Volvo S40 T5 K16
Discussion
Really nice motor. I've got myself a 2006 ST, so we share a fair bit in that regard. Owned her for 6 years now and still love it. Currently looking at replacing engine mounts and shocks as mine are past their best.
Mines running close enough 300, but I am planning on getting it to 320 ish, potentially with a diff in the future.
I've marked this thread. Looking forward to future updates
Good luck with yours!
Mines running close enough 300, but I am planning on getting it to 320 ish, potentially with a diff in the future.
I've marked this thread. Looking forward to future updates
Good luck with yours! Another mk2 ST owner here, following.
At the same time if you need help/advice with engine related bits or handling give me a shout, i know these cars/chassis and engine pretty well at this point
A quaife diff would certainly help with traction, im amazed youve done so much to the engine without fitting one at this point haha.
Mine is running 352hp with a sabre 400r turbo (hybrid k04) on 95 RON + water meth, as I cant get better fuel due to where i live. ~316hp on 95 only, both runs recorded on a very hot day...
Lots of other handling and engine bolt on mods
At the same time if you need help/advice with engine related bits or handling give me a shout, i know these cars/chassis and engine pretty well at this point
A quaife diff would certainly help with traction, im amazed youve done so much to the engine without fitting one at this point haha.
Mine is running 352hp with a sabre 400r turbo (hybrid k04) on 95 RON + water meth, as I cant get better fuel due to where i live. ~316hp on 95 only, both runs recorded on a very hot day...
Lots of other handling and engine bolt on mods
Edited by mikeone on Wednesday 15th January 22:49
Moonpiemagic said:
HAHAHA yes i know exactly what you mean its a bit insane without an lsd, but the guy that was meant to be helping me with the build messeg me around to much who was going to put an lsd in so it was a last min ditch to just get the engine forged and turbo as quick as I could really and then just get the lsd installed at a later date.
Wow sounds like an awesome spec your ST, was considering water meth as well.
But yeh man defenitly need advice for handling on this thing, been looking at polybushes? not sure where to get them yet .... Also I have been looking at a quaife diff but have been told that a gripper diff would be better for the track.
WMI is certainly worth it.Wow sounds like an awesome spec your ST, was considering water meth as well.
But yeh man defenitly need advice for handling on this thing, been looking at polybushes? not sure where to get them yet .... Also I have been looking at a quaife diff but have been told that a gripper diff would be better for the track.
Funnily enough ive got a full set of powerflex purple bushes for the front wishbones that i need to get rid of, Im 99% sure theyd fit your volvo too. I never used them...
Polys are good for track alright, i had them fitted to the wishbones on my old ST and they dried out within about a year, plus they became a pain in the t1t$ for general driving, particularly on rougher roads and ramps.
Currently ive got hardrace wishbones and roll centre adjusters + whiteline anti lift kit rear wishbone bushes. The hardrace bushes are hardened rubber (not oil filled) which means theyre so much more compliant for road driving while still improving handling. The ALK bushes are poly but they havent negatively affected comfort like the powerflex bushes did.
If youre based anywhere near leicester id suggest you contact tim williams, well known in volvo circles. Hes worked on my car a few times and is always extremely reasonable with labour costs. Message me if you want his number.
Gripper/plated diff would perform better than a quaife on track, but would require periodic maintenance whereas a quaife is fit and forget.
Interesting you mention Hardrace. I'm currently debating what engine mounts I should be upgrading to. My main mount is shot, and my gearbox mount is perishing, as is my torque mount. Not surprising considering the car is now 14 years old on standard mounts.
OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
Xenoous said:
Interesting you mention Hardrace. I'm currently debating what engine mounts I should be upgrading to. My main mount is shot, and my gearbox mount is perishing, as is my torque mount. Not surprising considering the car is now 14 years old on standard mounts.
OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
Hardrace bushes are good but ive read that their engine/gearbox mounts will cause and increase in NVH. Ill be sticking with OEM mounts. The only one id recommend is the lower gearbox mount which sits into the subframe, i have one fitted and its great.OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
As for the wishbone bushes/wishbones, the hardrace bushes improve ride quality, no increase in NVH at all. Great alternative/mid ground to poly bushes.
Im running bilstein b12s along with the other bits ive mentioned, its a great fast road setup, currently coupled with an elevate rarb which is a touch to thick (ive removed the rear seats from mine), but ive also fitted a JWR front strut brace and a rear steeda mk3 strut brace (one bolt hole had to be widened, fits perfectly otherwise). Next for me is some expensive coilovers
I recognize your name from the focusstoc forums btw, I remember you got banned for some ridiculous reason. I too have gotten “warnings” for similarly dumb things, so i stopped logging on there haha
Edited by mikeone on Friday 17th January 20:53
Moonpiemagic said:
Xenoous said:
Interesting you mention Hardrace. I'm currently debating what engine mounts I should be upgrading to. My main mount is shot, and my gearbox mount is perishing, as is my torque mount. Not surprising considering the car is now 14 years old on standard mounts.
OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
ah yeh I can defenitly recommend the Hardrace rear anti roll, but I know other volvo's on similar platforms are using whiteline who are also good ... its worth popping on to the BD Performance guys as they have some pretty good stuff there and worked on mine. Think they have Jan sale on as well atm?OEM or Hardrace? My car isn't a track monster, probably chucks out 280-300bhp and ideally I want it set up as a fast road car with compliant suspension. It got me thinking that hardrace all round and some Bilstein B12s may get me to where I need? Whats the NVH like with Hardrace? Much difference over OEM?
My set up as it stands is pretty woeful and I'm longing to change it, as and when funds allow of course.... Standard shocks with 20/40 Cobra springs, powerflex purple wishbone bushes, standard (and likely shot) everything else.
This is for a 2006 Focus ST I should add.
Cheers
Yeh im running the Bilstein B14s which I drop for summer and lift for winter, but the whole setup is great for road and for track. I keep the hardrace bar in the hardest setting and that mated with the Bilstein coilovers gives some good liftoff oversteer on track, but grip is just amazing. The volvo OEM one was terrible, but I guess your ST OEM one would be better as the Volvo's were made for comfort and not handling. The standard setup on the car before I did anything was terrible, like corner a block of flats .... some mega body roll.
I will have to be doing my bushes soon as well, would be good to hear how much of a difference they made when you get them all changed.
Thanks both. I completely forgot I also do have a Whiteline RARB, so that's something.
Yeah I'm thinking OEM mounts are the way to go, with a view of replacing everything else further down the line. The poor car has definitely seen better days.
The growing list of things to replace on my car are as follows....
1. All 3 engine mounts
2. Shocks - Standard shocks with Cobra springs need replacing big time.
3. Wishbone bushes - Have polybushes in atm, so I'll replace shocks first and see if these needs replacing after.
4. Reverse switch - Noticed the reverse light stopped working... Tested and the wiper no longer works when engaging reverse
5. Recirc valve - The whistle and noise is sounding a little gruff these days
6. Alloys either need a refurb or replacing... May try to get a set of good condition facelift alloys.
7. I want to get all my coolant hoses replaced at some point too.
So, a tad pricey. But should be able to get it all done for less than £2k if I do some of the work myself. Unfortunately I've let this list grow due to falling out of love with the it. Now I actually want to get these things done and enjoy the car again. I'm half tempted to do the 300 mile round trip to DS and get them to do half the things on my list!
Oh Christ, Focus ST OC... Those were the days! 4 years a go now? If I'm totally honest, I can't really remember why I got banned. A few of us did. Think we upset an admin or 2 due to some dodgy decisions they made removing posts / locking threads. They got a little draconian with the rules by the time I got banned. I don't miss it, as any advice I need for these cars is readily available elsewhere.
Anyways, sorry OP, I feel like I've hijacked your thread. It really sounds like you've got a nice set up going. I love the idea of the B14s, but if I'm honest with myself, I just want a fit and forget set up. I wonder how far the ST and S40 differ in terms of how they feel to drive?
Yeah I'm thinking OEM mounts are the way to go, with a view of replacing everything else further down the line. The poor car has definitely seen better days.
The growing list of things to replace on my car are as follows....
1. All 3 engine mounts
2. Shocks - Standard shocks with Cobra springs need replacing big time.
3. Wishbone bushes - Have polybushes in atm, so I'll replace shocks first and see if these needs replacing after.
4. Reverse switch - Noticed the reverse light stopped working... Tested and the wiper no longer works when engaging reverse
5. Recirc valve - The whistle and noise is sounding a little gruff these days
6. Alloys either need a refurb or replacing... May try to get a set of good condition facelift alloys.
7. I want to get all my coolant hoses replaced at some point too.
So, a tad pricey. But should be able to get it all done for less than £2k if I do some of the work myself. Unfortunately I've let this list grow due to falling out of love with the it. Now I actually want to get these things done and enjoy the car again. I'm half tempted to do the 300 mile round trip to DS and get them to do half the things on my list!
Oh Christ, Focus ST OC... Those were the days! 4 years a go now? If I'm totally honest, I can't really remember why I got banned. A few of us did. Think we upset an admin or 2 due to some dodgy decisions they made removing posts / locking threads. They got a little draconian with the rules by the time I got banned. I don't miss it, as any advice I need for these cars is readily available elsewhere.
Anyways, sorry OP, I feel like I've hijacked your thread. It really sounds like you've got a nice set up going. I love the idea of the B14s, but if I'm honest with myself, I just want a fit and forget set up. I wonder how far the ST and S40 differ in terms of how they feel to drive?
Xenoous said:
Thanks both. I completely forgot I also do have a Whiteline RARB, so that's something.
Yeah I'm thinking OEM mounts are the way to go, with a view of replacing everything else further down the line. The poor car has definitely seen better days.
The growing list of things to replace on my car are as follows....
1. All 3 engine mounts
2. Shocks - Standard shocks with Cobra springs need replacing big time.
3. Wishbone bushes - Have polybushes in atm, so I'll replace shocks first and see if these needs replacing after.
4. Reverse switch - Noticed the reverse light stopped working... Tested and the wiper no longer works when engaging reverse
5. Recirc valve - The whistle and noise is sounding a little gruff these days
6. Alloys either need a refurb or replacing... May try to get a set of good condition facelift alloys.
7. I want to get all my coolant hoses replaced at some point too.
So, a tad pricey. But should be able to get it all done for less than £2k if I do some of the work myself. Unfortunately I've let this list grow due to falling out of love with the it. Now I actually want to get these things done and enjoy the car again. I'm half tempted to do the 300 mile round trip to DS and get them to do half the things on my list!
Oh Christ, Focus ST OC... Those were the days! 4 years a go now? If I'm totally honest, I can't really remember why I got banned. A few of us did. Think we upset an admin or 2 due to some dodgy decisions they made removing posts / locking threads. They got a little draconian with the rules by the time I got banned. I don't miss it, as any advice I need for these cars is readily available elsewhere.
Anyways, sorry OP, I feel like I've hijacked your thread. It really sounds like you've got a nice set up going. I love the idea of the B14s, but if I'm honest with myself, I just want a fit and forget set up. I wonder how far the ST and S40 differ in terms of how they feel to drive?
Are we hijacking? Just sharing some knowledge/experience Yeah I'm thinking OEM mounts are the way to go, with a view of replacing everything else further down the line. The poor car has definitely seen better days.
The growing list of things to replace on my car are as follows....
1. All 3 engine mounts
2. Shocks - Standard shocks with Cobra springs need replacing big time.
3. Wishbone bushes - Have polybushes in atm, so I'll replace shocks first and see if these needs replacing after.
4. Reverse switch - Noticed the reverse light stopped working... Tested and the wiper no longer works when engaging reverse
5. Recirc valve - The whistle and noise is sounding a little gruff these days
6. Alloys either need a refurb or replacing... May try to get a set of good condition facelift alloys.
7. I want to get all my coolant hoses replaced at some point too.
So, a tad pricey. But should be able to get it all done for less than £2k if I do some of the work myself. Unfortunately I've let this list grow due to falling out of love with the it. Now I actually want to get these things done and enjoy the car again. I'm half tempted to do the 300 mile round trip to DS and get them to do half the things on my list!
Oh Christ, Focus ST OC... Those were the days! 4 years a go now? If I'm totally honest, I can't really remember why I got banned. A few of us did. Think we upset an admin or 2 due to some dodgy decisions they made removing posts / locking threads. They got a little draconian with the rules by the time I got banned. I don't miss it, as any advice I need for these cars is readily available elsewhere.
Anyways, sorry OP, I feel like I've hijacked your thread. It really sounds like you've got a nice set up going. I love the idea of the B14s, but if I'm honest with myself, I just want a fit and forget set up. I wonder how far the ST and S40 differ in terms of how they feel to drive?
The thread has already been featured on the PH facebook page too You don't need to spend 2k on your car.
1. Keep ford/volvo upper mounts, swap to an uprated lower gearbox mount. And only replace them if theyre perished/weeping oil.
2. Bilstein b8 shocks can be bought in pairs from demontweeks and would suit your lowering springs. Those springs combined with standard shocks will give a harsher ride.
3. Only replace if needed.
4. Relatively straightforward to replace. Car needs to be on axle stands and the gearbox supported underneath before you remove the upper gearbox mount, located under the battery. Theres instructions online for this, else i can send you a copy
5. Dont replace the recirc unless you know its split. The factory one is cheap and basic but it doesnt have any of the drawbacks of aftermarket pistion type metal recircs - they can stick with temperature changes, they can bleed/leak boost past the piston. Tuners prefer the factory one as they either work or dont. Mine is working fine with 1.5 bar boost, its the solenoids that get chewed through
6. Personal preference. Ive fitted pro race 1.2s to mine. 2.5kg lighter each, fill the arches better. Im sure the lack of weight helps with driveshafts too.
7. Stick with ford/volvo OEM pipes. Silicone kits dont have the best fitment (ends arent notched etc) and they can weep coolant leading to a smell of coolant when you open the bonnet.
As for labour, if you live anywhere near leicester id suggest you get tim williams to work on your car, his labour rates are far cheaper than any of the ford tuner shops such as DS.
Yeah first up will be the reverse switch, engine & gearbox mounts. While I'm doing that I'll check all of the boost / coolant hoses, make sure there's no leaks, could be the cause of the rough sound. I've seen where it's located so shouldn't be too bad.
As for the B8s, it's not a bad shout, it's just I've heard the Cobras are notoriously uncomfortable regardless, so tbh I think I'll just get shot of them. B12s will be the next on the list.
Good shout with tim Williams. I've heard some great feedback in the past from people who swear by his T5 knowledge.
Looking forward to the pics Moonpiemagic!
As for the B8s, it's not a bad shout, it's just I've heard the Cobras are notoriously uncomfortable regardless, so tbh I think I'll just get shot of them. B12s will be the next on the list.
Good shout with tim Williams. I've heard some great feedback in the past from people who swear by his T5 knowledge.
Looking forward to the pics Moonpiemagic!
Moonpiemagic said:
haha its not hijack at all, dw. All relevant to similar platforms!
Anyway couple more updates. Just received my CustoMod Vac Pipe kit so will be popping that on this week and will put up photo's etc on the install, will defenitly clean up the engine bay installing that.
With the mapping I have found a garage in Portsmouth down the road from me called PSL Performance, who had a check if they can actually map my car and so far yes all good. Unlike the ST & RS these require the ECU out to custom map which is annoying, but hopefully this guy can actually map and complete the map on the car with a dyno print out which will be incredible to finally have the engine running properly.
Ehhh I bought one of those vac pipe "kits", took a look of it when it arrived and thought "nope". You need to cut up your existing vac pipe which can be messy. In the end I sold mine on and bought a genuine RS vac pipe from Ford. Its double the price but its also double the length and theres no messing about, just fit it.Anyway couple more updates. Just received my CustoMod Vac Pipe kit so will be popping that on this week and will put up photo's etc on the install, will defenitly clean up the engine bay installing that.
With the mapping I have found a garage in Portsmouth down the road from me called PSL Performance, who had a check if they can actually map my car and so far yes all good. Unlike the ST & RS these require the ECU out to custom map which is annoying, but hopefully this guy can actually map and complete the map on the car with a dyno print out which will be incredible to finally have the engine running properly.
Are you sure that the ecu needs to be removed? If its a Bosch me9 ecu and theres an OBD port there shouldnt be any need to remove the ecu... Id highly recommend Sabre Tuning in Chippenham, bit of a drive for you (that being said I drove a lot further :P) but the guys know their stuff with the t5/ST/RS engine.
Xenoous said:
Yeah first up will be the reverse switch, engine & gearbox mounts. While I'm doing that I'll check all of the boost / coolant hoses, make sure there's no leaks, could be the cause of the rough sound. I've seen where it's located so shouldn't be too bad.
As for the B8s, it's not a bad shout, it's just I've heard the Cobras are notoriously uncomfortable regardless, so tbh I think I'll just get shot of them. B12s will be the next on the list.
Good shout with tim Williams. I've heard some great feedback in the past from people who swear by his T5 knowledge.
Looking forward to the pics Moonpiemagic!
B12s are great. A good fast road suspension setup. I found theyre cheapest from ebay.de, including shipping.As for the B8s, it's not a bad shout, it's just I've heard the Cobras are notoriously uncomfortable regardless, so tbh I think I'll just get shot of them. B12s will be the next on the list.
Good shout with tim Williams. I've heard some great feedback in the past from people who swear by his T5 knowledge.
Looking forward to the pics Moonpiemagic!
Tim is only reachable via his number, so like I say, if you want his number let me know
Moonpiemagic said:
mikeone said:
B12s are great. A good fast road suspension setup. I found theyre cheapest from ebay.de, including shipping.
Tim is only reachable via his number, so like I say, if you want his number let me know
thanks man, yeh very sure I dont want to use Tim. had enough dealings with the guy to know not to deal with him if I want to keep my sanity intack ... absolutly awful organisation and communication.Tim is only reachable via his number, so like I say, if you want his number let me know
My project was meant to be done by him but he messed me about way too much and wasted a lot of my time and money.
Seems like the "Volvo Specialists" are the most unorganised and choatic garages around which is a shame really, last year was a real test of patience.
I know hes had some personal issues in the past few months which led to others having similar problems reaching him, but ive had good communication from him at all times. He gets tons of owners texting and ringing him asking stupid questions and unfortunately that can lead to him forgetting who to respond to and why.
Ive helped out a mate by forwarding their number to him to get things kicked off - in one particular example the person was moaning about tim even before they’d met. After contact was made and tim worked on their car (in very much the same vein as my experiences, i.e. work done above and beyond expectations and at reasonable cost) their opinion of him had completely changed. Putting it this way, if i had your number I can guarantee a reply from him on the same day.
Its up to you; you hear good and bad feedback about all the ford tuning shops, for example I heard rumours of issues with customers at dreamscience when using their new dyno, theirs and other tuners flash maps not producing the claimed power etc etc.
Edited by mikeone on Tuesday 28th January 20:34
Nice car. I’ve got an S60R that’s fairly modded, coilovers, braces etc. Running bigger injectors, D088 intercooler and rad etc. Running around 340 at the moment, but going to Shemtec next month for a K26 hybrid, should hopefully see around 420 keeping it safe. . Done a few track days this year. Surprises a few.
firesafetydave said:
Nice car. I’ve got an S60R that’s fairly modded, coilovers, braces etc. Running bigger injectors, D088 intercooler and rad etc. Running around 340 at the moment, but going to Shemtec next month for a K26 hybrid, should hopefully see around 420 keeping it safe. . Done a few track days this year. Surprises a few.
Sounds good. Yeh my car was mapped by Shem. Took about 5 months to install a fuel pump and map the car (Still not complete either, decided to pull the plug as I feared roads would not exist by the time he was done with it) I dont think he has much experience with the P1 platform though but I know he has tonnes of experience mapping your engine.Great guy and mega busy in high demand. Kept me up to speed with everything through out the build.
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