volvo head swap

Topic: volvo head swap (Read 3834 times) previous topic - next topic

volvo head swap

July 07, 2011, 02:13:09 PM

Does anybody know anything about the 2.3 volvo DOHC head swap? If i did hurt the piston rings, the whole motor will have to be taken apart so i figure its the perfect time to build it.

volvo head swap

Reply #1 – July 07, 2011, 03:33:54 PM

Be like all the other unoriginal knuckle draggers and throw an LSx or some other SBC into it....and we all know 4 valve engines are gutless.

On a more serious note, might want to look on other sites....I think only one guy here has done it. I have no clue what it involves, so good luck!

volvo head swap

Reply #2 – July 07, 2011, 03:58:57 PM

Yes those SODIUM VALVES IN MY 2 VALVE head flows like GANGBUSTERS. MAN MY KNUCKLES HURT :burnout:

volvo head swap

Reply #3 – July 07, 2011, 04:05:11 PM

Their is a lot of info on FOLVO swaps on other sited you can look up. It is fairly expensive and works well. I have seen a couple and they definitely are Different. But BO can make you a head just as good and most likely CHEAPER. Just a thought

volvo head swap

Reply #4 – July 07, 2011, 05:38:22 PM

The "Folvo" swap is fairly in depth, and not for the faint of heart. If you have no fabrication talent/resources, it isn't cheap. I can do all my own fabrication, and I've got about $210 into converting a Volvo head, and it's only that cheap because I got a screamin' deal on the head. After the intake, fuel rail, and the exhaust manifold, I'll have under $800 into. You could easily double that if you have to buy everything already done and built.
Bo has some nice products, and buying his head would be plug and play. But you do need another set of VERY ported intakes, and a good flowing header/manifold to get the full benefit of it, so I wouldn't exactly say it would be cheaper.

volvo head swap

Reply #5 – July 08, 2011, 02:46:52 PM

Oh wow i didnt know it was THAT much work. I know that a website has a conversion volvo intake manifold. Do the volvo or ford fuel rails not work for the setup? What all has to be converted on the head? I was just thinking it was getting the head lined up with the block and head studs but i guess there is more to it?

volvo head swap

Reply #6 – July 08, 2011, 03:02:48 PM

Bo makes volvo pistons and 40bob makes the intake manifold. It also looks like it comes with a fuel rail and a Throttle body.

volvo head swap

Reply #7 – July 08, 2011, 04:35:00 PM

There's two schools of thought on the Folvo swap. One is to modify the head by adding the block of aluminum to the back to cover up the coolant passages in the Ford block and run oil into the head externally. The other is to modify the block by plugging the coolant passages in the block, and running oil to the head externally.
Yes, Bob does off the intake. You'd have to ask him about the rail and throttle body, as they're not mentioned as being included, they're just in the pic.
Also, you'll have to address the accessory mounting on the drivers side of the motor, specifically alternator, and you'll need to either purchase the parts to run the timing belt, or fab your own stuff up.

Just Think It Through

Reply #8 – July 31, 2011, 02:52:35 PM

I looked into the swap also, decided a ported, chambered & unshrouded cast iron head with roller cam and hi-flow s.s. valves would cost less, flow as well, and sever-duty exhaust valves were available to allow LPG, CNG or other gaseous fuels(thinking into future and LPG is $1.50 a gal./105 octane) and because I'm cranking the air flow/boost way up I wouldn't have to worry about melting down the chambers if I accidently ran to lean tweaking the AFR, or encountered fuel system issue 'cause that's what happens in fast order to an aluminum head. Resulting in the conclusion that more power is safely attainable from a 2-valve iron head, just doesn't have the WOW! effect when you pop the hood. Currently there's one already converted on eBay now for $650, but there's more to it than just converting the head.

volvo head swap

Reply #9 – August 15, 2011, 06:47:38 PM

I saw the one on Ebay, it's still there. I thought about this swap myself, no iron head will EVER allow as much air as the Volvo head, I don't care how much you port it. The Esslinger aluminum head is the only head I would get aside from the Volvo head. It's about as good, but, the sound of the volvo head is what's awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ODZRviaLM
If you look up the different heads, pistons and valves and their air flow tables and crunch the numbers, the Volvo head wins by a shred above the Esslinger head, which is WAY above a ported and polished stock head.