While in the local P&P today I came across a 88 760T.I. that had been T-boned. The odometer had less than 67k on it and the car really looked that young. It got me to thinking of grabbing the turbo motor and installing it into my 1992 245. What are the brain-trusts thoughts on this project? I could probably get the motor for right around $200 or so...

What all should I grab, and what will I need that won't be present on the donor car?

I know quite a bit has been written on this topic, but I couldn't seem to find a definitive answer...

turbos generate a lot more heat and your viscous fan will not cut it.

the 2 i have done incorporated the heavy duty electric cooling fan from a 92-95 940 turbo. this fan does the job well but requires some meaningful fusing and wiring changes to handle it properly plus a sensor radiator mounted

i have a done a couple and its not that hard.

the turbo engine will drop in with no clearance issues. i suggest leaving the automatic transmission in place or using the heavier aw 71 turbo model. also a bolt in.

the big issue is the wire harness and ecu and ignition computers. grab the ecu and icu from the turbo car.

in order to use the 92 harness you will have to change the injectors to orange tops from amid 90's 850.

you will need to grab the intercooler and make room for it in the 240 nose.

you WILL have to use the distributor from the 92 240 and install it in the block of the turbo engine removing at the same time the head mounted diz and then plugging that hole in the back of the head. the intermediate shaft should already be in the turbo engine.....ie: the pulley is inplace the t belt rides on.
a new header pipe of course and larger exhaust system.

if you keep the auto trans its not all that difficult

you will want injectors off one of these models: orange tops

1994 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Sub model: Turbo
1995 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Sub model: T-5R
1995 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Sub model: Turbo
1996 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Sub model: R
1996 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Sub model: Turbo
1997 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Engine base: 2.3L L5, Sub model: R
1997 Volvo 850 Fuel Injector Engine base: 2.3L L5, Sub model: T-5

all 850 turbo and T5-R have orange-top 315cc injectors....using these negates the need for a resistor pack

you can if you like grab the turbo from the 850 t5 which will give you more power than the one on the 760. or leave it as is. i prefer the mitsubishi turbos to the garrets but that's just me. i think they spool faster lower down.

Question:

I forget. Which turbos are on which cars? Or do both models have some cars that use Mitsubishi and some Garrett?

Thx!
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon 214k, 90 244 DL 300k

http://www.nuceng.ca/bill/volvo/database/turbos.htm

I am very glad to be wrong on this one. Gives me hope when we build the LeMons car. LH 2.4, 230FT with an AW71 would be a pretty good combo. Particularly if we got the motor from one of the models with the Mitsubishi turbo like my 1990 760 had.

Oddly, the most successful Volvo racers is running a bone-stock B230F and M46 with the 4.10 gears (forgot which car he got it from) welded up as a poor mans locker...and it is a wagon! He wins, or nearly wins, by staying on the track and not getting penalties. Of course, he regularly losses to a 3-cylinder Geo Metro with the same formula...

time and speed is always lost when mating a manual trans to a turbo powered car.

i know its more 'male' and more fun to drive but the reality is the auto trans shifts infinitely smoother and faster than having a clutch. when you add in the enormous turbo spool rate per minute a great deal of the sweet range of power is lost shifting manually.

just my opinion

Thanks for the info!

I will have to look at the 850s in the scrapyard, i'm not sure if they were turbo'd or not.
Why do you suggest the automatic over the manual? The main reason I ask this is I also just acquired a 91 245 w/ the M47 that I was going to use as a donor for a swap. I own five cars and all of them are autos...its drivng my left foot crazy!!! I had intended on having the M47 looked at/ overhauled prior to installation in the 1992 245. I just figured this would be a great time to do it all together.

i say keep the automatic because volvo never offered a manual in north america except the m46 electric over drive that can handle a turbo engine.

you have 3 choices if you want a clutch. find an m46 from a 740 and sort out all of the wiring issues not mention the clutch pedals and insundries, import an M90 manual from europe ....try england from a 940 car or opt for a 5 speed mustang from the early 90's late eighties.

if you opt for the mustang you also need to take the 1 piece complete driveshaft.

you will then need t have made or make yourself an aluminum mating plate between the front of the mustang 5 speed and the rear of the volvo bellhousing AND a plate between the rear of the mustang driveshaft and the volvo rear axle.

What are the weaknesses of the M47? Slow synchros or just undersized for the power output? Has anyone attempted the M47& B230FT combo before to your knowledge? (Im sure someone has just wondering if you knew the results) I would really like to use it as I already have one waiting to get used!
This car is just gonna be a mild workhorse/ driver.. not a track car.

Search this site for the various failures of the M47 in punny 114 HP 203F's and you will quickly understand. Just from memory, it has syncro issues and a problem with 5th gear wanting to go crunch. The series II are better and overfilling is strongly suggested.

See Turbobricks.com!
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Try the easy to searchExpanded Style FAQ Index

This is not a bolt-in switch. The B230FT was never installed in the 240. I suggest that you hit up Turbobricks as this is their bread and butter.

From what I (vaguely) remember there is a significant, but not insurmountable, clearance issue on the exhaust side.