Hi, Im new to the site, sent here from volvoclub.org.

Im 19nand liive in glasgow. Currently into vauxhalls, but looking to get a correct wheel drive car as a project next winter.

I was discussing cars with a mate, and we came to the conclusion that a volvo 340 was cheap, rwd, had decent weight distribution due to transaxle layout, handled well and would be a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing!

The plan is a T5 engined 340 with decent brakes and suspension, so Im looking for as much info as possible.

Im told the t5 conversins been done, in particular by someone called kev strong. Any pics?

I need to know what is required for rwd applications re sump etc, how well.beadly the engine mounts line up, what hoses you use etc.

im also looking for cheap brake upgrades. on vauxhalls, everything fits, ie my corsa project is getting brakes of a cavalier v6. Does this hold true, whats best?

does anyone do uprated shocks for a 340?

whats the best wheel/tyre size for handling??

Thanks for any info.

al.

Hi and welcome... lots of questions and I'm sure others will chip in and add to it.

I don't know how much you know about the 300 series, but the 340 has renault based engines and the 360 Volvo redblocks. Kev Strong has a 2.3 16v Turbo 360 producing about 375bhp (in 2003/4 anyway) - not a T5 engine however. The Volvo redblock engines are highly tuneable (as much so as the whiteblock T5 engines afaik). These are best using a 360 as your base car. I'm not sure if a T5 engine in a 360 has been done, although there is a 6 cylinder twin turbo 360 being built (960/S80 engine)

There are lots of options RE: Renault/Volvo turbo engines in 340s - the 1.7 turbo out of the 400 series being a good example. Good for over 200bhp, and huskyracer on here is the man to talk about with that one.

Shocks yes... classicswede is the suspension guy!

I'll let other people chip in, and avoid a huge post - hope this helps for starters anyway

So, starting from the beginning!!

I have a boat with a volvo penta b20engine in it, is this redblock, or even earlier?

T5 is whiteblock, I assume this is the most recent range?

what does it refer to, bellhousing patterns, or block shape or what?

My sum total 300 series knowledge is a friends car i did a little work on with a standard 1.7 engine.

The B20 is a redblock a generation before the redblock used in the 360 (I think) that was launched in 1982 with the B19 engine then the B200 engine. I believe the B19/B200 engine was the sucessor to the B20.

Anyway - whiteblock engines are basically a later design than the redblock engine, being all alloy and more efficient. A completely different range. I think someone however mentioned adapter plates being possible to use a T5 engine whilst retaining the original 360 drivetrain.

The thing is that bellhousings are usually an issue, but the 360 has the gearbox at the back. What i dont know is how the torque tube is connected to the engine at the front?

What is the difference between the 340 and 360?

All 300's have the clutch at the front and the gearbox at the back...

340 - Aluminium propshaft - rather weak, needs upgrading for more POWAH really. Even the standard 1.4 can abuse them.

360 - steel prop encased inside a torque tube, much stronger and apparently strong enough for respectable power. You shouldn't have too much issues with running say the standard T5 power of 225bhp through one.

If fitting a redblock turbo engine to a 360, then the bellhousing shouldn't be a problem - seeing as the engine is essentially the same, just out of a different model. Engine mounts and sump are the only headaches with fitting a more powerful turbo redblock. There are probably many more issues with fitting a T5 engine however. But don't let that put you off, a T5 engined 300 is an appealing concept!

Any pics of the bellhousing and clutch assy at the front?

is that the only different between the models, or were the boxes different, suspension etc?

Any ideas on common easy brake upgrades?

whats the story with sumps? Any pics of a 340/360 bay with the engine out?

i can take u a few pics of a 340 bellhousing, prop, gearbox and diff in the morning if youd like. im under the car then anyway trying to change the clutch. stupid torque tubes whats wrong with a bolt on prop shaft??

The 340 doesn't have a torque tube, the 340 has an aluminum prop!

that would be awesome mate. thanks a lot

For the route you want to take (ie. fitting a more powerful Volvo engine), you'll be best off with a 360 anyway - with the stronger drivetrain from the factory. I'm not sure but I think the 340 will have a different bell housing. So if you buy a 340, you'll end up having to swap 360 parts in anyway.

If increasing the performance of a 340 - I'd go for the turbo engine out of a 400 series or other Renault derived engines.

I know they are different, but the bellhousing pattern on the 340 will be the same as the 360, as will the egneral arrangement of the rear gearbox/diff and suspension. As a total volvo newbie, these will be useful lol.

What other differences are there between the 360 and 340, just the prop arrangement, or major shell differences?

Also, has anyone got any pics of a t5 engine, bellhousing face, and engine mount locations particularly?

what are ideal wheel and tyre sizes for decent handling?

You really don't need to go bigger than 14" depending from brakes you are putting in, I think that same age BMW 3-series has parts that could fit.

In racing wheel+tyre weight is intended to keep low as possible, only because large brakes they are using bigger rims.

Tyre profile should be low, of course stupid laws will restrict some, but I think that best size would be something 205/50-14 or lower profile if you can get some proper tyres. Toyo R888 might be good to start with, that is road legal semislick.

One thing you should make is to put more front camber, from factory it is not adjustable and I think it was something around -0.2 degrees. You like to get -2 or more negative camber at front to get car actually handle well. Also tirewear is lower then.

Of course these are more like racer opinions, than tuner stuff, but we always laugh to rice, right?

I think the only other differences are interior trim etc, which you probably won't be worried about, other than that the suspension is pretty much the same, the ARBs are different on the 340/360 as the 360 has more weight over the front and the rear leafs on the 360glt are slightly lower and stiffer but are easily swappable anyway, the main choice is going to be which engine route you want, 340 ---> renault + £150 for custom steel prop or 360 ---> volvo engine and spend the £150 you've saved on getting more power out of it
cheers
Ali

As Ali said, theres not much difference re 340/360 apart from the obvious engine/drivetrain. However, 360 rear brake drums are bigger also.