B234

Post by **Roop** » 07 Jul 2007 07:13 pm

Apologies if I'm asking a question which you're all sick of hearing, but I'm having thoughts about attempting to fit a b234 engine in my 360 over the winter. It's pretty much a pipe-dream at the moment and I'd appreciate someone talking me out of it (becuase it will be hard and cost money).

I've seen a pic on here somewhere of a b234 in a 300-series engine bay, but I'd be interested to know what needs to be changed to make it fit. The inlet looks very high. I take it aftermarket fuel management is the way forward.

I'd also be very interested to hear what experiences people have had with these engines, because I've never driven one. I'm attracted to them because I'd expect to see an increase in power and better fuel economy than a turbo'd b230. Am I wrong?

Thanks.

Post by **Tourinki** » 07 Jul 2007 07:55 pm

Why not fitting it. I thought to do same kind of conversion but forum member Tero talked me out of it because bonnet won't shut properly and all of those accessories (ac, pas) can't be fitted as easily as to engine with 8 v head.

I have once driven 740 with B234. It revved nicely and that torque was far superior compared to B200.

Post by **Roop** » 07 Jul 2007 08:38 pm

Thanks, that's exactly the sort of reply I was looking for.

I don't want PAS or AC, though. Cutting a hole in the bonnet is probably just about within my capabilities though.

Post by **Fuse** » 07 Jul 2007 09:05 pm

It should clear the bonnet ok.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/fredrikr/Volvo%20340DL/b254.html

Lot's of pics of 340 sedan with B254 Penta stroker engine.

Post by **Roop** » 07 Jul 2007 11:12 pm

Nice link... looks like a really neat installation.

Post by **Tourinki** » 08 Jul 2007 08:21 am

Isn't B23x block almost same as the B200 from the outside. Does anyone know if that ac compressor can be fitted to a 360 with B230 under bonnet? According to Tero it won't fit.

Post by **Ronnie** » 14 Jul 2007 12:58 am

I was under the impression that the block was of identical dimensions.

It's interesting that Volvo only built the 16v for about 3 years before going back to the 8v head. I've heard some say that this is because it's basically of poor design. Not that I have personal experience of the B234, but I'm toying with the idea of the same swap and still haven't decided on 8v or 16v.

Post by **petefarrell360** » 14 Jul 2007 01:03 am

AFAIK, the B23x block is as you say, basically the same as the B200, the head will be different, and the sump, but if the sump is swapped to make it fit a 300, then thats that sorted. The alternator and PAS pumps need swapping over from memory to be on the correct sides. But in theory, the air con will fit.

Lets put it this way, I've been told it will, and I'm hoping it will, as my car with air con is getting an engine swap if I ever get time to do it!

Pete

Post by **classicswede** » 14 Jul 2007 12:42 pm

The B234 block is quite different from the 8v lumps. The bottom end innards are basicaly the same apart from the relifs in the pistons to clear the valves.
On the outside you have the balance shafts that want removing to prevent the risk of problems with them that will kill the engine. The engine mount bolt holes are totaly different but new brackets can be made to fit. For ease of fit what is often doen is to fit the 16v head to the 8v block but this does have its issues. If you have a good running 16v lump and dont want a big power turbo job then drop it in as a complete unit.

Post by **Roop** » 14 Jul 2007 08:29 pm

Thanks for the info! I may still keep my eyes open for a 740 (GLE?) to steal the engine from as I've just started working with a blacksmith who seems keen to make ANYTHING for beer tokens.

Post by **classicswede** » 15 Jul 2007 10:52 am

Its the GLT Model that has the 16v lump. My brother may possibly want to sell one of his engines as I think he has decided not to put it into his 240

Post by **bodejodel** » 15 Jul 2007 11:21 am

The GLT and the GLE 16V both have the B234F engine.
The GLT has 159hp and 210Nm and the GLE has 155hp and 203Nm.
I have a 1990 745GLE 16Valve and I love it to bits.

The engine has run more than 350.000km and it still runs great.
I removed the balanceshaft belt which improves power in the lower rev-range.

A friend of mine is going to fit one aswell. Whe have compared 360 and 740 enginebays and it looks like it will fit.
The stock exhaust manifold will clear the enginemounts by about 10 cm so no problems there. I don;t know if the rhd steariing and braking installation will cause any troubles.
We think the intake manifold may clash with the LHD brake master, but we are not sure.

I think this is a very nice engine for the 360 since it will not be to hard on the drivetrain, unlike turbo's...

On Turbobricks you can order a chip which will caust it to gain another 20 hp ans 20 Nm... that should make the car quite fast...

I'd say GO FOR IT!

Post by **foggyjames** » 17 Jul 2007 01:43 am

The 16v lump will fit just fine, and it's an excellent engine. You'll have to do some tinkering to make it fit, and it's debatable whether or not it's worth the extra hassle over a mildly tuned 8v, given that that's pretty much a bolt-in....but I bet it makes for a nice drive. Having said that, without radical work (or a turbo!), it's never going to be awesomely fast - so you arguably might be better off doing an easy job (2.3 8v) and getting a nice performance boost, or going turbo and going really fast.

It's an interesting question regarding why they didn't make it for long. It was effectively replaced with the B230 light pressure turbo, so I guess that engine made similar power (less bhp, more torque) with better emissions, using less fuel*, and perhaps most significantly at lesser cost. Those are the things car manufacturers care about. *is highly debateable!

A top end gasket set is £140 from Volvo, and depending on who you believe the head was designed by Cosworth or Porsche (I'd say the latter, as it's very similar to the whiteblock head, which was definitely a Porsche designed unit), so you can bet they had to pay a hefty licensing fee. I've also heard that they had problems making them stay oil-tight.

cheers

James

Post by **bodejodel** » 17 Jul 2007 04:03 pm

Don't forget that Fredrik (on turbobricks) offers a nice set of chips which will add about 20hp and 20 Nm...
Combined with dropping the balance shafts and adding adjustable cam gears, a nice airfilter and a good exhaust you should easy be able to reach 180+ bhp and 230+Nm. Not bad for a N/A engine...
Without the risk of twisting up your driveline with the insane low end torque a Turbo engine gives I think this is a very nice option.

I just love the way my engine revs almost all the way up to 7000 rpm... (yes, I know the redline is way before 7000rpm...

)

Post by **foggyjames** » 17 Jul 2007 07:05 pm

I take it Fred's chips raise the limiter? That'll be most of your 20bhp then

Getting rid of the tiny Mitsubishi turbo is actually a good way preserve your drivetrain. Swapping to a turbo which spools 1000rpm later, and raising the limit of where the car makes power will not only make the car faster, but kinder on the drivetrain, as long as you don't abuse it.

cheers

James