Volvo C30 T5 with go-faster bits
Discussion
Right, a long overdue update... This might be a long post.
Another visit to Beaulieu for the Swedish Takeover, I think this was September 2023 shortly after PH25:
Around this time, my other half also got a new car. Alfa Romeo Giuletta Cloverleaf (the 1.75 TBi engine) in the optional 8C red with some nice tasteful mods. They look good together:
Now, onto the first of the two road trips this post will cover (yes, I know I've left it far too long in between updates) - after completing the NC500 in 2022, we decided to do the unofficial 'SC500' route this time, courtesy of Car Throttle with some minor changes to suit our group.
First stop, Cheddar Gorge:
Photoshoots in every hotel car park along the way:
And car repairs in some of them:
I won't bore you all with my holday snaps, but it was an excellent trip and I'd recommend it to anyone. The scenery isn't quite as good as the NC500, but it's still a solid 8/10 and I'd happily do it again someday.
Moving swiftly on, another Elvington Volvo event:
Much more relaxed this time as there wasn't the pressure of a world record attempt - this was just a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts.
There have been plenty of Caffeine & Machine trips, however their first Volvo yard meet was quite something:
Can you tell I was pleased to get my slightly knackered old C30 parked up next to late 90s Super Touring royalty?
Another new car to the family fleet, and another Volvo too - my dad swapped his P3 V70 for a P3 XC70:
Halloween Action Day 2023, Castle Combe:
Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage, Jan 2024. This was the first Scramble event I'd been to, and my first time at Bicester Heritage since PH25. Apart from being much, much colder it was an enjoyable morning out! I can't say I enjoyed subjecting the Volvo to gritted, salty roads though. I'm glad to have a daily driver to take the strain on days like that.
Onto some more modifications! Around December 2023 I received an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto head unit from ALG Performance, including a 3D printed mount to take the inside of the C30 from this:
To this:
A huge improvement which really helps to modernise the car when compared to the monochrome, Nokia-esque factory fitted screen. That screen can't really be removed entirely, as all the car settings and climate control are controlled through it. Covering the top half of the factory screen is fine since no useful information is up that high; it's where the clock is (there's another in the gauge cluster) and the phone signal strength is also displayed here in cars with factory-fitted BlueTooth - which my car doesn't have.
Unfortunately, a couple of weeks after fitting, the unit started to move under acceleration. Some car park investigation (the best kind) revealed two broken top clips which meant that the unit wasn't being held in. After a few months of redesigning and testing by the ALG team, I received an updated unit a few weeks ago. This has now been fitted and is a much better fit - there'll be a pic of it somewhere near the end of this post as I go through my photos in chronological order.
Another Volvo event at C&M with the C30 front and centre:
The Alfa turbo had a bad time, and was replaced to restore its full 235bhp:
Finally, after nearly 8 years of ownership at this point, I did what I'd been threatening to do for years and bought a set of wheels:
A set of BBS SRs in less-than-stellar condition, but for the price I couldn't complain. An initial test fit didn't go very well...
At first I thought that all the maths I'd done to make sure they would fit was completely off - surely not, others have fitted these wheels to C30s - but what it actually turned out to be was the original wheel studs (which poke through the 15mm spacers) bottoming out as the pockets in the back of the wheel for them weren't deep enough. Not an issue on the front as I'd be removing the 15mm bolt-on spacers to replace them with 5mm slip-on ones in order to make the tyres fit under the front arches. At the rear, where the 20mm bolt-on spacers would be staying put, the original rear studs have been cut to make them short enough to fit the pockets.
A trip to a friends unit for another, slightly more successful test fit. Three pairs of eyes on it this time to triple check that everything would fit without issue. The K24-swapped turbo Civic is owned by my best friend, and it was there being cut up to have a widebody kit fitted. This has since been completed:
A new show for 2024, I took the Volvo to Rustival at the British Motor Museum. Such a lovely chilled-out show, with no judgement no matter what you drove. As soon as tickets for Rustival 2 in September went live, I booked in to attend again.
Plenty of visits to Kingsley Cafe - the car club that I help run have monthly meets here, so we're there a lot.
The third test fit, this time looking much more like they're going to fit:
Now, the wheels would just need refurbishing and a set of tyres before they could go on. As ever, life got in the way and this didn't end up happening for a couple more months after this test.
Another Bicester Scramble in April:
If there's any car I like and obsess over more than Volvos, it's BL/AR/Rover/MG Rover tat. My first two cars were two 1999 Rover 214iS'.
Had a look around a Polestar 2:
Onto the 2024 group road trip, and the second of the two being covered in this post. On the way to the Isle of Wight Takeover:
And having arrived at the accommodation for the weekend:
Hometime:
The Screen of Lies (tm) once again living up to its name:
My first time at the Volvo Training Centre in Daventry for a TorqueVolvo event:
Modified Nationals 2024, up in Lincoln:
I finally pulled my finger out and got the new wheels refurbished - borrowing my mum's trusty C-Max and removing the back seats to turn it into a van:
The wheels were refurbished in satin grey and tyres fitted by City Wheels in Birmingham. Worth the trip up, especially considering the price and the fact that they were done on the same day. I didn't want to stray too far from the factory BBS Himalaya Grey finish.
The previousy mentioned new mount from ALG for the head unit:
I'd highly recommend this, for any P1 Volvo owners reading this - it doesn't lag, it connects seamlessly and I think it modernises the interior of the car. These cars aren't getting any younger, mine is 16 years old now.
The wheels were protected with Poorboys Wheel Sealant prior to being fitted:
And fitted the night before a meet:
I'm very pleased with them, it changes the whole look of the car.
That just about brings everything up to date! Not the most exciting update, but then again the car doesn't do many miles. It generally managed around 4k a year. After the PH Annual Service this Saturday, it will be due a minor service, and it's not given me any problems in the last year. I've bought a few other parts like braided brake lines, so when they're fitted I'll take the opportunity to change the brake fluid too as that was last done in 2019. It's also got a slightly weeping gearbox oil seal so that will be done at the same time.
The car and I will be at Bicester this Saturday, so feel free to say hi. Maybe I won't leave it a year until the next update...
Another visit to Beaulieu for the Swedish Takeover, I think this was September 2023 shortly after PH25:
Around this time, my other half also got a new car. Alfa Romeo Giuletta Cloverleaf (the 1.75 TBi engine) in the optional 8C red with some nice tasteful mods. They look good together:
Now, onto the first of the two road trips this post will cover (yes, I know I've left it far too long in between updates) - after completing the NC500 in 2022, we decided to do the unofficial 'SC500' route this time, courtesy of Car Throttle with some minor changes to suit our group.
First stop, Cheddar Gorge:
Photoshoots in every hotel car park along the way:
And car repairs in some of them:
I won't bore you all with my holday snaps, but it was an excellent trip and I'd recommend it to anyone. The scenery isn't quite as good as the NC500, but it's still a solid 8/10 and I'd happily do it again someday.
Moving swiftly on, another Elvington Volvo event:
Much more relaxed this time as there wasn't the pressure of a world record attempt - this was just a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts.
There have been plenty of Caffeine & Machine trips, however their first Volvo yard meet was quite something:
Can you tell I was pleased to get my slightly knackered old C30 parked up next to late 90s Super Touring royalty?
Another new car to the family fleet, and another Volvo too - my dad swapped his P3 V70 for a P3 XC70:
Halloween Action Day 2023, Castle Combe:
Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage, Jan 2024. This was the first Scramble event I'd been to, and my first time at Bicester Heritage since PH25. Apart from being much, much colder it was an enjoyable morning out! I can't say I enjoyed subjecting the Volvo to gritted, salty roads though. I'm glad to have a daily driver to take the strain on days like that.
Onto some more modifications! Around December 2023 I received an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto head unit from ALG Performance, including a 3D printed mount to take the inside of the C30 from this:
To this:
A huge improvement which really helps to modernise the car when compared to the monochrome, Nokia-esque factory fitted screen. That screen can't really be removed entirely, as all the car settings and climate control are controlled through it. Covering the top half of the factory screen is fine since no useful information is up that high; it's where the clock is (there's another in the gauge cluster) and the phone signal strength is also displayed here in cars with factory-fitted BlueTooth - which my car doesn't have.
Unfortunately, a couple of weeks after fitting, the unit started to move under acceleration. Some car park investigation (the best kind) revealed two broken top clips which meant that the unit wasn't being held in. After a few months of redesigning and testing by the ALG team, I received an updated unit a few weeks ago. This has now been fitted and is a much better fit - there'll be a pic of it somewhere near the end of this post as I go through my photos in chronological order.
Another Volvo event at C&M with the C30 front and centre:
The Alfa turbo had a bad time, and was replaced to restore its full 235bhp:
Finally, after nearly 8 years of ownership at this point, I did what I'd been threatening to do for years and bought a set of wheels:
A set of BBS SRs in less-than-stellar condition, but for the price I couldn't complain. An initial test fit didn't go very well...
At first I thought that all the maths I'd done to make sure they would fit was completely off - surely not, others have fitted these wheels to C30s - but what it actually turned out to be was the original wheel studs (which poke through the 15mm spacers) bottoming out as the pockets in the back of the wheel for them weren't deep enough. Not an issue on the front as I'd be removing the 15mm bolt-on spacers to replace them with 5mm slip-on ones in order to make the tyres fit under the front arches. At the rear, where the 20mm bolt-on spacers would be staying put, the original rear studs have been cut to make them short enough to fit the pockets.
A trip to a friends unit for another, slightly more successful test fit. Three pairs of eyes on it this time to triple check that everything would fit without issue. The K24-swapped turbo Civic is owned by my best friend, and it was there being cut up to have a widebody kit fitted. This has since been completed:
A new show for 2024, I took the Volvo to Rustival at the British Motor Museum. Such a lovely chilled-out show, with no judgement no matter what you drove. As soon as tickets for Rustival 2 in September went live, I booked in to attend again.
Plenty of visits to Kingsley Cafe - the car club that I help run have monthly meets here, so we're there a lot.
The third test fit, this time looking much more like they're going to fit:
Now, the wheels would just need refurbishing and a set of tyres before they could go on. As ever, life got in the way and this didn't end up happening for a couple more months after this test.
Another Bicester Scramble in April:
If there's any car I like and obsess over more than Volvos, it's BL/AR/Rover/MG Rover tat. My first two cars were two 1999 Rover 214iS'.
Had a look around a Polestar 2:
Onto the 2024 group road trip, and the second of the two being covered in this post. On the way to the Isle of Wight Takeover:
And having arrived at the accommodation for the weekend:
Hometime:
The Screen of Lies (tm) once again living up to its name:
My first time at the Volvo Training Centre in Daventry for a TorqueVolvo event:
Modified Nationals 2024, up in Lincoln:
I finally pulled my finger out and got the new wheels refurbished - borrowing my mum's trusty C-Max and removing the back seats to turn it into a van:
The wheels were refurbished in satin grey and tyres fitted by City Wheels in Birmingham. Worth the trip up, especially considering the price and the fact that they were done on the same day. I didn't want to stray too far from the factory BBS Himalaya Grey finish.
The previousy mentioned new mount from ALG for the head unit:
I'd highly recommend this, for any P1 Volvo owners reading this - it doesn't lag, it connects seamlessly and I think it modernises the interior of the car. These cars aren't getting any younger, mine is 16 years old now.
The wheels were protected with Poorboys Wheel Sealant prior to being fitted:
And fitted the night before a meet:
I'm very pleased with them, it changes the whole look of the car.
That just about brings everything up to date! Not the most exciting update, but then again the car doesn't do many miles. It generally managed around 4k a year. After the PH Annual Service this Saturday, it will be due a minor service, and it's not given me any problems in the last year. I've bought a few other parts like braided brake lines, so when they're fitted I'll take the opportunity to change the brake fluid too as that was last done in 2019. It's also got a slightly weeping gearbox oil seal so that will be done at the same time.
The car and I will be at Bicester this Saturday, so feel free to say hi. Maybe I won't leave it a year until the next update...
What a day. Not long got home from Bicester, astonished by the standard of the cars on display and by just how many people had something nice to say about a slightly shabby old Volvo. Thank you to all who stopped to say hi and have a chat, and to PH for putting on such an enjoyable event.
Fantastic to talk cars all day, and meet some of the people whose threads I've been reading for years (looking at you here, PPBB!)
Special thanks to Jonny Smith - in the unlikely event that he reads this rather than the email I've just sent him - for letting me use his jump pack to get the car started to go home. Not 100% sure at the moment what caused the battery to drain, but the alarm siren is the prime suspect right now - it briefly generated an error on the dash a few weeks ago which went away after a few moments.
See you all at Annual Service 2025!
Fantastic to talk cars all day, and meet some of the people whose threads I've been reading for years (looking at you here, PPBB!)
Special thanks to Jonny Smith - in the unlikely event that he reads this rather than the email I've just sent him - for letting me use his jump pack to get the car started to go home. Not 100% sure at the moment what caused the battery to drain, but the alarm siren is the prime suspect right now - it briefly generated an error on the dash a few weeks ago which went away after a few moments.
See you all at Annual Service 2025!
blearyeyedboy said:
Great update, thank you!
Is it okay to ask how much the wheels set you back?
The ones on my Occy vRS are looking a bit scabby due to my own bad parking
and I'm thinking of getting them done.
Thank you very much! I was wondering if the length of the update had put people off of reading it - I should update this thread more often really.Is it okay to ask how much the wheels set you back?
The ones on my Occy vRS are looking a bit scabby due to my own bad parking
and I'm thinking of getting them done.The wheels cost me £220 to be refurbished, however that includes a surcharge for the non-standard finish and another surcharge for same-day service (I didn't want to have to drive to central Birmingham twice, once was enough). I dropped the wheels off at 8am, they were just fitting the new PS5s I'd brought up with me when I came back at 4:30pm. No complaints at all, I'm happy with the finish and time will tell how durable it is.
They did powdercoat the mating surface of the wheel so there was some sanding to do before fitting the wheels to the car, but this didn't take too long.
Right, time for a small update! There hasn't been much news, really.
I'll update with pictures later on, but not a lot has happened with the Volvo since August - I've changed the rest of the fleet up, but the C30 remains a constant; it really is a forever car at this point.
A new daily driver has been bought, a V40 Cross Country with the 5-cylinder D3 motor. In more exciting news, I've gone back to my roots and bought another mk1 MX-5, a thread for which will be started either tonight or tomorrow night. I've been frantically trying to get it ready for Japfest, and it's almost there.
I did however take the Volvo to Rustival 2, where it got plenty of positive attention!
the only real negative of the last few months has been an aborted installation of a set of braided brake lines - they fitted (eventually) but upon trying to bleed them, fluid leaked out of where the end fitting goes onto the line. I really expected better from HEL, to be honest.
The plan is still to take one of the cars to the 2025 Annual Service. I've bought a ticket, and I'll apply for a third year in the hangar with both cars once I've written a thread for the MX-5. If both get in, then I'll enlist a friend to drive one of them.
I'll update with pictures later on, but not a lot has happened with the Volvo since August - I've changed the rest of the fleet up, but the C30 remains a constant; it really is a forever car at this point.
A new daily driver has been bought, a V40 Cross Country with the 5-cylinder D3 motor. In more exciting news, I've gone back to my roots and bought another mk1 MX-5, a thread for which will be started either tonight or tomorrow night. I've been frantically trying to get it ready for Japfest, and it's almost there.
I did however take the Volvo to Rustival 2, where it got plenty of positive attention!
the only real negative of the last few months has been an aborted installation of a set of braided brake lines - they fitted (eventually) but upon trying to bleed them, fluid leaked out of where the end fitting goes onto the line. I really expected better from HEL, to be honest.
The plan is still to take one of the cars to the 2025 Annual Service. I've bought a ticket, and I'll apply for a third year in the hangar with both cars once I've written a thread for the MX-5. If both get in, then I'll enlist a friend to drive one of them.
Slight thread re-boot. Also have a C30 T5, which I'm gradually working through as it's done 110k, half with me. Most suspension done but slight driveshaft (?) knock when loaded up but definitely road speed related rather than engine speed or suspension.
Mine is on H&R springs, which does improve the stance but probably knocks driveshafts out a bit quicker. What is the consensus for the brand for replacements or stay Volvo OEM, which I think are quite expensive? Looking on line, it seems a pretty simple job to replace or is there a gotcha?
Mine is on H&R springs, which does improve the stance but probably knocks driveshafts out a bit quicker. What is the consensus for the brand for replacements or stay Volvo OEM, which I think are quite expensive? Looking on line, it seems a pretty simple job to replace or is there a gotcha?
ric p said:
Slight thread re-boot. Also have a C30 T5, which I'm gradually working through as it's done 110k, half with me. Most suspension done but slight driveshaft (?) knock when loaded up but definitely road speed related rather than engine speed or suspension.
Mine is on H&R springs, which does improve the stance but probably knocks driveshafts out a bit quicker. What is the consensus for the brand for replacements or stay Volvo OEM, which I think are quite expensive? Looking on line, it seems a pretty simple job to replace or is there a gotcha?
Thank you for the reboot!Mine is on H&R springs, which does improve the stance but probably knocks driveshafts out a bit quicker. What is the consensus for the brand for replacements or stay Volvo OEM, which I think are quite expensive? Looking on line, it seems a pretty simple job to replace or is there a gotcha?
General consensus is to stay with OEM, or chance your arm with J&R cheap shafts. I went for the latter, and they seem to be very hit and miss. I must've got a set from a good batch, as mine have been fine for the last few years other than a split boot on one. New boot fitted, packed with grease, all has been well ever since. ALG Performance sell driveshaft spacers that alter the angle of the driveshafts to extend their lifespan. I haven't got them fitted as the last time I needed to replace the shafts, ALG didn't exist.
As for the process, offside isn't too bad however there's very little access on the nearside to pull the shaft out of the gearbox. Volvo have a special tool for it, it's not required but does make life easier. That said, I've currently got a weeping driveshaft seal on the nearside and despite best efforts from my mechanic, we haven't been able to get the shaft out - so as it's been a very, very slow leak we just topped up the gearbox and will check it again when the car is next serviced.
the-norseman said:
Thought I'd give a follow to this thread, I do like a C30 T5 would love to get one and make it look like the Polestar concept.
I own a XC90 D5 with Polestar file haha, and a red Alfa Giulietta.
Thank you! I'd like to have a Polestar replica too, I'm aware of someone making the bodykit and spoiler so I'm waiting to see how theirs turns out.I own a XC90 D5 with Polestar file haha, and a red Alfa Giulietta.
TheVole said:
Thank you for the reboot!
General consensus is to stay with OEM, or chance your arm with J&R cheap shafts. I went for the latter, and they seem to be very hit and miss. I must've got a set from a good batch, as mine have been fine for the last few years other than a split boot on one. New boot fitted, packed with grease, all has been well ever since. ALG Performance sell driveshaft spacers that alter the angle of the driveshafts to extend their lifespan. I haven't got them fitted as the last time I needed to replace the shafts, ALG didn't exist.
As for the process, offside isn't too bad however there's very little access on the nearside to pull the shaft out of the gearbox. Volvo have a special tool for it, it's not required but does make life easier. That said, I've currently got a weeping driveshaft seal on the nearside and despite best efforts from my mechanic, we haven't been able to get the shaft out - so as it's been a very, very slow leak we just topped up the gearbox and will check it again when the car is next serviced.
Very interesting, thanks. That spacer mod seems a no brainier for £30ish. General consensus is to stay with OEM, or chance your arm with J&R cheap shafts. I went for the latter, and they seem to be very hit and miss. I must've got a set from a good batch, as mine have been fine for the last few years other than a split boot on one. New boot fitted, packed with grease, all has been well ever since. ALG Performance sell driveshaft spacers that alter the angle of the driveshafts to extend their lifespan. I haven't got them fitted as the last time I needed to replace the shafts, ALG didn't exist.
As for the process, offside isn't too bad however there's very little access on the nearside to pull the shaft out of the gearbox. Volvo have a special tool for it, it's not required but does make life easier. That said, I've currently got a weeping driveshaft seal on the nearside and despite best efforts from my mechanic, we haven't been able to get the shaft out - so as it's been a very, very slow leak we just topped up the gearbox and will check it again when the car is next serviced.
As for driveshafts, oem Volvo are £800 each. Ford seem to be similar. Diving into the Ford ST forums, they agree that J&R are a bit hit and miss but v cheap.
Other moderately priced suggestions from the Ford side for a decent quality item seem to be Spidan or SKF. However Löbro are GKN made, who are the oem supplier so may try to source some of those. However there are stories of the STs knocking out drive shafts in months or 500 miles. Can’t imagine how hard you’d need to hammer starts etc to achieve that!
jay-kay-em said:
That is a really cool photo. Love that.
Says see you 2025 but I don't recall seeing the car?
Thank you! I was in the hangar with one of my other cars this year, my little MX5 ( thread here).Says see you 2025 but I don't recall seeing the car?
Loved the 480, spent a while having a good look around it!
ric p said:
Very interesting, thanks. That spacer mod seems a no brainier for £30ish.
As for driveshafts, oem Volvo are £800 each. Ford seem to be similar. Diving into the Ford ST forums, they agree that J&R are a bit hit and miss but v cheap.
Other moderately priced suggestions from the Ford side for a decent quality item seem to be Spidan or SKF. However Löbro are GKN made, who are the oem supplier so may try to source some of those. However there are stories of the STs knocking out drive shafts in months or 500 miles. Can’t imagine how hard you’d need to hammer starts etc to achieve that!
SKF/GKN should be good alternatives, the J&R ones work for me and I probably don't drive the car enough to give them a chance to break! As for driveshafts, oem Volvo are £800 each. Ford seem to be similar. Diving into the Ford ST forums, they agree that J&R are a bit hit and miss but v cheap.
Other moderately priced suggestions from the Ford side for a decent quality item seem to be Spidan or SKF. However Löbro are GKN made, who are the oem supplier so may try to source some of those. However there are stories of the STs knocking out drive shafts in months or 500 miles. Can’t imagine how hard you’d need to hammer starts etc to achieve that!
Not an update but made me smile as I left work last night. Just nicely run in now!
Anyway most of front suspension done with lower control arms, drop links and drive shafts. I did add the spacers so we will see if that helps offset wear. I think the ones offered by ALG are stainless flat form M30(?) washers rather than anything milled for purpose. There is still a very slight shimmy under low rpm acceleration but none on braking so wondering if engine/gearbox mounts are a bit soft.
Underneath car job maybe to be left until the weather improves.
Anyway most of front suspension done with lower control arms, drop links and drive shafts. I did add the spacers so we will see if that helps offset wear. I think the ones offered by ALG are stainless flat form M30(?) washers rather than anything milled for purpose. There is still a very slight shimmy under low rpm acceleration but none on braking so wondering if engine/gearbox mounts are a bit soft.
Underneath car job maybe to be left until the weather improves.
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