[Canuck]

If I understand correctly, the U.S. spec models didn't offer a manual transmission. However, the Canadian 850R did, but the T-5R did not. Am I correct, or am I smoking crack again?

 

[[email protected]]

I don't know, but at the VSA show last summer I met a kid who almost bought a 5spd manual Canadian 850R. The car went for big bucks and very quickly from what he said.

 

[Prospero]

I am new to the Volvo car line. I just bought a '94 850 turbo. Is this car a "T5" car? How do I tell. I know that the engine code is B5234T. Also, any good shops in the Frederick, MD/ Gaithersburg area?
Thanks :> )

 

[Canuck]

The T-5R was only made in '95, and was available in yellow and black only. It is basically a sportier version of the 850 Turbo. The T5 designation is only used on the newer models (S60, S70, V70).

 

[RazorR]

well the Real T-5 was yes only made in 95.. they did use the T-5 Label in the later 97 and i think even the 96 850's
but in 96 i think they also had the 850R what was an even more powerful version of the T-5 and im not sure but yeah i do think they only came in auto.. however dont "" me on that. all i know is my dad has a 97 with auto...

 

[240]

I've lusted after a yellow T-5R wagon since it was first released in the US. Too bad we can't get one with a manual tranny.

Prospero: I recently discovered a shop here in Leesburg, called European Service Center, that specializes in European imports, and there were a few Volvos and Saabs sitting around outside, so you might want to look into that. Incidentally, I discovered them through The Tire Rack, since they're an authorized Tire Rack installer.

 

[[email protected]]

Prospero. I've seen a used Volvo dealer on 355 up in Frederick. There's also 355 Volvo in Rockville as a dealer and near them an independent garage called the Scandinavian Import Service Center. They're pretty good, and I've taken my R there twice. http://www.scandinavianimport.com . I also go to Annapolis Volvo, which is very good albeit a little further away.

 

[Prospero]

Thanks for the input. I have been to the used Volvo dealer here in Frederick. Actually, there are 2 exclusive Volvo only dealers within .5 mile of eachother. (In Frederick of all places?) Any how, the dealer in Annapolis has serviced my car before, but for the original owner. I do have a bone to pick with them though. I wanted to get some repair history on my new baby but they refuse to devulge the info. The car has 164K miles and the last service was done @ 163500 by them in March. That was all I could get. Any ideas why they would refuse to give important info like that to the new owner of the car? I would not mind the trek over there if they do a good job though. Thanks again all, I will give all of these shops a gander.

 

[[email protected]]

Prospero, do you have the phone number or contact info on your original owner. You could ask him to call them to release the info. They're probably just trying to protect his privacy.-George

 

[avantboy]

there's a CAN spec 850 awd with a manual tranny in the classifieds

if only i was in the market for another awd car...

 

[vrsik]

There is a white 5 speed 97 850r for sale in montreal right now for 23 900$ Canadian!

Not bad..eh?

 

[amaison]

I Think I saw the same one. Here is a link

http://usedcars.autonet.ca/AutonetFinderView.cfm?VehicleID=201991

 

[Simon Linton]

There have been lots of threads on the T5-R, T5 and R variants of the 850/70 - but briefly, the T5 is a high pressure turbocharged version of the standard vehicle with mild suspension upgrades and internal and external extras depending on spec. and year.

The original T5-R was a homologation special of the BTCC Volvo estate in limited numbers (500 in the UK) and only available in black and yellow, I believe.

Then the model was productionised to become the 850R and 70R, with a slightly stronger engine construction and a top spec. that includes leather/alcantara electric seats, ECC, TRACS, electric everything and either Volans or Titan wheels depending on year.

They are instantly recognisable by the lower stance due to harder suspension, the low front bib and the rear spoiler - the saloon model has a grey insert on its spoiler.

The US models are all auto, but as has been said, 250bhp manuals have come into Canada, though the power differential is pretty marginal provided the auto box is working properly.

I also understand that US models may have a higher ride due to the appalling state of US roads; though all pictures of US Rs I've seen look the right stance to me...

 

[fhdt5r]

I talked to a mechanic today that is pretty familiar with volvo performance and racing.
He said to me that the 850 block is good for 550 hp, along with the bottom end.
He said that the 850 Racing car had an almost stock engine, and that if they changed anything, it was the turbo, and MAYBE the rods and pistons.
So i think that he may know what he's talking about, but i'm sure the race car had some rock solid pistons, rods and crankshaft.

If you all have heard otherwise, let me know. hehehehe

 

[Kai]

quote:

Originally posted by fhdt5r:
I talked to a mechanic today that is pretty familiar with volvo performance and racing.
He said to me that the 850 block is good for 550 hp, along with the bottom end....

Err...what kinda volvo racing has he been involved?? I haven't seen a 550 hp 850 race car and WITH turbo.

Let's see some credential before we pass on information like this. I'm not sure what kinda volvo racing or drug this guy has been taking...words from Volvo insider the block won't do too well when reaching close to 400 hp. I'd do some more research instead of having some grease monkeys tell me some fairytale. I had people told me, "Oh..since volvo build commercial trucks, their bottom end should be as strong as you can get...blah blah blah"

 

[fhdt5r]

Whoah Kai,
i'm not "passing on information" i'm just trying to figure out for real the deal is with the internals of these cars. I'm sure that they have moderate limitations as everyone says, i just am looking for people with personal stories of bent rods. Not pinging because they ran stock injectors on a remapped engine LOL, just kidding with ya.

Take care,

 

[Kai]

quote:

Originally posted by fhdt5r:
Whoah Kai,
i'm not "passing on information" i'm just trying to figure out for real the deal is with the internals of these cars.

Not pinging because they ran stock injectors on a remapped engine

Ahh..not passing information just pointless hearsay? NP.

I'll let you know when I get pinging. And you will let me know when you have some more valuable info from this 550 hp stock block mechanic of yours.

I'm sure we all like see 550 hp T5 engine with stock block.

[This message has been edited by The_one_n_only (edited 03-15-2002).]

 

[towerymt]

Is that a rod sticking out of your block, or are you just happy to see me?

Yeah, I don't think we'll be seeing any 550hp T5's. Wasn't one of the racing 5-cylinder engines a 2.0L non-turbo that made about 350HP? That might have been in the S40. What did the BTCC 850 Estate have under the hood? I would guess that any turbo race engine would be less than 2.3L, and strongly reinforced.

 

[Alex Z]

All the BTCC cars (850 estate, saloon and s40) were 2.0 NA cars, all 5 cylinder..including S40.

Power was around 290-300bhp but with the light weight 0-60 times were around 3.5 seconds with a top speed of about 145mph.

 

[jseaberry]

All,

Here is a somewhat simple solution to the 550hp bottom end problem. Since we are aware of or at least I think we are, that Crower can provide us with all the aftermarket internals (piston, rods, and crankshaft) the last matter at hand or option is to simply sleeve the block, if your feel or have factial information that the block cannot with handle this amount of hp.

I am not sure on the pricing; I would assure that the cost would run around $100 to $175 per bore.

JAMES