2.3 conversion - Worth the hassle?

[robinxr4i]

Right basically my 360 is woefully underpowered. I would like to put in a b200 or b230 turbo at some point, but I'm aware of clearance issues with turbos/engine mounts, exhaust down pipes and managment that ATM I'm not up for sorting out.

However I've been offered a n/a 240 estate with a b230 engine, is it worth putting a straight b230 into the 360? Anyone on the site done it and is the increase in power and torque noticable?

Thanks

Robin

[classicswede]

If it is a good 2.3 then yes it is worth doing the swap. Is the 2.3 carb or injection. If injection which type mechanical or efi? If mechanical it is a bit more involved doing the swap. With the 2.3 na you can get even more again with cams and carbs etc. If some basic mods you can get to turbo power levels.

[SteveP]

Depends, if it's a 240 with mechanical fuel injection (K-Jet) you'll have fun with engine management, same with a later LH2.4 lump really - you're again stuck with management. I'd say better to fit a turbo lump, clearance and swapping the 360 conversion parts over is easier than sorting the fuelling/injection system anyway.

Or if you want to stay N/A the 16v 740GLT engine will be nice 2.3 155bhp

[Skidracer]

Well, an engine swap is only really worth it if get more power out of it, right? A standard b23 without at least cams and a little bit of work feels sluggish even in a little toyota starlet....

If you can find one, a b234 (16v) could be a nice option. Head looks really nice to. (although mine looks a bit dusty ) Well made, big ports, etc. Should easily get you 170 bhp with a bit of attention to detail. The only downside to the b234 is that tuning parts aren't easily available for that head in the uk. So if you want more after a while. you might have to look for parts from scandinavia or the u.s.

On the other side, a b230ft (8v turbo) should slot in there nicely with the exception of the turbo & manifold. That's easily solved though. Go on ebay or turbobricks, and sort yourself an aftermarket turbo manifold. Maybe this one? put it on upside down, or try to source a genuine topmount manifold. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VOLVO-24 ... 2258wt_941

If you can, try to find an engine donor with a gold ecu, rather than a black one, as you gan get chiptuning for the gold ignition box. All fuel ecu's can be chiptuned. No matter which engine you choose, LH-2.4 from a 240 is a plug&play loom for any b23 version & ecu. It's what's normally used for conversions on 240, 740, & 940's.. As long as you know which wires to join to the car, the rest should be fairly straight forward.


Anyway, after doing a conversion, your problem should be putting the power down, rather than be slow. Good luck!

PS. These are the different ecu's you'll be looking for:

Gold ign-box. remappable. 94ft Black ign-box. No remap. '93ft


My current stock. (not for sale... )
93ft ign , 94 ft fuel, 94 ft ign
91 16v ign 91 16v fuel.

[robinxr4i]

It's an EFi so I'm guessing its a bosch system.

Thanks skid racer Think I might ditch the 2.3 idea (seems like a fair amount of work for basically no gain) and just go for a turbo! Seems to be the way forward/sideways