Volvo Mods - Step1

[Malt_Vinegar]

So, the quest for sub seven seconds for less than 500quid has started!

Step one was to get a boost guage to see more accuratly what it was actually making at full boost, i did not really trust the original gauge.

Heres the original :

Now, the interior of the volvo is quite dark. It would be difficult to see unlit new gauges, i invested in a backlit version. (its not the most fitting gauge style wise, but beggers cant be choosers!)

So, there is it. So far it seems to be suggesting im not boosting much more than 8psi, whereas the original guage is almost hitting the end of the yellow (suggesting 10-12)

This is a good thing and means i can probably use an MBC to up the boost a tad to see if i can eek more speed out of this bargain bin motor!

With boost at this level, and after learning how to launch with the autobox, the best time i can get to 60 (using the g meter) is 7.56. I dont think there is much more available as it stands now.

Next on the cars is an MBC to see if the standard actuator can stand more boost. If it cant, then im on the hunt for a cheap one. Might be tight fitting an MBC and actuator into my tiny remaining budget!

Costs so far:

Volvo 480 turbo - 411.00
Boost gauge (inc delivery) - 24.94
Total Cost - 431.94

Boost at 8 (ish) psi

Best 0-60 - 7.56 seconds

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

excellent, keep us updated!

I shall, just looking for a suitable (read - cheap )MBC now

Cheapest i have found actuators is 49.95, but i can get a new actuator spring for the existing one (under 15 quid). Is this worth doing, and how easy is it to do?

How practical do you need the car to be? The first stop for bargain 0-60 times would be loosing as much weight as is possible. Good luck on getting more out of it though, they're cool cars 480s.

Losing seats/interior is a last resort, but i will do it if i really need to, just to get the times as low as possible! (just for some timed runs ) Practicality is an issue, but not terribly so, its a fun temporary project car and i dont want to use it much as a daily drive. However, its the only car i can use atm.

Looks good.

I take it you arent going for a pro to up the boost if you are trying to do it for under £500?

mac

This is strictly an "EBC" (Even Bigger Cowboys) modding mission!

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Both gauges are taken about 6-7 inches apart from separate T pieces. on the feed from the CEM

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

are these FWD?

yup

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Cheers peeps, I really had no idea what i got myself into when i bought this

Im having great fun driving it, think im a 480 turbo convert! I have visions of this becoming a future project, with a slightly bigger budget.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

lol i want to know more

what engine they running? they 1.7ltr or 2ltr?

what kinda money you looking at for a ok manual one?

you stripped yours out yet?

lol

Mine is a 1.7 with a t2 turbo (standard boost is meant to be 7.5ish psi) I really would not expect them to make any more than a grand in great nick, but i dont know, not looked about much since i got mine on a bit of a whim!

The interior on mine is as it was when it left the factory, except a bit warm, and now with two boost gauges and minus the clock!

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Malt, is that shifting manually or just throwing it into drive?

Best technique - stick it in first, hold it on the brake, rev it as high as you can without moving forwards and hold it there, then let fly

Thats what im doing, giving it some, till it starts to creak

Then letting go of brake and all hell breaks loose, Then im manually shifting just before hitting the red-line

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I bought some redex stuff today for the volvo, along with a new air-filter and plugs. Are these fuel system cleaners any good?

Im putting these down as routine mainenance/perishables, so not adding them to the tally for moolah

I could find no leads at the local helfrauds, so i shall just clean up the originals a bit

Fingers crossed might help me get the time down a tad!!