Kickin' around ideas...

[DEI37]

I have a 1989 Volvo 740 wagon. It's got the non turbo 2.3 liter 8v four cylinder. It runs pretty well, with 244,000 miles on it. I've kicked around ideas for engine swaps, and have this in mind.

Project A: 364CID 4bbl aluminum V8. LSx engine
Pros: respectable fuel mileage on the highway, 440HP, proper V8 sound, no REAL electronics
Cons: COST, fab work

Project B: 3400 block, 2.8 crank, 3.4 DOHC pistons, 3400 heads, 4bbl intake OR 3500 setup
Pros: relatively light, small(er), high revving, possible boost, high compression
Cons: Fab work, what trans?

I don't know what I would really want from the car, truthfully. I KNOW that makes it tougher. I can't give up fuel mileage. The car gets 30mpg NOW. So, I need it to make at least that. I know full well it can be done with a carb. I have NO idea how to tune a carb, either. But, I do not want something full of electronic crap. Obviously, reliability is key. This is my daily driver that makes 1500 mile round trips 3-5 times a year. It gets me to work daily. But, I'd like a little more. Sure, the 440HP V8 would rock. But, truly, if I can get 225-250HP in this car, that's more than double the current output. I do not know how strong the factory 4-speed automatic is, nor the rear end. I don't even know the ratio for the rear gear.

This is in dream stage at the moment, but anything is possible. Thanks.

[mjc79]

forged pistons and a holset turbo with your current engine. given the cost of a rebuild and the extra parts you could make that 2.3 pretty stout and not worry about changing anything major except for new exhaust. most of the factory turbo volvos you can grab parts from cheap which would make the swap even cheaper. just my .02

[DEI37]

I've thought about that, too. The guys on the Volvo boards tell me it's more complicated than that. I have to take their word, because I haven't a clue. What do you know about upgrading these engines? I'd thought about a 16v head, and then a turbo on that...

[TurboGTU]

X2

The things you'll need from a turbo volvo is the PCM, injector driver modual, wire harness, injectors, fuel pump, exhaust manifold, IC, pipes and turbo itself with hoses and down pipe.

Going 60* v6, you'll need to see if the volvo 5pd will interchange its bell housing from one of the 5spd from a F-body or Jimmy, Blazer. Or see if you can use the GM trans with the volvo yoke.
Wire harness for the engine you'll have to grab from a w-body car since you can hide the ecm anywhere since its weather proof.

[Superdave]

for project B you'll need either custom rods or custom pistons...

a 3400 or 3500 with a good cam is just as rev-happy as a de-stroked one would be, just make sure the valetrain and oiling system can handle it...

[DEI37]

If I were to pull the 60* V6 route, I'd like to see at least 7000rpm, upwards of 7500. The trans would stay an automatic.

[Droptopz24]

wow dude... you've got some planning to do! my old lady has an '05 S40 T5. it makes 218 hp's and 238 for torque. It's quick as shit and it'll still get 30+ on the highways. Maybe you could find a wrecked one of those and steal everything you would need out of it. At least then you would be keeping it swedish. But anyways, it sounds like a really interesting project! keep us all posted on what you decide.

Good luck,

Brian

[Superdave]

If I were to pull the 60* V6 route, I'd like to see at least 7000rpm, upwards of 7500. The trans would stay an automatic.

good luck finding a tranny that'll take that RPM.. lol


my HM282 5 speed handles 7K but is kind of hard to shift up there.


If you design the cam right, you won't have to rev up that high to make power.