Volvo Project - Part 1
[ January 31st, 2011 ] By: Mark Ozimek Posted in » Ramblings
Being an engineer that always wants more power and likes wrenching on things can be a dangerous combination. Dangerous enough to allow one to decide that it would be a wise idea to start an engine build for his Volvo.
Last summer, I came across a great deal on a used engine out of a 2002 C70. It is a 5 cylinder 2.3L engine, basically identical to the engine in the S70, with a few changes to parts here and there that come from the advancement in technology over a couple of years. I tell the guy I want it, and behold, it arrives a week later:
It has the same 81mm bore, 90mm stroke, 4 valves per cylinder, but comes with a head that has more optimized port geometry for better combustion and a modest increase in flow. The cam geometry also changed, the exhaust cam got a VVT system that operates off oil pressure from a solenoid valve, both cams got a bit more lift and duration. Both good things for trying to get air to flow through the engine.
The overall plan is pretty simple at first glance. The engine has a turbo from the factory, but it’s a pretty small Mitsubishi TD04HL-16T. I wanted a bit more power than that, and I don’t mind waiting a bit longer for boost to avoid killing torque as the engine speed climbs. Between me being very indecisive on what I wanted out of the project, a lot of deliberation, a fair amount of math and “estimation” and some new product launches, I have settled on what the project should evolve to be.
While all that was happening, I was having fun getting my hands dirty and pulling the engine apart while it was still warm out.
Oil passages for the VVT gear that is inside the exhaust cam you see on the left side of the engine above:
A look into the head ports before any work has been done:
April 28th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Exactly what can you say? Not every person has the exact same thoughts however it is good to see a varied range of ways of thinking about things, to put it crudely. Enables you to settle back and wonder about your own habits and preconceived ideas at times.