• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

B200E 240 GL 1989

Avesta

Avesta

New member
Joined
Apr 25, 2026
Greetings from Nottingham.

Go easy on me - have never posted on a forum, not least a car enthusiasts one.

I recently bought a 240 - been looking for one to start as a father/son project as my old man is handy enough around an engine.

His expertise does not however extend to tuning etc as he's far too sensible (old ahem) for that...

We've discovered it has a fuel pump issue and we're replacing it, but right now we've stripped the interior and are addressing a few areas of inner sill rust and a patch on the drivers side floor. Also redoing rear wheel arches, too.

My question is this - when it comes back around to an engine review... what would you do to tune this engine if it were yours? High budget.

Before you say "chuck it and replace" - that is a consideration for future, but it's quite hard to find a B230FT here in the UK!

My ballpark BHP would be around 300 - don't need any more than that but not against going over it if it feels pointless not to.

And if we were to reach that kind of power increase, what measures would you take chassis wise etc.

Feel free to fuel inject sarcasm and total disdain for my newb nature. But please also help with some real advice too.

Thanks!
Avesta
 
Hi, I'm in the UK too - just down the M1 a bit.
I also have a B200 - some suggest the smaller bore size has an advantage. Tuning wise the main disadvantage is the lack of aftermarket pistons - most everything else is the same between the two engines.
I would start by watching the Overboost Racing series of You tube videos on prepping a bottom end for 600bhp. Pistons and a crank pulley should make sure your 300bhp don't break anything and will be ready if/when you decide 300 is not enough.
There are plenty of posts/videos for porting the head - you don't need to go mad but a good skim to up compression is always good. Also, read up about tight squish on here and after skimming the block you would be ready for a cometic head gasket.
Personally, I found this power level a bit much for LH2.4 - couldn't get a balance between full throttle and just tootling about. I now have a Speeduino and enjoy the tuning ability this provides.
The key to your 300bhp will be the turbo. Choose wisely as too big a turbo won't spool up quickly enough for the traffic light drags and too small a one will run out of puff too quickly.
There's plenty of info on this site and the people are very knowledgeable. Keep us posted regarding your progress!
Tim
 
K9 240 said:
Hi, I'm in the UK too - just down the M1 a bit.
I also have a B200 - some suggest the smaller bore size has an advantage. Tuning wise the main disadvantage is the lack of aftermarket pistons - most everything else is the same between the two engines.
I would start by watching the Overboost Racing series of You tube videos on prepping a bottom end for 600bhp. Pistons and a crank pulley should make sure your 300bhp don't break anything and will be ready if/when you decide 300 is not enough.
There are plenty of posts/videos for porting the head - you don't need to go mad but a good skim to up compression is always good. Also, read up about tight squish on here and after skimming the block you would be ready for a cometic head gasket.
Personally, I found this power level a bit much for LH2.4 - couldn't get a balance between full throttle and just tootling about. I now have a Speeduino and enjoy the tuning ability this provides.
The key to your 300bhp will be the turbo. Choose wisely as too big a turbo won't spool up quickly enough for the traffic light drags and too small a one will run out of puff too quickly.
There's plenty of info on this site and the people are very knowledgeable. Keep us posted regarding your progress!
Tim
Click to expand...
Thanks Tim. The old man nodded as he was reading your post and then said "good advice"! 👍
 
It's hard to find a turbo engine from a 940 now? What about getting something from Europe? There is a thread from a member in the UK who built a 3 liter redblock. He listed the seller he bought the crank and pistons from in the thread.

I would suggest that you start with a bit lower goal. Then after you have successfully upgraded what you have say with adding a turbo to your present engine. It would make 200 some hp pretty easy and a 200hp car is fun. Then build the big power engine as the next goal. Because with big power you'll also need a stronger transmission. So start with some upgrades that work with the power handling capability of the stock driveline.
 
I would go welded diff for something like this. Seems like it's more of a fun project car more on the budget (rather than high budget) side. Welded is perfect and everyone should experience the wonky process from open > prep > weld > driving it. + it's free! There's a Denzel (IYKYK) 16v head up for bids starting at 5k eur atm in Sweden if it truly is high budget. This thing is on par with STEN or similar custom engine parts. One of the most mysterious redblock heads I know of. Definitely worth getting if you actually are high budget. I think there's less than 10 in the world or something, and it was custom made by some swiss volvo dealer who felt that the B21-23 (?) didn't have enough oumph.
 
Hi all.

Thanks for the tips. We're still finding our feet. Working away at body issues first - lot of welding!

After reading comments - I think I've revised power goals. Just looking for some get up and go from traffic lights and some B-road hustle.

I've seen a B230fk 2.3l from a 940 estate on eBay - would this swap in easily?

What would I need to consider? Total newbie, remember - so reliant on sound advice.

Thanks.
 
B230FK is a B230FT but with a different wastegate actuator. Lookup what's needed to install a B230FT into a 240, and then add wiring since you have K-jet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top