1994 Volvo 850 - N/A to Turbo conversion

[shaker_chi]

There are a few things you can do to make your N/A more lively to drive, but it will never be as fast or have the torque of a turbo. I have a 1994 850 5 speed with the VVIS intake manifold. I have a K&N air filter, the 960 throttle plate and advanced the exhaust and intake cams 2 degrees. With all that, I would guess I picked up about 10 HP. The car is an absolute blast to drive. I put lowering springs on it and it handles very well. I have a 98 S70 T5 manual, and I have to say the 850 is much more fun to drive.

Regarding your conversion, are you going to use the light pressure turbo? That may be a better route since those were 2.4.

[precopster]

Of course you can't put in 81mm pistons from a 2.3 HPT but you can certainly use the 83mm pistons from any B5254T LPT engine such as a later 2.4T up to and including '99.

The NA compression ratio is actually 11:1 so you really need lower comp pistons to avoid detonation which will bend conrods.

Can you get away without doing all this? Sure if you invest in an aftermarket ECU controller which will take care of all engine functions and comes with its own loom.

[mmd94]

To correct the compression issue, I am having pistons made to match the compression, I have friends who are able to manufacture these. As for the turbo, I plan on using the TD04HL -16T. I also have ordered forged Rods and will look into making the pistons forged as well, it makes sense. That will hopefully fix the compression and power issues. Also, any good brand/website to look for transmission bands and filter? the picture below will explain why =/

Transmission Line:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... w&id=25040

[mmd94]

While I wait on connecting rods and pistons, anyone know where to hook into the 850 to tune it?

[rspi]

MMD94, it appears that you are not listening to anything that is being typed here. Even though a few have posted notices of direction that you will have to take, they are given as a warning of one traveling down the WRONG road (at least that is what I'm getting out of it).

This site is kind of like my take on Volvo's... keep them rolling down the road, smooth and steady. It's not really a place to get tips or instruction on making a monster race car Volvo 850. A decent T5 turbo can be had for $600 or less with the need of a head or something like that which can be easily fixed compared to adding a turbo to a NA model.

So, that makes me a little curious as to what you are really trying to accomplish??? Do you really think you will be better off adding a turbo to a NA car or are you so board that you want to see how far you can pull some of these guys chain?

[rspi]

Oh, and just for grins, the real turbo guys modify their cars to use the NA intake manifold.

[precopster]

Robert's got a good point. I've never seen a non turbo to turbo conversion, though many join the forum asking how and swear they're "gonna do it man" & they invariably disappear never to be heard from again. It's always way too involved and/or beyond their level of skill.

[tryingbe]

While I wait on connecting rods and pistons, anyone know where to hook into the 850 to tune it?

If you want to use a turbo 850 M4.3 ECU, socket the ECU, buy a Moates Ostrich and use motronic suite http://socalsaab.com/suites/suites.htm Start with a 96 ecu or R ecu calibration.

If you want to use a turbo 98 M4.4 ECU http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/15 ... g-for-m44/


If I were you and I wanted to do N/A to turbo, buy a turbo donor car and swap EVERYTHING over. Engine/Trans/wiring/ECU/Dash gauges/EVERYTHING.

[mmd94]

I would like to see if someone has a picture or diagram of where the turbo oil lines are routed to? I'm looking to see where I need to hook into my block to add them. Thanks!

[Ozark Lee]

It goes to a socket on the block that isn't there.

The oil supply is pictured here (the banjo bolt):

The return socket is more or less pictured here:

The socket in the picture has a paper towel shoved in it.

...Lee