I have an '88 5-speed 244, with 101K miles. It runs well, but it's just too slow for merging onto the highway safely--at least in the DC area, where everyone drives like they're fleeing the Mongol hordes.

What simple things can I do to improve performance? Would using premium fuel do anything? What about replacing the relatively new Michelin tires?

It's even crossed my mind to do a 5-cyl conversion, but this engine is in too good a condition to scrap it. Is there anything less drastic I could ask my mechanic (a true 240 expert) to do that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks!

John

The car with the heaviest bumpers ALWAYS has right of way. You give way to Chevvy suburbans and F150s. Everyone else has to give way to you.

Going a bit faster might help too though.
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Drive it like you hate it

I recently had a problem with my '84 245 DL not doing well on the freeway. I too, had the same questions. I used the old fashioned way of setting the timing. Advance it 'til it spark knocks, then back it off a bit. Not as sexy as a cam or turbo, but noticable. If you want to use premium fuel, you can advance it more, but....
Mark
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'94 940 NA Wagon, '84 244t, '84 245 DL

I'm sorry but I don't get it. I admit I've never driven in DC, but have driven many parts of the States and drove my 245 from FL to MI and back two years ago fully loaded and never have a problem with merging or pulling away from stops.

Only mod to the engine is the "turbo" exhaust, i.e. 2.5" pipe from the cat back with one "turbo" muffler.

When you say merging on to the Interstate, is D.C. one of those retarded States where you have to stop, then pull onto the Interstate? Or do you actually merge?

You have a 5 speed. Give it some revs!

The mods previously mentioned are good to do in any case though. Good luck

You don't have to stop to merge in VA, but you do of course have to yield to the traffic already there. On this one particular highway (GW Parkway), that means, usually, stopping until the cars have gone past, because they're going so @#* fast.

I thought the problem could be my shifting, but I rev it pretty high in 1st and 2nd when I'm merging.

I think I'm going to bring it in for a tuneup and see if that helps. If it doesn't, I'll look into a VX cam and maybe an IPD exhaust.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I never expected to get so much help. You guys rock!

Your need to merge is a perfet reason to get a VX cam in there. Or a K cam.

What you should do depends on the amount of work and modifying you yourself plan to do on your car.

If you don't feel comfortable doing much more than changing the oil and checking for other minor problems, then I'd suggest the ipd sport exhaust, followed by a VX cam. Any muffler shop should be able to install the exhaust, and Volvo mechanics will usually install ipd's VX cams without much fuss. You would have a little more trouble convincing them to put in a K-cam (despite being from Volvo), or anything else that isn't new from a brick-and-mortar physical place.

However, if you're willing and able to do a little custom work on your car, I'd recommend looking into adding a turbo. A complete B230FT engine swap from a 740 or 940 would be the cleanest job requiring the least fabrication (I would guess), but I don't think it's exceptionally difficult to add a turbo to the B230F you've probably got. TurboBricks has a nice guide to this project.

Also, TurboBricks would probably ultimately be the best source for info on a B230F+T, as I think there are a handful of guys over there who have done that (in addition to lots of other non-standard modifications). If you opt for the first set of changes, however, make sure to stick around here--I'd definitely like to hear about first impressions going from the stock exhaust and M-cam to the turbo with a performance camshaft.
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'89 244 GL -- 105,XXX miles (see profile for info on car)

Thanks for the great advice, Kepler.

I have about as much mechanical ability as the average goldfish. So I'll be taking my brick to the mechanic for a tuneup. I will ask him about the timing and installing a VX cam and IPD turbo exhaust. But I think the car needs exhaust work anyway, because when I had him do the pre-sale diagnostic, he said it might need some work to pass emissions. It's also a bit jerky in shifting from 1 to 2.

For those who suggested installing a turbo: That does have some appeal, but this was a $1200 commuter car for me. I actually broached this subject w/ the mechanic before, and he said it would be thousands of dollars. Maybe some of the more adept car guys here could pull it off themselves, but that's way over my head.

So here's my conclusion of what options I'll go through, only going to the next one if the last one doesn't work:

1. Tuneup
2. Timing adjustment
3. VX cam
4. IPD turbo exhaust
5. Remove rear seat; remove engine; replace engine with rear-mounted 1968 Cadillac 390 c.i. V8. Taunt Corvettes and boy-racer Hondas and then mercilessly humiliate them at stoplights.

5. Remove rear seat; remove engine; replace engine with rear-mounted 1968 Cadillac 390 c.i. V8. Taunt Corvettes and boy-racer Hondas and then mercilessly humiliate them at stoplights


there're a few problems with this option.

1. Caddy didn't have a 390CI engine since about 1960 or 61. by 68 it was at 472 or 500 cubic inches.
2. to do that you'd certainly change the entire dynamic of the car
3. the only transaxle you could use would be the fwd toronado/eldorado transaxle and those are very hard to find and very very heavy
4. the torque and hp numbers for those cars were measured 'gross' meaning you'd have wheel horsepower about 250 and torque around 350. you'd need at least to put heads, cam, intake, exhaust and other stuff to make it worthwhile because that engine/trans combo would add about 400 lbs to the car.
5. the cost for such aproject, cool as it would be, would be astronomical. you'd be better off with a turbo swap.

Go to turbobricks.com and learn about how people canibalize parts from junk 740 turbos to turbocharge their non turbo cars. The 9.8 CR on your engine is not really an issue up to 5-7 PSI of boost. And you are looking at close to 200HP.

VX cam, header and sport exhaust is a great receipe for improved low end grunt and increased mid-range. It was a big improvement on my 89 244 auto.

Aloha,
Mike H.

If you don't mind a little more noise - an IPD sport exhaust. Basically a 240 turbo exhaust. No reasonator. Adds a little more medium to high end power. Have one on my car.

Or you can combine it with the previously mentioned VX cam. Other BB's seem to like that combo....

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Jim 90 244DL 242K

Yea, the Starla turbo system is the only performance mod on my 245. While the difference isn't breath-taking, it certainly is noticable. But I think I enjoy the subtle low frequency rumble and deceleration "burble" more than the power increase.

Thanks for the info. The thing is, it's the low-end power that's lacking--that is, from 0 to about 30 mph. Will either of these help this?

Also, will these be problematic in passing emissions in Virginia?

Perhaps your catalytic converter is partially clogged, it could give you sucky performance.

Josh
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Best Regards,

Low end power??? torque?
My '89 240 flies off the stop, pretty much to the point where it just cannot peel out on dry pavement. Stock motor, 276K canadian...

The B230F is tuned for good torque at low RPM and pretty poor upper end power.

I would hence say that maybe your timing is not set as it should be. If you are due for a timing belt, this might be the opportunity to do it and set it right.

Check condition of the usual ingition tune up parts, make sure belts are not too tight. Also if your A/C is inoperatable and you plan on no fix, you can bypass the compressor pulley with a kit I think from IPD, less strain on the crank. Another mod would be an electric fan and get rid of the manual clutch/fan. Check also that the fan clutch is not seized up, it should spin with a bit of resistance.

I just adore the torque on this engine.

Greg Mustang
Montreal - Ottawa
Canada

I wouldn't say my car ('90) flies, but it never has lacked for low end torque. Always has moved well up to about 50 mph, the IPD exhaust helps with the 50mph+...

Swedesteed - Do what Greg suggested, you might find a little more power. Start with the cheap/easy things, like making sure your car is properly tuned and all parts are in good shape. How is your air filter?? A clogged air filter will certainly bog down a car.

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Jim 90 244DL 242K

You can add a VX cam for a little more oomph.