How similar is the undercarriage wheelbase and subframe mounting b/t the 740 and 850? Did they base the 850 off of the previous gen. or did they re design the whole car? I am wondering how difficult it would be to convert the 850 to rear wheel drive. I know it would take a while and be expensive, but could it be done? I was looking at the tunnel where the exhaust runs and it seems you might be able run a driveshaft and rerout the exhaust. My goood friend is a master tech at honda and him and I built an awesome silvia which unfortunately i sold a year ago. Anyway, he said supposedly the new civics and crv are built on the same chasis and you can actually make an awd civic with out cutting the car apart. I thought maybe the volvo was similar. probably not though seeing how tightly engineered everything is. Just tryin to figure out a way to beast this car up. I am weary about spending a ton of money on building up a fwd car. This is my first fwd car. all my previous cars have been rwd. But this damn car is so sexy, got to make it sick. thoughts, comments?

 

I don't think it would be very easy at all.
You would have to design a new subframe and build it to hold the RWD engine.
IMO it wouldn't be worth it.
If done right you can give your car like 350 to 400 horses.For about what it would cost to convert to RWD.

I have seen an S70 with money put into it.I forget the HP rating but top speed was 170 MPH.

There is a company in Georga that does headwork to these cars.It is an aircraft place but works on car engines as well.

 

What about the handling capabilities with that kind of power? I would think the steering would be a problem. I have driven a couple powerful front wheel drive cars and they tend to stay straight under extreme power when trying to steer in tight corners. I wanted to try and locate the owner of the car I added the link to in order to ask about driving capabilities, but he is oversees. Know anyone I could talk to that is pushing 350-400. Will the axles hold up ok under that power?

 

I believe you can get heavier Axles as well.
If your car is lowered and tight the handling should not really be an issue.

http://www.volvomotorsports.com/volv...x.php?cPath=26
Check with this company for some info.

 

If you want performance, rear wheel drive, and handling..............why not simply pick up an E-30 BMW? They are relatively inexpensive now as there are three generations since the E-30. Parts are plentiful (Get on BMP's web page) and the E-30 is absolutely bullet proof and can be built to exceed your imagination! Lastly, these autos are half the weight of a Volvo!

 

I here you. I saw a nasty one that was flat black with no bumpers and turbo in a drift event a few weeks back. It was definately the best car out there and it sounded like it had a big block under the hood. I like them a lot especially b/c they look like 510's. I really love the fact that my car is a wagon though, and the lines are so clean. I appreciate the recomendation. I am buying a coworkers white 96' M3 next year, so I will probably just hold out for that. Still want to have a beast wagon and an M3. lookin for a datsun 510 too.

 

All right Knight Rider!!! I have a Volvo and not because it is the "best auto out there" but because of the appearance. The C-70 is a beautiful looking auto that is a bit larger than a Mercedes CLK and that is why I chose it. The C-70 has terrific straight line performance, a killer radio, an absolutely comfortable and sharp interior and killer looks. What it suffers from is: rattles, rattles, rattles, and more rattles! A lot of squeaks, windows that quit working on you and all this in an auto that is still in warranty!! Horrible build quality. So...........with your M-3 and Volvo wagon you will be set with a great looking driveway!!
Reg

 

That sucks about the rattles. Suprisingly enough my 850 has 200k and hardly any rattles. Well it had a couple when I got it, but I am **** as hell and fixed them all. I definately know what your saying about the interior, the seats in my car are the most comfortable of any car I have owned. Even more so than my lexus GS400 I had before I bought a house. And don't neglect my dream for a 400hp SR20det powered Datsun 510.

 

I'm worried about your life expectancy with that Datsun!!! Tech will tell you about the C-70...................sun roof rattles....indeed I can't get the sun shade to stop rattling!!! The mechanic at the Volvo dealership feels sorry for me...............he tells me that the C-70 is just about the worst auto ever made by Volvo.............and they keep him employed. Apparently the C-50 is coming out this fall and is a very refined version of the C-70. It sports a retractable top. The C-70 was simply a cobbled up/speed up auto to fill a niche that the other manufacturers had covered. But all that aside....................I am keeping it as it's lines are classic and I just like it!!! I am in trial in New Jersey fro the past couple of weeks and there are a "ton" of Volvo wagons here!!! I havn't seen any 400 HP Datsun trucks however..............................
Reg.

 

I would probably remove the cover as rattles drive me nutz. I just saw a commercial fro the new lineup of ltd. sport volvos and they are sick. All the new volvos are real nice. i just hope they work on all these little electrical quarks everyone has, like Audi. BTW the 510 isn't a truck, it's a little car that looks like the early 90's bimmer. If you haven't seen one before and like that gen. BMW, do a google image search. Don't worry about the life expectancy, I am only 26 and have a great job. I sink all my money into my cars. My last car I built was a 96 nissan silvia with 300hp ran the 1/4 in 12.9. Of coarse my favorite part about it is the building of the car. I am getting really into painting cars too as a hobby.

 

510's race in SCCA ITB class and SCCA E prepared solo. I have driven them and raced against them. They used to be raced often but lately you don't see many of them. If you find a straight one then you will have fun with it most definitely! However, don't lose site of a 325i...........they are a stronger auto with better suspension.
Reg.