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New Member/owner But Have Been Visiting For The Last Month


a Bert

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Wanted to say Hi to everyone and say thanks for all the info I've gleaned from the site already. Been looking for a good "family" car as my wife would put it; as i've been driving a truck ('01 Dakota) for the last 12 years and that doesn't go well with three kids. I scoured this site as well as sweedspeed and MVS researching volvos (never owned anything but "American") for the last month or so, and just picked up a 2001 Volvo s60 2.4T w/ 144K miles. I got a what I think is a deal ($1000) as the owner didn't know how to take care of it and just wanted to get rid of it a little over a year after purchase because of minor problems and not having the cash to get it fixed (luckily i'm pretty handy). The price should allow me to start upgrading right away - after Stage "0" that is.

So far i've:

- Changed the Oil/Filter

- Change Transmission Fluid (Drain and fill 3 times, will probably need to another 2 or 3 times as it keeps turning Brown/Gray - this was one of the issues, started slipping during shifts once warm - seems to be correcting itself with new fluid)

- Replace all Tie-Rods (left inner was bad during safety inspection so figured I would replace all)

- Cleaned Top to Bottom

- Inspected Timing & Serpentine Belt (look good from what I can tell)

- Previous owner just replaced Radiator (need to check and make sure HOAT Coolant was used)

Still Left for Stage "0"

- Front O2 sensor (have a CEL showing code)

- Clean MAF Sensor

- Silicon Vaccuum Hoses

- Plugs (picked up some E3's as they work great on the Dakota anyone try them before?)

- New Coil Packs (probably will go with IPD)

- Silicone Boost Pipe Couplers

- Minor Exterior Refresh (Windshield Trim, Wiper Arm Nut Cover, Etc)

- Check the PCV System

- Poping/Creaking Noise from Driverside Front Wheel (need to figure out if it's the Spring Seat/End Link or maybe a worn Control Arm Bushing)

- Local dealer has some kind of "Open House" going on with Free Inspections, so will probably stop by for that and find out if they have any service records

Quick Upgrades (Plan to do with the Stage "0")

- IPD TCV

- K&N FIlter (I know there is a debate going on if this is good or bad)

- Snabb Intake

Future Upgrades (Depends when "The Boss" will let me spend the money)

- 3" Downpipe (Any recommendations?)

- 3" CAT Back (is it needed/worth the money?)

- R Manifold (Direct Bolt on for my engine?)

- Blue Injectors

- Turbo Upgrade (Would like to use ARD's 19T conversion setup, but is it too much/would I need forged Rods?)

- ARD Tune (Green or maybe Blue if I upgrade to 19T)

Other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

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- Change Transmission Fluid (Drain and fill 3 times, will probably need to another 2 or 3 times as it keeps turning Brown/Gray - this was one of the issues, started slipping during shifts once warm - seems to be correcting itself with new fluid)

You should hook up a hose to the trans cooler output and pump the fluid out 2 quarts at a time then top it off. Theres a few write ups. It lets you get the fluid clean quick and easy.

- 3" Downpipe (Any recommendations?)

- 3" CAT Back (is it needed/worth the money?)

OBX for both. Great value (cheap!), great sound, nice stainless construction and most of all performance! Love mine so much

- R Manifold (Direct Bolt on for my engine?)

- Blue Injectors

- Turbo Upgrade (Would like to use ARD's 19T conversion setup, but is it too much/would I need forged Rods?)

- ARD Tune (Green or maybe Blue if I upgrade to 19T)

R mani will bolt right on. Blue injectors are good for a turbo upgrade, but I don't know how advisable it is to run a 19T on a LPT... Others will chime in on this. Your car could even benefit nicely from a 16T swap, which is conservative and reliable when paired with ARD tuning on a LPT but still very quick like a tuned T5!

Oh and welcome to VS!

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You should hook up a hose to the trans cooler output and pump the fluid out 2 quarts at a time then top it off. Theres a few write ups. It lets you get the fluid clean quick and easy.

I read about this option, but didn't have the supplies when I bought the car. It also seems like there "gunk" being cleaned out as I add new fluid would hate to waste so much pumping it all out only to need to do it again, but may do that next as "hopefully" everything is starting to be cleaned out.

I don't know how advisable it is to run a 19T on a LPT...

This is my concern as well...but as I still have the truck I mentioned, i'm not limited to just this vehicle, and may like to push it a bit. The other limiting factor to this may be that is an automatic (I have no intention to changing it to a manual). Perhaps, when I get to that point I'll contact Lucky - I read tons of reviews of his tuning skills and general knowledge and that he has a friend with a LPT they were pushing to the limits, so he may have some thoughts on the topic to share.

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Hey, welcome to VS. Im new too, never owned a volvo, but man do these things like to boogy. My experience so far here has been great, lots of very friendly people and lots of great advice. Same as you, I was looking for a family car for my wife, but both of us love modifying our cars, so this turned out nicely. I'm learning quick, and with all the help from other people on here already have a pretty good idea of what my game plan is.

Trust what these guys are telling you, OBX is the way to go, as Ive heard from pretty much everyone on the site, and thats the direction Im going to go. I believe the entire kit is only like ~$400 with tax and shipping. Really affordable and great quality from what I hear.

Youre going to enjoy this car =)

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01 were known for a high failure rate on transmission so just do the drain and fill. if you do the high pressure method at this point you will likely clog of valve body and create more issues or instant tranny death, but when they start slipping it means they are failing. Volvo didnt get the issue sorted out till 03 on this model, for that reason i would not run the car too hard.

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01 were known for a high failure rate on transmission so just do the drain and fill. if you do the high pressure method at this point you will likely clog of valve body and create more issues or instant tranny death, but when they start slipping it means they are failing. Volvo didnt get the issue sorted out till 03 on this model, for that reason i would not run the car too hard.

Yes, i've read a lot about this, and seems to be hit or miss on how much the symptoms relate to condition of the transmission. I feel confident this one is still in decent, but not perfect shape...but only time will tell. I certainly don't want to clog the Valve Body...seems like things are clearing out as last time I drove it I had little to no issues, but it wasn't for very long. The fact that it is only after things have warmed up definitely leads me to believe it's the old fluid and not nessecarily a bad transmission.

I have the B4 servo update ready to install, and plan on getting an additional cooler at some point.

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