I have a 1993 940 NA. I want to do an upgrade, and am trying to decide between getting IPD 25/25 mm anti-sway bars (the car presently has 23/19 mm bars), or replacing the stock camshaft with a VX3 IPD camshaft. I may eventually do both, but am only looking at one upgrade right now due to costs. Either one is close enough in final cost that I consider their costs to be equal (the camshaft is less expensive, but new seals, valve cover gasket and valve quieters will bring the cost up to the IPD bars).

The bars will certainly improve the handling, and the camshaft reportedly adds about 12 HP to the engine plus brings the power to lower RPMs.

Which of the upgrades do you all think will make a larger impact on the performance of the car. Keep in mind that thought the car's power is certainly not like my 1999 V70GLT LPT, I am surprised how peppy it is. Also, while the car handles pretty well, I wish it were more like the V70.

I'm going to go against the grain and say do the cam, your car already has the best factory bar setup, meanin your handling is already ok.

I tend to think the IPD bars are over kill, but that just seems to just be me, perhaps not the 25 front (I've seen bars up to 28 on RWDs), but a 25 rear?, not exactaly my idea of a safe street driver for the masses.

My 760 came with factory 19mm front and rear, and to me the same size bar front and rear feels wrong, the balance just feels off.
I also talked to a suspension guy who said anything over a 22 on a street car will most times just be a waste, unless you got a LSD and major traction, and even then pray it don't rain.
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My 85 760Ti, and her name is Veronica...

IPD sway bars are the single most significant improvement you can make to a Volvo.

I've had them on every one of my Volvos, from the 144 to my 960 wagon.

I forgot to mention that I have a Cherry Turbo upper strut brace installed, did it about 6 months ago. That helped the handling, but I've heard the sway bars will be an order of magnitude better.

Yes, the sway bars will still help it further.

I had the CT braces installed before the iPd bars on my 745 too. Both improved the handling considerably.

-- Kane
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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Sway bars hands down. Be prepared for the shock of your life. The car will be very tossable in the turns and as if on rails.

Make sure your front suspension components are in good condition.
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Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 80K mi, 89 300SE, '96 965 >120Kmi, near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu. This post written with 100% recycled electrons.

Definitely bars. You can make major improvements in handling with bars and other stuff for less money than would take to gain just a little hp.

Skip
'93 850GLT
'83 242TI Flathood

Sway bars first, radical improvement in handling, the car will be FUN to drive. The cam won't give you the same bang for the buck, put it off 'til later.
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '91 940T(retired), '88 240, '84 242Ti, '94 F-150, '88 300TE, '89 560 SL, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR

iPd bars first, cam second.

You will feel the handling difference right away. The VX cam's power difference won't come in until the higher rpms.

-- Kane
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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Hi-- on camshafts
Look for the earlier thread-- I have a B230 F engine with nominally 114 hp.
I equipped it with the V cam from the B230E. the b230 E has 131 hp, and that is how the car goes now.
The B230E engine was in the 740' with the CI injection.