Volvo 940 1998 limited edition

[Jamesbrick]

Hello brickers,

After an long time reading on the forum I thought it would be time to introduce myself to you.
I am James and in 2021 I bought my brick that just started breaking in with 300k miles on the clock.
I have been driving it as my daily until last year and after that I used it for holdays and towing my caravan (typical dutch) for the holidays.
Now it wil only be used for the ocassionly towing and for the weekend as my hobby car. And here my project wil start with the car.

https://imgur.com/a/rDtcSng

So far I already have done the following things to improve the engine performance of the car.

- Jt 3 inch 200cell 2 sillencer exhaust system.
- K&N panel filter
- installed an mbc to 0,75 Bar (10PSi) i believe.


For towing the caravan when I go to Austria the maximum speed is 100 Km/h. When I drive this speed the engine sometimes doesnt have enough power to stay in gear. and I need to downshift. For this I have made an crude EBC that I yet have to install but that is going to happen soon. The goal of the EBC is that maximum boostpressure wil be reached sooner, hopefully around 2200-2500 RPM.

The goal of my car is to have it drive as good as possible without the most compromises and the wishlist is long, very long. My wife enjoys the comfort of the volvo and everytime we get in our holiday or daytrip starts with an smile. Where I live there are many peopl who drive VAG hatchbacks and my goal is to have an car that is comfortable and good in the corners and the engine having a wide range of power. I want to build an real sleeper that can beat this hatchbacks in an straightline but also doesnt mind the corners when I am in Austria.

The list for 2024:
- Kl racing intercooler (waiting to be installed)
- Installing EBC
- installing water/meth injection ( depends on ECU route)
- Installing wideband (still need to be purchased)
- Upgraded clutch with solid flywheel
- Install of an holset he221W turbo
- Green injectors
- adjustment of the ecu or standalone
- install of 3 inch throttle body
- install of 3 inch intercooler piping
- Depends on ecu, 960 air mass sensor.
- Japan racing r19 8j front and 9j in the rear.
- ipd 25mm anti roll bar front and rear
- installing maxpeedingrods H beam conrods with arp bolt.
- Installing an 531 head that I have in the shed.



ps, what is the best way to show pictures? Then I can show the progress of the project.

Kind regards,

James

 

[PCH]

Intercooler is going to make a good difference, so will the 3" exhaust as long as the down pipe matches that diameter.

 

[Jamesbrick]

Intercooler is going to make a good difference, so will the 3" exhaust as long as the down pipe matches that diameter.

Hi PCH, the exhaust is including downtube. The restriction of the exhaust is now the exhaust housing of the turbo. As soon I install the new turbo it will be an 7cm angled flange housing that should flow a bit better.

 

[hessam69]

Automatic or manual?

 

[Jamesbrick]

Automatic or manual?

Manual for now. On the future wishlist there is an 8hp45 or 70.

 

[DET17]

James,

Your wish list looks pretty solid..... I have no experience with the HOLSET but do with the TD04-19t. I'm always recommending the latter as they spool instantly and retain the benefit of factory oil supply & drain lines. Folks are always tempted to retrofit large turbos, but best bang for the buck IMO consider staying in the TD04 family.

I also would not recommend the 3" throttle body; drivability suffers in town and "transition".... the BIG throttles IMO and best left for purpose built race cars and high power goals. Increased boost, quality FMIC, better injectors and proper tune will put a smile on your face and won't degrade drivability.

Good luck! We will watch your progress.

 

[Jamesbrick]

James,

Your wish list looks pretty solid..... I have no experience with the HOLSET but do with the TD04-19t. I'm always recommending the latter as they spool instantly and retain the benefit of factory oil supply & drain lines. Folks are always tempted to retrofit large turbos, but best bang for the buck IMO consider staying in the TD04 family.

I also would not recommend the 3" throttle body; drivability suffers in town and "transition".... the BIG throttles IMO and best left for purpose built race cars and high power goals. Increased boost, quality FMIC, better injectors and proper tune will put a smile on your face and won't degrade drivability.

Good luck! We will watch your progress.

Thank you for your advise.
I'm thinking to use an holset he221w instead with an td04 angled turbine housing.

Next to this I also have decided to get an maxxecu street. With the eye on the future is makes more sense and will safe some money down the line. Also that it can support an zf 8hp swap with(out) een cantcu unit. It will safe alot more money.

 

[Jamesbrick]

Today I picked up an Maxxecu RACE unit. It has knock control, wideband control and boost controll build in with canbus support. Also Bluetooth for realtime engine monitoring. I got all I need with the connectors and sensors to make it work as soon I install it. Also discussed my plans with the tuner and what I want with the car. The Volvo 940 was kinda new to him but when he looked at the car he really liked it as an tuning platform. For now I'm not going to install yet but when I have time I can make the wiring loom.

When I start to build it in, I'll make photo's and document it for the forum.

An couple of weeks ago I installed the kl racing intercooler. Didn't notice any difference yet. Maybe my turbo needs an revision.