1989 740 Turbo Performance Upgrades

chickn4 · 12-01-2007, 10:38 AM

Guys,

Looking to get a bit more out of my 89 turbo. Car was run out of oil by previous owner so I have the engine torn down, getting bored oversized, oversized pistons and rings, .010 over main and rod bearings. Still do not know about the top end or the turbo (doesn't feel too sloppy).

As long as I am in it this far, what should I do internally for some more performance? I am not looking to go too crazy, but if there is something that is obvious or simple I would like to know about it. Once back together and I know things are working, I am interested in chips, intake, turbo mods, etc.

Any help appreciated.....

volvo 4 life · 12-01-2007, 11:58 PM

Search is the best advice I can offer.

Tick · 12-02-2007, 12:10 AM

While you've got it apart might go for a thinner hg or mill for higher compression. Search tight squish and somender singh's groove theory. Those are the cheap/free ones. Balancing, porting and polishing.. And it's been said, do some reading around here.

chickn4 · 12-02-2007, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the couple of responses. I am not certain what to even search. Thank you much for the specific search phrases. Will see what I can find. Tough, because posts are often too in depth for a beginner to figure out where to begin. I realize most the users are fairly advanced, but I am just getting into Volvo, turbo, and 4 cyls. I know there are guys out here and know every simple little thing to do....much like I would with a small block.

THANKS!

volvo 4 life · 12-02-2007, 10:39 AM

How much power are you looking for? If you want about 225whp then you don't need to port, polish, balance, or strengthen anything in the block or head. If you want higher compression you could switch the turbo pistons that are in there to flat top pistons from a normally aspirated B230. You would end up with a compression ratio of about 9.8:1 and some people on this sight are running that ratio on there turbo cars. The only benefit you have to the other pistons,(turbo) are that since they make the engine lower compression it is less prone to detonation. Another performance part you would find useful in making more power fairly easily is an upgraded camshaft. Some people like the volvo oem camshaft marked "K". It will give better top-end power,(~3,000rpm to redline) and pulls hard in the top end. Other people like the oem cam marked "A". This was the cam that volvo used on their turbo cars where there were no emmisions laws. It should increase power everywhere in the rpm range. Another choice is the IPD Turbo cam from IPD,(website:ipdusa.com). this cam should also increase power everywhere but has a higher lift than the "A" cam and I thing is a bit more aggressive. These are just three of the many cams that are out there just to give you an idea of a few of the most popular ones. Hope this helps and good luck with your build!

MikeHardy · 12-02-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo 4 life

If you want higher compression you could switch the turbo pistons that are in there to flat top pistons from a normally aspirated B230. You would end up with a compression ratio of about 9.8:1 and some people on this sight are running that ratio on there turbo cars.

230 didn't have flat tops, but the shallow dish ones will get you around 9.8 depending on the deck height of your block.

volvo 4 life · 12-02-2007, 12:11 PM

Sorry about that, I thought all NA redblocks had flat-tops. Oops.

MikeHardy · 12-02-2007, 12:14 PM

no only the higher compression 21/23's

aussyvolvo · 04-09-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravennexus

no only the higher compression 21/23's

is it possable to use b23e pistons in a b230fb? (not for me, but for a friend) would it make any differance to speek of?

MikeHardy · 04-09-2008, 07:01 PM

no they had shorter rods and taller compression height on the pistons

12-01-2007, 10:38 AM	#1
chickn4 Board Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winona, MN	1989 740 Turbo Performance Upgrades Guys, Looking to get a bit more out of my 89 turbo. Car was run out of oil by previous owner so I have the engine torn down, getting bored oversized, oversized pistons and rings, .010 over main and rod bearings. Still do not know about the top end or the turbo (doesn't feel too sloppy). As long as I am in it this far, what should I do internally for some more performance? I am not looking to go too crazy, but if there is something that is obvious or simple I would like to know about it. Once back together and I know things are working, I am interested in chips, intake, turbo mods, etc. Any help appreciated.....

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12-02-2007, 10:09 AM	#4
chickn4 Board Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winona, MN	Thanks for the couple of responses. I am not certain what to even search. Thank you much for the specific search phrases. Will see what I can find. Tough, because posts are often too in depth for a beginner to figure out where to begin. I realize most the users are fairly advanced, but I am just getting into Volvo, turbo, and 4 cyls. I know there are guys out here and know every simple little thing to do....much like I would with a small block. THANKS!

12-02-2007, 10:39 AM	#5
volvo 4 life Board Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colebrook, Connecticut	How much power are you looking for? If you want about 225whp then you don't need to port, polish, balance, or strengthen anything in the block or head. If you want higher compression you could switch the turbo pistons that are in there to flat top pistons from a normally aspirated B230. You would end up with a compression ratio of about 9.8:1 and some people on this sight are running that ratio on there turbo cars. The only benefit you have to the other pistons,(turbo) are that since they make the engine lower compression it is less prone to detonation. Another performance part you would find useful in making more power fairly easily is an upgraded camshaft. Some people like the volvo oem camshaft marked "K". It will give better top-end power,(~3,000rpm to redline) and pulls hard in the top end. Other people like the oem cam marked "A". This was the cam that volvo used on their turbo cars where there were no emmisions laws. It should increase power everywhere in the rpm range. Another choice is the IPD Turbo cam from IPD,(website:ipdusa.com). this cam should also increase power everywhere but has a higher lift than the "A" cam and I thing is a bit more aggressive. These are just three of the many cams that are out there just to give you an idea of a few of the most popular ones. Hope this helps and good luck with your build!

12-02-2007, 12:11 PM	#7
volvo 4 life Board Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colebrook, Connecticut	Sorry about that, I thought all NA redblocks had flat-tops. Oops.

12-02-2007, 12:14 PM	#8
MikeHardy The Sirius/Nova Police Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: northern Wales, UK	no only the higher compression 21/23's

04-09-2008, 07:01 PM	#10
MikeHardy The Sirius/Nova Police Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: northern Wales, UK	no they had shorter rods and taller compression height on the pistons