C30 engine conversion from 2.0 petrol (08)

[fulham4eva]

Hi all,

New to the forum and new to Volvo's, Thought I'd try one after my Audi broke in a very expensive way.

So I bought a C30 2.0 with 160k on the clock, initially as a run about while I spent time fixing the Audi, However I've grown quite fond of the C30 and I'm thinking about selling the Audi once it's sorted and doing some mods to the C30.

So I'm hoping for some knowledgeable input.

I'm looking to change to something turbo charged obviously T5 ideally but I need to know whether I need a donor car or just engine/loom etc from a similar year car or could I get something older?

The idea is to make the conversion as straight forward as possible.

I would like to do a 4wd conversion at some point but struggling to find enough possible donor cars and info , But for now MORE POWER.

Cheers.

[Teddy1975]

Although it sounds boring, I think you'd be better off simply selling your current car and finding a T5 that is configured as you want.

From what I've learned, you'd need not just a new loom but also new control modules and since a lot of those are programmed to the specific car, you'd need to swap most of them over as well.

/Teddy

[fulham4eva]

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

[fulham4eva]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

Scratch find one for the 3k mark but still If it's possible I'd like to build one instead

[MDS40]

I cant help with your question but welcome to the forum from a fellow Fulham fan.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

For the cost of a T5 engine, modules, brakes etc etc you will pay more for the parts in money and time than selling yours and buying a T5 without doubt.

Naturally I assume you are a professional mechanic or ‘expert’ level home mechanic because if you have any intention of asking others to conver it will soon run into the £0,000s.

Personally I would buy a T5 or something else.

Also, don’t forget the £6,000 T5 (I expect there is cheaper out there) is 275-300 go with a remap. I wouldn’t do it, but price per BHP it’s probably far more efficient.

[pinballdave]

Mechanically there will be the obvious differences in gearbox, driveshafts, brakes, suspension, but the difficulties will most likely be in the electronics side due to the immobiliser.

The immobiliser in these cars is spread between the CEM (fusebox under the glovebox) and the ECU, so changing the engine and fitting a T5 ECU will require someone to hack the immobiliser so that the correct codes can be programmed into the ECU. This can be done with the 2.0d engine ECU, as this variant often suffers from immobiliser issues and someone has done the hack and produced tools to do this, but I don't think anyone has done it with the T5 ECU.

If you can't reprogram the T5 ECU, then you will also need the CEM from the donor car, and the ABS control unit (as the serial number from the ABS is used as part of the encryption of the immobiliser codes.

If you change the CEM, then you'll also need to swap the steering lock mechanism, climate control ECU, infotainment display and stereo/amps, as they are all coded to the CEM. There may be other electronics that will need swapping depending on the configuration.

So in short, I think Teddy1975's suggestion of buying a car that matches the configuration you want is the only practical option.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

...
I would like to do a 4wd conversion at some point but struggling to find enough possible donor cars and info , But for now MORE POWER.

Cheers.

Hi
respect for you for aiming high, assuming you have skills and knowledge to actually pull it off rather than theorising - not an easy task but very doable, look in US SS forum and read about C30AWD conversions, some succesful stories there. Problem is availability of donors as you noticed (you can also look for Kuga 2.5AWD parts but are as rare as V50) and time/cost involved.

As for swapping T5 into the body - as been said above - a LOT of parts has to be swapped so again - if you pull it off, respect. Finding T5 donor will probably be easier than AWD parts so fingers crossed for you!
and welcome to forum btw

[T5R92011]

Personally, if you really want a Volvo with the 2.5T engine, I'd go for a MK1 Volvo S60 2.5T with 5 speed manual box, then start tuning it up.

You can find these for reasonable money - £2-3k
They are 210bhp stock, but a stage 1 remap will see 260bhp (same as the C30 T5, because the engine is near enough the same).

Big bonus with that engine in the S60 is the turbo can be swapped, whereas in the C30 the turbo is integrated into the exhaust manifold, which really limits your options for tuning.

Another bonus is the 5 speed manual that the S60 2.5T gets.... vs the 6 speed manual that the C30 T5 gets.... In the C30, 3rd gear is very annoying because the engine falls out of the power band right at the moment where you're "having some fun", whereas on the 5 speed box, 3rd gear is a little longer in ratio and gives you a better use of the engines torque. At least from what I've seen from acceleration videos.

So yes, having owned a C30 2.0-litre petrol and 2x T5, AND an S60 2.0T, I would definitely go for an S60 because they are just outright better cars, better built, better to drive, big fat wide stance, wider wheels... much better road presence etc.

[fulham4eva]

Originally Posted by MDS40

I cant help with your question but welcome to the forum from a fellow Fulham fan.

Hey thanks, we're a rare breed