Thought I'd start a thread up on my Volvo 940 build seeing as I actually intend to complete a project for once...

After I sold my RS1800 Fiesta with ST170 running gear just before christmas I was needing another car more suitable for winter use than my Triumph Herald so I did the sensible thing and looked on eBay where I stumbled upon a 940 2.3 SE. Now having seen what 940s can do and this one being the ideal base for a project having the M90 gearbox, LPT engine (often less stressed than the FPT) being my preferred choice of an estate (having 2 dogs it would be handy) and having decent spec with leather, electric windows and mirrors etc. I had a bid on it and ended up winning it for £510

I picked it up from Colchester ASAP and started looking at possible upgrades. This is where I was fortunate when a good friend of mine had built a 940 before and knew the best way to upgrade it. Not only that but he knew where I could get most of the relevant parts in the form of a donor car that was a Cat C write off and had most of the bits from his old 940 attached to it.

Cutting a long story short I eventually managed to pick up the spares car (bought for £500) Saturday night and was able to start work today.

The final planned spec is:

TD04 18t turbo
Light blue injectors ( need to buy )
Uprated FPR
3 Inch exhaust
Big eBay intercooler
960 AFM
Blitz dump valve
A series cam
Chipped ecu
Uprated clutch ( need to buy )
Bilstein shocks
Electric seats from donor car

Hoping to have c.300bhp which for a total outlay of about £1k isn't too bad.

First off my inspiration/influence...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSF3eV7deDw

As she started off



The donor car



Doner car engine



Big eBay cooler...



My engine bay halfway through today after fitting the 960 AFM and hard intake pipe.



Unfortunately didnt get any more pics today, to busy playing will be fitting the stupidly loud Blitz dump valve tomorrow for a bit of scooby baiting lol. Will also be changing the plugs and some other bits and bobs and will get some more pics of progress.

Let us know what you think!

Aaron.

 

Should be 'interesting' when it's finished mate

 

Lol, cheers. Like to be bit different

 

Nice project Im about to start a B234 engined 740 glt. Have you sourced a 16 valve head for it or are you staying 8 valve ? Plenty of advice on Turbobricks for Volvo builds.Good luck with the project

 

I like ovlov estates mate, I'd love an old T5R, or a V70R, proper practicality/performance/reliability, you can't go wrong

 

I'm staying 8 valve, for now. Having a spare engine I might build one up to a big spec with 16v and mahoosive turbo later on.

That's what I like too, nothing you can't really do in a well setup ovlov estate.

 

Cool, are these RWD?

 

Yep!

 

Ive seen that vids loads of times the driver is mad as fuck on the road lol he lays down some serious black lines

 

I part own one of these bad boys! It's not the nicest thing to drive if I'm honest, but I bet it could be a giggle. Will follow this with interest, I'd love to give ours a quick up the arse with some more boost!

 

will be following this with interest, like projects that a are a little different!

 

Im keeping mine N/A for now.Will be tearing into it once the house is finished Here is a bit more inspiration for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNDVFm4Wcek

 

love volvos, they really are built like tanks arent they?!

 

After the work we done yesterday there was a stutter under load that we believed to be the spark being blown out so our first port of call was to get some colder plugs in it! With some bought we took out the old ones to find they were for a NA car and were only hand tight...

Next up was to remove the paint from the boost pipes for a bit of under bonnet bling...



We removed the aircon to make room for the big intercooler later on...



Then we fitted the ridiculously loud Blitz dump valve after blanking the built in one...



After a few test drives and tweaks and allowing the ecu to 'learn' it now is smoother than before and pulls well. We're limited now by the turbo and injectors so next week we're gonna concentrate on swapping the suspension from the donor car with it's Bilsteins and bigger anti roll bars. Will also be having the drilled and grooved discs and wheels off it.

If we have time after that and I've got some light blues we may put on the bigger turbo too

 

Is it difficult to block off the dump valve Aaron? I was wondering if we could do something similar on ours to gain a bit of chatter!

 

Nope, unbolt it, cut out a triangular bit of metal and bolt it on! Job jobbed! Mine has chatter as well as the dump valve

What spec is your one?

 

Anyone got some light blues or a big arse air filter laying about...?

 

the day after i sold my escos for 19k i won this bad boy 740 on ebay for £111 and smoked around in that for ages!!!



was a awesome towing car for my track car as well!!

then my mechanic's side swipped a 207 sw!! causing 8k's worth of damage to the 207 and the ovlov needing a indicator and a bumper corner lol

 

Injectors ordered! Last bit of the puzzle really (until I fry the clutch lol) so will be getting the turbo etc. swapped over soon. Will be cracking on with swapping the suspension, brakes and wheels tomorrow so will have an update with real progress soon

 

That sounds interesting!

I've only seen it once so far it's 2.3 turbo, low pressure I think!

 

It is lol.

Get modifying it! At least put a mbc on it. Makes a fair bit of difference.

Funny thing is I can drive this so much faster than my Fiesta because of how compliant the suspension is. If I tried the same speeds in the fez I'd have no sump left or I'd be launched into a field Will be much better once the bilsteins and bigger anti rollbars are on too

 

Managed to get shocks and springs, discs and calipers, front anti rollbar and chassis brace all fitted today along with the wheels from the doner car. Unfortunately didn't get any pics of the work we done today as my phone battery died and I didn't have a charger... D'oh!

Front strut and chassis brace after we took it off the donor...



Billy shocks, tested at James May's favourite place



Will get pics of how she sits tomorrow.

Electronic boost controller, exhaust and cam to do next time

 

Pics...





Any comments?

 

How does it handle on the new suspension Aaron? Ours is like a boat in standard form

 

Handles bloody lovely now, not too firm but much less roll and you can hold drifts easily

Need an exhaust though cos she's blowing like a bitch

 

I love volvo's! My pal recently got rid of his 850r and it was a proper tank, absolutely flew too...

Best of all, it was over 300bhp and had 198k on the clock, car never missed a beat and felt tight as a drum

 

I saw your bus in the car park this afternoon, needs some air in the back tyres !!!

 

Lol, I know. Slow puncture or bad seal I think. Will put some air in in a bit

 

Defo coming on a treat Aaron

 

Cheers mate! Looks a little better now hey?

 

This has convinced me now. I know I'd get ripped to fuck for having a Volvo at my age, but 300bhp sounds like fun!

 

Its also just dawned on me that I never replied to you about my mates 240 he's selling! Would you still be interested mate?

 

I'm only 23 mate, makes it more fun when people think you've borrowed your dad's (grandad's) car lol.

Would've been if I hadn't just bought the Saab! Interested to know details though, might know someone who'd be tempted...

 

Exactly the reason I'd get one

I'll get some pictures and what not sorted and ping you some details over mate.

 

I may be over Peterborough way soon, can see what mine is like for yourself if you're about

Yeah send over the details

 

Over 600 bhp of Swedish sleeper...

 

What a big beast.How much do these cars weigh.

 

The Volvo weighs the same as a Focus St225

 

had one of these years ago, dint keep it too long tho
wouldnt mind a T5R estate

 

That'd be good mate, be interesting to see what it goes like