Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it! I'd really like to do a new engine ASAP so if anyone lives within 150 miles of Reading PA I'll come pick it up! Otherwise I'm just going to keep looking.. I don't know anything about rebuilding engines to hold up to more performance but I'm extremely excited to learn. I have such a Volvo obsession!.. Boxpin, I've never heard of that before, to me at first it would sound like a huge mistake to put ATF in the engine oil! But if you say so haha, one whole quart? Will that be ok with the engine oil already being full? Won't it overflow the capacity of fluid the engine holds? Honestly, I'm a little nervous to even run the engine, especially because I know it's not toast yet and if anything else happens to that lose rod it will probably fry the engine, right? Well either way, it's worth it to me in the name of Volvo owners all around the globe! I'll go ahead and give it a shot tomorrow and get some videos for you guys..

 

check out car-part.com that where I found My 98 motor with a blown head gasket for $30..
Plan to build it eventually..

There are 4 at hanna's in allentown..

1994
Engine
Volvo 850 2.3,A,1/94,EFI,FWD 806706 $Call Hanna's Auto Works & Recycling USA-PA(Allentown) Request_Quote 610-437-9600 Request_Insurance_Quote
1074
1995
Engine
Volvo 850 2.0L,AOD,1/95,EFI,FWD 149,242 007813 $Call Hanna's Auto Works & Recycling USA-PA(Allentown) Request_Quote 610-437-9600 Request_Insurance_Quote
1074
1995
Engine
Volvo 850 2.3L TURBO,AOD,1/95,EFI,FWD 149,242 007813 $Call Hanna's Auto Works & Recycling USA-PA(Allentown) Request_Quote 610-437-9600 Request_Insurance_Quote
1074
1995
Engine
Volvo 850 A,EFI,FWD,CHECK 008731 $Call Hanna's Auto Works & Recycling USA-PA(Allentown) Request_Quote 610-437-9600 Request_Insurance_Quote

 

I would drain a little oil out.

You may have a stuck lifter or valve which makes it sound that bad. Go for the tranny fluid flush, may be perfect to get the stuck part loose.

I'll keep my fingers crossed as well.

 

Not entirely sure. You would think that it would be like launching in a STI or Evo but from all the video I have watched and seen some of the higher HP AWD on VS running 14s it makes me wonder. I have brand new drag radials on 15" wheels waiting for the car to get done. I am hoping to hook up better. I am sure that the 13.7 run with the wheels spinning would have been a 13.5 or less if I had hooked up. I am excited for the future.

 

The difference between the mechanicals in an AWD 850 and an STI or (especially) a EVO, is apples and oranges.

IMO, the EVO is the best bang for the buck if you want practically supercar performance in a four-door, that doesn't break down.

 

I was comparing a awd volvo to another awd car. Just so happened I mentioned these two cars since they can be fast and are awd

 

Sorry if I sounded like a smartass. I was thinking more about the reliability of those cars, which were designed to handle the power they make, even with a little hard use. Everything I've heard about the AWD 850 is that abusing it is going to lead to breaking the viscous coupling, so talking about drag times in one (especially a modified 300+ HP example) is kind of a moot point as it will be a short lived enterprise.

That's all.

 

I apologize for getting this thread off track.

@ LoveVolvos: Please let us know what happens if you do try the tranny fluid.

 

Well so far everything is coming together alright. Three possible engines so far, prices include shipping:
1. $1089 No turbo or accessories 69k miles (really liking the mileage, also they will add the turbo with the same mileage for extra $100)
2. $750 No turbo or accessories 179k miles, still running alright (can't see much sense in not spending an extra $339 for an engine with almost a third of the miles)
3. A connection at work, this is the best option, there is guy who knows a guy who knows a guy, ya know? Well I'm not sure about him yet, he seems pretty confident but I'm not so sure.. he was claiming he knew of an engine 110k miles $400, I think he was showing off. We'll see.

What do you guys think about the first two options?

In the past week, I now have a garage space to work, and a lift from a friend.. If anyone is interested I was thinking about making a few how to's on removing the engine and a few other things, I'm not sure if there are already things on here like that already, so you should give me some feedback on that!

 

For $1000 Id just rebuild the original motor...
H-beam rods are going to run you $400 to $500, plus bearings and any machine work you need, and a tune your at around $1000 and you have enough of a base in that motor for big mods later on... ie bigger turbo, FMIC, Port and polish, N/A items and such.

i would really just build that one... Even if you get another motor your going to need to beef it up as the "more power" addiction progresses... So do it to your stock motor it will save you some cash... unless your going to get a motor with a RN block

Read this thread... they will give you some great ideas...
Modifying Fwd Turbo Volvos (Read, Don't Comment) - Performance Modifications - Volvospeed Forums

and then read these..
Notable Projects And Builds - Show Room - Volvospeed Forums

Building strong is your only option...

 

I can definitely see where you are going with that. Only thing I get worried about is not having the expertise or connections to get an engine build done.. From what I see in those links (thanks by the way the are very entertaining!) some of those guys were spending a minimum of $2000 on their rebuilds?? You are saying if I did just rods, I could get them for $500? Where would that be? It's really sad that these cars get abused so badly though, I wouldn't be in this predicament if people drove responsibly I'm starting to miss my NA Wagon. But I'm trying my hardest to suck it up! I'm starting bright and early tomorrow morning, I'll take pictures for sure.. at this point I just want to get the old engine out and make the call from there, new engine, or rebuild?? ...

 

$2000 is including forged pistons ($700 to $900) Larger turbo ($200 to $400), ReTune, and R Manifold or Japanifold ($175)

All Ive spent so far for My build is $750 and thats My rods, bearings and Green Injectors.
Im going with a FMIC ($160 w/piping), R Manifold $175, and custom intake manifold (if my welder can make it right $90)
So ill be at $1200 with all my machine work.

But you can do rods and bearings for $500 or so. plus the couple extra bucks for machine work ie balancing and such..

A couple guys are getting the rods from here...
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
Heard they will take $400 on an offer..
I believe thats where BoxPin got his.

I got mine from here
RSI Whiteblock H-beam rods
$500 for 5.. I didnt know about the CXracing deal... I believe they are the same rods..

Remember your just rebuilding the bottom end you dont need to go crazy if you dont want to, but the rods are going to be your base for anything else performance youll want to do in the future

 

@ LoveVolvos: What kind of car do you have? How many miles? How long have you had it?

 

It's like the title says, 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo. It has 130k miles, I've only had it for about 2 months, I am roughly the 4th owner.

 

shoot I forgot where the link was, but I think it was a guy on Volvo speed. He dumped $4,000 in his 5234T engine and his car still only got 340ish to the wheels. From the looks of the build I would put it in my mild category. Fanciest thing he did was oil squirters for the pistons.

Drop in a replacement engine for now, and tinker with the old one as your wallet allows.

 

Did you try the tranny fluid flush?

 

There are guys on VS that have dropped $10000 into their cars, but thats not the point..
Point is keep the original motor that came with the car, If im going to drop $1200 on a junkyard motor, I would just drop the money in rebuilding my original motor.

I have my rods, bearings, and now new rings set aside for when my motor finally goes.

But to each his own...

 

Thanks for all of the input guys I really really appreciate it! You've each inspired me to do something different.. I'm going to stick to the original plan of getting a loner engine for now. I decided against spending too much on one, not above $500, and putting that in for the time being. Meanwhile I'll have the old engine out and I'll start tearing that apart and building it up slowly! I have way too much to learn about engine rebuilds for now, and would feel more comfortable reading more about it first. Plus replacing this engine will help me to figure out my own technique for the future when I have to do it all over again to put the rebuilt motor back in.. or possibly I'll just find another 850! I'm excited, but very limited.. there's a lot of money being spent.. in my mind.. imaginary money.. the best kind! There's no limit to it anyway back to real life, between work and money and work and money and yada yada, I'll take pictures and start a different thread for the progress report and questions, thanks again!