Any tips? I know the typical stuff like battery secured, throttle cable working well, brakes in good condition, etc., but is there anything Volvo 850 specific?

Also, has anyone ever taken their 850 to AutoX?

 

Man, the 850 suspension is weak in my opinion. I would get some poly bushings for the control arms, put in HD strut mounts, and likely some hd springs.

You also might want to install a tranny cooler and new hoses that carry coolant. You don't want to blow an old hose 1/2 way through the race.

You can watch this video, it may inspire you:

 

Big brake kit for the front, roll bar with a good safety harness. Anything polyurethane or Delrin in the suspension or engine and trans mounts you can find/afford.
IPDusa.com sway bars front and rear are the best upgrade.

If you're going to autocross often locate someone who can freeze the rotors in nitrogen. Makes them last longer and resist warping.
High Performance Brake Pads and Brake Rotors - Frozen Rotors
Brake Rotor FAQ - Frozen Rotors

You can also do driveshafts, transmission gears anything you notice might need added strength that you can't get a HD part.

 

I already have IPD's sport springs. Along with that, I have a brand new radiator, heater core, reservoir, and all new hoses for the cooling system (it shat itself a month ago :/). I'd like to keep everything stock (aside from the springs), as aftermarket goodies will bump me out of my class.

Thank you so much

 

If you're running stock than you just need a good mechanic to go over your suspension and recommend any replacements of worn or suspect parts.

Or you might be better off trying your question on one of these forums:
Cheap Autocross Car: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine
SCCAForums.com - SCCA Racing Discussions > Programs > Autocross
The Autocross Forum

 

There's several of us on Volvospeed racing our 850's. I'd suggest getting in touch with your local SCCA club and see where your car would qualify. I spent this past year racing as a novice, to get a feel for how my car reacts. I think this year I'll actually have to race in a class according to my car's weight/HP. You can see my wagon still has a bit of roll, even with ipd sway bars and suspension.

 

Have any of you guys thought about entering the www.BBORR.com? With all the tuning that these Volvo guys do I'm pretty disappointed that I never see Volvo's on the list.

 

[QUOTE=goldponcho;338890]There's several of us on Volvospeed racing our 850's. I'd suggest getting in touch with your local SCCA club and see where your car would qualify. I spent this past year racing as a novice, to get a feel for how my car reacts. I think this year I'll actually have to race in a class according to my car's weight/HP. You can see my wagon still has a bit of roll, even with ipd sway bars and suspension.


Goldponcho, is this photo taken at the Old Bremerton Airport where the SCCA club races? I used to run an Ex Trans Am GT1 Corvette in SCCA OR/WA/CA in the late '99 to '03. I was based in Portland.
So my question to you, what cars are in your stock class. How was your time compared to theirs. How was the turbo lag coming out the boxes at slow speed? Car looks good BTW.]

 

Yeah, that's Bremerton Raceway. Fun place!
Not sure what else is in my class, I raced as a novice last year.