absoloutely adore my brick, i have a 940 with a b230 and it is totally worth all the legal and financial problems it's got me into, i just love how simple, effective and well designed the engine is, can't wait to slap my big chinese turbo on it and get her boosting to decent levels

@joe125ful

2 жыл бұрын

Chines turbo,Lmao:):)

@TooFlyNico

2 жыл бұрын

Maxpeeding makes some decent turbos I can’t even lie 😂 but that’s awesome ! Gonna need a better transmission tho if you got the m46/m47. Lord knows they don’t handle torque well

@TTURBOVOLVO

2 жыл бұрын

@@TooFlyNico m46/m47 can handle a simple +t. Clutch wont but the box is fine with 200hp. Luckely an upgrade pressure plate and clutch is 140euro.

@einar8019

2 жыл бұрын

@@TTURBOVOLVO or you just get a m90 and dont have to worry about it till you get to 350-400

@tomibby

2 жыл бұрын

I have an m46 for free off a friend and another one lined up for once i blow it up, it's an auto at the moment, should be manual swapped in the next 2 weeks or so, I'm saving up for a zf gearbox out of an e36 that a guy in sweden adapts to fit onto redblock motors cause the end goal is going for 400whp+, but the substantial modification to the bellhousing mean it's not a cheap purchase, so I'm just gunna keep blowing up m46s with an uprated clutch set up for a while, my turbo is a holset hx35 clone if anyones interested, the hx35 is the bread and butter for turbo brick fans for budget big power, abit laggy :/

In the USA, we often called these Volvos bricks. Non enthusiasts called them that because of their looks, enthusiasts called them that because they are so tough.

@pederfallbom

2 жыл бұрын

I think that term got imported to the US from Sweden since that was common here aswell. The drivers in the DTM was according too interwievs scared when they saw that "brick" in their mirrors🥳🇸🇪

@Reefer-Rampage69

2 жыл бұрын

Yep

Pretty funny how the Saab engines are almost completely ignored outside of scandinavia. The t5's and t7's are some of the easiest to tune, and can reliably run 350+ with only a turbo, injectors and a dp

@matteponken1

2 жыл бұрын

can agree on that, running a T5 @ around 420hp in my R900

@392_isak9

2 жыл бұрын

But saab is fwd and that’s not very epic

@TheCHRISintheMIX

2 жыл бұрын

@@392_isak9 We're only talking engines. The title of the video is also only referring to the volvo engine

@392_isak9

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheCHRISintheMIX Ah I see

@Steinersgarage

2 жыл бұрын

@@392_isak9 litteraly just place one in a RWD car and your problem is solved..

I still drive the 1985 245 my parents bought new and i took my driving test in. 235000 miles and the head has never been taken off. Compression test is still 190 psi + on all cylinders. One of the most reliable engines ever made!

Drifts and lifts made it in there hell yeah!

@TooFlyNico

2 жыл бұрын

How could he not. One of the most influential Volvo drivers out there right now 🤣 especially with redblocks.

@Local_Guy

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah but you could take any 10 second clip of someone beating the piss out of this engine. We both can agree though that we’re happy to see our favorite Canadian Volvo gravy lord in our favorite car compilation KZreadr’s videos.🧱💨👌

I had a 1988 740 turbo about 13 years ago, it was an absolute joy to drive and I had it tuned up where it was putting out 300hp with stock internals, a truly great engine!

@TooFlyNico

2 жыл бұрын

I love that stock internals can handle so much! Up to 350 I’ve heard 😁 what transmission did you run? T5? M90?

@offthegridwithbert924

2 жыл бұрын

@@TooFlyNico was the stock automatic, had plans to convert to manual but the car was rear ended by a distracted driver, unfortunately the car was a write off.

@TIMMEH19991

2 жыл бұрын

I've still got one (1986 model). Absolutely stock but I love it!

Thanks very much for the video. Another reason that the 4 and 6 cylinder inline engines were so good in the automotive versions was that the same engines were also designed and made to be used by Volvo Penta in marine applications where the high loads are constant for long periods of time ( no corners or braking! ). Best regards, Niall Leslie.

You forgot to tell if you want more than 300 you can use h beam rods with stock turbo pistons. They can handle 500-600hp.

@TTURBOVOLVO

2 жыл бұрын

There is a great build series on yt by overboostracing that covers everything you need to know how to build a 600hp b230.

@vozhdmeister5256

2 жыл бұрын

13mm stock rods are able to handle 500-600 hp too. Replacement is only required if the stock rods are not these beefy 13mm

@TTURBOVOLVO

2 жыл бұрын

@@vozhdmeister5256 sure, a couple of pulls and very good tuning. But why would you risk blowing up a good block? If you can build a car to make 500hp, you surely must be able to change the rods. Its very straight forward and easy.

@vozhdmeister5256

2 жыл бұрын

@@TTURBOVOLVO I agree but the fact is these 13mm rods are very strong. They bend when pulling at 60psi of boost but block stays safe.

@TTURBOVOLVO

2 жыл бұрын

@@vozhdmeister5256 60 psi is 4 bar boost. You have to be kidding me. If you're not, show me some sources

Finally a video covering the redblock!!! Hell yeah, I have 3 of these and love them to death

I’ve been doing so much research on Volvo for the longest time and I’m the biggest Volvo found the web for red blocks for my 244 b23e and b230ft this video is so helpful did an amazing job on the video

@VisioRacer

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

Cool video…it’s nice to Volvo get some attention, I’ve always loved the 240 series…even to this day.

@TooFlyNico

2 жыл бұрын

They’re literal art

@TooFlyNico

2 жыл бұрын

But 700 series >>>

ive waited for his episode for the whole time that ive been your subscriber for over 4 years!

Extensive research on this. Love it!

@VisioRacer

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. These are kind of unknown to me, so yeah - it was quite a time to soak everything up and make a proper video about it.

Really well researched and great presentation! keep up the great work mate! 👍

Great job. I love hearing about these engines and I especially love hearing about these engines from somebody who’s done research and knows something. I only had a standard N/A B230 mated to an M47. But it looked brand new inside at 200k miles when I did the seals preventively. Sold her at 250k, still going strong. I’m kicking myself for that. I was finished with mild suspension & brake work. Just began absorbing the work of Paul Grimshaw so I could wring as much N/A horses out of it before considering a head swap & a turbo. She was a blast to be with to cross cross the country. I’ll miss her always; my Annika.

@zzxnnyvr

6 ай бұрын

Get another one bro

Great video! One of the most powerful noncharged redblocks I've heard of, was a Volvo 122/Amazon with the 2,3 L OHC engine, stroked and bored to 3 L and used twin Weber 52 carbs. The engine wasn't tested for power, but calcylated by weight and performance at the strip, it was thought having about 300 hp.

@lassivaisanen4354

9 ай бұрын

We have 2.7l 16v with more power🤑

Great video ! Absolutely love these engines

Wow, I am really impressed by your knowledge on these engines.

I'm more of a Saab guy but the old Volvos are hella cool

@joe125ful

2 жыл бұрын

Well old Saabs are great too i own long time back i thing it was old Saab 900 Turbo and it was fast and driving feels like tank:)

@alexstromberg7696

2 жыл бұрын

Jo förutom att saabar är mer rost än plåt idags läget

@alexstromberg7696

2 жыл бұрын

@@Rasse796 finns bra mycket mer fräsha 940 och 740 än 9k och 9-5or

@alexstromberg7696

2 жыл бұрын

@@Rasse796 min erfarenhet är att titta på bilar och själv ägd saabar. Här är alla sommar rosthögar. Volvo av samma ålder kan ha rost men är ofta inte något som förstör.

@LocalAutist

2 жыл бұрын

Både 7/940 och saabar har piss rostskydd från fabrik

FINALLY Redblocks get the attention they deserve!

Love these longer videos man. Love from New Jersey USA

Good bang for buck is also to add a turbocharger to an normally aspirated engine. They handle that fine, daily driven one for from 250k to 350k and the engine never skipped a beat. Very wide powerband for the simple setup and a lot of fun to drive.

@dodoubleg1979

2 жыл бұрын

What do you need to do this? I have a N/A b230F

I am loving these engine specific videos!

Amazing video, the research is spot on 👍 The old red blocks are made eternal on KZread.

Wow! Great show about the good old Volvo potential! Thanks!

HELL YEAH !! Video on my engine. My favorite engine ! B230FT POWER. Love the sound of my turbo whistlin’ tractor. Thanks for showin Volvo some love !

Thanks for mentioning my engine in this, redblocks are truly exceptional

Love the trackor and Drifts and Lifts, these cars are tough, motors are too. Cool video!

I have an A/T 960 with the 2.3 litre b230 turbo, even to this day, after 20 years of ownership passed down for one family member to another, it still runs awesomely. It is what i'm driving as my "first" car. And i'm seriously grateful that i got a platform with this much potential as my first ride.

I like where there over engineered to be strong

IIRC the reason for the Redblock's Slant design was due to Volvo having stillborn plans to develop a Redblock-based V8, however a combination of costs and some other little known factor led them to decide it was cheaper instead to get involved in the creation of the PRV Project in 1971 (where the costs were spread out more compared to an in-house project). There was an attempt by Volvo to develop Redblock-based diesels during the 1970s that never made it to production with the company instead using Renault and VW sourced diesels. There may have also been an attempt to develop a Redblock-based 6-cylinder engine, before Volvo decided to begin Project Galaxy / X-100 engines that became the Volvo Modular engine.

@CatManHDGaming

2 жыл бұрын

Yea volvo actually had a inline 6 based on the B20 called B30 from 69-75

@wickiezulu

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Yet what am not sure about is beyond sharing the same bore and stroke in 2-litre forms via the B20 and B19 / B200, what else did the Redblock carry over from the B20?

@PSA78

2 жыл бұрын

@@wickiezulu They had the same bore center, and the last years of the B20 started to switch over for the upcoming engine (like Volvo does with everything), like metric hardware, 8 bolt flywheel etc. Volvo actually had a prototype V8 ready for production, but it was cancelled, so the first was the B36 (two B18 in a V) and the last is the one fitted in newer cars.

@dsimila1

2 жыл бұрын

@@wickiezulu The crankshaft :-) early b21 has b20 crankshaft with cam gear splines covered by a socket where the oil seal is

I once had a Volvo 740 turbocharged with this engine. Still one of my favorite cars. Was an absolute joy to drive even stock.

I had 337whp on my stock 98 b230fk. Only mods on the engine was gasket, arp studs 531 head with A-Cam, 680cc injectors, walboro 265 pump, 3" alu cooler, 3" jt exhaust, comp turbo, and autrinic sm4 standalone ECU. Drove with that for 6 years, before I sold the car. Stock internals are capable for way more than 250hp with a good tune.

the best version IMO is the US model 1983 240T, a 505 (claimed but forever disputed) build car to make it eligible to be homologated in Group A racing as a 'sporting evolution'. It featured the 2 valve head with J-Tronic electronic fuel injection, water injection and a bigger Garret TB03 turbocharger, the block had webbing for extra strength, the biggest conrods in any red block and a forged crankshaft. These engines in racing trim put out a very reliable 360HP even with Group A's restricted valve lift regulations. I dont recall one engine ever failing in racing, rarely sometimes the turbo let go, but it was usually a suspension or drivetrain failure that sidelined the cars. These cars were very competetive and it wasnt until the homologation of the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 that they became obsolete

the redblock has its roots way before 1974 with the b18/b20 family which basically are an OHV version. but i would agree that the redblock as everyone knows it started in 1974 with the b21

@LocalAutist

2 жыл бұрын

the redblock had it's roots all the way back in 1944 when they were known as greenblocks or B4B. B4B was a 1.4L engine that then evolved into B16 which then had a major block overhaul into B18/B20

I miss my ‘86 Volvo 240. Best car I’ve ever owned.

@sulaimaanhr6982

2 жыл бұрын

Rebuy one

@elgonza69

2 жыл бұрын

@@sulaimaanhr6982 I’ve been thinking about it for a long time but with the used car market going berserk right now, I have to wait. 😁👍🏼

@Steinersgarage

2 жыл бұрын

@@elgonza69 well prices on the 240 is just rising. it aint becoming cheaper to get

All the rods are forged. It's the pistons and crank that may or may not be going by the engine type. The strong stock rods in a B21FT are also heavy. They won't fit in a B230 type engine either. __________________ Dave, 1982 242 turbo. 338k miles. MVP coilovers and 3" exhaust. Flowed 405 with a V15. Cossie turbine housing with upgraded compressor housing. 90+, IPD remote oil filter. Some other goodness, too. Been lots of fun over 25 years. Restored in 2k. Now ready for a 2nd restoration.

@reeegzy5470

2 жыл бұрын

338k that's amazing I'm jealous. How good would a b23 be with a turbo on it do you think? I have a 240 wagon with a b23e in it and a 740 turbo from 86 and I'm trying to piece together a build.

Very good video!

i've got a suzuki sj413 with a b21, barely starts sometimes but with all those 75 dead horses i understand it

I love my 89 740 wagon! Thing is a beast! Im a little sad its been stuck parked since October of 23. Hopefully I can get my car moving again after putting a new fuel pressure regulator in.

Very informative.

remember watching visio racer years ago thats crazy

On 1991 I had a friend who had a 740 2L16sTURBO 200hp in rigid rear axle and 4gears with overdrive!!🥳

Excellent job

got a volvo penta in my boat. seems great, hear good views on it.

You've convinced me to keep my 940 for another 2 year.

My 16v pulled like a train. Great engine. Just need to make sure the coolant is good enough to stop corrosion. Having seen what happens to an engine when a belt snaps, it pains me to see unprotected cam belts. One stone flicked into a pulley and it's game over.

3:03... Holy smoke, that's some serious turbo lag!

@fftlmfao17

2 жыл бұрын

I think that's actually why they ended up using a Mitsu turbo if I'm not mistaken. The Garret was beefy but tons of lag so they switched

The B230FT got 13mm rods in 1990. They are typically happy up to 350whp/25psi on E85

The 405 head was available with small cooling passages as well, but they're EXTREMELY rare. 👍🏻 Also, the 531 head have a little different angle and placement of the spark plug to make it more centred in the combustion chamber for better combustion.

@anderseliassen2470

2 жыл бұрын

The 531 runs colder too. The heat is a problem with the 530 and the small turbo's often used stock

I had a 1986 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon with a M46 transmission. Had the B230FT with a Garrett T3 turbo, intercooler. Sold it last year. That car drove me up wall. But lord knows I miss it.

I'm on the white block fwd B52 brick life, when you can get an incredible sounding engine in a practical automatic transmission daily with room for 4 people and lots of stuff you really can't complain. Also a fwd Volvo is great n the snow and the heat kicks on quick, these things were made for winter!

2 жыл бұрын

B5234T 😎

@themadscientest

2 жыл бұрын

@ B5244S with intake VVT. All of the modular engines have forged rods so they are probably perfectly happy to get tuned.

@themadscientest

Жыл бұрын

@ White blocks suck, water pump went, shredded the timing belt, straight fucked every valve. I've since moved to Toyota with the 2AR-FE which has a bunch of potential.

NA B234f in my 740 wagon is the perfect spec for drifting - healthy powerband and dead reliable with a good power level to be challenging. Having just155hp makes tires last long too.

Swedish turbo monsters 🇸🇪💪

YES!!! Thank you!

I've got a 1996 volvo 940 with a b230 turbo lump. It's one of the best engines ever mate,mines done 250k and it drives like new

I got 2 volvo b23 k-jet engines. One a put a cam and done a exhaust. both of them just goes like dreams. I also got a b23a (carb) with a extraktor and cam. its just funny how they takes a real beating like nothing on the ice or track.

Actually the early edition of the b230 had narrower crank journals than the b23 to reduce friction, different axial bearing design but volvo later decided to go back to the 63mm crank journal width that the b23 had together with thicker conrods and a better axial bearing design. This is very important for tuning whereas the early edition conrods will not handle much power at all and have been known to bend quite easily, different from the later revision conrods that can handle up to between 3 and 400 hp on a standard type rotating assembly.

love the video, i have a volvo 360 with b200 engine. i’m gonna do a NA build with camshaft twin weber carbs and free flowing headers.

Nice video, I always like Volvo's. But how about EJ Series? They deserve a video too.

My dad Is obsessed with old 240 redblocks while I'm more of a AMC/Chrysler powertech nut. I must give credit where credit is due though those old Volvo motors are bulletproof

1:51. Volvo Terror. Rip.

My 84 240 has 463k miles on the original unopened motor and trans. Getting ready to rip it out, reseal it and add boost. Compression still at 210psi after all these years. Healthy healthy

0.10 thats me and my friend having fun :D

I love my redblock. All the wiring failed around it, but the redblock is solid af.

Even though im a whiteblock guy redblock is legendary engine

The B234 is the 16v version of the Redblock and it is amazing, especially in the slightly lighter 740 GLE. I believe that Porsche/Cosworth may have done a better job than expected as the 155hp claim for these engines always seemed off to me…but I suppose it’s not great for business if your NA model is more powerful than the turbo 🤣

@flyfaen1

2 жыл бұрын

Nope, they just are actually honest 155 crankies. They usually measure around 138 to the hubs, for comparison my own modified 8v NA is measured to 146 on crank, and put 130 honest to the hubs. (740 GL, M47 and 1031 rear end with 3.73) The 16v engine has a very broad power band (alot under the curve) for those 155 crankies, thats why it seems "bigger", same with my own modified 8v. The torque "curve" is basically flat from 2000 to 5000 rpm, and passengers guesses were always around 170 to 180 hp, the confusion when i handed over the actual hub-dyno trace of 130 hp, was fun tho 😂

@Numer1Polak

2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact us ford guys use the f head on ford pinto block 2.3L engines since the red block is based on the ford engine.

@jfv65

2 жыл бұрын

B234F: 157hp without cat. There are also the B204FT (cat, 195hp) and B204GT (no cat, 200hp) Those engines are rare. They were only sold in some specific markets like Israël, Italy. You can find them in 740 T16v, 940 T16v and 780 T16v. (only 169 ever made with that engine)

The Volvo red block engines is absolutely not a bad engine in any way but actually I would say that Swedens really best tuning engine is the Saab B204 and B234 found in 1994-1998 Saab 900 and 9000 and the 1998-2000 Saab 9-3.

I had an 740 -91 with some tired 8v engine. It was the slowest car i've ownd (i have had an 35hp Renault 5) One of my friends bought it and told me that it was one of the quickest redblocks he have had! Felt sorry for him... "Fun fact about that car, it turned out some former worker at volvo had owned it and that it was some experimental car. It had some special things added like diffrent components in the enginebay, "wrong"gearbox and the beefy rear axle. But the coolest part, heated steeringwheel!

just put a big cam in my 86 740 gle and i love it

Which cars mounted the 3rd generation (B230) ? And which is the engine name of the turbo versions?

My b 23 lasted (as I recall) 335,000 miles, and my wife's b 230 was still running at 225,000 miles when we traded it in. Excellent cars, both, but I preferred my b 23.

.this is crazy when i saw your first video you had 20k subs. now I haven't looked at you for 2 years and age is blatant. Respect.

YESSSS 240 owner here, man I love these engines.

Great vid! Would you make a similiar vid of Volvo's 5-bangers ?

My 1991 740 wagon seriously needs some of that turbo power. Good information if I want to build mine into a Hot Rod In the meantime what is best modification to squeeze a bit more horses out of it?? Has around 200,000 miles and still going strong. ( speedometer broke years ago at 165k) JT: Orlando Florida

5:36 there was actually one variant that had a forged crank, the B204FT/GT which was only sold in italy and is super rare :O Edit: the G variants were the same as F but made to run on leaded gas. And there's a guy, dieselpacko, who used a modified K head on a non-K to diesel convert a 240...F, K and turbo engines have different height pistons, F has the highest ones, K the lowest and turbo in the middle and a K head with F pistons provided high enough compression for combusting diesel ;D

@Wasio212

2 жыл бұрын

My b204ft is from italy. And i have lucky buying second engine for around 230$😁

@Rostvin

2 жыл бұрын

köpte hans gamla 340, han kan sina grejer när det gäller volvo motorer kan man säga.

@LocalAutist

2 жыл бұрын

@@Rostvin nae jag bara är sån när jag börjar snacka volvo, bara börjar svamlar en massa 😂

@anderseliassen2470

2 жыл бұрын

B204ft the best Volvo redblock ever. One friend of mine has one on stock in his garage. They made from 190-205hp stock. And made 250 easy with just a boost and exhaust uppgrade

@anderseliassen2470

2 жыл бұрын

@@Wasio212 best Volvo redblock ever

I love my 1995 Volvo 940!

Nice video about the redblocks! U missed one thing and that is the B234f (16v) engines has it's own block. U mentioned the balance shafts but it is the only block that they fit on. And the b234 has a belt driven oilpump. with that said the 16v head fits straight on a regular b230 with some modifications to the belt drive. If you really want to tune a redblock go for the b230fk block from 1995-1998. they have oilsquirters under the pistons.

@anderseliassen2470

2 жыл бұрын

Ad a 16v glt head wit cams, and a penta crank, and you have a powerplant

Love a Volvo, started with a 340, swapped the Renault engine for a 2.0ltr F7r from a Williams Clio. Sold that and got a 244 glt, good solid car but slow asf. Then a turbo 940 Celebration came up for cheap and that's been my daily for the last 8 years with a hybrid turbo, boost controller, chip and full SS exhaust, given me no problems so far except its thirst for fuel.

I have had three 740's; '91 B230F (electronic injection), 1988 B230E (mechanical injection) & 1985 B230A (pierburg 160CD carburettor) 😄 I found the A best even in cold ass Finnish winters. The F was the worst kind of F, Bendix Regina. always electrical issues. E was fine but had bad idle and throttle stuck open sometimes. Funny enough a connecting rod came through the block in my 85 B230A 😂 I did drive it hard, slides etc. but I took good care of it. Bet someone didn't. No idea how many miles were on it because of typical 740 broken speedo.

Cheers from Sweden and Volvo land VR,, 🍻😎👍‍‍

Volvo . Not really considered a " Performance " Marque . But DAMN they build some GOOD engines . And their Trucks are considered the Most Reliable too . The INCLUDES comparison to the American Engine makers too .

Swedish LS engine:):)

@TurboWorld

2 жыл бұрын

16v heads flow more than stock Ls head

@joe125ful

2 жыл бұрын

@@TurboWorld Can be...

@Xayuap

2 жыл бұрын

please don't say that, any swedish brick is better than any usaer car

@TurboWorld

2 жыл бұрын

@@joe125ful they do, tested on a flow bench, fact.

@joe125ful

2 жыл бұрын

@@TurboWorld Ok.

Yes the redblock!!!

So, what is the engine with the most potential for boost and reliable ? I look for information to buy one in the futur 🤞🏼

Finally! Once you Drive Volvo you never Go Back!

Good to hear good thing about this engines. I have a 1982 244 gl. I think it’s A k jet tronic. Any info on that fuel system ?

@PSA78

2 жыл бұрын

Developed by Bosch and used by a lot of different mfg, they tend to work for years with minimum maintenance, but can be a handful once they need more elaborated service.

A problem not mentioned (because its the gearbox, not engine) is the m47 transmission. They can hold about 300-350whp before it starts to slipp. It started to happend on the Dirfts n Lifts Volvo you used in this video. So if you want high hp numbers you also have to change out the trans with a modded bmw zf trans

@martinlund9524

Жыл бұрын

M90 does is quite good also. But 3rd gear sync can be broken if you does hard gearshifts. Also OD on m46 or m47 and "stupid" OD on all gears can be quite fun also.

I do miss my 1996 960 engine.

Those red block engines are strong reliable, bulletproof you have the B-16,B18, and the different engines used in the 240s up to 1986 from there on it changed

how much power for b230fk connecting rod ? NM and horses ? merci

Hopefully one day I’ll find a clean Volvo C30 or s40-60 manual!

The 405 head was found on the b23e

What do you think of the volvo pants 3 liter 4 cylinder motor?

Just a small correction. There are 405 heads with the smaller cooling passages. I have one.

when you meantioned the 530 head you showed stav techs hand ported hemi head, sneaky but I'm sure people can tell how much grinding is required.

K-Jet for life! 🇸🇪

Thank you 🙏 Great video again. Although they are already a familiar topic to me but still i learn few new things ☺️i am just redblock fan boy and just start tuning my own b230ft whit 531 head 😁

Can you please do some videos on some Aussie made engines. (Ford Barra, Ford Cleveland V8, Holden 253, 308 V8, Vallient 245 etc)