24 replies to this topic

[goobernoodles]

I've owned a '96 854R with 166k for about 4 months now. Everything on the car is stock except the IPD sway bar end-links I installed a couple days ago. I plan on getting a IPD sway bar kit in the near future. Prior to that though, considering the car has 166K on it, I'd like to "freshen up" the ride with new struts/shocks and springs. I'm looking for better performance/less body roll/movement and a moderate drop. I'd like to avoid having a harsh ride.

I'm thinking a Koni FSD kit paired with either Eibach or IPD springs. Does anyone run either combination? Pictures would be appreciated.

[trs80]

inb4toldtosearchpost

I believe the most common setup is IPD springs and Koni Sport shocks/struts. I have no experience with the FSD units so I can not attest to their awesomeness. You may want to replace the spring seats and other misc. front-end components to better compliment the new setup. Im sure others with the setup are looking at will chime in as well.

[Mesoam]

Are you sure the dampeners have never been replaced? 166k is pretty high mileage on stockers...

[scandalo]

Yellows + H&R on 235/40/18s.

Shocks aren't really going to play into drop. I have heard good things about the FSDs and would consider them over the yellows if I had to do it again.

[goobernoodles]

Well, I ended up placing an order with IPD for a Koni FSD kit, IPD springs, XC90 spring seats, and a few other things. I'll post some pictures afterwards.

[trs80]

Congrats. Im sure you will enjoy that setup.

[Tommy.]

Have fun with the ipd's rubbing on the bump stop washer.

[Volvo5.0]

I have the FSD shocks with Eibach springs. I love the ride, but the Eibachs didn't lower the car much. For me it worked out well since the roads in the DC area suck. If you are looking to lower your car, you probably made a better choice with the IPD springs....

[Ex850R]

I am swapping a lot of my good gear off my S70T5 onto my 'new' V70T ( GLT for you guys i think ) and the ONE thing that isnt going in is the IPD springs.......

I know i am getting old , but , they shook and banged the stuff out of me and my loose dashboard in the T5 , oh yeah they dropped the stance and it looked cool , but not worth the noise and lack of comfort.....

I have my moved the koni adjustable fronts and rear bilsteins into the GLT with stock old springs and i gotta say it handles well too , none of the noise either , and ohh , bloody comfortable !!!

I will be selling those demon springs asap!

Good luck there !

L.

[goobernoodles]

My dash is pretty loose too... I'll see how it goes.

[trs80]

The dash is easy to take out of the car. The common places for dash cracks are around the glove box and the support mounts. My dash is in such bad shape I pulled a complete unit from the junk yard and will be swapping it in soon.

[Boxman]

AFAIK the bumpy ride is caused by sporty shocks, not springs. Springs are usually not bothered by small deflections, they are for the large bumps.

Koni FSD is just the compromise; soft on bumpy roads and sporty in the corners (because of the spring loaded valves that open at frequencies >10Hz).

Anyway, I'm busy dropping Koni FSD's + Eibach springs on my ride this weekend. I'll let you know how it rides

[goobernoodles]

AFAIK the bumpy ride is caused by sporty shocks, not springs. Springs are usually not bothered by small deflections, they are for the large bumps.

Koni FSD is just the compromise; soft on bumpy roads and sporty in the corners (because of the spring loaded valves that open at frequencies >10Hz).

Anyway, I'm busy dropping Koni FSD's + Eibach springs on my ride this weekend. I'll let you know how it rides

That's why I grabbed em. I'll be interested in hearing your early impressions.

[Ex850R]

AFAIK the bumpy ride is caused by sporty shocks, not springs. Springs are usually not bothered by small deflections, they are for the large bumps.

Koni FSD is just the compromise; soft on bumpy roads and sporty in the corners (because of the spring loaded valves that open at frequencies >10Hz).

Anyway, I'm busy dropping Koni FSD's + Eibach springs on my ride this weekend. I'll let you know how it rides

The springs are lower than stock , taking out the 'comfort' part that is the extra length on a STD spring , the lowered spring also reduces the length of the damper piston action so you loose that compliance also.

My Koni's / Bilsteins in my GLT with STD springs give a really nice ride compared to the VERY harsh and unforgiving ride the IPDs give , by the way this is both cars running 16" wheels with good quality tyres...

Give it a go , if you have bad roads , you can always put up with it or change back easily if you do it yourself its cheap!

I ran my 855R wagon with 17" wheels and its standard low sport suspension ( with the koni's and Nivomat rear ) and sometimes it was really annoying ! But on a good road on boost YEAH !!!

I must have a look at those 855R springs against the IPD ones , see how they differ , i will post my results !

All i can say is , go with what you want to do and suck it and see , its all about the fun you have trying stuff to make your ride what YOU want !!

L/

[Ex850R]

The dash is easy to take out of the car. The common places for dash cracks are around the glove box and the support mounts. My dash is in such bad shape I pulled a complete unit from the junk yard and will be swapping it in soon.

There is a repair thread on here about the dash tabs being fixed with aluminium strips , that will stop it happening again if you strengthen the replacement one before you put it in....

This job is on my list now i have the two cars at home and so i can sell the S70T5 without the rattles !

I wish it were so "easy" i have soooo much stuff to do it is scary sometimes..........

Get onto strengthening that replacement one up before it goes in , a bit of expander foam for sound deadening could be the go too ??

L.

I have the FSD shocks with Eibach springs. I love the ride, but the Eibachs didn't lower the car much. For me it worked out well since the roads in the DC area suck. If you are looking to lower your car, you probably made a better choice with the IPD springs....

Nice looking car ! I wish my S70T5 was so shiny ! Dark alloys look best too , i never got to do that.....

Are they 17" Volans ? Just like my old R ?

L.

[Boxman]

It's been a long hard day, but I've got them on.

Car wasn't lowered that much with the 30mm lowering springs, as far as i can see, not at all! But I was coming from nivomats and possibly the option sports pack, so the drop could be just 1mm.

The rear spring disks at the bottom are a major pain in the ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD. Just a heads up. The nut is rusted on and the bolt is not actually connected to the disk, so can spin freely. I used a crowbar to exert some extra pressure, then jacked it up when I had it loose for a few mm so I could grab the bolt-head. Cost me about an hour, two simple bolts.

Anyway;

THE DRIVE IS AWESOME! I didn't really give in any comfort at all (maybe they're even more comfortable) and it really does handle like a mad car. Didn't know tanks could be this agile. Doesn't really hang over in the corners anymore. I do still need to get it aligned though. But you will like it, i'm sure.

[goobernoodles]

It's been a long hard day, but I've got them on.

Car wasn't lowered that much with the 30mm lowering springs, as far as i can see, not at all! But I was coming from nivomats and possibly the option sports pack, so the drop could be just 1mm.

The rear spring disks at the bottom are a major pain in the ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD. Just a heads up. The nut is rusted on and the bolt is not actually connected to the disk, so can spin freely. I used a crowbar to exert some extra pressure, then jacked it up when I had it loose for a few mm so I could grab the bolt-head. Cost me about an hour, two simple bolts.

Anyway;

THE DRIVE IS AWESOME! I didn't really give in any comfort at all (maybe they're even more comfortable) and it really does handle like a mad car. Didn't know tanks could be this agile. Doesn't really hang over in the corners anymore. I do still need to get it aligned though. But you will like it, i'm sure.

Cool, thanks.

I got the parts on Monday, can't wait to toss them on the car on Saturday. I'm gonna put the car on stands on Friday and hit the bolts with Aero Kroil. I was told it's better than PB blaster... guess we'll see.

[Meek]

XC90 spring seats? Please elaborate as I have to redo my suspension soon too...

Well, I ended up placing an order with IPD for a Koni FSD kit, IPD springs, XC90 spring seats, and a few other things. I'll post some pictures afterwards.

[trs80]

XC90 spring seats? Please elaborate as I have to redo my suspension soon too...

They are considered Heavy Duty, some what similar to iPD's HD spring seats. They are a newer OE design that is supposed to be less prone to fatigue.

[rmorse]

Kinda going a bit off topic here, but one of you guys mentioned going from nivomats to normal. All I need to do that is my ipd blue springs, koni yellow rear shocks, and a new strut mount, right?