Opinions on engine conversions? (especially from owners)

[djdafish]

Hi guys, My name is Edd and I'm new to the forum. I have for a long time been keen on building a fast Volvo. I'm not entirely sure as to why, but every car Ive had in the past has been a touch unusual. I've spent the past week or so reading through all the past threads about engine conversions and trying to remember all the important details. I am looking to buy a 300 series to be my daily driver, and also to do a few track days, maybe a little drifting. Dont get me wrong though I have no intention of stripping out the car, smashing it up and scrapping it as some seem to be keen on. This would be my daily driver and I'd want it to be nice

Essentially what I would like to know is what your opinions are as to which 300 series I should choose? for those who have 2.3 turbo converted 360's and those who have 1.8/2.0 Renault engined 340's can you tell me what you think would be the better choice? I am aware of the potential transaxle problems with the 2.3 turbo conversions, and this is one thing that sways me toward the 340/Renault build. Also If I were to find a 1.4 340 tax is cheaper

Can you guys give me any arguments to persuade me in any particular direction? The difficulties of the conversion are not such an issue as I have done many engine conversions before (I'm not saying I know the intricate ins and outs of these particular swaps, but I'm not a total numpty and I generally know what I'm doing). Any help is greatly appreciated.

[cheshire190e]

well just to let you know if you didnt already, gettin the 1.4 would leave for a difficult conversion as most of the water pipes and bellhousing etc is needed from the 1.7.

if you go down the renault conversion route id say its worth waiting for a 1.7 to come along

Matt

[340GLT]

I think for a bolt in conversion i would prefer the Renault route, i drive one as a dialy and its awesome fun. Nothing beats the looks on peoples faces as you scream past them in a 340 doing around 7k.
Its a neat conversion and with enough info is pretty hassle free.
The car is quick and not too bad on fuel for a daily.
Adam

P.S. Thats not to say a 2.3 turbo 360 isnt going to be as fun etc, i am building a T5 powered 300 myself so.....

[stuartB]

anyone ever squeezed a V8 in one of these? reckon theres enough space... might have to budge the rad forward a bit tho. need a nice soild prop and a rearmounted gearbox to suit..

front heavy but RAPID...

I might try it LOL. I wonder if my dad will notice if i swap engines with his landrover... hmm

No, seriously.. i was told the other day that LPG runs turbo'd at the same compresion as an NA! therefore, stick a 940 turbo kit on a 360 lump, leave the head gasket as is, then run a gas conversion. a little more power / response (only a little turbo) and a LOT of saving on petrol..

cant run the volvo 940 turbo on a renault lump tho, i guess... maybe renault do a turbo you could use. I also wonder if it would work with a supercharger.

any thoughts?

[kaos]

supercharging is an area im looking at for my 340 16v.

I was thinking while i was on the loo last night, about the rear end its leaf springs and a de dion beam. Now with that in my hand i was thinking "english axle" from an escort, eg mark 2, then im sure with that on the rear end a cosworth/pinto engine with gearbox should fit. make the mounts right etc. Im sure it would be doable with the time and money.


either way im happy with my 340 16v. but would love to try the 2.3 360 turbo.

[pistonpen paultje]

Why pinto/cossy if you can get BIG horses out of a Redblock?!

[SteveP]

Why pinto/cossy if you can get BIG horses out of a Redblock?!

+1 the redblock is like a good pinto

[kaos]

because i was looking at the english axle from the escorts, i automatically was thinking then about running the escort gear so its all one piece.

hence cosworth/pinto.

[germ]

^^ then why not run a v8? adapters are available i believe.

[kaos]

cor dear it was an IDEA. christ why not run sr 20/supra skyline gear

its all a matter of fitting the corect parts and some fab work.


jesus escort running gear with escort engine simple as simple as ticking a 1.7 engine in a 1.4.

[Jason B]

^ - pinto = fail regardless, but especially when compared with a redblock for bhp/£ fun. Pick the right redblock turbo and the internals are good for more than enough power for the 300's handling. I don't think fitting a pinto + english/whatever axle combo would be anywhere near as easy as sticking a 1.7 in a 1.4 (well, not if you do it properly). If you want a nice drivetrain then several options exist and I'd imagine would require less fab work than silly pinto swaps.

[kaos]

yes easier swaps exist.

it was only because i was thinkign of how the rear end is set up with the leaf springs hence the whole escort runing gear idea etc etc. that is all.


but the renault swap ina 340 is less hassle really the only thing that needs fabbing is an exhaust system.

[Chris_C]

I've thought about atlas axles a few times, but always gone off the idea as to make any use of them you'd have to convert to live axle over de dion, and I have a softspot for the de dion!

[classicswede]

No, seriously.. i was told the other day that LPG runs turbo'd at the same compresion as an NA! therefore, stick a 940 turbo kit on a 360 lump, leave the head gasket as is, then run a gas conversion. a little more power / response (only a little turbo) and a LOT of saving on petrol..

Ok the facts of the matter are you can run much higher CR with LPG compared to petrol before pinking becomes a problem. As to forced induction (supercharger or turbo) with low boost pressure you should get away with not dropping CR. The issue you do have is LPG does burn hotter so If runningvery high boost pressure you would need to run water injection for cooling. As for turbo cars you need to use LPG injection not carb set up.

[Ronnie]

I voted for the redblock conversion - but only because I have always been slightly Francophobic. A Volvo should have Swedish iron under the bonnet, even if it's Dutch... Jesus, this doesn't make any sense at all.