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Volvo 242 2,3l B23E

Kasper Hvam

Kasper Hvam

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2023
Location
Denmark
I've got a Volvo 242 with a B23E engine that I want a bit more power. The most common thing I read about is porting and a better exhaust system. I have some experience in motors, but I'm far from expert, I have mounted turbos and rebuilt many simpler engines. So what I'm looking for is around 200hp maybe a bit more but around that number. Everything is stock and the car has been sitting for a couple of years now but did drive before it was put aside.

Some ideas I had:
New and better ignition.
Portet intake.
cold air intake.
performance exhaust system, including manifold.

What else can I do, and where is a good place to find the parts?
 
200hp isnt cheap see here:

NA performance? Look here.

Interested in NON-TURBO, normally aspirated power increases? Here's a lot of info to digest if you'd like! First I put up some basic power levels to be expected with various amounts of preparation work, then I have links to threads with more information if you want to look and read yourself. I...
www.turbobricks.com www.turbobricks.com

if you want it cheaper it needs a turbo
 
Bloody244 said:
200hp isnt cheap see here:

NA performance? Look here.

Interested in NON-TURBO, normally aspirated power increases? Here's a lot of info to digest if you'd like! First I put up some basic power levels to be expected with various amounts of preparation work, then I have links to threads with more information if you want to look and read yourself. I...
www.turbobricks.com www.turbobricks.com

if you want it cheaper it needs a turbo
Click to expand...
Thanks, I think I will dig a bit deeper into the turbo idea.
 
The factory air boxes are much closer to a cold air intake than any of that generic stuff, the factory boxes pull air straight through the grille
 
Bloody244 said:
200hp isnt cheap see here:

NA performance? Look here.

Interested in NON-TURBO, normally aspirated power increases? Here's a lot of info to digest if you'd like! First I put up some basic power levels to be expected with various amounts of preparation work, then I have links to threads with more information if you want to look and read yourself. I...
www.turbobricks.com www.turbobricks.com

if you want it cheaper it needs a turbo
Click to expand...
But I've heard that the B23E I trash at turboing because it has a pretty high compression ratio.
Is that true, or will it hold some pressure?
 
Kasper Hvam said:
But I've heard that the B23E I trash at turboing because it has a pretty high compression ratio.
Is that true, or will it hold some pressure?
Click to expand...
Reducing the compression ratio when adding a turbo is very simple... Just enlarge the chamber volume. Gaining intake and exhaust flow, and reduce the CR to where you want it.
 
Kasper Hvam said:
I've got a Volvo 242 with a B23E engine that I want a bit more power. The most common thing I read about is porting and a better exhaust system. I have some experience in motors, but I'm far from expert, I have mounted turbos and rebuilt many simpler engines. So what I'm looking for is around 200hp maybe a bit more but around that number. Everything is stock and the car has been sitting for a couple of years now but did drive before it was put aside.

Some ideas I had:
New and better ignition.
Portet intake.
cold air intake.
performance exhaust system, including manifold.

What else can I do, and where is a good place to find the parts?
Click to expand...

If you're want 200 crank hp, that's doable NA but it won't be with a stock type intake manifold. That's a very large plenum style intake or ITB/DCOEs territory. You will also need some pretty extensive porting, a bigger camshaft, and a lot of compression ratio.

Here's a good thread with a lot of info on NA tuning and performance: https://turbobricks.com/index.php?threads/na-performance-look-here.354499/
 
Something to consider before picking which direction to go is driveability. 200+ NA horsepower out of a B23 would be fun out on a track. It will be a PITA driving the car on public roads. You can easily get 200+ HP out of a turbocharged B23 that will be docile as a daily driver.
 
dl242gt said:
No combustion chamber to speak of. So it would cause a very serious rise in compression.

My suggestion would be go with the turbo and efi. You can have reasonable fuel economy and have power when needed.
Click to expand...
I think turbo will be the way, but there just isn't that many B23E turbo projects on the internet. But I think I will look a bit more into that idea.
 
dl242gt said:
No combustion chamber to speak of. So it would cause a very serious rise in compression.

My suggestion would be go with the turbo and efi. You can have reasonable fuel economy and have power when needed.
Click to expand...
I have looked at a Garrett GT2554R turbo, but I kinda want a turbo with non mounted wastegate. The turbo is also a bit expensive where I live, maybe you know a website that sells turbo kits for Volvo 240?
 
The only turbo kits I've seen are on ebay and they are not high quality and the header has a flange installed backward. I would use Volvo parts like the 90+ exhaust manifold and Volvo turbos are more affordable. Use the stock air handling pipes from a 740 and intercooler and you have most of the parts needed.
 
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