My Volvo C30, Custom Intake Explained

A new series showing every modification on my C30, why I chose the part I did, if it was worth the time/money/effort, and if I would do anything differently today.
♫ Music by www.bensound.com ♫
#Volvo
#C30
#Intake

[@NorthernChev]

Thank you for FINALLY being the guy to tell people to stop putting the aftermarket, open element intake filters under the hood where they do nothing but suck in HOT under hood air. I’ve been preaching this for the last 20 years as this stupid boi-racer trend got out of hand. Now if you can get them to stop with the ridiculous-looking blue hoses and open timing gear covers...

[@luisdelpozo9674]

Elaborarte on the last statement pls

[@mightbesherwood1313]

Great series. Got your P1 playlist saved, and now subscribed!

[@alexybouffard5331]

Love your car and love this series!! Cannot wait to see more!

[@waelalhusaine2667]

Great informative video, hopefully more are coming.

[@Kid_Strange]

Very stoked on the series!

[@nickeybotes3694]

Oh my word your car is beautiful cuzi 👍❤

[@asdfghjvrty]

Love the c30 vids!

[@AlvinWillistonDavis]

I love your videos!

[@kevinkev1530]

Great work, more info

[@sheep.herder]

awesome 👌 thanks for sharing

[@WildWoodOfficial]

Good thing my brother and I didn’t waste our time today trying to get a cone filter to fit in our s40’s will just pop a high flow filter in thank you.

[@xandervilla1948]

Very clever on changing air filter position from the front to a cooler spot 5+

[@JoshuaMHiggins]

Great video, looking forward to seeing more of the series. Been watching your vids for not only advise but inspiration for my 2008 S40. It's a 2.0D so I'm stumped on engine mods really. Other than ECU mods and disabling the EGR. It's the model without the DPF so no regen thankfully. It's excellent owning a car mostly comprised of good quality ford parts. Much more affordable buying and installing yourself without paying stupid prices or high labour costs. Wishbones were a bitch though. Just changed engine mounts, changed the manual gearbox oil, done a full service, even changed the Air Quality Sensor (expensive but I've got a link for parts much cheaper than usual that are compatible with our cars). Just done my first Vinyl customisation for the interior and the wing mirrors. Just about the flush the coolant. I've purchased OAT G13 purple anti freeze and I'm using distilled water to mix. Can I ask advise about the flushing process? My process will be to add a flushing cleaner first into the coolant I already have, drive for a few hours or so, wait to cool down, then flush with standard tap water from a hose. After that I'll add pure distilled water with a single litre of G13 OAT concentrate. Run that through with the heater on MAX and the AC on for a little while. Once that's complete I'll flush the system once again with 10ltr of distilled water whilst running, then add 5lr of the antifreeze with 5lr of distilled water. You may know better than I do, but the original Blue coolant is OAT correct? So if I were to mix this OAT with the new purple OAT (it's called G13 Triple QX Purple) it shouldn't sludge, and if it had the potential too, it would already either have flushed out the existing coolant, or any sludge that may form? Just making sure as my coolant managed to turn brown within about 3 days somehow, so I'm aware I need to urgently change that ASAP. Cheers! Keep the videos up!

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

No need to drive during the flushing process, and I wouldn't drive on nothing but water. Coolant is more than just antifreeze and helps with the cooling efficiency. Here is my video on the flushing process, only takes about 20 minutes in total: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2WrpGRrlq2nkKc I strongly advise not using tap water either, even for flushing, only use distilled. If your coolant has turned brown, you may want to double check there is no oil mixing in with it.

[@christianhudspeth3338]

I've literally mixed the original green coolant with an universal coolant that happened to also be green. It's still going although if it does sludge up I'm going to be doing a flush and timing belt service etc. anyway

[@extremacy8946]

Awesome informative video, you got my sub. Wondering if you could point me in the right direction to find the wing that you have mounted? It looks great!

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

It was a custom wing, I'll go into further detail on it in another video.

[@luisdelpozo9674]

What’s the best high flow intake filter for the C30 with the stock intake?

[@evelio0]

I NEED MOAR!!!!

[@cammgt3rs370]

I am battling between a C30 and an S40 T5 to replace my S60 P2 T5 that isn't working out for a track toy. This car just turned me towards the C30 again.

[@dappadon714]

Hi Michael I was wondering if you were going to cover a video on the external mods on your C30 specifically the rear spoiler and fender flares I would like to know what brand of spoiler it is that you put on and why you chose tbat particular spoiler. Thanks Judd

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Already did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4DOpYSbosqerdU

[@paulwhite9583]

Looks like its crashed into the cheese isle in wallmart

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Nah, it blew through the cheese aisle and got caught up in the rice aisle.

[@bart8dwa]

So how much power is stock airbox (with hi-flow air filter and aftermarket intake pipe) capable of? Can it run trough 500hp+?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

It's perfectly sufficient for the K16 and builds up to about 400hp. But beyond that, then you do need to consider a more custom intake setup if you want to be drawing in an optimal amount of cooler air.

[@OutdoorPOV]

Would you consider making a video on how has maintenance been on your Volvo?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Eventually I will. Though just routine maintenance has been all it takes to keep these cars going. The only issues I've had with axles are due to my ride height and blowing my first engine at 194k miles was due to 19psi and cams.

[@VincentMX5]

Im suprised almost nobody makes a short intake like this. Isnt it always better to have the shortest intake as possible? If you would make a box or something to seal it from the engine bay and make some hose to draw cold air from the grill that would best of both worlds right? Short intake piping for throttle response and still cold air from the grill

[@vincentgarmon6514]

I bet you could just pack air in if you sealed it up right to, but whenever your not in motion it might end up gasping for air a lil

[@dylbesetouski8886]

Hi, I wish to do the same with my c30, Is there a video explaining the wielded mount for the maf sensor? Did you bought the part or made it?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

This is the Injen intake pipe, which has the welded relocation spot for the MAF.

[@t5kai]

Do you need a tune for a 3” turbo inlet pipe with the stock air box?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

No tune is required with keeping the stock airbox and MAF housing, though you won't see the full potential of the part without a tune.

[@markveith9468]

Hey do you know if a used 2016 Ford Focus rs wastegate actuator would fit onto my 2008 c30 t5 turbo? Or should I just buy a new one from turbosmart

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

The RS used a K16, whereas the C30 has a K04. The actuator could possibly be made to work, but I cannot confirm. I'd suggest going with a new one.

[@markveith9468]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken thanks dude! I’ll probably just buy it new and mount it on once I have my Hilton stage 2 + tune

[@Dux96]

I didn't realize until after installing Elevate's intake that the ECU was on the airbox for a reason. Now I"m worried my ECU will overheat. I noticed your bracket is angled more to the radiator fan. Is there a mod to help keep bracket mounted ECUs ventilated?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Have no concern about the ECU overheating. I've seen our ECUs tucked away in high heat corners of the engine bay with very little airflow, yet never have a problem in 100°+ F weather.

[@Dux96]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken Someone on SS mentioned it happened to him after seeing a pic of my install. Good to hear it from you, I was a little worried

[@mikaj.625]

You are lucky to have one of these... I am in France and most of these models are diesel engines... I own one a i am proud to have a diesel sexy baby ... You may not agree with me but my lady drops me te work with confort and security. I LOVE HER ... Sorry for m'y Bad english ... Remember I a m French

[@turbovolvos40]

This is Awd right? I am trying to swap P1 rear diff and transfer case into my Volvo 850 build. I will be running a stand alone ECU, do you have any ideas on making the ECU control the haldex clutch solenoid?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

I'm not sure what wires you'd had to tap into on the 850. Perhaps running a separate controller to dial in when the rear wheels receive power is the best option, though you'd have to occasionally turn it off to avoid overheating.

[@turbovolvos40]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken Yeah, a seperate controller was what I was thinking, and have the rear come on at varying levels based on boost pressure, or maybe as a traction control strategy within the ECU.

[@mikelheinz3513]

What would you have to do to put in an external waste gate?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

You would have to block of the factory internal waste gate and then you could theoretically rig up an external setup. Possibly more trouble than it's worth when there's already waste gate upgrades designed for these cars.

[@danielvalenzuela514]

Hi I love your c30. I going to buy one, wich c30nyou recommend and what year. Thank you

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Seeing as the 2013 model year (the last year they made them) is already 7 years old, I would buy whatever the lowest mileage example is. All years of the C30 were great. The facelift R-designs have a slightly quicker steering rack. The only problem I ever faced, that was specific to 2008, was the steering column lock getting jammed. Volvo knew this was a problem and did away with the steering column by 2009. Otherwise, it really comes down to your personal preference on if you prefer the exterior looks of the classic or the facelift. In the US, we only got the T5 engine. Be sure to check out my video on the top 10 things to watch out for when buying a P1 Volvo.

[@danielvalenzuela514]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken thank you👌

[@RawShogun]

What kind of wire did you use to extend the harness?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

It was just a 14 gauge copper wire I bought in bulk at Home Depot.

[@dukeycool265elder5]

For that turbo sound would you still get it with the stick intake or do you need a diffrent one

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

The stock intake muffles turbo sounds, where a cone filter will make it a lot louder. Upgrading the intake pipe and getting rid of the resonator before the turbo will help make the intake a little louder too, but not as loud as you'd get with a cone filter. I would consider a cone filter to be an audible cosmetic upgrade when the filter is just left to draw in the hot engine bay air.

[@atharvashinde1368]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken what is this resonator before the turbo you speak of? The resonator in the exhaust?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

@@atharvashinde1368 There is a resonator in the intake coupler that connects the intake pipe to the turbo. This can be wrapped in tape or replaced with a solid pipe to get a bit more intake noise. It can be seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OYmpZne7ybfc0

[@johnblake443]

Did you have the elevate inlet custom powdercoated?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

This one came from my Wife's V50. A lot of the accents were painted purple with a high temp paint.

[@johnblake443]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken I saw you now have the black with blue accent letters. I have an orange 30 r and want to paint the elevate to match

[@kaikujawa6063]

Are there any after market intake options that are not hot air intakes? I’m looking for turbo whoosh but don’t want hot engine bay air if it’s gonna be worse for it :/

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Your only option would be the MotoTec, which I had on my V50. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OYmpZne7ybfc0

[@kaikujawa6063]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken hey thanks for the reply. Looking more online I found another thing that makes turbo noises was wondering what your thoughts were on upgrading to a turbo smart dual port valve. I know I would have to upgraded intercooler and turbo intake pipe w a tune to make more boost and maybe a turbo smart tcv aswell, but do you see any problems on this kind of set up? Any suggestions on the exhaust side will help aswell trying to keep costs somewhat low though.

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

@@kaikujawa6063 The dual port makes some great noises, but it also adds more components for failure. I had a dual port for a while and never had any issues with it, but then I also have two friends who continually had their loosen. You don't need to upgrade the intercooler and intake pipe to tune for more boost. A Stage 1 tune, and even the factory Polestar tune, are designed to get your around 14psi with all factory parts. There is no point in upgrading the TCV unless you are going with a K16 turbo, even then the factory Pierburg unit is just fine. A lot of tuners will refused to tune for any other TCV, as the Elevate and iPd parts are prone to sporadic overboost. As for the exhaust, an upgraded downpipe will help for performance but will require a tune. Replacing the restrictive factory muffler with something for better flow will improve performance too. Take a look at the DynoMax setup I had on my Project V50, as that was really cheap and provided a decent improvement without being too loud. Though not as well optimized as a full 3" catback would be.

[@kaikujawa6063]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken Hey thanks for the exhaust suggestion I think I’ll start off with the dynomax muffler as a good start as it is cheap and sounds so good on the c30 lol. What order would you suggest the other mods if I were to go the bov route in the future? Only reason I thought of swapping the tcv is because I thought the stock one couldn’t handle the boost for the power I wanted to go for around 300whp all said and done after tune. I thought maybe a turbo smart tcv would match and work alright but I might be wrong altogether as I’m still new to cars. I’m also in the process of getting a front right axle to put in as a project since my CV boot is torn and leaking. I know it’s a common problem for these cars and only gets worst when you put more power into it, but are there any preventative things I could do to prevent them from tearing in the future? Thanks for helping my build :)

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

​@@kaikujawa6063 There was a lot of chat about 10 years ago on the forums where people believed you needed to upgrade the TCV for more power. But within the last 10 years, a lot of progress has been made with tuning. Most reputable tuners will request that you have the stock TCV. To get yourself to 300whp will require a bigger turbo. Here are my suggest upgrades to do first: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4CqmndvfL91jqs The damage to CV boots is primarily due to lowering and not the power that the car has. Lowering the car changes the angle of the axles and allows the boots to constant rub on themselves. There are dressings that you can get to keep the rubber soft and prevent them from drying and cracking. If you buy a reboot kit, getting the factory Volvo boots usually prove to last longer than anything aftermarket.

[@ryleevandeboe4508]

What strut tower bar are you running?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

Eurosport Tuning

[@bdbddhhdbdhd4683]

Can you put a link for the intake?

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

For the Injen Intake? Here: injen.com/i-30498573-injen-sp-cold-air-intake-system-polished-sp9080p.html If you have an automatic, it requires some additional modification: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3KsYnyqoZd7eqs

[@Joranvier]

🤢🤢

[@vijayvjn6874]

You ruined what apperas to be a cosmic java c30 , looks wrong in so many levels and it hurts to see how something elegant got butchered in this manner

[@davvesto6757]

Vijay Vjn lol ruin a Volvo C30. A Volvo C30 is ruined from factory, what he has done is making it pleasant to look at

[@MyNameIdeasWereTaken]

I truly appreciate the feedback, as it means I've built something that is uniquely identifiable and pushes the boundaries.

[@RawShogun]

Guy can’t be serious

[@krawlingkaos]

You must be new here...

[@vijayvjn6874]

@@MyNameIdeasWereTaken i dint mean to offend anyone , if you're happy with it that should only matter, i can only see it ruined with the weird attemps at aerofoils on the bumper and horrible looking widebody bends that have a lot of creases ,even the cuts on the fender have no contour or rounded edges, again to each there own ,if its a track car thats gutted to begin with i guess that's one excuse

[@JarrenHetfield]

This thing is so overdone lol