B230 Turbo clear-out

[foggyjames]

We're having a bit of a purge of old B230 stuff, ready for the next phase of Ryan's 740 project. Here goes...

Engine bits!

1989 B230ET block - circa 200k miles - £50
-Rod size unknown...*could* be 13mm...can confirm on request.
If memory serves correctly, there's nothing much wrong with this, but it's done a few miles and breathes a little heavily (a bit of blow-by). It was removed to allow a fresher B230FK (with new seals) to be installed, but it still ran (and quickly) when it was taken out. I was planning to put it in my 240 as-is until I realised just how rusty that car was! There's a vote of confidence! On the other hand, it'd be an ideal candidate for someone planning an ET rebuild.

1997 B230FK block - circa 100k miles - £100
-13mm rods, oil squirters, and turbo oil drain hole reamed and tapped for 3/4" NPT fitting.
Nothing wrong with this one - ran very nicely last summer at circa 300bhp. Only being removed for installation of a B230 with H-beam rods and forged pistons.

1989 531 turbo head - circa 205k miles - £75
-Stock, no cam
Like the B230ET block (above) it was originally partnered with, this head has done a few miles, and although it's perfectly usable as-is, in an ideal world it would benefit from a rebuild...specifically it has been seen to blow a small puff of oil on gear changes, so stem seals and valve guides may need attention. However, let's not get carried away...this head was in regular use last summer and the slight wear is really not a big deal...I'm being fussy, here.

It's covered about 5k more miles than its original block, as it has been fitted to the two B230FK blocks listed above since early 2007. It's in excellent condition in general - very clean inside, and was (very) lightly skimmed before its last installation.

1997 530 turbo head - circa 70k miles - £75
-Stock, T cam
This unusually low mileage and excellent condition head came from the 1997 B230FK I'm (very slowly) putting in my 360. I swapped it for a rebuilt 531 I came across, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and it's surely one of the best 530s you could find today?

I think that's all. I'll be happy to get pics of anything anyone wants to see. The engine bits look pretty boring, mind you!

cheers

James

[mrborrie]

B230ET has the skinny rods, but is a awesome engine non the less if you where local i'd get it!

[foggyjames]

Probably, yes...but it's not out of the question...there are some 1990 blocks out there with 13s. This was much debated back in the day, and the manufacture date doesn't seem to have that much to do with it...some later blocks (early 91) had 9s, while some older ones (early 90) had 13s.

Ryan's was a strange car...very late pre-facelift 740...so has ABS, but a B230ET. If it was 6 months older, I'd just say it has 9s...but it is as least possible this has 13s. I'd measure them before I'd scrap it, anyway!

cheers

James

[Hell Driver]

Would any of these be useful in my proposed Mk 1 project or would I be best of finding a running engine to swap as has been done recently by L14 MNP? I've still got to get my head round the various engine numbers and specs and what what fits what!
(still to decide for definite which way to go with the car but I'm collecting bits, just got windscreen 2day)

[mrborrie]

volvo is wierd like that

[foggyjames]

Hi Andy,

Remind me what you're planning to do with the mk1, engine wise...? Last time I checked it was getting the complete driveline from the GLS...possibly with a 2.3 engine on the front....either on the standard carb, or a set of sidedrafts...? In that case, a non-turbo (higher compression) engine would be a better choice than any of these bits...although the 531 head might be of interest.

All of these bits are for 2.3 turbo engines, and are originally from 740s and 940s.

The B230ET was fitted to 740 and 760 Turbos up to 1989. It was the highest power 8v turbo Volvo made, at 182bhp (the 940 Sport made 190bhp on 'overboost', but I'm not counting that), but had weaker con-rods than later (1991+, generally) engines, and lacked the piston cooling oil squirters that were introduced in 1994 or so. In other words, the block itself was a bit pants...but everything bolted to it (head, cam, turbo) was about as good as it got from the factory. The block is still good up to 300bhp, mind you. "Pants" is a relative term!

The B230ET was fitted with the fabled "531" head. In truth, there's not much difference between the 531 and 530 (inlet port shape, mainly), but it's worth choosing one over a 530 if you have the option...but probably not worth spending hundreds on a professional rebuild if you have a perfectly good 530 on the shelf.

The B230FK was the "light pressure" turbo engine fitted to all 1995+ 940s not explicitly badged as "Turbo" models. The engine is essentially identical to the B230FT aside from the wastegate actuator. The 1995+ block is the "best" factory block, in my opinion*. We tend to use FKs as they should have had an easier life than an FT...not that the FT is exactly under stress!
* The B23ET engine found in the 1984 760 Turbo (one year only) is probably the best option...but you try finding one in good condition!

The 530 head is the standard cylinder head. This one might as well be saved for someone who has failed to maintain their 940 Turbo, and now had a badly corroded head...it's no upgrade on a normally aspirated engine!

If you are now looking to put a 2.3 turbo in the 343, you could do a lot worse than buying that £100 B230FK, and bolting either of those heads onto it. The 530 is probably better value, especially given that a standard B230FT would break a 360 drivetrain with a little effort...so the 'advantage' of a 531 would be lost! You might as well buy a head in great condition for the money, rather than buying the 531, and then having to shell out for a rebuild. Of course if you fancy a bit of DIY...!

I'm sure we can have a chin-wag if you're serious about wanting turbo power. Given what's lurking in the garage (5x B230 turbo, one capable of 600+bhp), you've come to the right place

cheers

James

[Hell Driver]

Thanks, just digesting all the info, I think I would like to go down the turbo route, so I'll be in touch soon!

[finn]

hi guys just payed for a 2.3 8v turbo engine out of a 740 1994 any 1 know wot engine code that would be as i have not picked it up yet

[foggyjames]

Well there shouldn't be such a thing as a 1994 740, as they stopped production in 1992...but assuming the year is correct (and it's a 940, or a late-sold 1990+ 740), it'll almost certainly be a B230FT...165bhp, with a Mitsubishi TD04-13C turbo and LH2.4 management.

If it's a 740 Turbo from 86-89, it'll be a B230ET...182bhp, with a Garrett T3 turbo and Motronic (v1) management. More power out of the can, but much harder to tune.

cheers

James

[finn]

i think its a 740 but i only had 10mins look at it it on a Lreg i just look to see if it woz a red block turbo and said yer at £100 got it off some banger racers do you know if i need any other parts to fit it in my b200e 360

[foggyjames]

On an L plate it'll almost certainly be a 940...although they're pretty much the same thing. Are you sure it's a 2.3? 2.0 turbos were very common around that age.

You need to swap the water pump, oil pump and sump from the 360, and possibly a few other minor objects I'm forgetting about now...like engine mount brackets!

You'll need to remove the wiring loom. I suggest you use a Haynes manual and plenty of patience. May well be better to remove the entire loom, then cut out the bits you don't need later. Trying to do that in the car might just drive you insane!

cheers

James

[finn]

thanks for the info yer know all of that i woz just being sure as i never fitted one before wot the deal with the engine mounts its the same block ant it i am takeing it out 2moz morning he said its defo a 2.3 thay have got a few volvo turbo engines as thay do not banger race with turbo engines as thay are too much trouble cracking turbos and boost pipe

[foggyjames]

Yeah, the block is the same, but the aluminium brackets which fit between the mounts and the block are different.

cheers

James

[finn]

have you done a b230ft engine swop in a 360 the wireing loom looks like a nightmare you will have a friend for life if you can help

[foggyjames]

No...I've been "working on" one for about the last 8 years...in a very casual manner, in-between lots of other things! So far the engine is the on the stand, and the shell is bare of any drivetrain!

My advice would be either a) to remove the complete loom from the car, then start cutting away things you don't need with the help of a Haynes manual (preferably somewhere warm and well lit...i.e. indoors!), or b) to pull the loom from a late 240 (J-plate onwards?) with a B200F or B230F engine, which is essentially the same, but far less "integrated" than on a 940. There are only a handful of wires which are linked to the main loom, and they're all inside the car. You'll need to extend the air mass meter wiring to the turbo side (as there were no 240 Turbos on LH2.4 management...and none at all in the UK anyway), but other than that they're basically identical. Use the 940 ECUs, of course!

cheers

James