How do I give my '86 740GLE alittle kick under the hood?

Matlock23 · Post by **Matlock23** » 21 Jun 2003, 23:05

I'm 17 and I have a '86 740 GLE. Need I say more? I love the car but I wish it could have alittle bit more fire in its stomach. I'm willing to spend a few bucks on performance mods for my car.

What are some suggestions?

Where do I start??

Where do I find performance parts for a '86 740 GLE???

PLEASE HELP

[email protected]

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 22 Jun 2003, 09:24

Well Matlock23, you have requested a tall order. Vehicle performance is based on one simple formula, engine power (torque) and vehicle weight. Unfortunatly with the Volvo GLE you are driving a heavy sedan with a normally aspirated 4 cylinder. There is not a "cheap" way of increasing engine power. If you were starting with a 740 Turbo then power incraeses are more readily available, in fact that may be you best choice is to keep your eye open for either a complete 740 Turbo or at least the engine from one, this would be the easiest and cheapest power increase. If you want to stay with your current engine adding a free flowing and larger exhaust will help a little, but no alot.

Sorry I cannot provide better news, as an alternative to increased engine performance I would concentrate on improving the handling, upgrade the springs, shocks, and sway bars, ( www.ipdusa.com ) you will find that this will transform the car into something that is a blast to drive

Miguel · Post by **Miguel** » 26 Jun 2003, 12:39

It sounds as though you want to add some pep ...
try these sites

http://www.brickboard.com
http://www16.brinkster.com/towerymt/links.html

It really is a great car and if you can get ahold of a turbo engine you are in for some fun!

sirgothicsword · Post by **sirgothicsword** » 10 Feb 2004, 06:23

A couple of months back i was looking at a engine tuning site, they had tuned a 230 out of a 740 gl estate, they claimed to have gained a lot of power from little cash, 1 by changing the exhaust manifold to a post 1990 version, 2 they matched and polished the ports gas flowed the heads, 3 fitted a 3inch bore exhaust, 4 fitted a new cam 5 there was some feathering of the choke flap and jet changes plus a k & n air filter, now i cant remember it all but what i do remember is that they claimed to have doubled the bhp at the rear wheels, if it wasn't for the fact that uk fuel prices are so high i would have taken there route myself

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 10 Feb 2004, 07:44

Volvo engines do have conservitive HP ratings but it would take a considerable amount of work and money to double the rear wheel HP unless the engine discussed was a turbocharged unit.

Especially when you mention the article refered to a 1990's exhaust manifold, the turbo manifold was upgraded in 1990 and does flow considerably more, but here again we are talking a turbocharged engine.

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Feb 2004, 10:04

Not to get too off subject, but I agree that Volvo's hp estimates are conservative. For a car of its weight, my 850 really moves. The 850 turbo's hp rating of 222 seems low, esp. when you throw in the fact that it's an auto trans.

petershen1984 · Post by **petershen1984** » 16 Jul 2004, 08:05

matthew1 wrote:Not to get too off subject, but I agree that Volvo's hp estimates are conservative. For a car of its weight, my 850 really moves. The 850 turbo's hp rating of 222 seems low, esp. when you throw in the fact that it's an auto trans.

I'm a bit shy to mention my B200E produced 114-hp in 1988; it is equivalent to what a 1.5-liter, DOHC Toyota Tercel produces now; but I bet the Tercel has much less torque. (it doesn't take much to move japanese tin foil as opposed to swedish bricks).

If 225 hp is what you get on a 3.0 V6 from Toyota, 222-hp sounds about right for your turbocharged 2.5 inline-5. It is conservative, for an inline-6, 2,922 cc Volvo engine (960/S90 and S80) to produce only 201-hp..

I suspect the reason for for "conservative" hp numbers is that the Volvo motor is configured for high torque. I think the torque values are often overlooked when comparing different cars. It must make sense to justify the high acceleration times, for the non-turbo models...

ozzimark · Post by **ozzimark** » 16 Jul 2004, 12:40

yeah, i agree with you on that one... although volvo engines aren't really high torque either.. it's just that they put out a number pretty close to the peak (relative to some other cars *cough*s2000*cough*) throughout most of the rpm range.