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Got the car back tonight and drove it around a bit. Wasn't able to get a real feel for the sway bars due to the slick roads (which was a lot of fun getting the tail out ), but it there is definitely less body roll and tighter steering, love to see how these handle on dry pavement.

The steering rack was it!!! The knocking and vibrating i've been chasing around for some time has been eliminated, WOW! The new steering rack feels great, nice and tight, and with the addition of the sway bars very responsive.

I've got to say thanks to Wayne at KWL automotive for doing an awesome job getting the job done right and on time! He said that this is the first time he has installed IPD swaybars and commented on the fact that the rear was a real pain, the front was made easy because the rack was being replace st the same time but looked to be easier then the rear regardless. He said it took him a bit more time then what was quoted on the IPD paper work and didn't charge me for it, but if he had to do it agian he knows his way around and can do it faster.

Anyways, I still haven't had the time to get my Hilton Tune dialed-in, work/life thing. Will update on more on the tune and on the swaybars once I get more time...

 

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So had the sway bars installed and wow, what a difference! This is the most noticeable upgrade to the XC so far because you feel it in every turn. Knowing what I know now I should have installed IPD swaybars as the first upgrade to my XC, it doesn't handel like a yacht anymore and ride comfort is maintained. Lane changes, on ramps, and drifting in snow feels more connected. I highly recommend these to anyone considering an upgrade to their suspension.

IPD Swaybars... DO IT!

 

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As the colder weather came on the vibration became more noticeable, but only at idle, on throttle the vibration dissipates and feels quite smooth.

 

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I've just finished a 5 week, 10.5k KM, cross county road trip with the XC and it had performed very well.

Photos 1

Photos 2

With the trailer, luggage, and occupants, the XC was hauling around 2000lbs, fuel economy was averaging around 19-20mpg as calculate via the gas station method.

With the engine modification and Hilton Tune the XC had more than enough power to get up to speed from a stop, keep up with the 80mph speed limit in some states, and pull along the extended hill climbs though the mountains, plenty of time on boost and I'm not shy on the throttle. Hilton has done an awesome job tuning this vehicle, my engine is still running great, my transmission didn't quit, and my AG didn't explode.

There was a slight tune adjustment needed due to the additional load being placed onto the engine that didn't show with regular driving, low RPM high load hill climbs would cause overboost. I notified Hilton and he responded with revision almost instantly, [thumbup] for service. (of course, I didn't leave home without my VIDA/DiCE laptop so I was able to flash it on the fly ).

No hardware related issues other than I had a downpipe nut back off and caused a slight exhaust leak, and one of my new IPD HD swaybar endlinks developed a knocking with less than 5k miles on them, I'll be getting a refund on the endlinks.

Stupid me, when tightening down the downpipe nut I snapped the stud, but I was able to tighten the other two nuts and they are holding the flange on tight so no leaks. Now I need to extract it from the turbine housing and will be replacing with bolts instead.

 

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If anyone is interested, here is the accumulated brake dust on my front drivers side wheel after this trip.



Using Hawk HPS Semi-metallic pads on 12" Slotted Stop Tech rotors. Didn't wash my vehicle once on the whole trip and rain was quite minimal. I did use engine braking in the big hills, which may have reduced the amount of dust. The brakes performed well on downhills and a few hard stops with the additional load. A bit noisy when wet, but dissipated once hot, otherwise they are very quiet.

 

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Got bored today after a fresh set of plugs...

 

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We will have to wait and see

I'm generally not hard on it off the line and try to keep most of my spirited driving when at speed.

 

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nice ! looks and sounds great man and i love how great and simple and clean the aftermarket exhaust single tip look is vs. dealing with dual R tip.

Thanks man! :beer:

 

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what exhaust again is that?

I spoke to EST and they will sell me a V70r (rear section) with a v70 front section as a kit. thinking of doing that to get rid of the OBX rear section. Or suck it up and fix the fitment and add a good DP

EST Touring for the XC70 w/ RaceS60R catted DP

 

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Love your XC! What did you think about the IPD subframe inserts?

Depends on the application.

If you're using them to improve handling then I'd say money is better spent on other upgrades before purchasing the inserts like swaybars or lower profile tires. The inserts would compliment any other suspension mods.

If you're using them to restore weak/collapsed mounts, then I'd just replace the mounts.

There are also these if you want to make them solid :http://www.kaplhenke.com/products/awd-fwd-delrin-subframe-bushings

 

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Thanks for the feedback! I've got IPD sway bars and end links already. My V70 feels a bit disconnected and the subframe inserts seemed like an easy upgrade

Well give them a shot, post up if they make a difference. I had mine installed before the swaybars and I didn't feel any difference.

 

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Quote Of The Day

I'm generally a cautious driver when my kids are in the car. As we are approaching the highway in traffic.

My son: "Volvo's can't go fast Da Da"
Me: "Ha ha ha sure they can, I just drive slow"
Son: "No, Volvo's no drive fast"

We are at the stop light before the highway on ramp.

Me: "Do you want the Volvo to go fast?"
Son: "yeah"

Green light, give'r about 75-80% throttle (10-12psi), moderate to hard acceleration up to the speed limit.

Son: "No no no Da Da, Volvo's too fast"
Me:

 

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I'm looking for a reliable townie for the kids over the next few months, but it can't be a beater in case I have to end up driving it.

Honestly, I'd only consider a Toyota or a Volvo, that's it.

 

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THORS GALORE!








$550 CAD for all eight. Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 235/45R17 with great tread which I can sell off for a fair price. Thinking I'll keep both sets, re-finish them and keep the worst one for winter rims, but I first have to burn though my current set or summer/winters.

 

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LOL.

Last I checked there are two more set within 50km of my for ~$400. Come pay a visit to Toronto.

 

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Same hub caps on my 16"s Erinys, and yes better looking IMO.

 

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Thanks.

Crystal Green is an interesting colour. On it's own you don't notice it, it more noticeable when side by side with a white or silver car, and I find it pops in the snow. I'll have to take more winter shots with a good camera.

 

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So as I speed along into enthusiast territory, I'm starting to think--only ponder mind you--about the possibility of some light engine tuning. For now I'm plenty satisfied bolting **** onto my car to adventurify it, getting larger tires, Aux lights etc, but I know myself well enough to know that after a certain point, I'll be "done" with that, and will perhaps want to move on to real performance mods.

With that said, where does one begin with stuff like this? I've checked out your thread extensively, and looked into what EST offers, but beyond that I'm fairly clueless. I don't even really know enough about my own vehicle stock at this point, but I'm learning pretty fast. When I'm ready to take that next step into a "stage 1", where should I direct my energy?

I don't want to clog up your thread, so feel free to take this to PM if it seems irrelevant.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showth...y-XC70-Build&p=2592937&viewfull=1#post2592937

 

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Got bored today so performed a compression test.

167-161-167-163-166
8-10 strokes per cylinder.

:thumbup: