1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristics??

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Edcase 300
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1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristics??

Post by Edcase 300 » 07 Jun 2012 05:16 pm

Hi guys, ages since ive posted on this forum.
Ive only driven a Volvo 340 1.7 carb and a 360 2.0 Injection.
I found the 340 to be more responsive lower down, whilst my 360 felt a bit sluggish low down but really started shifting at higher speed ranges.
Maybe my old 360 was just clapped out though??

So.. what experiences do you lot have of the different engines in the v300s. Would like input from the 1.4 guys and anyone whose driven a 2.0 carb too.
Just for comparison sakes as it could be interesting to get an idea. (Yeh im missing driving a 300 a bit).

:wink: ..... opinions then please..
F reg Volvo 360 GLT 118k miles (My first car) RIP
G reg Volvo 340 1.7 122k miles (Started my Interest in Volvo 300s) RIP
Currently Driving a Citroen AX 1.0 'Eco-Box Stopgap' :-i
One Day... Volvo 360 Turbo ;-)

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Chris_C
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Chris_C » 07 Jun 2012 06:08 pm

Depends what you want really.

The 1.4 has a very flat torque curve. Granted it's only just off the ground, but it's at least flat. It's a lovely little thing, though.
1.7's are the most "modern" engine of the lot when working. Sound like a sewing machine, depending on how well looked after it is will happily rev to 6,500 all day, probably a snadge further. My most favourable standard engine when working, which they normally arn't.
2.0's on a Stromberg. Stunning. I love that design of carb, it's genius, no flat spots like you always get on the fixed choke carbs. The thing that kills it is the same as *every* 360, it feels as though it has too much flywheel. Trying to heel toe one to get a good gear change is impossible, the revs just don't change fast enough and you have to use the synchros. Could be the nicest engine with work.
2.0's on a Solex. Why would you when you can have a Strom?
2.0's on LE. It's open loop, so it'll need an overhaul before it'll run perfectly. Thing is, it'll run "well" with the most things broken, hence why most don't run perfectly. If you need one that'll never let you down, it has to be this. You'll pay for it though, at least 10MPG's will run away for the ease of use.

Hmmm, now I'm wondering if I'd prefer a GLT on LH, or GLS with a lightened flywheel... Both are "easy" wins compared to a valver. I reckon the LH'd GLT would give the better daily, but the GLS with less flywheel and some suspension would be gorgeous to drive.
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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Edcase 300
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Edcase 300 » 07 Jun 2012 08:45 pm

Cheers for the informative post mate 8) Did the later 2.0 carb engines get a power boost over the early B19 ones? Werent the later B200k ones around 101hp or abouts?

I remember dad often having to change dizzy caps on the 340 when i was a kid.. :lol: I think he did some kind of mod (put allen studs through the cap to make mit easier to take off the cap when it needed replacing or something like that).. I do remember my 360 being pretty thirsty- though i think I once got around mid 30s mpg but there was no one on the road which was a flat one and i kept the speed constant for ages lol.
F reg Volvo 360 GLT 118k miles (My first car) RIP
G reg Volvo 340 1.7 122k miles (Started my Interest in Volvo 300s) RIP
Currently Driving a Citroen AX 1.0 'Eco-Box Stopgap' :-i
One Day... Volvo 360 Turbo ;-)

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SteveP
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by SteveP » 08 Jun 2012 10:51 am

Chris speaks the truth - the 2.0's do feel 'flywheel heavy' but are arguably the most reliable units. Don't take a huge amount of notice in terms of the later power figures. In real terms there's very little difference between my B19A engined 360 GLS (92bhp) vs my B200E 360 GLT (115bhp). A quick drag race with a 360 GLEi High Comp, the injection cars are marginally quicker but not by as much as you'd think!
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

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Edcase 300
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Edcase 300 » 09 Jun 2012 11:34 am

I definatley used to notice the heavy flywheel.. It seemed to keep its speed up well going up salisbury plain with all my band gear and mates :lol:
Which reminds me- I saw a video on youtube of a 343r sport- twin carb setups sound nice mated to a redblock 8)
F reg Volvo 360 GLT 118k miles (My first car) RIP
G reg Volvo 340 1.7 122k miles (Started my Interest in Volvo 300s) RIP
Currently Driving a Citroen AX 1.0 'Eco-Box Stopgap' :-i
One Day... Volvo 360 Turbo ;-)

Ride_on
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Ride_on » 09 Jun 2012 07:03 pm

I've pretty much had all UK 300 versions.

Agree the 1.7s are the most modern, can be torquey but unreliable so I don't like them.

The B19/B200's are my fave, and mainly the high compression versions (10:1). The later ones where positively ruined by lowering the compression, could have been fixed by better management and staying with high compression.

83 GLS - B19A Stromberg - felt slow, but not in good order, stromberg needed new needle + jet.
84 GLT - 10:1 B200E Real kick up the ass when booting, loads of torque, fuel pump fuse issues.
84 GLS - 10:1 B200K More torque and less revs than the GLT, tended to pink on poor fuel
87 GLE - 10:1 B200K Slightly reduced of torque from ignition retard, but still good, solex carb brilliant, very very reliable car.
87 GLT - 9.2:1 B200E power moved up the revs, alot less torque
88 GLE - 9.2:1 B200K, similar to GLT only less revy
97 323i - 10:1 E36 2.5 straight 6 - Very low torque - loads of revs, lovely sound. 98 ron didn't make much difference
86 340 1.7 - failed due to cam seal wear lip, wtare leaks and carb problems

85 340 1.4 - Lovely little engine, 45MPG!

So I would say the major difference in driveability is compression ratio and ignition advance (its my favourite character of the 360 anyway). Of course now I'm moving to turbo I get even less mechanical compression until the turbo spins up. People describe turbos are more torque, but its nothing compared to a high compression 360. I used to stall the 940 and BMW for about a year, till I got used to the lack of torque. This is why traffic moves so slowly these days, people have to wind up their engines to get the fkn things moving.

I prefer injection though, goes round corners without losing power. I think the 360s could be improved with say megasquirt and knock sensors, but engineering a good map is not easy. Hopefully LH with wasted spark will work well.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

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Edcase 300
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Edcase 300 » 10 Jun 2012 09:33 am

Interesting stuff :) Have you any of you guys driven the old school Pug 306 DTurbos/Xsara TDs?? Borrowed one for a week and even then couldnt get used to it.. nothing then whoosh.. :oops:

Hey Ride_On just wondering- would a mild head skim work on a later low comp b200e or is there not much point/bad idea?? Just curious.
Are you building a Turbo 360 then? 8) Also just wondering- how does the 360 low comp b200e compare to a volvo 740 with a b230e/f in terms of performance/everyday driving? Are they similar (due to weight difference etc)?? (Sorry for all the questions btw).
F reg Volvo 360 GLT 118k miles (My first car) RIP
G reg Volvo 340 1.7 122k miles (Started my Interest in Volvo 300s) RIP
Currently Driving a Citroen AX 1.0 'Eco-Box Stopgap' :-i
One Day... Volvo 360 Turbo ;-)

Ride_on
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Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Ride_on » 12 Jun 2012 02:21 pm

Hard to say, have only been in 1 NA 740/940 and it was aweful, B200 I think. I do remember my dads 240 was very torquey, automatic 2.1.

Skimming should bring up the compression, but I don't know how much to take off, probably would need quite alot as the normal purpose of skimming is to flatten it, easier would be to get a high compression head (i will have a spare soon). You may need to experiment with cams + ignition modules too, but not too hard to get.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

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Edcase 300
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Edcase 300 » 12 Jun 2012 07:36 pm

Cheers for the info mate 8) Sorry for all the questions- im a bit of a newbie when it comes to these things and pretty darn curious :lol:
Sounds like it would probably make more sense to just get a decent high comp B23/B230 and go from there surely? Only thing is having to get the engine+ get it in and plumbed etc et al :lol:
F reg Volvo 360 GLT 118k miles (My first car) RIP
G reg Volvo 340 1.7 122k miles (Started my Interest in Volvo 300s) RIP
Currently Driving a Citroen AX 1.0 'Eco-Box Stopgap' :-i
One Day... Volvo 360 Turbo ;-)

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Chris_C
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Chris_C » 12 Jun 2012 08:04 pm

Getting a low comp increased then mucking around will take a pretty large amount of effort to get to run right (or dyno time)

Stock engine on stock bits will always be easier!
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

CBA
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by CBA » 14 Jan 2013 07:54 am

2.0 with the bigger carb on it, was most refined ride, feels 'bigger' most tank-like of the range. can be a ballache at times in a number of ways - do not run it out of petrol!

1.7.... it's not a bad engine, nice slick accelerator cable/method needed to get the best out of it, surprisingly light footed. valve shims can be a ballache.

1.4.... bombproofed lively little engine, has tappets, timing chain: easy to live with.

Logan360
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Re: 1.4/1.7/2.0/2.0i.. differences in driving characteristic

Post by Logan360 » 14 Jan 2013 10:00 am

Have driven 3 version's of the B200 360's.

85 360GL carb- had some move but not reliable to move you in a tight situation
86 360GLT renix- most reliable car i have ever owned. put iridium plugs in on 95. plenty or torque with good power through the range
87 360GLT B200EA- egr model so gutless as a m*****####er.
89 360GLT B200E- good, light but too new for me. too high with power steering etc.

my 86 360 with the B200E is the best drive I've had. car is rotting around the drivetrain. Can't wait till I'm driving it with my 16's on.
Own:
86 360GLT
97 S90
92 960S, Royal
01 Subaru Lancaster 6
96 Volvo 854R

Owned
E90 320 M-sport wagon
S60T -Mazda Familia
850lpt -AU Falcon
855T5 -91, 95, 97 960
940TIC -Mitsi GTO TT
16x 360-Toyota corolla
Toyota corona-R32 Skyline
V70R -V70T5

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