440 Replacement Intake and Suspension?

[440AndStillYoung]

Greetings all!

I'm driving a 1995 440 2.0i.
The car runs great generally, but at 132,000 miles she's starting to show her age. Firstly, both front suspension arms are on their way out. I could simply replace these but (being young and foolish) I'm considering fitting a slightly lower and harder Bilstein kit.

I've heard rumour that this will go a good way towards improving the handling and putting a bit more power down (and I'm prepared to feel a little rougher after long journeys!), but I thought I'd throw the question to some more experienced Volvo owners first!

More importantly though, the air filter box is cracked right across the filter (long story there...) and needs replacing. I'm having a hard time finding one as cheaply as I'd hoped, so I'm considering simply bolting on a cone filter. However I can only find one to fit the 1.7i intake. I'm not really expecting a performance gain here, but will this be compatible with the 2.0i intake pipe?

Thanks for your time,
Sean

[440anator]

Welcome mate, good to see another 440 owner

I myself have purchased the lowering springs lol as my back springs are so soft a bag of shopping at tescos makes the mud flaps scrape lol ( not really but u knw what im getting at )

I have heard mixed opinions aswell about the bilstein kit, some reasons included not fitting right? but also ones such as handles like a train im sure someone else will know better.

By the way there are induction kits on ebay for your car I think

get some pics up

[440AndStillYoung]

Thanks,
Yeh I know what you mean, the waterbed-effect suspension is great if you're cruising around cobbled streets, but it's the whole 'cornering' thing isn't really addressed at all hehe...

I've not heard about any fitting issues, but if that's the case then I'll be (under)steering well clear i reckon. I've heard about problems with handling and camber issues afterwards, even after professional tracking... I looked at lowering springs as well though, how are you finding them? Cos to be honest if I can get improved handling for a lower price I'm well up for it!

haha ebay seemed too obvious a place to look, that'll probably do nicely!

I'll try to get some pics up, but the body's in a bit of a state (previous owner left it with some scratches/rust issues I havn't gotten around to dealing with yet (but it's kinda nice leaving it looking a bit beaten up, just for the looks on the faces of modified saxo drivers as you pull easily away from them at the lights!!)

[Burnout21]

love my 440, even with stock suspension it handles pretty good. My mums focus (V reg 1999) handles a little better with its stiffer suspension but I cant drive it as hard for some reason, feels like its going to roll over or spin out.

both are 1800cc but the volvo being a lighter car it pulls away like a train from a focus, the only car with similar engine size/body size i have found to be a challenge is a VW Bora 1.9 TDI 130hp (2003) to which we were neck and neck to well over 90mph.

Really fancy driving a 1.7 tubby 440, the increase in torque is what i fancy!!

[440AndStillYoung]

I'm with you on that one, most people I know with the same budget end up with Micras or old Daewoos, the 440 definitely punches above its weight pricewise (just as well, I'm not rich!).

But for that the Focus definitely has a superior chassis, I've driven the 2.0 Ghia version (2002) on track, it really is a great drive, definitely feels much tighter through the corners, but I wouldn't worry about rolling one, that would take some real skill I think!

1.7 turbos don't seem to be around so much nowadays, but yes, I'd love to get a go in one. The problem I have is putting the power on the road. I'm hoping maybe the Bilstein kit will go some way to remedy this. Or perhaps just go for some lowering springs like 440anator. what do you think?

[B20F]

If you go for lowering springs (more then 20mm) you will need to fit or Bilsteins or Koni yellow shocks. The standard shocks won't last long with more then 20mm lowering. The're are some fitting issues with the back Bilsteins. Some people reported on the forum that the top stems of the back B's have a bit too large diameter so the fit in the top hole is too tight which causes clonking sounds when going over speed bumps. The front B's cause no probs. If you have an old phase 1 440 the roadhandling can be improved by fitting a anti roll bar from a newer version. The first versions wheren't equiped with one at the back. The roadhandling off the turbo's was also better, Volvo fitted stiffer and a bit (10mm i think) lower springs on them.

[440AndStillYoung]

Thanks very much B20F,

Mine is a post-facelift model, but I may well look into getting springs from the 440 turbo as you suggest.

I'm looking at a comprehensive Bilstein kit with shocks and springs, so springs shouldn't be a problem there, but if there is a fitting problem that's going to get annoying very quickly... I will try to get in touch with Bilstein about it.

Thanks for the heads up!

[440anator]

Good luck with it by the way

[B20F]

Here's a list with the different types of original springs Volvo fitted on the 400 series. They are coded with a different colour dot on the springs, so easy to identify in the scrapyard.

[440AndStillYoung]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your making the effort to get this for me!

I think now I have all I need to get cracking from here on,

Thanks for all the advice!