As many of you know I've been looking for a clean relatively low mileage 850T wagon for some time now. This is to replace my aging/tired 855 N/A which is nearing 200K mls. Mainly I wanted a car with a turbo after getting a taste of what that means (to performance) with the S70 GLT (LPT).

Happy to announce the search is over! It's a '96 855T w/about 125K mls on it; PO had it since '99, and for the most part, took very good care of it. Compression numbers are all 180-185 psi which top notch for a HPT motor.

It's even the same color as my '95 N/A too!

 

So I am going through some maint items; the biggest issue is both axles are weeping grease.

But i would appreciate input/suggestions as to performance enhancements.

I am bouncing back and forth between selling my N/A (for which I would be lucky to get $1500) or just make it a parts car. I can't keep the old carcass around indefinitely (am not single you know..) so will have limited time to yank parts from it and then send the remains to the junkyard.

Here's what I'm planning to yank from donor N/A:

1. Rear bumper cover (was replaced by ins few months ago after getting rear ended); sometimes buying a car w/same color has advantages!
2. intake manifold and TB (N/A, remember )
3. cams
4. All shocks/struts (Bilsteins and not that old) and IPD sway bars
5. tail gate struts (new car's don't stay up)
6. trailer hitch
7. various other newer parts

I want to keep this 855T as a DD so not going to go too crazy, but do anticipate going w/either ard orange or green tune..


Please, give me more ideas/suggestions! Thanks!

 

Weeping grease as in bad boots or leaking trans fluid from the transmission seals ??
Either case I'd recommend replacing both output seals in the transmission case when you pull the axles to insure you don't have a leaking problem in the future.

Upgrade on the new (used) turbo's exhaust. Better system, rebuilt stock or bigger turbo and the "R" manifold.

 

I don't think the intake will do anything and I'm sure the TB wont. People take the tb plate from a 960 to replace the tb plate on the na 850.

The rest sound cool. Glad you found a nice one. Cool wheels as well.

 

Have you tried this? I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has and what they think. More bottom/top end or not much diff? Ck out this thread for more info.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...ore-air-64027/


I probably won't be keeping the wheels; they're AR (american racing) but I want this thing to look bone stock from the exterior, so will be looking for somebody's stock turbo takeoff wheels on CL. I have more wheel questions but will put that in another post.