thoughts on powerplants?

[joehalford01]

Hey guys,

So this friend of mine has been coming over to help me with my truck alot lately. I havn't talked to him for about two years now because he got really sick, depressed, and talking to him just seemed to make it worse. Anyways, he's started coming over because he's better now and he pretty much needs to stay busy. I noticed he was eyeing one of the volvos I have and he asked if he could buy one from me later. I'm thinking about just giving him one and letting him work on it here until we get it running (we have to get mine done first though ). So, what powerplants do you guys would think might be cool in those? He was talking about a supercharged v-6 out of a bonneville, we tend to think along the same lines of obscure and different. I'm thinking small block chevy, souped up modern volvo motor, northstars are getting cheap. what do you guys think?

 

[FlatBroke]

Joe,
I think that would be a super boost for your friend if you gave him a car of any kind.
As far as power plants go, That is the difference in apples and oranges. A boosted V-6 from a Bonneville sounds cool for a project but keep in mind all the computer controlled stuff you will have to get from a doner car. Don't know anything at all about a modern Volvo motor. Northstars are getting cheap like you said, but from what I understand, the starter in *UNDER* the intake manifold. (never been that deep in a northstar myself). SBC is always cheap to build and put injection on at a later date...

Just food for thought....

 

[Bonehead]

I think ... You are a really cool guy to even think about helping this guy out.

Motors, anything that will carry the front wheels about 20 feet of the line, would be good. Other than that, some of the new motors would look good in there, but and old flatty would too. Yep, apples and oranges.

 

[BruceR&C]

You buddy has got one real good friend in you, Joe. Getting a car from a friend would probably make his year.
As for motors, I'm with Bonehead, old & flatty. Actually, it's your car, your call. Use what you think is cool. I'm sure everyone has their idea on what would work but, in the end it's your dime.

But, if your taking suggestions, a turbocharged 225 slanter would be way different

 

[joehalford01]

cool, thanks guys. yeah, he's a pretty good guy and I think I bought one too many projects anyways. at $250 bucks into one I think I can let it go as he already said he has some heads he'll give me for my truck and some other stuff. keep throwing suggestions out for nifty powerplants we could put in this thing. that way I give him a list to ponder when i tell him i'm going to give him the car (after he helps me finish mine )

 

[Inked Monkey]

I know my next motor is going to be a nailhead. I love the looks of them and you can find them pretty cheap. They are a bit more expensive to build though.

 

[gassersgarage]

It's really great of you to help this guy out. I know that when I was depressed, seriously depressed, working on my car was therapy. It was in the 70's. Before that, I never cared what a car looked like. After that, I finally "finished" my cars.

 

[RUSTY50F1]

Joe I think it's great to help out a friend. I'd like for you to put a 350 TPI in it and post a long detailed account of all the wiring that has to be done. That way I could use the post to help me wire mine when I get that far. Just a thought. Sure would be nice though. ..........RUSTY

 

[donsrods]

Well, chosing what engine to use generally comes from one of three places. 1) What brand you personally like, 2) What becomes available to you, and 3) What will fit in the car you are going to swap into.

The Volvos must have a big engine compartment, judging from your own project, so room isn't a problem. Does you buddy have a brand preference? He mentioned Pontiac, so he must like those. As mentioned, the computer and sensor issues would be something to overcome.

Don

 

[35chevypu]

new volvo turbo? keep it all volvo just to be different

 

[joehalford01]

The Volvos must have a big engine compartment, judging from your own project, so room isn't a problem.

There's plenty of room once you remove the inner fenders, grill support, and firewall........

I'd like for you to put a 350 TPI in it and post a long detailed account of all the wiring that has to be done.

I was going to wait for you to finish so i could copy you......

new volvo turbo? keep it all volvo just to be different

I almost want to do this with mine, carb'd big blocks are just alot cheaper though.

 

[gassersgarage]

If you wanna go Big Block, check out www.speedomotive.com
They seem to have the best prices for a Big Block crate engine. I priced building a 454 with good heads through PAW. Speedomotive was cheaper and the motor was blueprinted and balanced. I ran their 500hp 454 in my Biscayne with great results.

 

[LordMaximo]

Volvo actually has some real good engines available in todays' market. I would recommend finding a nearly new, wrecked unit and transplant the whole computer driven system into your older shell. Volvo is Volvo, they actually are worth their value when you keep it all in the family.
You know, like Ford with a Ford, Chevy with a Chevy, and a hemi goes with anything.

Maximo

 

[joehalford01]

i noticed they tend to have more resale value with souped up volvo engines. volvo guys go nuts over them like that.

 

[RUSTY50F1]

Now that's no way to be. All that thinking gives me a headache. Guess I'll just have to get my feet wet first for all of us. .............RUSTY

 

[35Mastr]

Really good thing you are thinking about doing for your buddy with the car.I would not put any of newer caddy motors in.Those motors are nightmares.Most of the caddy motors that were built after carbaration have been pretty much junk.Just very prone to head problems and poor bottom ends.(IMO)