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IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by Mark on
Sunday, 8 February 1998, at 1:37 a.m.
Does any one have an 850 and replaced the sway bars with IPDs?
I was thinking about it, but I don't know how much of a difference it will make. 850's are supposed to have better handling than the older model volvo's, right?
Is the cost worth the increase in performance? Is the performance increase tremendous over stock? Does it have a negative impact on the harshness of the ride?
I used to have a Mustang GT 5.0, and the ride was really firm and stiff. I don't want to have my Volvo handling too rough, even if it will improve performance.
Which is better, the "sport" or "comfort" IPD sway bar...... Thanks.
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by Paul S. on
Sunday, 8 February 1998, at 9:19 a.m.
Which mode/yearl 850 do you own? (The base wagon like mine didn't come with a rear bar in '96).
I bought the "comfort/touring" bars....and yes they make a difference (less body lean).....but not near the difference as when I put IPD 1" bars on the 262C (that car went from boat to car.)
The touring bars had zero effect on ride harshness. In fact the IPD bars that stiffened up the Coupe had very little effect on the ride.
Paul S.
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Sunday, 8 February 1998, at 12:45 p.m.
In my '95 850 Turbo with ECU and Exhaust, I replaced my stock bars with IPD Sport model bars with the 25 mm front and 22 mm rear....In addition to being larger, these replacement bars are also solid, as opposed to the stock hollow bars, giving that much more rigidity. I found the difference to be H U G E, without adding more than just a 'bit' of occasional harshness, when one wheel is going over particularly choppy road .. I found the stock setup to have quite a bit of body roll or lean in the curves and corners...more than I would like to go along with my enhanced horsepower and torque...the answer was these bars...Now, the corners are almost flat, and you feel them more in the seat of your pants than you do through body lean...I would definitely recommend these bars.... They also greatly increase the feeling of quick response....You will find you'll be turning the steering wheel less, and getting more and quicker results....They feel like thery're tying the whole front end together.
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by Mark on
Sunday, 8 February 1998, at 12:54 p.m.
Okay, sounds like the bars work really well. I did test drive a 850 TR-5 once. Compared to a 88 Mustang GT 5.0, which I used to own, I wasn't that impressed with the handling though (being the fact that the Volvo 850 GLT is a much larger car and has a longer wheelbase). However, would you know if the IPD sway bars would give an 850 GLT better handiling than the TR-5? By the way, I have a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT.
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by han chung on
Monday, 9 February 1998, at 1:54 a.m.
i wouldn't think so. the T5-R comes with the 17" rims and low profile tires and a bit thicker bars than the GLT's. Even if you do get the IPD 25/22mm setup, your 15" wheels and tires will not perform as the 17". difference between your GLT and the T5-R: shocks/struts, sway bars, wheels and tires. so although the ipd bars will greatly increase handling and preformance, i also wonder if your OEM shocks and tires will make it a package to beat the OEM T5-R package.
i'm also waiting for the bars myself for my 97 850 T5. i have 16" wheels and 205/50-16 tires. I'm also curious/anxious to feel the difference.
ciao.
97850T5.......
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Monday, 9 February 1998, at 12:04 p.m.
Han's point about tire size is a good one....IPD says that the 'Touring' bars produce handling akin to that of the 'R' models...the 'Sport' bars, which is what I got, surpass them, so that should answer your question.....YOu may want to think about upgrading to 16 inch wheels....there are many options in addition to the 16" Swept 5 spoke turbo wheels...good luck
Re: IPD Sway Bars for 850[ALL/1988] posted by han chung on
Thursday, 12 February 1998, at 4:39 p.m.
Mark,
Just installed the IPD sport 25/22 bars. Whatever Mr. Elliot said is true, true, true...
Great stuff. Actually, they make hitting pumps and things, a bit "harsh/strong" in the sense that I definately feel the hit, but much more compact and controlled where as before, I felt it and the entire car felt it too(very shaky). hit the bump split second, feel it, it's behind you quick and clean, no after taste sway/roll/shake deal.
Are you thinking of doing more things to the GLT? Is your GLT going to handle better than an R? I doubt it, cuz, R puts out much more ponies than your GLT and will yank you right out of a turn faster than you would and although (if)you had the Sport bars, you still have the higher profile tires and less pull. you may go into a turn as fast as an R but you won't come out of it as efficiently/fast. So it's pretty hard to judge performance/handling based on sway bar stiffness. Everything has to be compatible.
My opinion is that the Touring bars are appropriate for the GLT. Unless you'r planning in making changes to your power plant and other performance enhancing upgrades.
You might'v come across this site before, but "850 Styling" has some nice mods to base 850 GLT's. Check it out.
good luck.
han.
97 855T wagon. ...life is full of turns... gotta love them turns.
850 Styling