I recently bought a '93 850 GLT sedan. It's got 97k on the clock and appears to be in very good shape. I would have really preferred to get a turbo to begin with, but couldn't find one in the area. Does anyone have any thoughts/advice as to converting a N/A engine to a turbo? Should I find a c70 or 850 turbo at a salvage yard and pull off the turbo, or should I look for a non-volvo turbo? Also, what exactly is it going to take to install it? Obviously some ductwork, an oil send and return, but will I have to do a new exhaust and/or ECU? I appreciate any advice anyone has.
-Sean

The 1993 only came N/A, but you can turbo anything, given enough money. The basics involved:
  MAF sensor
  ECU
  Turbo (cartridge)
  Turbo housing (where the impeller sits)
  Downpipe...and probably the cat, too
  Intercooler
  Oil cooler
  Compression-side ducting to intercooler and manifold

and probably:
  intake manifold
  oil pan

finally, the T-5 and R engines have:
  sodium-filled valves
  lined cylinder walls
  oil pump with piston spray
  different crank arms and bearings
  crown-forged pistons

The cost would be enormous. It would probably be cheaper to drop in an entire engine and trans from a turbo 850 / 70. Or better yet, buy a T-5 or R and get the suspension, too!


--
(98 S70 T5SE misc mods - mostly lighting - and red calipers) (92 940GLE)

This question comes up on occasion and the general concensus is it is
cheaper to sell your car and buy a turbo then convert.

Major modifications for the turbo engine include thicker cylinder
walls (displaces 2.3L) to handle the heat; sodium filled exhaust valves
($50 each and you need 10); forged pistons; 8.5:1 (vs 9.5:1) compression
ratio; oil cooling spray aimed at piston bottoms; numerous check valves; different exhaust manifold; air-to-air intercooler; larger radiator; heat shields; engine oil cooler. You would really need to swap the whole engine,
electronics and cooling system.

There may be additional issues with a 93 that are not well known since
Volvo did not build a turbo engine for model year 93 (an example
woould be no turbo ECU available for that year).