It appears that very soon I'll be able to actually afford to undertake a project I've been meaning to do for a good while. But first I'd like some opinions from you lot.

I've always wanted a car that is fun to drive, quirky (340 does this) but also very practical. Could take a fridge/door in the back. I've also always wanted a car I could actually sleep in. 340s are horrible for this.

In simplistic terms: Take one Volvo 240 estate, pull out the engine and replace with a big diesel with massive powaz giving an all-round fantastic practical tank. I already know the m90(Think thats the code) gearbox will mate up to the D5 so that's a viable option. Also it would be a really interesting conversion to show off at car shows as well.

Another option that's been nagging at me though is just a simple 240 2.3 with turbo conversion running LPG (With a big tank mounted sideways at the rear, so that I can still use it for sleepings)

I realise both of the conversions are likely to cost me close to a grand so they're both viable. I like the idea of keeping the redblock, but I lack experience in both LPG and the amazingness of the D5. Any advice is greatly welcomed.

Its like youre reading my mind dude.
But im hunting something completed.
Like an 940 lpg already done.
Be really interesting to see what ideas come out !

There were a couple of 240 LPGs listed last month but neither was perfect for me (one was everything I wanted with the 2.0L and the other had the tank mounted in a really horrible position). They're bound to crop up more and more. Can't even get a range rover without an LPG conversion now!

300's are super practical if you don't have a saloon....

For what it's worth, I've a feeling I know of a V90 LPGeeeee that either is for sale or will be soon.

Chris_C wrote:300's are super practical if you don't have a saloon....

For what it's worth, I've a feeling I know of a V90 LPGeeeee that either is for sale or will be soon.

What band of price man? ish

I'll make some enquires bud.

Agreed, but getting another 300 would just be boring Saloons to me are at least 20% more awesome.

A Hatch with a D5 however...

D24 turbo is very nice motor, I have seen 200hp tuned one with silly amount of torque and at least for me inline 6 does sound really good in diesel, also it is a lot easier to put into 200 or 900 as it has been there by factory.

edit: Hear it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1dSIiqdgrM

Chris_C wrote:I'll make some enquires bud.

Cheers man.

Only over been in one D5. Was very cool.

jtbo wrote:D24 turbo is very nice motor, I have seen 200hp tuned one with silly amount of torque and at least for me inline 6 does sound really good in diesel, also it is a lot easier to put into 200 or 900 as it has been there by factory.

edit: Hear it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1dSIiqdgrM

Considered it, especially with that sound but I've heard bad things aboot it. Headgaskets and the like. It could all be LIES though. Research needs to be done.

Edit:
After a short read it appears that they can be super reliable and go forever but can be sensitive to cold and heads can be dodgy. It's likely that a lot of daily useage will be to and from work, lots of cold starts so perhaps not the best engine suited to me. Also the mpgs aren't too good, only mid 40s?

Speedy88 wrote: Considered it, especially with that sound but I've heard bad things aboot it. Headgaskets and the like. It could all be LIES though. Research needs to be done.

Headgaskets and head cracks happen only by stupid users, flooring it before fully warmed up and shutting off without cooling off first, it is long head and it is easier to cause problems by abusing it, but with proper usage no issues, I have one d24 without turbo and I have driven a lot with it, never had such problems but I never did abuse it unless motor was fully warmed up, means oil is warmed up.

D5 will tolerate more of wrong usage, but then again why to own a car if one can't use it right

Indeed, I mean the Williams gets some gentle persuasion when I'm late for work but it's rare I'll even go over 3k (unless I miss a gear and make a mistake ). And I'm pretty sure the Williams is more sensitive than most engines. It's on the list of possibilities then There's a lot more info on TB about that conversion too.

The V90 to which Chris refers is mine, and it is true that I had intended to offer it for sale soon, but.....

It's just blown its heater matrix (relatively cheap but a royal PITA to change) and it seems the head gasket has blown which must have caused the matrix to fail. It's using water at a fair rate, pressurising the cooling system and there's evidence of water dribbling down the side of the block so it's safe to say the HG has gone.

I am currently unsure as to what to do with it as I paid £800 for it;

I've had an offer of £200 + parts for someone to do the HG so I could do that, fix the matrix and sell it on for about £1400 ish.

I could try and sell it as is with the faults disclosed, but I doubt anyone would give me anywhere near £800 for it.

I could break it for spares and sell the LPG kit (multi-point with donut tank) for, say, £400, Door cards £75, Dog Guard £30, Towbar £50, Clear rear lights £25, Headlining £30, A/B/C/D pillar covers in cloth £30, boring wheels £50 and then weigh the shell in for £200 and get my money back that way.

It would be a shame to scrap it as it is a tidy car, but I only got it as a cheap run-about to use while my S80 had some jobs done on it and it was going to be punted on anyway. I had thought about keeping it, but I actually (shock horror!) prefer the S80 to drive (just!) and my Mrs would rather us keep the S80 than the V90, so one way or another it has to go.

Oh thats easy then.
No good broke, and I cant afford it fixed.

The hunt continues.

I think you'll have massive complex issues with fitting a D5 to a 240... it'd make one hell of a car though! One thing I did think of was the 2.5TDS unit used in E36 3 series, E34 5 series BMW's, Range Rovers, Omega's and the like - standard 143bhp when fitted with an intercooler and chip takes it to 170bhp. Already the right way round, a fairly old simple (in diesel terms) unit so you'd "just'" have to fab some mounts and ensure the box can fit around the transmission tunnel, and a custom prop. No idea if it's at all plausible but it might be worth looking into! I had one in my old 3 series and it's a great, smooth lump, lots of torque and sounds great!

However, the D24 would be much easier I suspect, although definitely wont be as reliable or as nice an engine.

Do any VW group TD engines run in RWD configuration? Vans??

I'd also be weary of LPG if you want to keep running costs down, as it's rising in price 78p/litre here - ok still cheap compared to petrol/diesel but still!