Hi,

Just joined this forum today.

I recently became an owner of a 1998 S70 GLT, white with beige interior, only 59k miles, well cared for. Nice car so far.

She has great power, but I'd like to make the car feel more connected to the road.

So far, I've only tinted the windows, but there's more I have in mind.

Upgardes I'd like to do are:

Suspension: Like to lower it a bit and get a firm and resposive feel without scarificing too much of the comfort. Does anyone have any recommendations? What have you used and how do you like the performance?

Sway Bars: She leans over a quite a bit in corners and I'd like to minimize. Any good bars, bushings out there?

Tires & Wheels: Like to go up to 18" max with some wide rubber. What is the max rim/tire width I can give her that will fit without rubbing? I've been on Tirerack and they only go up to 8" wide with 215's.

Looking forward to all your comments.



[IMG]local://upfiles/14308/83F2D9B3C6D84EBA834618ADB35B1650.jpg[/IMG]

 

Welcome to the forum.

Please take a look at these two threads below.

https://volvoforums.com/m_38606/tm.htm
https://volvoforums.com/m_65537/tm.htm

Sway bars are part of the suspension and should be included in an upgraded suspension.

1. I suggest lowering springs. Look into H&R, B&G, IPD USA, Eibach, EST and of course KW Coilovers (The best of the best)
2. I suggest IPD USA sway bars. Only ones on the market and they are awesome. The IPD bars come with new bushings.
3. I suggest better sway bar endlinks either IPD USA HD ones or QBM's Extreme endlinks with boots.
4. Shocks and struts. If you want an OEM feel go with Bilstein TC's. If you want more performance go with KONI Yellows, KONI FSD's and or Bilstein HD's.
5. Strut brace. Not needed but does tighten up the chassis some. OMP, OEM or EST is the way to go. IPD's "economy" strut brace is crap do not buy it.

18x8 is about the max you want to go without doing fender flares. And by that I mean rolling the fenders. Even with 18x8 you will rub a little.

 

Yo,

Thanks for the quick reply.

For the suspension, I want performance, but don't want to feel every bump in the road. She will be anaround town, freeway and country driver. What I've noticed is the lack of road feel in the car. She drives great, nice power, but the road is not felt thru the wheel and she wants to fall over in the corners. I want that more connected feeling without a harsh, teeth rattling drive. For the lowering springs, what kind of drop can I expect. 1"....1 1/2" or so would be nice and giveher a real nice stance. Is there a matched kit (shocks/struts ans springs) that would give me what I'm looking for?

I have a 1994 BMW 530 and Sachs made a nice kit that worked out pretty well.

For the wheels, I saw these at Tirerack. 18x7.5 with 215/40's.....should do OK....whaddya think?

 

Ditto on S70's recommendations. I think the 215 will be OK. We put 205/55/16's on my sons 850 and it is fine. With the 18 you'll probably still get some rubbing, especially if lowered, but it will be because of the diameter of the tire/wheel combination, not the width.

 

Stay away fro Sach's on the Volvo. I have read that on several forums. Take S70's advise. He knows what he is talking about when it comes to the kind of mods you are thinking about.

 

Those wheels are decent. When lowering and with wheels that big your bound to rub. At least at full lock.

You can purchase the KONI FSD's matched with EIBACH springs from EST. I believe IPD USA might sell this kit as well.

EST
http://www.eurosporttuning.ca/Mercha...Code=VL-S70-su

IPD USA sells the KONI FSD's, but sells the EIBACH spring seperately.

 

All,

Thanks for your input....much appreciated.

I'll look into the kit from EST....looks nice. What other things should be changed while I'm in there?

Also, if the 215 40's only rub at full lock, then thats OK, just don't want to rub while driving or cornering.

 

After you do all of the suspension parts a realignment should be done.

Check all the hardware related to what your replacing. If it hasn't been replaced before it might not need it but look it over anyways. If you suspect it might be cracked or going to wimp out on you buy a new version of the part.

 

S70,

Thanks for the feedback.

Since I'm going to be in there, I might as well replace things.

With the kit, will I need things like...upper spring pads for the rear, strut mounts for the front?....,think I'll do the tie rods as well....anything else related you can think of?

Is there a good service manual available?

Also, I'll need a referral to a goo Indy in the Central Valley, Ca area. Any members in this area have any recommendations?

 

Haynes manual is what you want.

 

welcome...