quiksilver Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 8 hours ago, tuner4life said: I just had to look up the "Rigid Collars". Looks like a great solution to a common problem for Hondas. Unfortunately the P80 subframe is a different animal. the subframe doesn't move at the bolts. It's the squishy bushings in the mounts that allow the subframe to move. It's got the poly inserts from IPD in the subframe bushings now and it's better than stock. If I do mess with that more, I'll probably just replace the bushings with delrin or use the solid aluminum subframe from a vert C70. I've also seen the mounting points braced back further (I think it was for a C70 vert, but i don't remember). It seems like a good idea but for the use that this car sees, I doubt it would be a worthwhile investment. I would probably get more result from a strut brace up top. I'l have a better idea of what to do next once I can actually drive this thing with all new and upgraded parts instead of the 240k mile stock junk. You cannot run the U shaped convertible brace on AWD cars, there is no clearance for the driveshaft. Best we'll get is running the convertible subframe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner4life Posted November 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) ^ Good to know! Well I am pleased to announce that the car is on the ground and I did drive it! Albeit only a few feet. There is so much clutter/tools/boxes/parts behind the car that it'll probably take most of the evening tonight before I can even get the car out of the shop. But it did move under it's own power. First I got the brakes bled. Everything looks so good behind the comets! It'll almost be a shame to swap them out for Andrasteas here in a few days. I also got lucky and the modified rod ends from Yother and the Seals-it boots both arrived yesterday. For anyone wanting to use the Seals-it boots with the Yother arms, get size 4 boots. They fit great. I also highly recommend getting the install tool. I don't think I could have done it without the tool (seen in picture). Arms installed and adjusted visually. I used the adjustibility of the threaded rod in the arms to get the alignment close, but final adjustments will need to be done using the cam bolts on the inboard mounting of the arms. I found it nearly impossible to tighten the large nuts without lowering one end of the arm. There is just not enough room for the wrench. We're all done back here! To attach the rear toe arms, you need: Inner: -Eccentric screw (x2): 986933 -Lock nut (x2): 985870 -There is an eccentric washer under the but that seems to be NLA. I re-used my old ones Outer: Bolt (x2): 985053 Washer (x2): 986396 I then finished torquing the spindle nuts and installed the wheels. When I dropped the jack I actually giggled out loud. The stance is perfect! Exactly where I had imagined it would sit. (Definitely going to spring for an IPD skid plate sooner than later!). Even my guestimate for the drop bolt spacing in the rear seems to be just about right. I drive the car back and forth a few feet to settle the suspension and went to bed. I am very excited! So close now! Disclaimer: I have not rolled the fenders and the liners are still 100% intact. I am not sure that I want to alter either of those things on this car due to the all-season use. I may be able to fit 5mm spacers all around without messing with the fenders or liners, but for now I'm not going to push it. Edited November 15, 2017 by tuner4life 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sventastic Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Looks awesome I'd say you cut off the right amount on the rear springs! The stance looks very similar to my 854R with IPD springs all-around - fenders juuuust above the tires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner4life Posted November 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 That was the goal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andzey Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Did you wrapped the rear axle shafts in something? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner4life Posted November 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 56 minutes ago, Andzey said: Did you wrapped the rear axle shafts in something? :) Just wire wheeled the loose rust off, cleaned them up and painted with some leftover engine paint I had laying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayAway Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 LOOKING GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Riker Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Nice work! Looks really clean. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad850 Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 im in love 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdog Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Now you get to finally drive it.. whoop!! BTW: you need one of these brake bleeders; then you can still bleed the brakes when your helpers are asleep.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyb5 Posted November 16, 2017 Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 Looks killer, really nice job on that whole project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner4life Posted November 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 (edited) Thanks everyone! 14 hours ago, gdog said: BTW: you need one of these brake bleeders; then you can still bleed the brakes when your helpers are asleep.. I definitely do need one of those! I have needed one for years, but convincing the wife to come out is much cheaper :) Well, I spent most of last last night cleaning up the shop, but I did eventually un-bury the car was able to take it on it's maiden voyage! I went about 3 miles away to the gas station and filled the tank up the rest of the way. It made it there and made it home with no significant issues. I later changed the cabin air filter and swapped out a failing cabin temp sensor. Instagram pictures to hide just how dirty it actually is: First impression: Holy crap this can't even be the same car! While it still needs an alignment and a few other tweaks, it drives so much better. I have a new found love for this car, and I feel so much better knowing that it's now mechanically how it should be. Engine/drivetrain: It is painfully obvious how restrictive the old exhaust and turbo were. It felt like it was really having to work to pull it's weight around, now it just simply goes. I haven't given it a good beating, but it just feels effortless while accelerating at partial throttle. Originally the car had a stock straight flange turbo and a hacked together home-made exhaust. It was restrictive, loud, and droned like crazy. It now has an angle flange 16t, EST downpipe, and EST axle back and the difference is astounding! It flows so much better, but is also tons quieter. It's just barely louder than my stock C70. It's going to be so much more bearable to live with now! Also worth noting, change your throttle cable! It doesn't matter how good it looks, I replaced mine with a new one and it's so much easier and smoother. you don't realize how much more pleasant of an experience a smooth operating accelerator pedal can be haha. I haven't taken it above about 50mph, but I don't feel any vibrations or shaking at all. A huge win in my book! Suspension: As I mentioned before, I still need an alignment and I'll probably play with the dampening on the Konis a little bit, but the change is unbelievable! you can really feel the IPD sway bars working. The ground was wet last night so I couldn't push it too much, but it was obvious that body roll was almost non-existent. It does feel just a touch bouncy, but nothing unexpected from something lowered this much. Might even be able to cure it with a little more dampening pressure up front. It is VERY low. Even lower than I expected, and I love it! The back doesn't rub (although a did notice a slight clicking sound from the back right when turning hard left. I suspect something with the heat shield or e-brake). The front however definitely does rub during tight cornering. Nothing too major, but it does rub on the fender liner a little. Not even going to worry about it at this point. The fenders are not even rolled and the liners are intact, so I really can't complain. I also can't get over how perfect the stance ended up. It just looks soooo good! Going to be sourcing a skid plate very soon. Brakes: I am very happy with the brake setup I decided to go with. Akebono Euro pads and Zimmerman coated rotors all around. Also 4 new calipers and hoses. I'm still bedding the pads in, so not abusing them at this point, but they are probably the smoothest and quietest brakes I've ever had on any car. And they look darn good! The e-brake also works now for the first time during my ownership. Not sure why the e-brakes in these cars suck so bad (Every P80 I've had has been like this). Just doesn't feel like it holds that well even after being adjusted correctly. Maybe I need to bed the e-brake shoes in a little bit too? Who knows. It should be good enough to keep the car from rolling away on a hill. There are still ABS/TCS lights on in the dash and I really am not sure why. The ECU has been repaired (more than once since the issue persisted), The rear ABS sensors are brand new Volvo OEM, and the front sensors have been replaced with known working replacements. I still need to look into this. Maybe later. Back at home and in the shop. It's getting was close to midnight and I couldn't help but stop and reflect for a few minutes on how big and intense this project really was.. I have literally been in blitzkrieg mode since August working on this thing almost every day, every spare minute. Thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours, several busted knuckles, mild profanity. If I had actually stopped at any point and realized what all I was up against, or actually thought about the amount of work that lay ahead, I'm not sure I would have had the motivation to continue or even start. But now, being at the end of the tunnel I look back on it and be proud of what has been accomplished. I've done restorations before, built engines, done plenty of suspension work, however nothing I have done has felt quite as complex or complicated as this crazy project. I want to personally thank all of you who have given advice, ideas, or helped me source hard-to-find parts. I sincerely appreciate it all! Alignment is scheduled for Saturday morning then this car will be converted to "winter mode". Snow tires on Volvo Andrastea wheels, a sacrificial C70 front bumper to keep the R bumper safe, a skid plate and an application of fluid film. The goal was to have this project done and the car back on the road before the first snow fall and thank God there is no snow in the forecast until next week. I was more stressed than I should have been about this deadline and it is a huge relief to have made it in time. Edited November 16, 2017 by tuner4life 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiksilver Posted November 16, 2017 Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 2 hours ago, tuner4life said: Back at home and in the shop. It's getting was close to midnight and I couldn't help but stop and reflect for a few minutes on how big and intense this project really was.. I have literally been in blitzkrieg mode since August working on this thing almost every day, every spare minute. Thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours, several busted knuckles, mild profanity. If I had actually stopped at any point and realized what all I was up against, or actually thought about the amount of work that lay ahead, I'm not sure I would have had the motivation to continue or even start. But now, being at the end of the tunnel I look back on it and be proud of what has been accomplished. I've done restorations before, built engines, done plenty of suspension work, however nothing I have done has felt quite as complex or complicated as this crazy project. I want to personally thank all of you who have given advice, ideas, or helped me source hard-to-find parts. I sincerely appreciate it all! Not a problem, it's what this place is all about. We need to have a Saffron V70R meet somewhere- especially before @flyfishing3's sons destroy his. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfishing3 Posted November 16, 2017 Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burn-E Posted November 16, 2017 Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 you laugh because you know he’s right Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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