284 replies to this topic

[lookforjoe]

OK, so this has come up in a bunch of different threads, and I'd like to see if we can concretely define which later heads are the best bang for the buck, and what mods are required in each case in one thread.

related threads: Why Build?
Ultimate Budget Build
What The Inside Of Your Head

Thoughts?

Some questions:

What year did they stop using the 2.3L?

Will 2.4 or 2.5 heads bolt on without issues to oil or water cooling passages?

Which cams/gears should be used to eliminate the VVT?

Do the crank / waterpump/ tensioner gears need to be changed for use of later cams (different belt/teeth configuration?)

[Hanks]

99-2000

99 2.3 T5  Single VVT
99 2.4 LPT Single VVT
00 2.4 R   Single VVT

2001-2004

2001-2004 2.3   T5   Single VVT
2001-2004 2.4   LPT  Single VVT
2005-2009 2.4   T5   Dual VVT
2003-2009 2.5   LPT  Dual VVT
2004-2009 2.5   S60R Dual VVT

NA VVT cars had VVT on the intake cam instead of the exhaust cam. It may be possible to use the non VVT exhaust cam. someone would have to verify the journals though..
Captain Bondo posted some info about him putting 960 cams into a s80 t6 motor, took a bit of machining but it worked.

when using the 99+ head/block+head you will need to use the accessory rack from the older style 93-98 850/x70 for the easiest swap. it is possible to use the newer style but the only problem would be with the power steering pump as the 99+ use an external PS fluid reservoir. Aaron was able to get the older style PS pump with some bracket modification for htownturbobricks car

IMO the best/cleanest setup (my setup) would be to use a 99+ steering rack along with keeping all the original accessories/accessory rack from the 99+ motor type. you will need to drill out the PS fluid reservoir/water reservoir bracket from the 99+ strut tower and tack, sand and repaint it onto the 850/x70 strut tower. you will also need to port match the 94-98 intake manifold to the 99+ head and use the older style thermostat bracket. using turbo tuner you will not have to put a cap and rotor onto the car as it is going to support coil on plug soon. This whole process completly gets rid of any hoses that are running between the rad/ic and the intake manifold. It is VERY clean look



thanks for opening this thread also lets keep it updated with any info we find out.

Edited by Hanks, 14 January 2010 - 06:02 PM.

[TurboedVolvo]

OMG Finally this thread has been started!

Lets get some valuable input guys! This could be a sticky one day!

If we can pick up a later head that flows better than $3 g's worth of machining for under 800$

I would love to know more please everyone share your information!

[Hanks]

updated my post with a little more info.

[Ipd]

Here's what I can add.

Latest version R head gasket is MLS (multi layer steel) like a Cometic, this is the stock replacement. I got mine from Victor Reinz.
The cooling ports are different, they are staggered and will provide better cooling. Oil feed and crankcase drain ports are all compatible. If you use a non CVVT head with the MLS gasket you'll have to drill a few ports into the cooling passages in the head to get adequate cooling.
So this means a CVVT head will bolt onto a non CVVT block.

You cannot to my knowledge put a non CVVT cam in place of a cam that was CVVT.
The journals are significantly different, this is true for any potentional non CVVT cam be it earlier 870 style or later P2 style.
Obviously modification could be made to the head but it's not a drop in.

You can run a CVVT system on a car that didn't come equipped with it but you'll need a controller.
To control the CVVT solenoid you only have to vary the duty cycle - on time.
The frequency is fixed at 250 hz.
Acceptable duty cycle ranges from 20% to 95%.

The easiest way to control it is by setting up a 555 timer to trigger a TIP120 power transistor off a boost pressure sensor.
555 fixes the frequency at 250hz and the change in boost pressure (resistance change) will retard/advance the cam as load (boost) is increased.
Basic knowledge of electronics and intercooler is required to implement.

Setting up a proper advance/retard setting depends on mods but for a free flowing engine with aftermarket exhaust, downpipe, intake, intercooler, etc.. added overlap can be beneficial while stock engine will be better off with less overlap.

[TurboedVolvo]

Here's what I can add.

Latest version R head gasket is MLS (multi layer steel) like a Cometic, this is the stock replacement. I got mine from Victor Reinz.
The cooling ports are different, they are staggered and will provide better cooling. Oil feed and crankcase drain ports are all compatible.
So this means a CVVT head will bolt onto a non CVVT block.

You cannot to my knowledge put a non CVVT cam in place of a cam that was CVVT.
The journals are significantly different, this is true for any potentional non CVVT cam be it earlier 870 style or later P2 style.
Obviously modification could be made to the head but it's not a drop in.

You can run a CVVT system on a car that didn't come equipped with it but you'll need a controller.
To control the CVVT solenoid you only have to vary the duty cycle - on time.
The frequency is fixed at 250 hz.
Acceptable duty cycle ranges from 20% to 95%.

The easiest way to control it is by setting up a 555 timer to trigger a TIP120 power transistor off a boost pressure sensor.
555 fixes the frequency at 250hz and the change in boost pressure (resistance change) will retard/advance the cam as load (boost) is increased.
Basic knowledge of electronics and intercooler is required to implement.

Setting up a proper advance/retard setting depends on mods but for a free flowing engine with aftermarket exhaust, downpipe, intake, intercooler, etc.. added overlap can be beneficial while stock engine will be better off with less overlap.

AWESOME INFORMATION LUCKY!

Any more information on what modifications would need to be made maybe HtownBrick will chime in

[Hanks]

aaron Juan did the work for htowntubrobrick.

updated with more info...

[ErikS]

Juan did the work for htowntubrobrick.

He wishes

[Hanks]

He wishes

who did then? thats what htownturbobrick said.

ahhh nvm it was aaron! ajhehr

[AthruC]

This might not be of any help, but you did ask

This pertains to North American cars.


The 2.3L, as a block, was no longer used after 2005. The Gen. 1 T5's and R's generally lost .1L to the 'standard' motors, and in the P2, that was generally the case as well (except for the 2.5T which had some 'overlap'). As we all know, the 'earlier' T5's and R's were all -.1 except for the '00 VR which kept a 2.4L block.

P2's w/ a turbo were 2.4L's as the 'base' turbo car, which later went to the 2.5T. The 2001-2004 T5's were 2.3L, then in 2005, Volvo actually did some *good* trickle-down engineering and the T5 shared most components w/ the R's motor, but using a 2.4L block. The 05+ P2 T5's and P2 R's share crank, rods, head, cams, etc.

The P2 turbo cars all share the same valves.

Lucky, have you actually implemented a VVT circuit like the one you mentioned (like what you did w/ the 4C setup)? I am looking to do something just like what you describe with a 98 ECM and would love to be able to make the dual VVT (properly) functional.

[HtownTurboBrick]

Forwarding thread to Aaron

[Hanks]

Here is a little more info in case some people want to read... just about what they changed

http://www.volvoclub...d_engines.shtml

[Johann]

2001-2004 2.3 T5 Single VVT
2001-2004 2.4 LPT Single VVT
2005-2009 2.4 T5 Single VVT
2003-2009 2.5 LPT Dual VVT
2004-2009 2.5 S60R Dual VVT

[Hanks]

thanks, edited.

so it looks like the 2003 lpt would be a great motor to get!

[Ipd]

Lucky, have you actually implemented a VVT circuit like the one you mentioned (like what you did w/ the 4C setup)? I am looking to do something just like what you describe with a 98 ECM and would love to be able to make the dual VVT (properly) functional.

Yes but i just used a piggy back system with an additional tuning map for the vvt. So didn't use the 555/tip120/boost sensor method.

[ajhehr]

I know at least the 2000 v70r uses 7mm valve stems instead of the smaller 6mm on the early.
both are sodium filled to my knowledge.

the later solid lifter head flows more stock then my hydraulic lifter head with full gasket match and port and polish. I always hesitate to say flow numbers in CFM because there is so much variance in between flow benches.

on the same flow bench though our solid lifter heads at least in static flow is comparable to your honda k20a2 head, where our head lacks vs the honda is in the cam profiles.

[Johann]

I know at least the 2000 v70r uses 7mm valve stems instead of the smaller 6mm on the early.

AFAIK all engine's up to the solid lifter type use 7 mm stems. With the lifter type change the valve stem size changed.

[Hanks]

Johann,

would you happen to have any pictures with the cam cover taken off? it would be interesting to see if a NA VVT head exhaust cam(non vvt cam) has the correct journals to put in place of the VVT turbo exhaust cam.

[AthruC]

Yes but i just used a piggy back system with an additional tuning map for the vvt. So didn't use the 555/tip120/boost sensor method.

I may not be as familiar with the VVT on these heads (including dual VVT), but I was under the impression that the VVT was only load dependent once past a certain rpm (generally, where the horsepower and torque curves intersect, the lower range giving the equivalent of running 'NA cam' timing and the higher range 'turbo cam' timing?

Once you do get to dual variable, that does mess things up a hair, so do you focus on just one variable (load), or do you base it on engine speed? Can you (easily) 'tune' the timing based on both?

[Captain Bondo]

As was said, the switch to 6mm stems came on later motors with solid lifters.

Solid lifter cams have a 2mm larger base circle, but solid lifters are a different height. It would be cool to know if they are 2mm shorter and therefore the length of the 6mm and 7mm valves is the same and it therefore would all interchange.
Also the post seemed to suggest that 7mm stems was some sort of upgrade. That's also backwards. You want 6mm stems if you can.

Cam timing needs to be load and RPM dependent. Using only one or the other, I'd use RPM before I used load, but really you need to use both for it to work well.