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Std. Trans - Replace gearbox or final drive for taller gearing? 850

uid 25912's pic
posted by  Sven's Maintainer on  Thu Aug 9 05:23 CST 2007
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last visit: Sun Sep 16 20:44 CST 2012
[RELATED]

Been driving 240's since '95, love them.
Likely our next car will be a standard tranny 850, '96 or later.

I've become a fuel economy fiend, and want the maximum possible fuel economy from whatever I drive.

Is it possible to drop in a transmission or final gear set from another fwd Volvo to get lower rpms in an 850? I'm willing to accept somewhat reduced performance.

I'm pretty well informed on techniques for optimizing mpg. I'm getting about 32 mpg highway in my '89 240 with auto tranny, after some modifications to my driving style and to the car. I only mention this to forestall posts recommending that I drive slower, keep the car tuned up, pump up the tires fully, etc. I already do these and more, and plan to keep doing so. I'm looking for additional options for increasing fuel economy in an 850.

Thanks in advance!
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, expanded air dam to 7" from ground, forward belly pan reaches oem belly pan, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, quad horns, tach, small clock. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock.








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    Std. Trans - Replace gearbox or final drive for taller gearing? 850

    posted by  KlausC on  Thu Aug 9 09:16 CST 2007
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    Sven,
    The newer cars with the 6 speed may not fit, but do not dispair. Most 850/S70 cars with auto get high 20mpgs. I drive my 98 R with a lead foot and get 28mpg on the highway, and I average 75mph on the computer :) Around town, about 21mpg. All of that with an automatic!
    If you get the base model with a 5 speed, you should get 30-31mpg highway without any mods or overfilled tires. Just keep the fluids synthetic and the filters clean. You should be able to pass cars on I 95 and still smile :)

    Just don't be like my brother in law -- 58mph on I 84!!! I wanted to get out and run!

    Klaus
    --
    Please answer, we need to know if the advice is good or bad. The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)








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    Std. Trans - Replace gearbox or final drive for taller gearing? 850

    posted by  will rehsper on  Thu Aug 9 08:56 CST 2007
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    last visit: Tue Jul 3 14:55 CST 2012
    [RELATED]

    Maybe this can get you started anyways.

    The early 850s had the M56L manual tranny, later cars, perhaps not until the S/V70 came along, they started using the M56H. According to this: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=72859 there's not much difference between the two in the way of gear ratios.

    Final drives may even be available from sources other than Volvo (Quaife). For some good pictures of a diff replacement see: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=64440 .

    I've gotten up to 31MPG on a single tank in my '95 5-speed. I usually get 22city/26highway but I'm not one to spare the whip.

    --Will
    850 / Mini







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