Swedish Evo (lulz)

[onehundredoctane]

There was a good response to my last R that I posted here. So I figured I would share my new project!

2004, Volvo V70R, 198k miles, turbocharged, AWD, 3 row seats.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49948502896_0ce5a1e19a_c.jpg

I bought the car with coilovers already installed, and I've spent hours adjusting them to get the ride quality improved.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50112296561_b45189c0fd_c.jpg

With the coilovers dialed in, I peeled the plasti-dip off of the wheels, much better for now.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50158628733_3344bbd26a_c.jpg

There are only a few aftermarket companies making parts for Volvos, Snabb being one of those. They make this improved turbo inlet pipe which really increases the sounds from the turbo and air flow as well.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50165647413_4c91e5101c_c.jpg

Swedesource just started making these air filters for these cars also, which helps even more with spooly boy noises :)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50159131911_61a63d35e7_c.jpg

On to some more suspension work, I dropped the front sub frame enough to install an IPD front sway bar. I'll get to the rear one eventually.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49965310977_533d546aa4_c.jpg

Hope you guys like it, I'll post up some more if there's interest.

[shaggyjake]

yeah, you've got my interest.

[Fuglychuki91]

I also love volvos. I?m still stuck in the old redblock world but I love these cars too

[jr_ss]

I’ve always thought about picking up a Volvo wagon. I’m holding out for a 260RS. The Haldex controller should be your next upgrade.

[onehundredoctane]

I?ve always thought about picking up a Volvo wagon. I?m holding out for a 260RS. The Haldex controller should be your next upgrade.

Man. . . I've drooled over the Auteck 260RS for years, but I'll never be able to pony up the money when the become legal here. The last clean one I saw was listed for $26,000 :(

I know the Haldex controllers are big with the VW community, but from what I hear, Volvo has theirs locked down pretty hard. I've never heard of anyone re-flashing them on any Volvo sadly :/

[jr_ss]

Man. . . I've drooled over the Auteck 260RS for years, but I'll never be able to pony up the money when the become legal here. The last clean one I saw was listed for $26,000 :(

I know the Haldex controllers are big with the VW community, but from what I hear, Volvo has theirs locked down pretty hard. I've never heard of anyone re-flashing them on any Volvo sadly :/

From my knowledge, you swap the entire controller out on the rear diff. At-least in my 04? VW R32 you did. It complete transformed the driving dynamics of the car.

[IIIXziuR]

Whoa! Very nice. I'm a massive fan of a cool, slammed wag. Great work so far, Boss.

Volvo used to really have the wagon game down strong for a long time.
The 260RS is definitely the dream wagon (but my money is weak).
The Evo 9 wagon is pretty good too. I wonder how much those will be when US legal.

[onehundredoctane]

From my knowledge, you swap the entire controller out on the rear diff. At-least in my 04? VW R32 you did. It complete transformed the driving dynamics of the car.

That would seem to be the easiest thing to do, assuming VW and Volvo used the same software on their Haldex units, or they came preprogrammed from Haldex. I'm not sure if VW and Volvo used the same generation of Haldex at the same time however, I'm not much of a VW buff.

I did manage to find a Youtube video where someone swapped out their Haldex unit from an XC90, V8, and they claimed it made a noticeable difference in torque split and power to the rear wheels in turns. Even noting that fish tailing was possible :) So I may look in to this option.


Whoa! Very nice. I'm a massive fan of a cool, slammed wag. Great work so far, Boss.

Volvo used to really have the wagon game down strong for a long time.
The 260RS is definitely the dream wagon (but my money is weak).
The Evo 9 wagon is pretty good too. I wonder how much those will be when US legal.

Ugh, the Evo wagon. . . both of those are dream wagons though!

[jr_ss]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php%3f558890-quot-Real-quot-AWD-Upgrade-Improved-Power-Split-Gen-3-Haldex&amp=1

Seems like how I remembered. Computer/controller is mounted externally on the rear diff assembly.

[onehundredoctane]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php%3f558890-quot-Real-quot-AWD-Upgrade-Improved-Power-Split-Gen-3-Haldex&amp=1

Seems like how I remembered. Computer/controller is mounted externally on the rear diff assembly.

That link didn't work :/

But yeah, the DEM unit is bolted with two bolts to the differential, and has two connectors going in to it.

[jr_ss]

That link didn't work :/

But yeah, the DEM unit is bolted with two bolts to the differential, and has two connectors going in to it.

Weird, it works for me? Here?s a snippet...

? The stock gen2 Haldex on our cars is a reactive system with a 70/30 power split. The gen3 Haldex on the V8 XC90 (aka "Instant Traction") is a proactive system with a 60/40 power split, so the rear wheels are ready to go almost immediately like a real AWD vehicle. All first generation V8 XC90s and some 3.2L XC90s use the gen3 Haldex controller. Confirmed Haldex part numbers are: 5Wp33504-01, 5Wp22228-02, 5Wp33504-03, or 5Wp22228-04 Volvo part number is: 36001160 You will need to swap the DEM (differential electronic module), solenoid, and pressure sensor. It takes about 5 minutes and only 2 screws. It's a plug and play upgrade with no software required.?

[onehundredoctane]

Weird, it works for me? Here?s a snippet...

? The stock gen2 Haldex on our cars is a reactive system with a 70/30 power split. The gen3 Haldex on the V8 XC90 (aka "Instant Traction") is a proactive system with a 60/40 power split, so the rear wheels are ready to go almost immediately like a real AWD vehicle. All first generation V8 XC90s and some 3.2L XC90s use the gen3 Haldex controller. Confirmed Haldex part numbers are: 5Wp33504-01, 5Wp22228-02, 5Wp33504-03, or 5Wp22228-04 Volvo part number is: 36001160 You will need to swap the DEM (differential electronic module), solenoid, and pressure sensor. It takes about 5 minutes and only 2 screws. It's a plug and play upgrade with no software required.?

Ah! That's pretty much the info I got from a Youtube video and I'm stoked to try this! The local pull-a-part just got 2 XC90 V8s in so I'm going to try to yank one to install on my V70R and see how it changes the car. Also, the torque limiter on these cars is a buzzkill, and I plan to have the removed from the ECU so that I get 16psi in first and second gear, as opposed to waiting till 3rd gear to get it :(

[crash n' burn]

I don't see an 8Eight Fab intercooler or exhaust setup..

Much confused at this.

[onehundredoctane]

I don't see an 8Eight Fab intercooler or exhaust setup..

Much confused at this.

In due time! It came with a high flow downpipe and cat on it, so I won't need to go through the trouble of replacing it. I'll get Briggs to do an exhaust and intercooler kit for it eventually though.

[onehundredoctane]

Small maintenance item, I noticed a slight fuel smell from the rear passenger side. Luckily these cars have an access panel under the back seat so theres no need to drop the tank.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50587232383_a69a7b245e_c.jpg

With the access panel off, I found where the fuel was leaking. If you look at the picture, the hose connection on the right is the return line from the engine bay. From what I gather, this is a common issue, where the white circular portion of the fuel hat begins to leak from a pin hole. By pin hole I mean, I can't even find the leak with the naked eye, but was able to see where it beings to pool up.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50587977006_6c11d13962_c.jpg

For now, I disconnected the return fuel line and cleaned out the cavity of the fuel hat, then filled it with 2 ton epoxy. This should hold until I get time to source another fuel hat, and probably just throw a Walbro in while I'm at it.

[onehundredoctane]

So. . . subscribing to the Volvo forum, I see a lot of the same wheels put on these Rs. Most of them are factory wheels off of other Volvos, or really weird looking aftermarket wheels. Part of this is because the 5x108 bolt pattern is kind of specific to European cars. Oddly enough, this is the same bolt pattern as the newer Ford Focus.

Being a JDM enthusiast more so than anything I had to start digging. Surely there was a wheel that fit my JDM taste but available in 5x108... enter one of my all time aftermarket wheel companies, Enkei. I found that they have one or two wheels in 5x108, but this one, the TS-5, in bronze. . . wow! What a looker! I bought one just to test fit and make sure it would go lock to lock and clear the 4 piston Brembos. Based off of my research, these were going to clear :)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50120460263_bbce39ab10_z.jpg

With a successful test fit, it was on to order 3 more! I can't get over the look. . . especially after dialing in the ride height on the coilovers!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50513228822_3671dbe2c2_z.jpg

[IIIXziuR]

Wow. That is looking really good. Nice choice.

I guess I never even knew 5x108 was a thing. Geez.

[onehundredoctane]

Wow. That is looking really good. Nice choice.

I guess I never even knew 5x108 was a thing. Geez.


Thanks man! I really tried to do my research and find something that fit the look of the car and also my JDM roots. 5x108 isn't impossible to find, but the choices are limited. I can't believe the amount of compliments I get on this thing at gas stations from random people.