MARTIN HOLMES
These are pictures of Martin's Modified 480 Turbo automatic and his 480 S automatic (now sold) and below a few words from Martin.
I joined the Volvo 480 club Europe many
years ago when I was 19. My first problem was the pop up lights would not rise
up.
The forum helped sort out the problem and I have been here ever since.
I owned my 1st 480 before I even had a driving license and it sat outside the
house for almost a year.
1992 metallic black 480S with alloy wheels and automatic transmission and a rare
optional momo steering wheel.
The 480S was sold and replaced with a 1993 metallic black 480 TURBO in June of
2002 because I wanted to treat myself.
My new 480 TURBO broke down on the way
home the day I picked her up.
HT lead melted and I drive home on 3 cylinders. I replaced the lead and all was
fine, the heater matrix then started to leak and the alternator broke down.
Heater matrix and the alternator both replaced under warranty.
The exhaust was from a 480ES, which I replaced with a turbo sized BOSAL exhaust.
The starter motor failed and Volvo replaced it which made the engine idle
unstable
because Volvo had plugged a wire in which should be unplugged.
The starter motor lasted 9 months which I replaced myself (nightmare job) The
alternator failed again and was replaced yet again.
I had a ECU upgrade down by rpruen of the forum.
Boosted the engine output to around 170bhp J
I now have the full mod with over 200bhp and one of the quickest 480’s on
earth (IMHO)
ECU mod / larger 760 2.8lt V6 fuel infectors / modded MAF / 25psi boost / 3 bar
map sensor / brembo discs/pads / custom made SS rear exhaust box / boost gauge /
40mm drop on Pi springs / 17” fox evo alloys
The automatic box has now died and is being replaced along with an installation
of a mocal ATF cooler.
My garrett T25 turbo is now installed which should help output because the old
T2 would have gone BANG!! With over 25psi of boost.
I have full leather interior / aircon / momo streering wheel fitted to my 480, I
know lots of things have gone wrong and I’m not lucky with this car but yet I
still keep it running because it’s special to me.