Volvo Owners Club Forum - Volvo 940 B200FT engine swap for B230FT

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Volvo 940 B200FT engine swap for B230FT

Hi All

I own a very nice 940 2.0 turbo auto estate and would like a bit more bottom end torque given I live in a hilly area. My 2.0 shifts if I floor it, but that's not the way I prefer to drive to be honest as it feels a bit frantic.

I've recently acquired a very good B230FT engine complete with turbo, manifold, injectors, etc. (manufactured in 1996) thats done around 140,000 miles and am wondering what's involved in a swap. I've no problem with engine swaps in general and have done so once or twice on other cars.

My questions are generally around what I might need to do to have the 2.3 running as it should and have the right set-up to meet MoT emissions, etc. So, I have a few questions that some might be able to provide some commentary on...

1. The B230FT engine I have doesn't have it's flywheel. I'm not sure whether it was manual or auto. Is it a straight swap to fit my B200FT flywheel and torque convertor to the B230 engine?

2. Do I need to replace my ECU or will the B230 run OK with my B200 ECU? I do have have a spare B200FT ECU which I'm guessing could be re-chipped to suit the B230 if it's needed.

3. My auto is a 4 speed with the 'direct drive lock-up' at around 60mph. I don't want to replace the 'box or diff and happy with the gearing so my question is whether the auto box on my B200 will handle the extra torque?

4. On the B230, there is a pipe exiting the rear of the exhaust manifold that I don't have on my B200. I think it might be something to do with a lambda sensor or emissions perhaps?

5. Anything else that I might need to swap out? I'm guessing the pressure rating of the fuel pumps on B200 will be the same as the B230.

Any suggestions, comments or advice much appreciated (including don't do it, if you think that's the right answer!)

Cheers

Graham

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamf940 (Post 2773802)

Hi All

I own a very nice 940 2.0 turbo auto estate and would like a bit more bottom end torque given I live in a hilly area. My 2.0 shifts if I floor it, but that's not the way I prefer to drive to be honest as it feels a bit frantic.

I've recently acquired a very good B230FT engine complete with turbo, manifold, injectors, etc. (manufactured in 1996) thats done around 140,000 miles and am wondering what's involved in a swap. I've no problem with engine swaps in general and have done so once or twice on other cars.

My questions are generally around what I might need to do to have the 2.3 running as it should and have the right set-up to meet MoT emissions, etc. So, I have a few questions that some might be able to provide some commentary on...

1. The B230FT engine I have doesn't have it's flywheel. I'm not sure whether it was manual or auto. Is it a straight swap to fit my B200FT flywheel and torque convertor to the B230 engine?
The flex plate is a direct fit. Make sure you position correctly. Cyl 1 at TDC the missing marks line up with the starter motor hole

2. Do I need to replace my ECU or will the B230 run OK with my B200 ECU? I do have have a spare B200FT ECU which I'm guessing could be re-chipped to suit the B230 if it's needed.
Will work fine with the B200FT ECU
3. My auto is a 4 speed with the 'direct drive lock-up' at around 60mph. I don't want to replace the 'box or diff and happy with the gearing so my question is whether the auto box on my B200 will handle the extra torque?
same box used for both and will handle a fair power increase beyond normal B230FT power level
4. On the B230, there is a pipe exiting the rear of the exhaust manifold that I don't have on my B200. I think it might be something to do with a lambda sensor or emissions perhaps?
EGR blank it off

5. Anything else that I might need to swap out? I'm guessing the pressure rating of the fuel pumps on B200 will be the same as the B230.
Pumps are the same

Any suggestions, comments or advice much appreciated (including don't do it, if you think that's the right answer!)

Cheers

Graham

Replies above.
Proably worth replacing gaskets and seals while the engine is out

What Dai said ^^^^^ :thumbs_up:

While you have the B230 out of the car, it would be worth changing the rear crank oil seal and housing gasket, front crank oil seal and camshaft seals and of course the timing belt too. Don't forget to retension the timing belt after 600 ish miles, bring the engine to TDC #1 and slacken the tensioner locknut (remove the bung in the timing cover for access) then retighten once the tensioner has taken up any slack.

Also worth doing while you have easy access are the turbo cooling pipes and the oil return pipe and seals. :thumbs_up:

The B230 will certainly give more power and torque, but you can get a good boost by using a bleed valve on the B200FT turbo (also on the B230FT).

Basically a £10 valve from ebay, with some rubber pipe that you replace the short pipe between the wastegate and the turbo housing. You also need a graduated boost gauge, then turn it up to 11 ;)