C30 engine conversion from 2.0 petrol (08)

[fulham4eva]

Hi all,

New to the forum and new to Volvo's, Thought I'd try one after my Audi broke in a very expensive way.

So I bought a C30 2.0 with 160k on the clock, initially as a run about while I spent time fixing the Audi, However I've grown quite fond of the C30 and I'm thinking about selling the Audi once it's sorted and doing some mods to the C30.

So I'm hoping for some knowledgeable input.

I'm looking to change to something turbo charged obviously T5 ideally but I need to know whether I need a donor car or just engine/loom etc from a similar year car or could I get something older?

The idea is to make the conversion as straight forward as possible.

I would like to do a 4wd conversion at some point but struggling to find enough possible donor cars and info , But for now MORE POWER.

Cheers.

[Teddy1975]

Although it sounds boring, I think you'd be better off simply selling your current car and finding a T5 that is configured as you want.

From what I've learned, you'd need not just a new loom but also new control modules and since a lot of those are programmed to the specific car, you'd need to swap most of them over as well.

/Teddy

[fulham4eva]

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

[fulham4eva]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

Scratch find one for the 3k mark but still If it's possible I'd like to build one instead

[MDS40]

I cant help with your question but welcome to the forum from a fellow Fulham fan.

[pinballdave]

Mechanically there will be the obvious differences in gearbox, driveshafts, brakes, suspension, but the difficulties will most likely be in the electronics side due to the immobiliser.

The immobiliser in these cars is spread between the CEM (fusebox under the glovebox) and the ECU, so changing the engine and fitting a T5 ECU will require someone to hack the immobiliser so that the correct codes can be programmed into the ECU. This can be done with the 2.0d engine ECU, as this variant often suffers from immobiliser issues and someone has done the hack and produced tools to do this, but I don't think anyone has done it with the T5 ECU.

If you can't reprogram the T5 ECU, then you will also need the CEM from the donor car, and the ABS control unit (as the serial number from the ABS is used as part of the encryption of the immobiliser codes.

If you change the CEM, then you'll also need to swap the steering lock mechanism, climate control ECU, infotainment display and stereo/amps, as they are all coded to the CEM. There may be other electronics that will need swapping depending on the configuration.

So in short, I think Teddy1975's suggestion of buying a car that matches the configuration you want is the only practical option.

[fulham4eva]

Originally Posted by MDS40

I cant help with your question but welcome to the forum from a fellow Fulham fan.

Hey thanks, we're a rare breed

[Clan]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

Scratch find one for the 3k mark but still If it's possible I'd like to build one instead

There you go , might as well do it properly :-)


https://www.media.volvocars.com/glob...8-7790fd5adfba

[Simmy]

any thing is possible with enough money and a lot of skill. time and resources. im waiting i love a good project thread go for it

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by fulham4eva

I hope that's not the case, a C30 t5 is at least 6k, and for me there's more interesting cars out there for that money.

For the cost of a T5 engine, modules, brakes etc etc you will pay more for the parts in money and time than selling yours and buying a T5 without doubt.

Naturally I assume you are a professional mechanic or ‘expert’ level home mechanic because if you have any intention of asking others to conver it will soon run into the £0,000s.

Personally I would buy a T5 or something else.

Also, don’t forget the £6,000 T5 (I expect there is cheaper out there) is 275-300 go with a remap. I wouldn’t do it, but price per BHP it’s probably far more efficient.