So do I need new struts to lower this thing? What is all involved? Do the springs come off seperate from the struts? Are the struts all combined into one device? Noob on the Volvo's, bare with me, thanks.

 

What year?

Most compact cars come w/ separate springs and struts. It is advised that you install both the performance struts and lowering springs at the same time. You can run lowering springs on performance struts, but your stock struts will eventually blow out and you'll have to take everything out and replace it at once.

Doing it at once will save you labor.

 

You can run lowering springs on your stock shocks and struts. However they will wear out quicker then if you upgraded to some aftermarket versions.

Shocks/Struts
-KONI
-Bilstein HD's
-KONI FSD's

Or you could go with coilovers and in that case you would want to go with KW Coilovers V2.

As far as lowering springs go... APEX Suspension Systems, B&G, H&R, TME (IPD USA), EST, Intrax, Eibach, Vogtland.

You might also want to think about upgraded sway bars and endlinks as well. IPD USA is the only company out there making them for the Volvo's other then EVOLVE who don't make anything for the older model Volvo's. Thusly you have to go with IPD USA and by the way you wont be disappointed. I would go with their HD endlinks as well if not the QBM Extreme endlinks with the boots.

If you did any combination of these I would install them all at the same time or have a shop install them at the same time. Then get an alignment and then your set.

 

www.crucialracing.com can usually get really good prices on springs and struts.

Nick

 

Hey S70Driver, what front spoiler splitters are those? Where did you get those from, I like that. Yeah, I found IPD on the net today, they have some sick parts for these things. I have always liked the square Volvos. Sharp looking cars, now that I have one, its time to screw with it. So IPD is going to supply the lowering springs and performance struts as well as the strut bars. Oh yeah, its a '96.

 

I have the HEICO front spoiler exstentions for the 98-00 70 series models. I bought them from IPD USA when they were on sale for one hell of a price. $275 shipped, you wont find them anywhere for that price anymore.

IPD USA is a good company. I wouldn't get their strut bar though. Especially the "Economy" one they sell which is total crap. I would get the EST strut brace like I have. If you can find one get an OMP strut brace also Volvo actually has one if you go ask your local parts department. They may look at you funny but there is one available.

You must not be looking for much of a drop since you want to go with the TME (IPD USA) lowering springs. And for the shocks and struts I would do a price comparrison between... IPD USA, EuroSportTuning (A.K.A. = EST), Shox.com and Viva Perofmance.

 

So I ended up buying the sedan from my buddy, and gave him back the wagon, same year though. 850 sedan. Anyway, I talked to IPD yesterday, they said that the tme springs would give me almost an inch and a half. I thought that would be plenty. I would still be able to fit 18's as well. Any ideas?