Afternoon all. I've got a 1996 Volvo 940 Celebration Estate, which is a rolling restomod/modernisation project. I've done (and am continuing to do) a load of quality of life and handling mods, but in the long term I also want to do something about the engine. I want to set a direction now with the engine work so I can start acquiring parts over a long timeframe.
The aim is to increase both power and fuel economy - at the moment I've got 160-180hp (by bum dyno) and I've managed 31MPG on a motorway run, with town driving being in the low 20's. I'd like 300hp with either the same MPG or better if at all possible - the MPG is probably unrealistic, but aim for the moon and all that...
I've got a spare late 2.3 8v engine which I could modernise somewhat - e.g. deck the block to improve CR and squish, port the head, etc. etc., but part of me wonders: am I just polishing the proverbial? I know these engines are sturdy but I'd likely be stuck with the 8v head as 16v ones are poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo, I'd likely reduce the sturdiness, and I just wonder if it's worth the effort compared to swapping in something like a 2.3l Duratec. Or a even a AJ30, like I've got in my kit car.
A lot of the real MPG and performance improvements would come from engine externals, controls and other mods; improving the cars aero, a bigger turbo, aftermarket ECU with staged & sequential injection, modern injectors, etc. and are not really tied to the choice of engine.
Either way I'll likely build the engine\turbo\gearbox combination in a rig and get it ready to swap into the car on a weekend using a new, separate harness for most of the sensors etc., so I can return the car to stock easily if I ever want/need to.
Cost is definitely an issue, but I can do most things myself which helps keep it under control.
TLDR Summary: To get 300HP and reasonable MPG, do I stick with the 8v Red Block engine and modernise it, or do I buy a modern engine to fit? And if a more modern engine, what would be a good contender?
