The Ukrainian Brick 850R thread

So it officially happened - I joined the club.

A little background of the car (sorry for some spelling and technical mistakes).

Turquoise 1997 Volvo 850R, 2.3L, brought in 1998 to Ukraine as a one-off special order. Was a gift to a then 19 yo student from his father who was a bit of a petrolhead high ranking officer in local police dept.

As almost any car that time it was heavily modified with additional music and exterior tuning. Thus little wings, carbon wrapped spoiler and other bits.

List of changes so far:
1. Added wings on skirts, spoiler on rear screen
2. Removed stock audio + radio, replaced with new speakers with podiums (will add photo later on), added subwoofer and amplifiers in the trunk
3. Seats refurbished
4. Added second exhaust pipe (see photo of this innovative upgrade)

Overall all electrics, air condition system, lights are working.

My plan is to go as much stock as possible with replacing anything that is broke with new / original / quality analog parts. And drive this car till I am 80 yo.

First diagnostics:

• steering rack needs repair;
• replace all dampers, brakes and discs. Almost entire front suspension should be repaired / replaced;
• engine and gearbox pillows are dead, right now both are just basically lying on the chassis;

What I already have done:

• Replaced battery (dead in two days after I bought a car);
• Changed dead tires (225 / 45 / R17) back to it's stock option (205 / 45 / R17 Pirellis);

Main (huge!) issues so far:

• Blue smoke, lots of it! Clearly oil in the engine, obvious lack of power. Specific chemical smell;
• Engine guard is really really greasy so potential oil leak;
• Exhaust gases get inside when condition is ON so clearly exhaust issues as well.

Next steps:

• Engine check, gearbox check. Repair what is found; Ignition kit from IPD, new filters, sparks and wiring is on the way;
• Suspension and steering repair;
• Restore exterior back to it's original condition;

(exhaust 'upgrade')


(new tires with original size)

I am planning to post all updates on Instagram so hit me up on @ukrainianbrick850R if you want to follow my pain and struggle my progress. Will appreciate any support and knowledge!

Cheers!

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Updates from 10 months:

Power: ~230 whp and 301 ft-lbs;

List of mods:

• Stock refurbished 16T
• IPD RIP kit
• Snabb pre-turbo fresh pipe + K&N sport filter
• Custom downpipe + exhaust 2,44' (62mm)
• IPD MSD ignition coil
• Do88 intercooler
• Do88 silicone hoses all around
• 960 MAF housing
• Green injectors
• Walbro gss342 fuel pump
• Japanifold
• IPD sway bars front / rear + endlinks
• Zimmermann 302 mm front disks + calipers
• EBC yellow stuff brakes
• VAAST ECU
• Forged Motorsport wastegate actuator + 15PSI spring
• Pierburg boost controller
• AEM wideband
• IPD boost gauge
• H&R lowered springs
• Bilstein B4 all around

.. and rest of minor stuff.