beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

[franklinjefferson]

Hello all,2nd post on here,hoping to be steered in the right direction.me and my girl just bought a bayliner capri with a 2.3 volvo engine with a 1 barrel carb. I am wondering what mods I could possibly do to beef her up a little.Any suggestions?

 

[gbeltran]

Re: beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

Anything is possible, but your best bet is to leave it alone and use it as is, enjoy the time on the water without messing with anything, if you decide you want more sell it at the end of summer and buy a boat with a bigger engine.

 

[Maclin]

Re: beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

These guys supercharged their AQ140...:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m0HZXQqC1M

 

[sqbtr]

Re: beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

It's the old, how fast do you want to go..................................................how much money do you have

 

[Robj]

Re: beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

Weber carb makes a big difference, but costly though all said and done it cost me about $1k, but well worth it compared to the troubles I was having with the solex carb.

Remember there is no replacement for displacement. You will never get big power from a 2.3 l engine.

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: beefing up a 2.3 volvo ? can it be done?

Displacement is a godsend when it comes to boats, but the red Volvo B23 block can be tricked out to deliver up towards 500 hp.
Pretty sturdy engine and there are tons of modifications documented out there (many Swedish backyard builders have done wonders with these, as it WAS the engine of choice, readily available back home at low cost). Most of them for cars, but as long as working with something that does not involve tricky electronics and an oxygen sensor, a lot of "fun things" can be undertaken even for the water.

Of course, probably cheaper/safer/more comfortable to just buy a different boat with a larger engine (and a different set of problems - as no boats a problem free...).