940 Turbo Drift Car / Pickup Project

[Redblockturbo]

Hi everyone, I've just joined this forum and hope to share, learn and support others where possible.

I've just bought a 1997 dark green 940 2.3T (B230FK) estate.

The goal is to turn it into a pickup drift car.

I know this project won't be everyone's cup of tea but hopefully this is the right forum to share the project.

Here's the car now and below I'll list of the current setup.

I'd love to connect with fellow 940 owners who are running 300HP plus, feel free to reach out if that's you.



Current tune

Standard internals with an uprated cam (not sure which one yet but will find out).
530 head
Custom built turbo (not sure of spec yet)
Standard exhaust with 3" backbox
Manual boost control (running 20PSI) as seen on the aftermarket boost gauge
Both ECU chips for ignition and fuelling to avoid boost cut
Standard MAF (will be changing to a 960 MAF)
Standard injectors (looking to upgrade)
M90 gearbox
Standard clutch and flywheel (looking at options here too, the 840 T5 clutch looks like a good option)
Open diff (I want to avoid a locker or welded and might go for the gripper diff option)
Standard suspension (definitely needs upgrading as the car bounces about like a boat on the ocean!!)

The Plan

I want a reliable 300 to 400 HP on as many stock components as possible.
I want to keep as much original as possible and keep it looking as stock as possible. Well, as stock as a Volvo pickup will look at least!!
The car will be used for drifting but I also want it to be road legal to drive to track.

I'm excited to share the project and what I learn and get guidance from fellow enthusiast.

Here are some more photos of the car.

















Removed AC but I want to reattach it.

[360beast]

That doesn't look like a custom built turbo, just looks like a standard 13C with a Forge CBV blanking plate. In which case 20 psi is just pushing hot air! Anything over 12psi on a standard turbo is likely to lead to best case scenario a blown turbo and cracked manifold.

If you are going for over 300hp then it would best to get the TTV flywheel and 850R clutch kit.

If you want stiff suspension then coilovers will be your best bet.

Are you stripping the interior? If so you will be able to sell the unwrinkled door cards, seats and wood trim.

I've seen a couple of pick ups and I even bought one to break and the execution of it was absolutely awful, just some sheet metal at the back of the cab with some half inch box section to hold it in place, I'm looking forward to seeing how you tackle it, good luck

[Laird Scooby]

Welcome aboard! That looks too nice to turn into a pick up to be honest! If you do, i might be interested in the light grey trim from the C-pillar back on the inside (wheelarch covers, side trims etc) but i know Luke (360beast) had a pick up in for breaking recently. I don't know if he still has the body or what condition it was in but that might save you a lot of work if he has.

Does it have Nivo shocks at the back? They're meant to be self-leveling (but aren't, even when new as admitted by the manufacturer) and when they get old and weak it feels like you're on the Herald of Free Enterprise.

I wouldn't normally advocate lowering but as you're going for a pick up, some 40mm lower uprated springs with the right dampers (shocks) will improve matters considerably and still give you suspension travel when you load the back up with whatever you throw in your pick ups.

In fact, given that you'll be removing a lot of weight from the body on the back end, you could probably fit 60-70mm lower springs and then 40mm springs on the front to get a level stance.

For suspension bushes, use either genuine Volvo or Polybush.

Good luck with the project!

[Redblockturbo]

Originally Posted by 360beast

That doesn't look like a custom built turbo, just looks like a standard 13C with a Forge CBV blanking plate. In which case 20 psi is just pushing hot air! Anything over 12psi on a standard turbo is likely to lead to best case scenario a blown turbo and cracked manifold.

If you are going for over 300hp then it would best to get the TTV flywheel and 850R clutch kit.

If you want stiff suspension then coilovers will be your best bet.

Are you stripping the interior? If so you will be able to sell the unwrinkled door cards, seats and wood trim.

I've seen a couple of pick ups and I even bought one to break and the execution of it was absolutely awful, just some sheet metal at the back of the cab with some half inch box section to hold it in place, I'm looking forward to seeing how you tackle it, good luck

I'm not 100% sure about everything that's on the car and I'm just going off what my friend who I bought the car has told me regarding the turbo. I will ask him again about the spec as I know he had some different internals but I'll double check. I most likely will be putting a bigger unit on at some point.

The clutch and flywheel are currently standard so the 850R clutch was my thinking too. I'll check out the TTV, thanks for that suggestion.

The suspension is awful right now, and will most likely be going coilovers. Do you have any suggestions?

I sold the seats all ready and will be selling door panels and trim pieces.

I've seen a few pickup conversions online and one in person and like you've said, they in most part have been bodged! I want to do a proper job with mine though.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Redblockturbo]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Welcome aboard! That looks too nice to turn into a pick up to be honest! If you do, i might be interested in the light grey trim from the C-pillar back on the inside (wheelarch covers, side trims etc) but i know Luke (360beast) had a pick up in for breaking recently. I don't know if he still has the body or what condition it was in but that might save you a lot of work if he has.

Does it have Nivo shocks at the back? They're meant to be self-leveling (but aren't, even when new as admitted by the manufacturer) and when they get old and weak it feels like you're on the Herald of Free Enterprise.

I wouldn't normally advocate lowering but as you're going for a pick up, some 40mm lower uprated springs with the right dampers (shocks) will improve matters considerably and still give you suspension travel when you load the back up with whatever you throw in your pick ups.

In fact, given that you'll be removing a lot of weight from the body on the back end, you could probably fit 60-70mm lower springs and then 40mm springs on the front to get a level stance.

For suspension bushes, use either genuine Volvo or Polybush.

Good luck with the project!

I'm actually torn wether to convert it into a pickup too as it is such nice condition but think it's the route I want to go down.

I'm not sure which shocks it has but it rides like a boat so I'll be replacing it all.

I think polybushes makes sense.

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I have lots to learn but relish the challenge.

[griston64]

Would you sell me the cuopholder armrest ???

Cheers

Mark

[360beast]

Originally Posted by griston64

Would you sell me the cuopholder armrest ???

Cheers

Mark

I have driven one with a cupholder arm rest and it was an automatic, made it a pain to move the gear stick so I dread to think what one would be like with a manual box!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by 360beast

I have driven one with a cupholder arm rest and it was an automatic, made it a pain to move the gear stick so I dread to think what one would be like with a manual box!

But at least I wont spill my coffee

[360beast]

Originally Posted by griston64

But at least I wont spill my coffee

Don't drink and drive

[volvo always]

I agree it looks a nice car, but it's your car after all. Looking forward to following your build thread

Are you keeping the wood dash effect trim? If so may be interested.

James