Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 While the work on my engine is at a standstill due to wrong rods (see other topic), I'm now upgrading my suspension as my front right suspension is shot. It is however important to know if I have a sport undercarriage or not. I'm not quite sure if I do. I've heard some people say that the Volvo 850 with sport undercarriage is lowered by 20mm from factory, though I have not seen any official documents about this. The only possible reference I've seen about this is the "sports package option" in https://www.customers.volvocars.com/owners/docs/1996/1996_specs/1996_850_Turbo.html]this Volvo document. However, this does not mention any lowering of the car. Does anybody know if the 850 had a version that was indeed lowered by 20mm from factory, and how I could see if mine is of this type? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergmjs Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Sport undercarriage? The T-5R and R models had slightly lower and slightly stiffer springs from the factory along with slightly thicker swaybars. If that's what you mean by undercarriage, then you mean suspension. The subframe and frame, which would be what an undercarriage is, is identical for all 850's '94-'97. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Ah ok, well English is not my native language so I easily mix jargon up. So the sport suspension then, was that also available as an option for the regular T5? And if I have the 21mm swaybars (which I do have), does that mean I also have the sport suspension which is slightly lower? The next question I have is; I'm looking to switch my shocks to a Koni FSD kit. These can be lowered a maximum of 20mm from stock, so that would be perfect for the T5 with the lowered suspension. In the front I should be able to use my original springs, as they are already 20mm shorter than the non-sport springs, right? For the back, I've got Nivomats there. Is the back also lowered with the sports suspension if it has Nivomats? When I change the back for Koni FSD suspension aswell, I need new springs, right? But because i've got the estate version, i'd need the heavy springs so I can still carry heavy loads. So ultimately my question is, if the rear is also lowered on the sports suspension package, are there actually original heavy sport springs (so 20mm lower than normal springs) available? And is there possibly a Volvo number for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(n)A-GAME Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Let's start with the basics. What kind of car do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Oh right I seem to have forgotten about that one.. I've got a '94 Volvo 850 Estate T5 226hp, modelyear '95. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergmjs Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 If you want a lowered look, you'll want to buy some new lowering springs. Regardless if you have the slightly shorter factory ones, they're old and tired. As for the rear, I'm not sure if you can just install an aftermarket shock into a Nivomat setup without some conversion work. If you buy a set of new springs though, they should be stiff enough for your wagon. IPD sells Nivomat conversion kits: http://www.ipdusa.com/prodtype.asp?CAT_ID=1298&numRecordPosition=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(n)A-GAME Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 I don't think you'd have Nivos unless you're located overseas, which by much of your language I'm guessing you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm from the Netherlands, so you're correct. I'll explain the situation more properly, as lowering is not really my goal. I want to install the Koni FSD Suspension kit to my car. For that, I will indeed have to convert my Nivomats to normal shocks - if I'm correct, this only requires me to replace the top mount for one that fits regular springs. Other than that, no modifications are needed as far as far as I know. The problem is that with this kit, the car can be lowered with a maximum of 20mm, or else the shocks don't work as they should. In the front this is no problem; I have the sports suspension, so it's 20mm lower than original - this would be perfect. For the back, there is a problem though. The Nivomat springs can't be reused. So what I'm actually looking for is the springs of an 850 T5 Estate sports model WITHOUT nivomats - these should be the heavier springs that are 20mm shorter than original. My question is if these even exist? I can't just buy a set of lowering springs, as they are all 30mm or more - which would render the Koni FSD kit useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(n)A-GAME Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Not sure where you got the info on Koni FSD's requiring 20mm or less drop, many people on this site use Koni FSD's with various lowering springs without an issue. I ran IPD Springs (1.75") drop with brand new Koni FSD's for a few weeks on my S70 (non nivomats). Everything was fine. S70's and V70's are the same as 850s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 I read it on several forums, that with shorter springs you'd have a higher chance of hitting your bump stops, as for bumps and holes in the road, the springs are acutally quite soft. And when you start hitting the bump stops, well that essentially beats the whole purpose of the FSD's. Maybe 30/30mm lowering springs would be acceptable? Those springs are available at my country. Ideally I'd like the 20mm springs, as I don't really want to further lower my car. But 20mm lowering springs don't seem to be available in Europe.", as for bumps and holes in the road, the springs are acutally quite soft." should be ", as for bumps and holes in the road, the shocks are acutally quite soft." Am I missing the edit feature altogether? Or is that available from a certain amount of posts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(n)A-GAME Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Honestly I've never heard that, and like I said I used them on 44 mm drop springs without a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum 850 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Why not just go with the springs that normally come as a set with the Koni FSD, those being the Eibach Springs... They have a very minor drop, I would be surprised if you get more than 1" with them (~25.4mm). If you are upgrading suspension then make sure to get an IPD sway bar kit, along with the Koni FSD and Eibach Springs you'll be plenty happy, will handle better than the Volvo Sport package ever did... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergmjs Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 If you drop regular springs into a Nivomat setup you'll end up lowering your back end an addition 2" over what you intended. The nivomats contribute to supporting the vehicle, unlike regular shocks, so the Nivomat springs are a softer spring rate. The IPD conversion kits give you a higher spring rate to keep the ride height where it should be. Here, read this: http://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10024/what-are-nivomat-shocks-and-does-my-volvo-have-them?crumbs=P0,P6324 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 @ bergmjs; I'm aware that the stocks springs will have to be replaced if I replace the Nivomats with regular shocks. That is because the Nivomat springs are shorter/lighter than the stock springs. As far as I know, there are no physical differences between a regular and a Nivomat setup, apart from the different spring size and the different top mount. I was planning on replacing the rear springs for heavier springs (maybe lowered), Koni FSD shocks and the prober top mount. @Platinum 850; I saw on the Koni USA site that they do carry these combined sets. I live in the Netherlands, and unfortunately I haven't been able to find such a combined spring/shocks set yet. I could buy them seperately - they start at a lowering distance of 30mm in the front and the back. So for me that would be 10mm of lowering, since my suspension is already lowered by 20mm from the factory. I think I'll be going for that option. Also, the IPD sway bar set, why is this necessary? What does it provide over the sport sway bar installed from factory? It seems like an expensive upgrade. Please bear in mind that I'm only upgrading my suspension because my right front suspension is shot.Edit// Also shipping would set me back 360USD I see. Not quite an option tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy. Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 If you have the rear nivo's throw on some drop bolts and upgrade the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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