Volvo 200 series

[Van Hoof]

Right... this may sound a bit of a cop out, but the guy that had a volvo 340 to sell me has not been able to put it through an MOT for me due to rust. I've got to sort out a car very soon and am interested in a 240 on ebay at the moment.

Just after some information from here, as I haven't been able to find a 200 forum with the same kind of information as on here.

Do they have sprung suspension or leaf (ie, if I lower it will I need lowering blocks... are they the same as the 300 if so?)
What engine's can be put in it? Can it take the same Renault engines, can it take the 740 engine etc?
What wheels can it take?
I'm still looking to make the car drift worthy, but I'm not looking to destroy it.

Any advice greatfully recieved guys.

Thanks

Ben

Oh and happy New Year.

[jtbo]

Renault engines are quite hard to fit to 200, but you can put almost any engine from B200 to B280 and also some have installed T5 engines.

Most common is B23 or B230 with turbo. 700 and 900 engines should fit.

There is coil springs at rear and at front. Wheels do have 5 bolt pattern, so 300 wheels won't fit.

200 is heavier, but it has stronger driveline. It is different to drive, but sure many use it for drifting too.

[Van Hoof]

Thanks mate, that's a lot of what I needed to know.

I need to look into this more, as it's also going to be my daily driver and only car...

Thanks
Ben

[classicswede]

240 will drift well. I do loads of bits for the 200 aswell so no need to warry about getting bits.

[foggyjames]

240 turbos were sold in LHD markets, but the standard downpipe won't clear the steering column on a RHD, so some custom work is required. B230 Turbo swap has been done a number of times in Australia, so it can't be that hard

If you get a GLT model, they're not so slow from the factory.

cheers

James

[classicswede]

RHD 240 turbo is a bit of a no brainer imo - I would stick to LHD for it. With the R sport package for the RHD 240 you have problems with overheating brakes ond the exhaust hitting the steering colum. These problems can be sorted but LHD is much better.

[foggyjames]

I'm surprised that the master cylinder setup is much closer than it is on a 740. Exhaust wrap? I'd have thought it was easier than finding a LHD in this country, but I know you've got a couple

cheers

James

[classicswede]

LHD is much better you can use all bits off a 7 or 9. If doing the conversion on RHD I would suggest no1 fitting poly engine mounts to hold it place. Its also probably going to be worth making axtra sheiling for the servo and if possible a well made manifold to solve the problem. The R sport manifold is different from a 7 series one to clear the steering colum.

The other oprion to consider is a 16valve conversion.

[jtbo]

That is really PITA this RHD thing, maybe lifting engine straight would give enough room? I know it has done to few cars, but I'm not sure what things that required, I think it did has something to do with oil lines or something, but too long when I did read from it.

[foggyjames]

I believe the 8v head may not be oiled properly (or indeed clear the bonnet!) when mounted upright.

cheers

James

[jtbo]

I believe the 8v head may not be oiled properly (or indeed clear the bonnet!) when mounted upright.

cheers

James

It wont indeed, there was some modification that they made to it to get oil thing right.

Bonnet bit, I just have no slightest idea, 300-series no way, don't know if space is as little with 200-series then. Most of these changes have been done to older cars, Amazon and 140-series.

[Fuse]

Yeah you need to make some modifications to rocker cover to prevent the oil escaping from various areas. Otherwise in time it will cause the same problems the first PRV engines had with lubrication of the camshaft. (Was later improved on B280)

Basically it just needs walls on the rocker cover, such, that oil wont escape from the cam when engine isn't running, so it will be lubricated instantly when engine is started.

This one guy at our local Volvo meet had a B23 turbo in his 144 and engine was fitted upright position.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... %20002.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... %20005.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... %20010.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... %20001.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... %20012.jpg

It was in full project condition, everything was dirty, no interior, he just had got it running so mapping wasn't quite complete etc.. but damn it was still quick. It had MS and 1000cc injectors. Still ran surprisingly good idle. Short vid where I just missed the launch and some 10 meters of rubber burning through the parking lot. Damn compact cameras with their clip size limitations.. http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/v ... 06/144.avi

[classicswede]

The other problem you wil then have after turning the engine is the inlet manifold would then be tight against the strut presenting another problem - again solvable.