[LukeFlynn]

Hello all, some might recognize me as slowvagn (formerly boostedxc) on Instagram. I formerly had a manual swapped XC70, lowered, with a B5244T5 and Rolling Motors K24 hybrid. I had the car for around 80k, and had a lot of fun with it, I was fortunate enough to give it one last hurrah to Cape Cod with @ScottishBrick and @JaredR. Upon returning to the humid south, I realized I was ready for something different.

Fair warning! This is a picture heavy post!

First order of business was removing the BC Coilovers that the car came with in favor of some KWs!

Test drive on the dragon proved a success! Even the co-pilot agrees. These coilovers are amazing and WAY better than the BCs they replaced.

Those silver headlight bezels just aren't doing it for me... and the projectors needed some adjustment anyway. Let's fix that

MUCH! Better!

The automatic in this car was shifting okay, and my original plan was to leave it that way until it got cooler in the Fall. Unfortunately, the P/S pressure line was failing to seal at the pump due to the flare being damaged, since it requires subframe removal (and I have AC at the shop)... time to get 3 pedals! This car is my 4th overall manual swap, so it was relatively straight forward. While I was at it, I went ahead and swapped in a fully stripped down and resealed B5244T5 I had laying around. This car had no signs of cracked liners... but might as well improve it a bit (I don't believe in shims)

AW55-AWD and B5254T4 removed.

Pedals and cables added

Goodies!

Torque your VVT Hubs people!

Engine and new M66 mated and ready to go on the subframe with new mounts... and most importantly that new P/S line!

Continued below!

 

[LukeFlynn]

Figured it was a good time to install a do88 to keep those temps down, it's hot as hell down here!

Now that the engine and transmission are back in the vehicle, wiring! This consists of wiring up the reverse lights (I opted to run a wire all the way to a relay in the rear of the car instead of spending big money to reconfigure the vehicle's CEM) and the clutch pedal position sensor.

A/C Recharge... and finally test drive after flashing the manual ECM file!

WOW! This is the first car I have owned with an LSD, and compared to my stock '05 S60R I had, this thing is awesome. It grips for days, and you can whip into corners confidently knowing you can pull right out. Overall, the swap took me less than a weekend, basically one full day of working. It helps that I've done this a few times and am familiar with the wiring, etc.

I'm quite happy with this wagon. I really love the factory HU-803 compared to the HU-850 in the S60 or the aftermarket unit I had in the XC. Eventually it will be getting a sub, and Dynaudio goodies! I quite enjoy the factory exhaust currently, after having loud cars, being able to get in a true sleeper is nice.

 

[LukeFlynn]

4th of July!

Now for some cosmetic love...

The trim was quite faded due to years of being an outdoor car. Above is post fix, I'm a big fan of the 04 contrasty trim look, especially on silver. I decided to use Duplicolor's trim paint in black, which I have had great success with on the XC cladding.

Now that that's done... time for some pretty pictures!

Pegs have made a return, the Pilot Sport 4 AS on the Enkeis were well past their life! Will be returning after some paint work and an opening with the tire installer.

 

[LukeFlynn]

Recently, one of my favorite routes to take in this R is 129 (Dragon) through Robbinsville, then up 74 to the Blue Ridge parkway. Really some breathtaking scenes, and the parkway can be quite fun.

 

[LukeFlynn]

Now.. for that ragged airbag cover. Recall time! Always fun going to your former place of employment as a customer.

Ahh, that's better. Call me crazy, but I prefer this fresh new airbag. After attending a mandatory Volvo class on SRS components, I am not swapping the cover. Weakening the clips that hold it to the bag module could create a projectile that is likely worse than the original issue that warranted the recall in the first place. You can spare me the tutorial, and you can do what you please but I'm choosing the safe option.

 

[LukeFlynn]

Me too.

How is the feeling of spaceball shifter when compared to the regular one? Any noticable difference in responsiveness?

Do you mean vs the automatic? Well it feels like about twice the car without the torque limiting.

As far as the actual shifter, not a huge spaceball fan. It will be removed and replaced with a genuine volvo sport shift knob and boot.


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[LukeFlynn]

Thanks for all the love!


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[LukeFlynn]

Hi. I also did a manual conversion also. You can manual swap the CEM very easy with less price than Hilton. what i did. Found a guy from UK who remotely unlocked the CEM Pin code for 100 pounds. Go into VDASH and change configuration for CEM from auto to manual for 40 euros. so for a total cost of 150 euros i manual swapped my cem. Just need to connect two wires from the gear selector and you will get back the rear reverse lights and parking sensors oem style.

Wasn’t going to use hilton. I have the ability to get the PIN using CAN dumps from vida, my subscription is expired and I am waiting until we have a customer car that needs vida to do it.


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[LukeFlynn]

Cool to find you here on Swedespeed, was already following on instagram. Lovely car dude!
How do you find the KW's? I want to pull the trigger on a set, but can't seem to find much reviews/experiences with them.

VIVA sells them I think, the previous owner of this R bought them used but never installed them, before that it was on BCs which were less than stellar

They are far superior to any other option


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[LukeFlynn]

The BCs made stock P80 suspension feel luxurious.....

Yeah, even green springs 🤮

 

[LukeFlynn]

In other news... decided it was time for a fresh front bumper. Picked up a spray gun from harbor freight and decided to use commercial materials instead of spray cans... It's not perfect but it went much better than any rattle can job I've done. It's still way better than what is on the car now.

Prep! (with lots more off camera)

Sealer!

Couple coats of base

Couple coats of clear

Hmm, I'm pretty happy with that for a first time. Could definitely be better with some higher tolerance equipment and technique adjustment. But.. a bumper is bound to see damage so for now this is an improvement!

I will mount it up tomorrow and see how the match turned out, I'd imagine pretty close since 426 is a pretty easy one

This bumper came off a '06 Black sapphire car, so the plastic lower trim is not present. I'm considering installing a lip that is textured and black to give it an OEM look.

 

[LukeFlynn]

Just dawned on me this is my 3rd 426 car... clearly I have a thing for Silver.

 

[LukeFlynn]

I used the 17.99 one and added a pressure regulator. They market it as an HVLP gun but I didn’t get good flow from it until I went up to 35ish PSI.

Basically, I knocked all the old clear off the bumper with 200 grit, followed by 400 grit to smooth, then I applied sealer, base, and clear. I should’ve done a layer of primer then 800 grit and I think the finish would’ve been smoother, but this is still pretty acceptable I think.


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[LukeFlynn]

I’d probably recommend spending a little more money and getting the Astro Pneumatic off Amazon; the HF gun was fun for a first time but I don’t see it lasting through several sessions

I sourced the materials from a local paint supplier, it was pretty pricey (250ish) but most of that was for the clear, sealer, and various other hardeners/reducers… which I can use again on the next project


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[LukeFlynn]

Mounted!

Ahh that's so much better... the enkeis also made a return!

 

[LukeFlynn]

Are those Enkei RSF5s? They look nice.

They are!


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[LukeFlynn]

I managed to neglect checking the fuel filter when doing all the work on this car... so time for that!

Upon looking at CarFax data, this car stopped seeing a dealer way back in '07, and being that the fuel filter was a 100k item when I worked at the dealer... I can only assume this is original. Unfortunately, both quick connects were filled with corrosion and there was no chance in removing them without damage. I replaced the quick connect on the feed line, and installed a new hose from the pump to the filter.

Ahh much better. What came out of the old one was black, like oil! This is the first time I've actually noticed notable improvements after replacing a filter. I swear the throttle response is better.

Since I had the tank dropped a bit, I decided to go ahead and relocate the PEM inside too.

 

[LukeFlynn]

I love me a 426. I have two and a passion red but WANTED 426 to round out the stable.

Yeah, it’s the perfect neutral color. Some might call it boring, but it works in every setting and it’s extremely low maintenance when it comes to keeping it looking clean.


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[LukeFlynn]

So, since installing the new front bumper, I've been a bit bothered by the fact it does not have black lower trim like the original 04s do. I could've used SEM texture and SEM black paint to replicate it, but I really wanted a front lip of some sort. I don't LOVE this look, but I figured it would be a good trial to see if my driving style will even accommodate the reduced clearance that a lip results in.

For less than 50 bucks, I don't think it looks amazing, but it also doesn't look terrible enough to motivate me to rip it off. The key with this CS2 lip is positioning it as far back as possible, then trimming the edges. Lot's of people position them too far forward and end up having horrendous gaps you can see through next to the fog lights.

If I can survive without dragging this everywhere, I think I will purchase a lip designed for the car from VIVA or EST, then paint it two tone, black on the sides w/ texture, and silver in the middle.

 

[LukeFlynn]

I like it! definitely makes the car look more sporty imo. Those black headlight housings also really tie the whole front end together. Looks good!

And the mirrors!

I really love the contrast


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