needed or in the works repairs:
Fuel pump
Possible struts (probably keeping 4C for now, need to convince wife coil overs are needed, she likes comfort)
Camber bushings
LCA's
Sway bar links
Tie rod ends
Subframe mounts
Tranny and motor mounts
Catalytic convertor
O2(s) due to cat
Haldex flush
Interior issues like worn console etc.
E-brake issue
Most of the following have occurred or will following all the required maintenance issues this car has. 150k makes this thing in dire need of drive-ability solutions first.
Unnecessary NECESSARY fixes/builds:
TME springs
Stoptech rotors - Akebono pads
STI lip
Winter wheels - Stock Pegs
235/45ZR17 Nitto Nt555
Upcoming/changes already begun:
STR 606 wheels - 18x9 +35
Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires 245/40R18
Wheels have been a gross search and lengthy researched topic. I finally landed on STR 606 gold mesh wheels as I like the older school look. I am nervous as to how they will look, as I have only found 1-2 R's with gold mesh wheels. We shall see once I get the alignment following LCA's.
Rolled fenders(may pull them as well soon)
FMIC - I am building my own from a top mount STI intercooler I have acquired from a friend. Learning to weld aluminum.
Need to install VIDA on my old laptop
LCA's should arrive monday from IPD as well as sway links and ball joints
Electric Fuel Pump?...
Injectors
Coil overs...
This car has been a joy to drive, and I do not plan on ever selling it. I spent 10 years trying to find one. I scored it cheap which, in the end went to getting shat fixed, made for a good step to the P2 cars. They are a PITA, but fun to get running well, and decently quick from factory spec. I do not plan to make this thing an autocrosser, however, the plan is make this MY style of an R that has a decent balance of power, comfort, and style. I always read every post daily, I do not spend much time posting but more time reading and working. I rarely snap photos during a build or tune as they have all been done before me. I prefer not to clutter forums, but add good info. So I hope to update this post as time rolls by. It may not be often, but when more prolific changes occur, I will post them. Feel free to give me heat, be annoying like a lot of forums, or provide good feedback, criticism, and advice. I will say this thing may turn into a ridiculous project, as many Jeeps followed the same track record of a capable rig turned rocker...
Sneak of the 996 Turbo and the last rig...
Moving on. Car:
2004 V70R GT - bought with 143k
I had been on both sides of the car biz for many years until 09, but despite that, had never seen a P2 R traded, I had always wanted one, but it was never the right time. Since 07 until two years ago, I still would search from time to time to find one. My Allroad was pissing me off, and I couldn't get the tune I wanted for a small enough outlay. So I kept searching. I finally found one at a small indy dealer here in Denver. I showed up, it wouldn't start, was a bit rough but not enough to where I would walk away. BTW, previous owner had repo'd the car, and did not take care of many maintenance fixes that would have left this car in way better shape.
Got it started and drove it, to find out that it would stall frequently. Dealer told me he had replaced fuel pump, to no avail and could not get it to run well. I did a thorough check over, and noticed it started to leak coolant. I checked oil to see it either had a PCV problem or blown head gasket. I showed the dealer, and offered $3500 OTD. Knowing it probably had a head gasket, I had it towed to my old indy, and it had a turbo coolant line causing the leak, and the PCV needed to be reworked. He also stated he thought the tank was dirty, pump was incorrect pump, or poorly installed and needed to yank tank. Car ran okay until a 1/4 tank, than would piss out.
Replacement/fixes since April '14(mostly insignificant):
PCV system replaced
Turbo line
Fuel Tank dr side gasket/o ring
Slid into a guard rail in snow storm to the tune of $6700 insurance paid
All ignition coils
Plugs
3x - Strut spring seats, pass side (bought the aftermarket, against read advice here, now have XC90's)
Strut bearing
'06 S60R transfer case following an angle gear failure, had 30k on clock
Radiator
Intercooler pressure sensor
Dr CV shaft
Yanked silencer due to drive shaft rub
Saggy bumper aluminum brace
Both headlamp lenses - Eurosporttuning models
Needed or in the works repairs:
Fuel pump
Possible struts (probably keeping 4C for now, need to convince wife coil overs are needed, she likes comfort)
Camber bushings
LCA's
Sway bar links
Tie rod ends
Subframe mounts
Tranny and motor mounts
Catalytic convertor
O2(s) due to cat
Haldex flush
Interior issues like worn console etc.
E-brake issue
Most of the following have occurred or will following all the required maintenance issues this car has. 150k makes this thing in dire need of drive-ability solutions first.
Unnecessary NECESSARY fixes/builds:
TME springs
Stoptech rotors - Akebono pads
STI lip
Winter wheels - Stock Pegs
235/45ZR17 Nitto Nt555
Upcoming/changes already begun:
STR 606 wheels - 18x9 +35
Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires 245/40R18
Wheels have been a gross search and lengthy researched topic. I finally landed on STR 606 gold mesh wheels as I like the older school look. I am nervous as to how they will look, as I have only found 1-2 R's with gold mesh wheels. We shall see once I get the alignment following LCA's.
Rolled fenders(may pull them as well soon)
FMIC - I am building my own from a top mount STI intercooler I have acquired from a friend. Learning to weld aluminum.
Need to install VIDA on my old laptop
LCA's should arrive monday from IPD as well as sway links and ball joints
Electric Fuel Pump?...
Injectors
Coil overs...
This car has been a joy to drive, and I do not plan on ever selling it. I spent 10 years trying to find one. I scored it cheap which, in the end went to getting shat fixed, made for a good step to the P2 cars. They are a PITA, but fun to get running well, and decently quick from factory spec. I do not plan to make this thing an autocrosser, however, the plan is make this MY style of an R that has a decent balance of power, comfort, and style. I always read every post daily, I do not spend much time posting but more time reading and working. I rarely snap photos during a build or tune as they have all been done before me. I prefer not to clutter forums, but add good info. So I hope to update this post as time rolls by. It may not be often, but when more prolific changes occur, I will post them. Feel free to give me heat, be annoying like a lot of forums, or provide good feedback, criticism, and advice. I will say this thing may turn into a ridiculous project, as many Jeeps followed the same track record of a capable rig turned rocker...
Sneak of the 996 Turbo and the last rig...