Basically if you want power in 300-series it doesn't matter much do you have a 1.4 Renault or Volvo B200E originally under the hood because everything from the power line behind the engine has to be replaced when you start putting out some serious hp numbers.

What comes to classic status in factory models, I like them all. I mean a worn standard spec 340DL and a worn standard spec 360GL are just equally dull cars for me. But early MK1 343 in mint condition and a late model 360GLT in mint condition, both appeal to me in same way.

And redblock turbo 300-series are being done. There are more turbo redblock 300-series around here and in Sweden than ones built with Renault engines. Still quite little if you compare to built 200-series, but that's just because many car builders in here consider the 300-series being an inferior vehicle and not worth to be built because it'll be so much easier with the 200-series HP wise.

I guess that's the same reason why most people there choose the Renault 16V, it's "simpler" and you don't have to worry about the drive line issues that much. With redblock turbo you'll get easily to power levels when you start breaking gearboxes and diffs just by flooring the pedal in 3rd gear etc... in that point most people switch to 200-series or some other car where there are more "bolt-on" bits available. But I think that's just too easy and dull option.

Chris_C wrote:

trabitom99 wrote:an early B19-engined 360 GLT - supposedly much revvier than the later B200s - I'd love to see what the difference is in practice! Early 360s had very few toys, even in the UK, so less weight ...

The carb'd B19 wants to rev less than a B200E but is streets ahead of a B200K, I'd also like to try this and the D16 (and a 440TD conversion...)

You're both welcome to come to the Highlands anytime to have a shot in my B19E GLT. Fun roads too

Don't tempt me It's the one part of the North I think I'd like!!! I could even bring your speakers (I'll get onto that buddy, it had slipped my mind again)

You missed the Snowman this year, but come up next winter and give it a blast!

Ronnie wrote:You're both welcome to come to the Highlands anytime to have a shot in my B19E GLT. Fun roads too

Sounds like a fantastic offer May have to take you up on that ... one day.

Having travelled 700kms in the vario over German motorways last weekend I have to say that, as much as I love the 340s agility in town, and on twisty roads, the autobahn is definitely a 360s realm. Quieter, faster, and more economical, as the engine doesn't have to work so hard.

^^ aha but have you 1.7'ed the autoban
having done 1000miles on a trip in the 1.7 i can say its pretty comfy erm quiet..not mine lol, was quite nippy though

this said i think 360's are better daily's and 1.4 mk1's are very cool retro.

Ronnie,I concur.
19's pull like a schoolboy,B200's don't.

Leastwise that's what I found in V360GLTs I drove.
Both MK2s.

sven360 wrote:Ronnie,I concur.
19's pull like a schoolboy,B200's don't.

Leastwise that's what I found in V360GLTs I drove.
Both MK2s.

Aye, I've had 2 Mk3's, and one Mk2 and that was my experience too. More power at high revs, quicker throttle response.

germ wrote:^^ aha but have you 1.7'ed the autoban

Not yet, maybe one day

Tom

All standard 300s are pretty weak, engine wise.

I think the "valver" has become popular both because it's simple (and pretty elegant) and - most importantly, I think - fashionable.
"My Volvo has a Clio Williams engine" is far cooler than "My Volvo has the turbo engine from one of the big estates"...which most people still associate with being slow and old...despite the turbo clearly being able to deliver a good hard spanking to the valver.

The awkward drivetrain, the lack of decent drop-in management (although LH2.4 from a 240 isn't bad at all to un-pick), and the lack of a pre-built NA engine which does the business (for a 360) are all problems. Sure, the turbo versions kick-ass, but NA is much simpler, generally more reliable, etc. A B200 +T on standard boost would get beaten by a 2.0 16v 340...so it's gotta be something a bit hotter. A B230 turbo with chips, a slightly larger turbo (15G from a T5, for example), chips, and a bit more boost would do the job.

To be honest, though, I think most of it is fashion. Having a Williams powered 340 is pretty damn cool.

cheers

James

Hmm, NA engine for 360 might be B234F it has 150hp, but of course it has not fashion factor.

Two problems: Firstly, finding one. Secondly, unless I'm very much mistaken, it doesn't fit a RHD car easily...

cheers

James

Couple days trip with a car to here http://www.jb-bildemo.se and we'd have planty of B234F's or any other Volvo stuff that matter. I should really go sometime.. prices are so much cheaper than in Finland.. You'll find plenty of 16V heads, engines, full bilstein suspensions etc... for so cheap it'll make you laugh.

That JB-bildemontering in Jönköpning is a large junk-yard with _a lot_ of Volvos, plenty of newer models too and there are Volvo test vehicles there also but usually you're not allowed to take any parts from those. One guy at the finnish Volvo-forum visited there and there was a complete body of the Volvo manufactured S90-limo prototype with full interior etc... but it had no VIN numbers or anything so they wouldn't sell it, it was going to be cut in pieces they said.

Of course there are plenty of other places to go but that's one of the largest I think. http://www.bildelsbasen.se/?artid=art_get_companies just take a pick...

I remember seeing pictures of that place - with the limo. Awesome!

cheers

James

And I forgot to add that if someone's new with redblocks and wants to boost their redblock 300-series but with something else than the stock B200 block with weak conrods, I'd start with something simple and not-so expensive, because if (and when) you'll break something it doesn't kill your budget instantly if your base engine is for example B21/B23 block with stock internals, new bearings, seals etc... normal maintainance stuff and maybe some mild headwork. With that kind of base engine equipped with for example Megasquirt and some good-sized turbo you can get to powerlevels which will kill every single stock part in the drive-line behind the engine.

At least in here you can get B19/B21/B23 blocks pretty much for free I would say and doing an overhaul for those blocks with stock internal parts isn't _that_ expensive so it's a good way to get familiar with these engines. Of course later model B230 will do the same thing but in here those again cost a bit more because usually they come with all the aux-devices and complete injection sets. A carbed B23 is a lot cheaper, but internals will handle the same.

Of course you can get a 2.5l 16V redblock with Nira i3+ or something similiar straight away but my point is that to reach for high HP-levels, many expensive parts aren't needed (though they might be cooler and have that wow-factor) straight away, because quite high HP-levels can be achieved cheaper too without sacrificing the reliability.