Hi All,

So I just took my completely bone stock 94 945 (87k miles) on a road trip for the first time. Every single part on the car is "Genuine Volvo", including the spark plugs. Good solid car. No issues. There and back OK.

But the way the car handled on winding country roads was shocking. STIFF. SLOW.

I have driven the exact same model car (94 945 auto) on the same roads, but with some suspension mods and the difference was tremendous. The modified 945 handled so much better. Easy to go into corners and fun to drive. Mods were; changed the swaybars (24 front, 19 rear), upper and lower strut braces, Bilstein Touring shocks/struts and wider Michlien tires. This gets rid of the super high understeer of the stock setup.

And having the VX cam with advanced timing makes a difference too. The stock "M" cam is soooo sluggish.

I understand the suspension on the stock 945 is setup to be safe, but boy what a different car it becomes when you make those simple mods.

I can't wait to do the same suspension mods to the new 945, and get an "A" cam in.

I just don't know how you guys drive stock bricks. :)

Just thought I's share.

Hi Mr Nabisco,

I'll just limit myself to straight line acceleration with my VX cam installed, AC off and manually shifting thru the auto gears. Not good for the gearbox I know. So once in a while. Just to deter some new cars racer wannabes. The 940 is however engine and axle heavy. A stock Alfa Romeo 146 I've owned in the past could do better. Easily changed lanes while at 180km/h! Sold it off eventually due to high maintenance like Italian mistress!

Regards,
Amarin.

Dear MrNabisco,

Hope you're well. Those, who want to drive a "fighter aircraft" - a highly-maneuverable car with rocket-like acceleration - do not buy Volvo 040s, 960s, etc. These cars are "transport aircraft": they take-off slowly, climb gradually, and cruise comfortably.

In short, rear-wheel-drive Volvo cars were not designed to provide "heart-stopping "acceleration and to travel at speeds commonly found on racetracks.

Those, who need a high performance car, might enjoy driving a Porsche, Ferrari, some BMWs, etc.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Spook,
I get that the Volvo wagon is not a quick sports car. All the positive aspects of a Volvo wagon far outweigh my "need for speed". And honestly, I would prefer a slow car... Keeps me out of trouble.

But, I am surprised at how easy it is to make a 945 handle a lot better with the swaybar and shocks mods. Just some simple parts replacements that do not change the famous Volvo reliability, yet make the car drive better. I really can't recommend those mods enough. Worth every penny.

Amatin,
I agree about the VX cam. My other 945 has the VX and it'll go OK.
The motor in my 245 M47 had a ported/polished head, VX and all kinds of things... Very quick for a Volvo NA motor.

But if I wanted a high maintenance mechanical mistress I would have kept my Norton Combat Commando. That was a quick ride.

Dear Mr. Nabisco,

Hope you're well. I retrofitted 25mm IPD anti-sway bars front and rear - with urethane bushings - simply to get better tracking on highway ramps.

I replaced rear shocks with KYB #5565 units, which replicate the factory-installed items. So far, so good.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook