just bought my first volvo 95 850 glt. I trying to figure out what i can do performance and cosmetic wise. And if its possible to install a turbo on the 2.3l

 

Try IPD for many performance upgrades , as far as cosmetics the smooting of bumpers and emblems is a great start

 

the 2.3 is the turbo engine
the 2.4 is the n/a one
the general consensus is that you shouldn't turbo a 2.4, the compression ratio is already high, and adding in a turbo (other than the extensive work, needing a new ecu, etc), something would break

 

I dont say this to sound like a jerk, but if you want performance, sell the GLT and get a turbo. for the amount of time and money you would put into making a glt fast, you could just buy a turbo. It's a MUCH better platform to start from for speed. As said, the compression on the 2.4 is too high for adding a turbo. Plus, the turbo motors have oil sprayers for the pistons for addeed cooling that you wont have on the glt motor.

As for cosmetics....do you have a wagon or a sedan? there are plenty of things out there for either, and as said, check ipd for cosmetic stuff.

 

Do you have the 2.4?
If you do have a 2.3 or 2.4 NA (naturally aspirated) you can put a turbo on it but you have to put on the turbo exhaust manifold and turbo down pipe, an intercooler, the intake ducting, different vacuum lines, different engine management computer (your chance to get an upgrade), TCV switch (boost controller) and modify the oil and cooling lines to run to the turbo as both are needed to cool the turbo. And I'm sure I've missed a thing or two. That is why unless you have most of the stuff laying there and you have nothing better to do and you have the know how it's easier just to buy a vehicle that already has one.

And I'm not saying it to be a jerk either, it really is a case where the best thing to do is trade what you have in for what you want.
That or find some vo-tech students who would take it on for the challenge if you found a turbo parts car. ? ? ?

Depending on what you are looking for the NA has potential.

Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialist Since 1963

Modding your 2.3L FWD Turbo Volvo 850, 70-series [Archive] - Turbobricks Forums

 

NOTICE TO ALL N/A (naturally aspired - non-turbo) 850 and S70 owners. Doing preformance upgrades to your car is a waste of money. If your car is out of tune, go ahead and tune it. The car is a little peppy as designed. Just has little guts over 70 mph.

Adding a cold air intake may add you a 3% gain. Adding bigger fuel injectors may add you a 3% gain. Adding a better ignition coil may give you a 1% gain, adding some preformance spark plugs may give you a 2% gain, adding some fancy exhaust may give you a 2% gain. Adding a turbo is not really an option, I would consider that a conversion which takes dozens of parts, likely a couple of thousand dollars to get it right, probably 100+ man hours and then you have an over compressed motor that will likely not last 10,000 miles.

Please get the hint and clean up your car and sell it to one of the 1,000 people in your area that would love to purchased a non-turbo Volvo for themselves or their child. Take that money and buy a turbo car straight up and gain 50% power over your current N/A car which will make it 30% faster to 70 mph.

I have seen decent turbo 850's with little wrong with them for sale for under $2,000. Yes you may have to take a little trip to get one and yes you will likely have to do a little to it to get it right (it is a 16 year old car), but you will have a good base to go preformance crazy on. Trying to make a cat do dog tricks is just to hard. GET A DOG. I do understand that you may be attached to your 1st love, your first car, however, it really is not worth trying to make it fast like a turbo car.

Yes there is a lot you can do to your car to make it look cool and nice. Have fun doing that. But if you don't want to add nitris to it, just enjoy what you have. Thanks!