Hi! -

Post by **tommysb** » 18 Dec 2008 09:14 pm

Hi, I'm new to the site. Currently own a Volvo 850, but looking for something a bit sportier. Now, the 3 series are RWD, so, that's a good start.
What are my options in terms of getting the best performance/price ratio out of a 3 series? Can it be done on a shoestring? I'm only just learning about cars, but know a fair bit about electronics, and am willing to do a lot of work myself.

A turbo/super would be nice...I'm on a scrapyard budget though... Can it be done or am i delusional?

I'll admit, this is a bit of a pipedream, but if i have an idea of what can be done, well...it's more likely to happen!

Thanks in advance, any information would be good!

Post by **volvosneverdie** » 19 Dec 2008 12:48 am

Welcome to the forum man.

Be cheaper than other choices for a starting point anyway. I'll garuntee you that.

Post by **filthyjohn** » 19 Dec 2008 12:57 am

You can build a quick one for less than £500 if you're handy with the spanners. An F7P (clio 1.8 16v) can be bought for £100, and goes almost straight into a 1.7, not much more work for a 1.4.
Or you can spend £300 on carbs and manifold for a 2.0 360 for similar power albeit more weight.
Or you could buy a complete turbo engine for about £200 and wang that in, but you'd need megasquirt for management or similar.

Great choice for a cheap fast car with a bit of work, and awesome sleeper potential.

Post by **tommysb** » 19 Dec 2008 10:18 am

Thanks for the info guys.

So a plausible upgrade is to get a 1.7 3 series (340 or 360?) and put in the 1.816v engine from a clio?
My little knowledge suggests that an 100cc enginge size increase wouldn't deliver much more power...but,

I'm here to learn.

I guess that the engines from original 3series are kind of 'old' technology now, and newer engines can deliver more power for the same size?

PS. My dad used to have a 360GLE, maybe why i like them so much? Love the 80s era styling, to me they seem like a slightly more refined RWD escort mk2!

Post by **SteveP** » 19 Dec 2008 10:25 am

tommysb wrote:they seem like a slightly more refined RWD escort mk2!

Slightly?!

Depends on what space/skills you have. An F7P swap into a 340 is probably the easiest but 360's have far more potential for big power but require more work. However, I've always found the 360 to be more balanced and planted in terms of handling.

Post by **Chris_C** » 19 Dec 2008 10:04 pm

tommysb wrote:My little knowledge suggests that an 100cc enginge size increase wouldn't deliver much more power...but,

Same block, different head. Volvo detuned the 1.7 something chronic, the same engine in the 440 with a different cam (B18KP) makes 10bhp more. The extra rev range of the clio engine (whilst the 1.7 will rev round the clock, it doesn't breathe enough to make much sense) really does make a difference.

Post by **tommysb** » 20 Dec 2008 02:44 pm

filthyjohn wrote:Or you could buy a complete turbo engine for about £200 and wang that in, but you'd need megasquirt for management or similar.

What's megasquirt?

Post by **volvosneverdie** » 20 Dec 2008 02:49 pm

its what happens when a lady gets really, really excited.

That or a brand of engine managment system? Ecu jobbie.

Post by **tommysb** » 20 Dec 2008 03:19 pm

Cool, thanks, had a quick look on Google. Seems like a DIY jobbie. It's pretty handy that I'm studying electronics, looks like fun to me!

Post by **jtbo** » 20 Dec 2008 05:06 pm

tommysb wrote:Cool, thanks, had a quick look on Google. Seems like a DIY jobbie. It's pretty handy that I'm studying electronics, looks like fun to me!

I found it very simple, even I had not ever before soldered anything:
http://www.janiervast.com/gallery2/thum ... hp?album=9

With new version of Megasquirt you should be able to control ignition without extra board for flywheel decoder as it should be on board already.

Traction control, launch control all kind of stuff were possible alredy when I installed mine.

Post by **tommysb** » 20 Dec 2008 07:58 pm

Looks like this might happen sooner than I expected.....

Should be picking up a 340gl 1.4 with 30k on the clock tomorrow

Post by **volvosneverdie** » 20 Dec 2008 08:38 pm

good man.

and congratulations.

make sure you get some pics up too dude!

Post by **classicswede** » 21 Dec 2008 10:50 pm

If you have a 1.7 swapping it for teh 2 ltr 400 engine is very easy and the 16 valve conversion is not to much more work. if you know much about engine trasplants.
Handling is quite good when everything is in good nick and there are pleanty of things that can be done to improve that. Personaly I put handling before power but its upto you as to how you go about it.

Post by **tommysb** » 22 Dec 2008 01:54 pm

Got some pics of it....No Power steering.

The plan is to take it on this http://www.sucatarun.com/ then modify after that.

Post by **340GLT** » 22 Dec 2008 02:08 pm

Thats by far the best colour on a 300 IMO!!!! lol
Adam