Saw a segment on Top Gear about aging cars vs. horsepower and this got me wondering how much horsepower my car has lost. Perhaps someone could help me out.

1995 Volvo 850
2.4L I-5 NON-Turbo
168 hp new
250,000 miles

Immaculately maintained. When I say this, I mean the previous owner recorded absolutely EVERY transaction and carried out the maintenance to a T.
The car purrs like it is absolutely brand new. No rattles, shakes, odd engine noises, et al.
I don't think it has lost too much power as it still has some umph in the acceleration. Not head-snapping, but respectable. However, I could be wrong.

So, going back to my original question with all factors taken into consideration, is there a way to estimate how much power my car has lost?


Any help with the matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hmmm, a guessing game. Nobody can tell you this, take it to a dyno and find out.

 

My ScanGauge II has a HP display. Not sure how accurate it is.

My thing is, what is the compression numbers. If high, it might be as strong as new, if the numbers are low, maybe worn out and weak.

 

Do a leak down compression test or as someone else mentioned, place it on a dyno.

 

+1

In the real world, I'm sorry to say who really cares what a stock 18 year old car is making for horsepower ??

 

If you don't care about 18 year old Volvos then why are you a moderator on a forum for 18 year old Volvos?

 

His point is that people don't purchase 18 year old NA cars for its hp rating. I agree. I have never in all the days that I have been on any form read where anyone has ever took a car that was not made for its performance, to have its HP rating checked.

Now you can prove us wrong and have yours dynoed, go ahead, I dare you...

 

I was asked to be a moderator on this site because I was helpful, knowledgeable and if you look at my posts most are detailed and have pictures to help fellow owners through a process and hopefully solve their problem or answer their question.

You are asking a question where like a crack dealers lawyer you've twisted something and proposed I don't care about our cars when that is nothing like what I said.

If you are so much more concerned than anyone else is then you tell him how much horsepower his car has.
If it's important and he cares so much, the recommendation is to take it to a dyno and find out which is what I +1'd and think is the best answer so far.

 

Wow, my bad. I thought that was the OP's post.