B14 Performance

[Bazboy]

Hey guys I am guessing this has probably been bought up before but i haven't had much luck finding it, so here goes.
Im currently running a standard B14 340 dl (86) and i am loving it, Now i would like to know what kind of modifications i can do to the engine, not to get massive power gains but just enough to make the car a bit more nippy around town, I am a student so costs need to be cheap or if there is anything i can do for free lol(which i assume there isn't) even better.
Thanks for any ideas you guys have.

[Frits]

As you say.. no cheap modifications. Injection/ other carbs wil give a bit more BHP, but already expensive and a lot of time.

Better swap to a 1.7? cheapest way for the power you get I think

Edit: do you run a solex or weber carburator?

[Bazboy]

you gotta love this site, i posted minutes ago and allready a response.

I dont really wanna put a 1.7 in as im trying to keep the car fairly original. I wanna get some new wheels at some point but that is probably the furthest ill go with exterior mods.
I was just wondering if there was anything i could do along the lines of the airfilter or carb which would be a quick and cheapish job. I think i saw a car on here a little while ago which had an induction kit strapped onto the carburettor ill see if i can dig up a pic or something if you havent seen it.
I wanna do some bigger mods to the engine but will prob leave that for when im working and the volvo isnt my everyday car.
Cheers for your help.

[SteveP]

Is it a 4 speed? Change in a 5 speed box and you'll end up with a better diff for acceleration. My old 343 was slow, very slow... but other 5 speed 340's I've been in tend to be acceptable for what they were

[Bazboy]

yea its a 4 speed, how hard would it be to change to a 5 speed and much are they to buy?

[classicswede]

Changing to 5 speed would help. Probaly take a full day or maybe a weekend to do.

Free flowing exhaust would give some gain as a cheap mod. To improve inlet changing to a side draft card would improve flow. After that you would have to go into head work porting bigger valves ect but that would cost money.

Has anyone tried increasing the rocker ratio on a 1.4 to give more valve opening?

[foggyjames]

Do the box swap (and change that clutch output shaft while you're at it...did I mention that before...?! )....that'll give you much better 'bang for buck' than almost anything else.

The B14 is already relatively hot tuned for what it is.

Maybe get some alloys and relatively wide (195?) good quality tyres.

cheers

James

[Bazboy]

Sweet well all i need now is a 5 speed box a clutch shaft and about a weekends worth of free time, oh and not to mention some cash. Probably the hardest piece to get is going to be the time since i got loads of deadlines coming up lol.

So my next question is, where is a good place to get this stuff and what prices will i be looking at, and should i tell my insurance company???

[Pappa]

Uhm.. It's just an extra gear and a new clutch shaft. Unless insurance in the UK takes into account how many gears you have to calculate the premium you'll be okay. I bet there's no record on it actually having a 4-speed either.


And i like my 4-speed box Precise and easy changing, takes well to abuse, good gear ratios (3rd is a tad tall though).

[foggyjames]

I don't think it's something that your insurance company will care about. You could mention it...but emphasise that 4 speed boxes are hard to find if your original fails, etc

cheers

James

[Bazboy]

ok all i need now is the time and money lol, oh and the box/clutch shaft.

[foggyjames]

I have a spare 340 box without a diff...but that's probably not much help

cheers

James

[Bazboy]

can i not use the original diff from the 4 speed or will that not work. Also how heavy is the box and diff, cause when i do carry out the work i will prob have the car up on a small ramp and axel stands and cant think of a way to remove the box and lower it down if it weighs half a ton lol

[foggyjames]

4spd and 5spd diffs are different....plus, you really want the correct 3.82 diff if you want better accelleration. When you come to buy one, make sure it's from a 1.4, not a 1.7! I have a 3.92:1 diff-ed 4spd from an early 1.4 if all else fails. That will accellerate better, but a 5spd is preferable.

Luckily a 340 box will drop right out on a trolley jack, and the mounting arms make for useful hand-holds. 360 boxes are much less fun.

cheers

James

[Bazboy]

Sweet well ill get saving and once everything is in order i will place a request on the forums.

Cheers guys