The Volvo "R" blocks were a Volvo Penta (Marine) block that was made in about 100 pieces. It was for test engines only and the designation R has nothing to do with racing its just what it was called. They were the same on the outside but had slightly thicker cylinder walls because Penta wanted to test making 2,5 litre using bigger bore rather than bigger stroke. Only a few blocks became test motors, and many of them were apparently bought up by a Swedish rallycross engine builder called Kent Karlsson (Motordesign AB). I translated this information from a swedish forum. Motordesign AB later, as the stock of B230R blocks were being used up, had new blocks made, based on the B230R but with some improvements and better casting iron. They also sell the notorious "EVO" head. Check out their page here for some comparisons to the normal 8v www.motordesign.se/trimningsteknik
The R-block that is being talked about was a test block that was cast by Volvo Penta, when they wanted to build a 2.5-liter boat engine using a larger drill instead of a longer stroke. From the outside, there is nothing that distinguishes the R-block. The only difference is that the cylinder walls are thicker, which you only discover if you measure. According to information, about 100 blocks were cast, but never more than a few test engines were built and many blocks were left over.
Can you imagine the internal meltdown going on in some MX5 owners’ brains seeing you stick a Volvo boat engine with almost a litre more displacement in an MX5.... and it’s LIGHTER than the stock 1.6!
another fantastic video Stav have been loving all your content the past year and its awesome to see your progression, 2 measurements i think might be another place to look would be deck thickness, as well what the difference in water jacket in cc would be as if there is a difference i.e. the R block has less cc then there is more meat around the cylinders at the top and bottom, would also be interesting if you could find a hardness taster to also see if there is any difference between the 2 block, as well as a torsion/twist test to see how much the block twists but that is a ball ache to do as i tried it myself on 2 silvetop zetec blocks and was surprised at the difference between the 2 and the only difference was 1 was a Siamese block one wasn't. keep up this awesome series, i do need to talk to you at some point as im trying to achieve the ALS system, that you did on the Volvo but i can only seem to get the valve to be open or not open and im not sure if that's how you have done it or if you have it flutter while on decel, which i want to try as im trying to use the als to aid with my rear diffuser for my build. similar to the old-school f1 blown diffuser just fyi
What a result getting close with the weight! I’ve sent my address through IG. These Volvo B230 blocks are little legends! To guess the weight I took my L18 Datsun (1.8L) block at 65kg and added some extra weight for capacity and girth!
fuckin sick dude. really cool to see the differences in the blocks.. i own a 740 and a miata. always wanted to swap the redblock in the miata and T5 (volvo 5cyl) swap the 740.
Great info as always mate 😃👌🏼 Maybe do a black & gold theme?! It looks classy if done right & would go well with your matt / satin black you're planning on painting the MX5 🤔
I'd paint the block silver or a bright grey. Maybe it's too subtle but I think it would look nice and clean and would be easy to trace a leak if there is one.
Very interesting. I thought there was no difference between the 8v and 16v penta blocks. Apparently they are good to go to 99mm bore na. One thing though , your using the na pistons for a turbo engine? Your compression ratio will be risky for high boost. I've had 3 aq171 blocks but no aq151 ones.
Personally I don’t think the bore thickness looks any different. And yes I am using n/a pistons, but no the compression isn’t too high. See previous video.
With the differences between the blocks could R stand for revision or revised? On the A series engine they did an A+ version which was like 80s onwards, they added ribs to the outside of the block to strengthen them. I think it was to help with poor castings and stuff
The Volvo "R" blocks were a Volvo Penta (Marine) block that was made in about 100 pieces. It was for test engines only and the designation R has nothing to do with racing its just what it was called. They were the same on the outside but had slightly thicker cylinder walls because Penta wanted to test making 2,5 litre using bigger bore rather than bigger stroke. Only a few blocks became test motors, and many of them were apparently bought up by a Swedish rallycross engine builder called Kent Karlsson (Motordesign AB). I translated this information from a swedish forum. Motordesign AB later, as the stock of B230R blocks were being used up, had new blocks made, based on the B230R but with some improvements and better casting iron. They also sell the notorious "EVO" head. Check out their page here for some comparisons to the normal 8v www.motordesign.se/trimningsteknik
Neat
Definitely an informative video, never knew about the block differences. 👍
To be fair nor did we until we noticed it ourselves lol 😂
The R-block that is being talked about was a test block that was cast by Volvo Penta, when they wanted to build a 2.5-liter boat engine using a larger drill instead of a longer stroke. From the outside, there is nothing that distinguishes the R-block. The only difference is that the cylinder walls are thicker, which you only discover if you measure.
According to information, about 100 blocks were cast, but never more than a few test engines were built and many blocks were left over.
Can you imagine the internal meltdown going on in some MX5 owners’ brains seeing you stick a Volvo boat engine with almost a litre more displacement in an MX5.... and it’s LIGHTER than the stock 1.6!
Good times!
another fantastic video Stav have been loving all your content the past year and its awesome to see your progression, 2 measurements i think might be another place to look would be deck thickness, as well what the difference in water jacket in cc would be as if there is a difference i.e. the R block has less cc then there is more meat around the cylinders at the top and bottom, would also be interesting if you could find a hardness taster to also see if there is any difference between the 2 block, as well as a torsion/twist test to see how much the block twists but that is a ball ache to do as i tried it myself on 2 silvetop zetec blocks and was surprised at the difference between the 2 and the only difference was 1 was a Siamese block one wasn't.
keep up this awesome series, i do need to talk to you at some point as im trying to achieve the ALS system, that you did on the Volvo but i can only seem to get the valve to be open or not open and im not sure if that's how you have done it or if you have it flutter while on decel, which i want to try as im trying to use the als to aid with my rear diffuser for my build. similar to the old-school f1 blown diffuser just fyi
What a result getting close with the weight! I’ve sent my address through IG. These Volvo B230 blocks are little legends! To guess the weight I took my L18 Datsun (1.8L) block at 65kg and added some extra weight for capacity and girth!
65kg with internals in it? that’s pretty bloody light if so
fuckin sick dude. really cool to see the differences in the blocks.. i own a 740 and a miata. always wanted to swap the redblock in the miata and T5 (volvo 5cyl) swap the 740.
Yeah a RWD T5 swap in something, anything, is something I’ve always fancied doing too
@@StavTech its best sounding engine on the planet!!
Great info as always mate 😃👌🏼 Maybe do a black & gold theme?! It looks classy if done right & would go well with your matt / satin black you're planning on painting the MX5 🤔
I'd paint the block silver or a bright grey. Maybe it's too subtle but I think it would look nice and clean and would be easy to trace a leak if there is one.
Fuck it - paint it fluro green! It'll stand out like dogs nuts!
All black engine bay with only the bolts chrome .. epic
What about something along the lines of midnight purple for the block maybe even a shade lighter.
Very interesting. I thought there was no difference between the 8v and 16v penta blocks. Apparently they are good to go to 99mm bore na. One thing though , your using the na pistons for a turbo engine? Your compression ratio will be risky for high boost. I've had 3 aq171 blocks but no aq151 ones.
Personally I don’t think the bore thickness looks any different.
And yes I am using n/a pistons, but no the compression isn’t too high. See previous video.
Navy blue!
I’ve actually just finished painting it!
With the differences between the blocks could R stand for revision or revised? On the A series engine they did an A+ version which was like 80s onwards, they added ribs to the outside of the block to strengthen them. I think it was to help with poor castings and stuff
Quite a rare block then!
Paint it brown so you can't see the oil leaks
I still think my guess the other day of 115kg is accurate, you just removed 9kg of metal when you ported the head
Lol 😂 Aside from the guess was about the bottom end only remember lol
Rattle can it satin black just put a little red Lego block stencil on it spray red
Can you please let me know the part number for the super fandango Oil pump.
Mr blobby block....pink+yellow blobs
I’ve seriously considered something really good/bad like that lol
Leopard print or 90’s turbo systems zebra stripes lol
Squirter block vs non squirter block...
Hey do you have any info about b230ft block with stamp "R" after b230. i heard it has thicker cyl walls?
You can see all the info in this video lol.
@@StavTech my bad just started watching at the 2min mark :)
The colour is Obvious!!!....... Volvo Blue
R must mean "reinforced" and not racing
I don’t think it means either