• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

16v DOHC vs. 8v SOHC

740ti-R

New member
Joined
Mar 16, 2003
Hey, I have a question..
Should i take my 8v SOHC head from my B230FT and port/polish it and install a VX3 cam and adjustable timing gear...

or should I take the 16v DOHC head from the B234F i have laying around and port/polish it and install it onto my B230FT? I understand this isn't the simplest conversion in the world, but what are your opinions? I know that some people have something against the 16v heads..why exactly?
 
I agree that the "16v head on the 8v block" and the "turbo on my non turbo" topic is a little bit cliche around here. Why doesnt somebody just put an article in the mods section. That way we dont have to bitch when people ask. That mods section needs an update.
As for the 16 valve....forget it. It is cool to say that you have a 16v turbo volvo, but it isnt economical or worthwhile for most people. Also try going into autozone and saying you need a valve cover gasket for a 16 valve head. Good luck.
 
It isn't as straightforward as just posting an article imo. People need to actually research what has been said and then form their own opinion.
Much better approach than spoonfeeding people black and white answers when the reality of more shades of grey.
 
as much as i like the ideas of a 16v head with its increased flow characteristics, i think for the bang-for-buck concept a nice 531 head would be the best bet.
 
and where might you pick one of those up? Not trying to be a smart ass, Im just curious... Ive seen more'n any mortal's fair share of bricks and have yet to see anything but 530's and the bcp 240 heads. :)
 
linuxman51 said:
and where might you pick one of those up?

Call up your favorite European auto salvage yard and ask for B200/230 series engines. Unitek also sells them, modified.
 
Indeed this has been one of those wehave banged around quite a buit here - for INSTANCE in the Nova SS when wehave tried a retrofit it turned out to be much more than we had bargained for in terma of trial and error - which is to be expedtd we were dealing with OLD TEchnology and there was all custome work to be done so. That is really the reason you don't want to waste your time reinventing the assembly line just to make a splashj -STICK TO THE KNOWN FORMULA, and go from there. Nor reason to build on a dead horse - as Kenny Tom and Paul will agree that is sound reasoning and of course -LET"S GET BACK TO THE FUB STUFF!!!
 
I really don't want to perpetuate this thread when there have been 8v and 16v cars that make crazy amounts of power. I just want to say that the 16V head is a proved power maker also... its not like it hasn't been done before.
 
I have only ever seen one 531 head, and it was on a B230ET. Unfortunately someone outbid me on the car at the local junk yard, otherwise I would be preparing the head for a swap with my 405 scp...
 
i have a 531 head spare as i'm doing a 16 valve turbo conversion. i seem to see a lot of them over in britain, believe me a lot of the b230 engines in older cars are being scrapped and crushed, it is a waste i know. what is so good about them, i read a lot of threads about these. if you know a contact over here who can ship it to you then let me know, its yours for $100.
 
740ti-R,

Some people have "something" against 16V related issues because the subject has been beaten to death around here in the last little while.

As far as disliking the cylinder head itself, most people's dislike is for the extreme amount of work it takes to get one installed. It is financially not reasonable for most people that don't work in engine shops.

I have written a short blurb that everybody has been saying somone should write explaining this issue:

http://bertone.wynott.ca/htm/articles/8Vor16V.htm

Cheers.
 
why not just get custom CR pistons for the 2.3L DOHC, and boost it up?

oil-squirters or not...

I'm willing to bet That
with a solid Set of rods, and a nice 8.7:1 Cr SEt of pistons.. you'd have a lot of fun.
and I'm Sure it would be cheaper/easier Than modifying a SOHC Setup.
 
Back
Top