digital.aaron
S powered
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2012
I'm in the process of bringing my 1986 NA 244 up to stage 0, and I'm also starting to plan my upgrade/tuning path for the future. I've come up with some options, and I'd like to get some opinions and input into my brainstorming.
The car is mainly a DD, but if I had a DD with some pep, I'd definitely think about autoX. This isn't going to be a racecar, but I wouldn't mind some extra ponies under the hood.
Firstly, I believe the first decision branch will be whether to keep my existing motor and mod it, or swap it for something else. We'll look at the existing motor first:
1) install a performance cam, cam timing gear, new exhaust on existing redblock. This would probably be the cheapest and easiest path for me to complete (mostly) by myself. I would most probably have the exhaust professionally installed.
2) +T it. I think I could handle most of this, but would need help any custom fabrication or welding. I know my '86 B230F is not really the ideal engine for this. Would the +t be worth it? Which cams from path 1) might work well with this option?
For a swap:
3) I think my main preference would be to get a newer B230FT. I've seen some of what the turbo redblocks are capable of, and it definitely appeals to me. it'd be more expensive than a +t, but I think it'd also open more potential for tuning and mods than the +t with my non-ideal engine.
4) Something non-Volvo. Probably a V8, definitely something with power. I believe this would be the most expensive path, and wouldn't be something I could do much of by myself (at this point, anyway). But dropping 400+hp of POWAH into my brick would put a smile on my face (yes, yes, I know there's a bunch of other stuff I'd need to do if I dropped something like an LS1 in, like a new tranny, DS, rear end, etc that could handle the torque).
This is not a project I'm looking to complete anytime soon, but I will start laying the groundwork soon, and could start slowly acquiring parts I need. I'd like to avoid starting down the "wrong" path and potentially wasting money of stuff I'm not going to use. Yes, I know I can always sell stuff I'm not going to use, but it'd probably be at a loss, so I'd still like to avoid that if possible.
Comments/flames/advice welcomed.
The car is mainly a DD, but if I had a DD with some pep, I'd definitely think about autoX. This isn't going to be a racecar, but I wouldn't mind some extra ponies under the hood.
Firstly, I believe the first decision branch will be whether to keep my existing motor and mod it, or swap it for something else. We'll look at the existing motor first:
1) install a performance cam, cam timing gear, new exhaust on existing redblock. This would probably be the cheapest and easiest path for me to complete (mostly) by myself. I would most probably have the exhaust professionally installed.
2) +T it. I think I could handle most of this, but would need help any custom fabrication or welding. I know my '86 B230F is not really the ideal engine for this. Would the +t be worth it? Which cams from path 1) might work well with this option?
For a swap:
3) I think my main preference would be to get a newer B230FT. I've seen some of what the turbo redblocks are capable of, and it definitely appeals to me. it'd be more expensive than a +t, but I think it'd also open more potential for tuning and mods than the +t with my non-ideal engine.
4) Something non-Volvo. Probably a V8, definitely something with power. I believe this would be the most expensive path, and wouldn't be something I could do much of by myself (at this point, anyway). But dropping 400+hp of POWAH into my brick would put a smile on my face (yes, yes, I know there's a bunch of other stuff I'd need to do if I dropped something like an LS1 in, like a new tranny, DS, rear end, etc that could handle the torque).
This is not a project I'm looking to complete anytime soon, but I will start laying the groundwork soon, and could start slowly acquiring parts I need. I'd like to avoid starting down the "wrong" path and potentially wasting money of stuff I'm not going to use. Yes, I know I can always sell stuff I'm not going to use, but it'd probably be at a loss, so I'd still like to avoid that if possible.
Comments/flames/advice welcomed.
