I want more power out of my '84 240 DL. One option I have been looking into is adding a Garret T3 turbo from IPD to it. I have gotten many opinions on this ranging from "sure; that will work" to "hell no; your engine will explode". Any opinions or personal experience out there? Thank you for any help.

It would cost more than it would to sell the DL and buy a turbo. Drop a small block V8 on top of some diesel springs if you want horses and are made of money!

Mark

You can't just buy a turbo and add it to your engine. You need an exhaust manifold from a 2/7/9 series turbo. For your engine, I think the best option for simply adding a turbo would be to find a good used turbo/manifold/IC/etc. from a '90-'95 B230FT. This gets you a smaller turbo which will build boost quicker and a better flowing manifold. You might be able to run 10+ psi with the turbo fuel system and ignition system, but on the stock LH2.0, I'm not sure what level of boost it could support.
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Volvo 240 Links | Parts For Sale | Volvo 240 Racing

A B23FT from an '83-84 760T is your best bet. Should drop right in with a few minor modifications.

The 240 turbos of this vintage had a turbocharged B21 and used the old K-jet mechanical injection system. IOW, a direct engine swap is not possible without a great deal of work. The B23FT is is also (obviously) a bigger motor, and is more powerful.

-=Bob=-

I wrote up some of the details in an article in the mods section of Turbobricks (www.turbobricks.org) a few years ago. People have done this. Volvo used to sell a turbo conversion kit. You just run lower boost. But it will add stress and you should not expect your tired 200,000 mile motor to run another 200,000 miles after you turbocharge it.

The best thing is to sell your car and buy a good turbo car. The next best thing is, of course, a complete late model or new turbo motor and all necessary accessories. The next best thing is as many used turbo motor parts as you can get, such as the head/turbo/injection/ignition/etc. The final option is to just salvage what you can and adapt it to work on your existing motor -- this will require pretty much what I outlined in the article.

Philip Bradley

Let's just free associate for a few minutes . . . I'm retiring my 85 244 Turbo. (I'm being kind here - junking and stripping this rusty tractor.} Engine has 120K, turbo rebuilt by Majestic about 30K ago. Still a fast car, but body, steering rack, master cylinder, and more are on the way out. It seems like a lot of work for you, but would you be interested in the whole package -intercooler, fan shroud and brackets, turbo, engine, alternator, manifolds, cat, muffler, ECU, etc? I either hate to waste anything of value or need a lot of therapy. Your call.

I am also curious as to where this car is. If you are near the California Bay Area, I may be interested in the whole car if that is a possibility, (as long as it still runs like you say it does). I am now living at the UC Santa Cruz campus but still call Menlo Park my home,(about 30 mi. South of San Francisco). Let me know if you live in the area. Thanx. -Logan

Just curious, where is this car?
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Volvo 240 Links | Parts For Sale | Volvo 240 Racing

The standard Volvo turbo engine has dished pistons to lower the C/R so the boost doesn't send it through the roof.

The standard Volvo turbo head uses a different exhaust valves.

The standard Volvo turbo engine has a hole in the block to accomodate the oil return pipe from the turbo. A non-turbo block has no such hole.

Sure, you could add a turbo to your motor with enough time 'n money. If you do it wrong, your engine will explode (after spending oodles of money). Why not simply buy a turbo car or an entire turbo engine and drop it in?
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Sure you can add a turbo unit if:

Engine and components are strong enough to support it - i'd be careful adding a turbo to a higher mileage weak drivetrain (engine, transmission, differential, etc.). The odds of failure are higher if parts are old and weak and have not been subjected to the additional forces the turbo adds.

Parts are all compatable and professionally installed - 'mickey mousing' components to make it all work almost guarantee it won't.

If I were going turbo i'd start with a fresh machined engine block and put in quality components from square one. Yes, this could add $1000-$1500 to the conversion cost but the cost of frequent repairs due to a poorly done job could be higher in the long run.

I'm sure others will have more experiences to post.

Kevin - 1980 242GT (who knows - maybe turbo someday...)

How about an V8, if you need power, wont cost more than what your looking at allready. Good Luck

A very inexpensive do-it-yourself V8 conversion will be at least $3000. Most cost more. A turn-key swap from Converse is in the $6-10K range depending on what's done to the engine. Not cheap.
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Volvo 240 Links | Parts For Sale | Volvo 240 Racing

"How about an V8, if you need power, wont cost more than what your looking at allready."

The last time I checked, a proper V8 conversion cost in excess of $5000. He could probably buy a used B23FT for under $500 and it would be a direct swap.

-=Bob=-