Products: Engine Parts

In addition to our engines and heads we now supply all of the basic engine components needed fo an engine rebuild. And where other companies are haveing trouble supplying basic engine rebuild parts, our inventory is expanding.  For 2010 we will be introducing a new line of aftermarket rods and cranks for B20 engines. In addition there will be new cams, mushroom lifters,and  new roller rocker arms. 

Unless stated otherwise, all parts listed below are for Volvo B18/B20 engines. See the engine section for our bottom end component kits and the Street Performance Tuning Kit which combine many of the parts into cost saving packages.

---

Pistons - Volvo

We are increasing our stock of stock type cast pistons over the next few months in order to provide customers with a source for pistons that are becoming hard to find. Most sources such as Volvo in the US and IPD no longer have OEM type cast pistons in stock - but we have them! If you need a piston not listed let us know and we may be able to get it for you.

• Custom built forged pistons for NA and forced induction applications from street to race. These are the pistons to use for high rpm or other high stress, high heat applications. Some sizes normally in stock. Other sizes available on custom order in 4 weeks. $650 incl. pins, rings and design time.
• B20 OEM type cast pistons with pins and rings  - available in several overbores - .020, .030, .040, .060 - for engines with 6 bolt cranks & 22mm pins - $325  -  In order to assure availability we have had to import these directly from Europe resulting in an increase in price to $345 a set.  Several sizes currently in stock.
• Cast 92mm pistons with pins and rings - These are B21 flat top pistons also used in B20 big bore kits with 8 bolt cranks and rods  - available in several overbores -  $495

go to top     |     how to order

---

Rods - Volvo B18/B20

We use several different rods in our Volvo B18/B20 engines. Most of our Street Performance engines use stock rods that have been reconditioned and upgraded with ARP rod bolts. For race or rally engines that will be run at over 7,000 RPM we use various brands of aftermarket forged rods depending on the application.  When using custom made rods we take advantage of the opportunity to have them made to the most advantageous dimensions - longer, lighter and with smaller journals than stock. The result are more efficient engines with lighter components.

Reconditioned rods for 6 bolt crank engine ( All B18s and B20s thru '73 ) with ARP rod bolts - $275

High performance rods - these are the rods we use in our high performance 2.3 L engines and our 2 L and 2.3 L race and rally engines.  Based on and built to our own design they feature longer than stock length and smaller than stock big end bearings.  Machining of the crank and custom pin height pistons required.  New for 2010 - reduced $200 from the 2009 price of  $925 -  now $725.

New forged rod and piston kit for 2010, including pins, rings and rod bearings - $1475. Order now for April delivery.

Add  an offset ground B20 crank with main bearings for a complete 2.3 liter stroker kit for - $1995.

go to top     |     how to order

---

Engine Bearings - Volvo B18 - B20

• Main bearings - Volvo B18/B20 - standard and .010 under -  will also fit B21/23 engines - $65 -  $85 per set depending on size needed and availabily.
• Rod Bearings - Volvo B18/B20 thru 1973 for engines with 6 bolt crankshaft   - standard and .010 under - $ 65 per set
• Rod Bearings - Volvo B20 1974/75 for engines with 8 bolt crankshaft   -  standard, .010, .020, .030 under  - will also fit B21/B23 engines - $40 per set
• Camshaft Bearings -  All Volvo B18/B20 engines - $50 per set

go to top     |     how to order

---

Valves and Guides

All of our Volvo B18/B20 engines, whether for street, supercharger, or race, use very high quality, severe duty, high flow, stainless steel valves. For street engines these are normally 44mm intakes and 36mm exhaust. For the typical race engine the exhaust valve size is increased to 38mm. The shape of these valves gives a significant flow improvement. Stock type replacement valves are also available, but why use them.

For B18 engines we have guides that allow B18 heads that come with 11/32 stem valves to be converted to the 5/16 stem valves and seals used in the B20 engines.

For optimum fit and performance some custom machining of all guides is usually necessary. 

• SS high flow street and race valves, 5/16" stem, necked down for improved flow. Avilable sized - 42, 44, 46, & 48 mm intakes - 36 & 38 mm exhausts, $26 each

•  Bronze valve guides, Volvo B20 ( $56 ) - per set of 8

• Bronze valve guides used to convert B18's to 5/16 stem valves ( $64) - per set of 8 

• Valve seals, B20 ( $18 per set of 8 )

• Valve locks B20 ( $18 per set of 8 )

Email for additional prices for your specific application.

 

Our B20 exhaust valve compared to a stock  valve.

go to top     |     how to order

---

Valvesprings and Retainers

For Volvo B18/B20 street, rally and race engines we offer a selection of dual and single valve springs matched to your performance needs in various diameters, heights and rates. This includes valve, valve spring and retainer combinations designed for the use of taller, larger diameter springs (up to 1.44 diameter for race applications) which allow the use of higher spring pressures, accommodate higher valve lifts, and reduce spring fade and valve float under high performance and racing conditions. Order based upon exact requirements. E-mail for recommendations. See the price list for pricing details.

 

Street Perfomance - Volvo B18/B20

Our street performance and supercharged engines use dual valve springs 1.25 in diameter. These springs are highly recommended for any engine with a non stock cam. Installation requires a simple procedure to enlarge the spring pockets on a stock head. Since it has to be done while the head is off, it should be done as a routine procedure when changing to a non- stock cam.  Matching steel and aluminum retainers are available. 

• Dual 1.25" valve springs for street use -  $90  - per set of 8
• Dual 1.25" valve springs for high performance, rally, Targa & Carrera engines  -  $ 100  per set of 8
• Retainers for dual 1.25" valve springs  -- steel  -  $ 55  - per set of 8
• Retainers for dual 1.25" valve springs  --  aluminum  $ 75 - per set of 8 - not recommended for street use

 

Race  - Volvo B18/B20

Due to more radical cam designs and higher RPM use, our race engines are usually set up with 1.44 diameter dual springs with damper, chosen for long life in high RPM applications. In order to use these springs the stock spring pockets in the head have to be enlarged. An aluminum valve cover with reliefs milled for the springs is also required. Titanium spring retainers are used with these springs.

• Dual 1.44"  valve springs with damper for race use $115 - per set of 8

• Titanium dual spring retainers -  $135  - per set of 8

 

go to top     |     how to order

---

Pushrods & Lifters

Problems with the stock Volvo B18/B20 pushrod and lifter combination caused us to change these components in our race engines many years ago.  Since making the changes we have not had any problems, so we use these new components in all of our engines.

Pushrods

The stock pushrods flex, especially in high performance applications using cams with higher than stock valve lift rates, reducing lift and contributing to valve train vibration and instability. To solve this problem we offer high quality performance pushrods to fit various lifter and rocker arms combinations. Available in various lengths, 5/16 is the standard diameter as in the photo below.

Stock B20 Pushrod above - our standard Performance Pushrod below.

• Performance Pushrods for stock B18/B20 lifters - $85 per set
• Performance Pushrods for use with our B18/B20 Performance Lifters described below - $85

Lifters

Based on years of experience in race and street engines, including some premature wear issues, we do not use stock Volvo type lifters. Instead we use competition style, US made solid lifters in all of our engines, street or race. Our performance pushrods are required with these lifters. Used with our cams, valve springs, spring retainers and valves, the result is a well tested, reliable combination.

New lifters have to be used when installing a new camshafts.

• Performance Lifters -  $60  per set of 8 
• Performance LIfters with Performance Pushrods - $145 per set of 8 each

go to top     |     how to order

---

Rocker Arms

Improved Stock-type Rockers

Stock Volvo rockers are specified as having a lift ratio of 1.52 to 1, but give an actual ratio of between 1.43 and 1.47 to 1. This results in less valve lift than expected and less than what is specified for the cam you are using. To cure this problem, we have stock rockers modified to provide a true 1.5 to 1 and higher ratios. Note that the use of any of the above rockers may require the use of non-stock pushrods.

• Stock Type Rockers - Instead of working on rollers the time will be spent improving results with the stock rockers. They are actually lighter than aluminum roller rockers, and have proven to be stronger and more reliable. The problem with the stock rockers is that the actual ratios vary widely from rocker to rocker, are usually much less than the 1.52 ratio specified, and thus produce unequal valve lift in each cylinder. To solve this problem we now test each rocker we use in our engines and can provide matched sets.

• Equalized Stock Rockers  - Selected for the highest ratios and matched into sets  - $56 per set of 8 rockers checked. Send us two or more sets and we will send back the best eight as a matched set.  Add $ 4 per rocker to clean up tip wear.

• High Ratio Stock Rockers - Matched sets of stock rockers selected and modified to provide equal and higher than stock lift ratios. $ 275 per set on exchange or add $75 core charge.  Not currently available ( Jan 2010 )

 

High Lift Ratio Roller Rocker Arms

After an evaluation the decision has been made that we will not be offering roller rocker kits for 2009 and instead will concentrate on improving results with stock rocker. No sense making a change unless you know you will get a better result - “keep it simple” !! 

We are currently working to have an improved roller rocker kit  available in 2010.  The projected price for the new 1.6 ratio kit for 2010 is $680. If you are interested in a kit for 2010 please email your interest and we will put you on an update list. The kits will be available in limited numbers on a periodic basis.

Below is the description of the previously offered kit.

• Increases valve lift and effective duration.
• Increases horsepower and torque.
• Allows higher RPM operation.
• Reduces valve train wear and increases the life of valve guides and seats.
• Reduces heat by reducing friction.
• Change back to the original in minutes.

Most modern pushrod racing and performance engines use roller rocker arms due to their many advantages. In England they have been used on vintage racing and rally cars for many years. We have made these available in the U.S. for use on Volvo pushrod engines.

These high ratio (1.6 - 1) alloy roller rocker arms for Volvo B18 and B20 engines are available individually or as a kit. The kit is complete and ready to install. It includes 8 roller rockers, modified shaft stanchions, pushrods, shims, and miscellaneous parts. The only modification necessary to the engine before bolting it on is a slight enlargement of the pushrod holes in the head. This modification must be done with the head off the block. A cast alloy valve cover must be used in order to provide sufficient rocker clearance.

Rocker Shaft Stabilization

Flexing of the stock rocker shaft causes harmful harmonic vibrations and can reduce valve lift significantly under operating conditions. Modifications tested in our racing program have provided solutions and are offered on a custom basis. E-mail for further details.

 

 

go to top     |     how to order

---

Camshafts

The camshaft determines the engine's characteristics more than any component other than the head. For the engine to perform correctly the cam has to be matched to the other parts of the engine. Changes in displacement, compression ratio, valve size, exhaust configuration, the induction system, the flow characteristics of the head, and how the car is going to be used have to be considered in determining optimum camshaft specifications. Our cams are custom ground to match these specifications based on modern camshaft design concepts.

You can save money by purchasing an older cam design that is less expensive because it has been made in large numbers and is sold as a "one size fits all" performance solution, but it will not give the same results. Most of these older design performance cams have long durations in order to increase high end power, necessary to make up for poor head flow, and the result is a loss of low and midrange power. The most common of these are made by ISKY and have not changed since the early 70's.  Incredibly, one of our competitors still advertises their street performance cam ( made by ISKY ) using  a 1974 review by Road and Track magazine.  Does anyone really believe that there have not been significant advances in cam design in the last 35 years? Really?  Have they not done any comparative cam testing and development for these engines in the last 35 years? Really? They also offer a street torque cam ( also made by ISKY ) for customers who want low end power, thereby acknowledging that they don't have one cam that offers increases in power across the full, street use rpm range.

So before we got into the street cam business for B18/B20 engines the choice in the US market was one cam if you wanted an increase in high rpm power or another cam if you wanted an increase in low end power. Clearly there was a better way, and we have it - cams developed using modern cam design technology, designed by current cam design experts, with continuous evolutionary development based on current street, track and dyno testing. Computer designed lobe shapes with lifts and duration that are different for the exhaust and intake are just some of the features or our cams that are different from the earlier cam designs.

We prefer not to quote cam specs and instead recommend cams by application, as the normally published specs are often misleading. The cam that we normally use in our street performance engines has 264 deg of intake duration and 268 deg of exhaust at .020 lift, with .285" lift at the cam and 110 deg lobe centers. But this tells you nothing about the most important design element of the cam - the shape of the lobes. More important than the duration at .020 or .050 lift, is the duration at .100, .200, etc. Our cams, especially the street cams, are designed to have as little overall duration as possible in order to assure that power and torque increases are produced throughout the RPM range with no loss of low and midrange power. With lobe shapes that open the valves more quickly than other cams with similar low lift durations, they have more duration at mid to higher valve openings, and produce more power. As the optimum requirements for the intake and exhaust are different, our cams typically have durations and lobe shapes designed to meet the separate requirements of the intake and exhaust. Cheaper cams use one profile for both. The result is that our cams produce power increases over a broader RPM range without sacrificing low and midrange power and torque.

We normally stock several versions of our Street Performance (SP) Cam, the Targo Cam,  the Supercharger Cam for high boost supercharger applications, and our vintage race cam. Other cam grinds are available on a custom basis to match your engine requirements. With modern computer-controlled production technology it is a comparatively simple process to optimize the cam design to match the specs of the engine it is to be used in. Cams made in small volume, based on modern cam design concepts and tailored to the specifics of a particular engine are more expensive but well worth the price. It takes a little more than a month for a custom cam, ground on a new core.

Our cams are Custom Ground, Computer Designed and Matched to your Engine Specs.

Lobe shapes based on the most modern computer design criteria.

We sell cams based on a recommendation for your application, not by listing cam specs for you to browse through.

Street Performance

Designed to improve power throughout the RPM range. Mild mannered at low speeds while supporting up to 50% increases in power - $250

Street Performance - Stroker

A modification of the basic Street Performance cam designed to meet the needs of our larger bore, stroked engines - $250

Targa - Rally Cam

Developed for use in events like the Targa Newfoundland and Carrera Pan America where an engine must meet the requirements of both normal street driving and high speed race sections. It's designed to provide more high end power than our Street Performance cam, and to be more appropriate for our large displacement engines in sporting applications. It is our standard rally cam and and is also recommended for racecars that are driven to the track, track day cars, etc. - $250

Supercharger Cam

Designed specifically for use in our supercharged engines. Testing has shown 50 more HP at similar boost as compared to the stock C cam originally used in our supercharged engines. $250

The Vintage Race Cam

The heart of our 2 liter vintage race engines. Nitrided. $350

Race cams

Computer designed as needed for your applicatoin. Nitrided for hardness and durability. $350

Other grinds

Including stock C and D grinds, available from $100 and up.

Accessories

Camshaft retainer plates - $20. Spacer rings - $ 15. Keys - $5

go to top     |     how to order

---

Timing Gears

If your Volvo B18/B20 engine has a fiber-type cam timing gear it must be replaced when doing a cam change. Pulling the fiber cam gear weakens them and leads to premature failures when reinstalled. Based on years of race and street use we recommond replacement  with an aluminum cam gear - much stronger that the fiber gears, lighter and quieter than the steel gears. Cam and crank gears must be replaced in matched sets and are only sold as sets. Aluminum and steel cam gears can normally be re-used - $150

go to top     |     how to order

---

Pulleys

Aluminum Volvo B18/B20 Crank Pulleys

We now offer a selection of aluminum crank pulleys for both supercharged and normally aspirated applications. These are CNC machined from 6061 T6 aluminum. These include

• 4 sizes of SC crank pulleys - $150,
• single groove 5.20"  and 4.80" diameter pulleys - $105
• twin groove pulleys for AC or PS - $140.

 

All are designed to slightly under-drive the alternator and waterpump for power savings. They can be modified for use with crank triggered ignitions.  The photo shows the for sizes of pulleys for our supercharger system plus 2 single groove pulleys.

 New - Crankshaft Vibration Dampener

One our newest Volvo B18/B20 products, still undergoing final testing, is a crankshaft vibration dampener that is integral with our aluminum crank pulleys. Call or email for details and pricing. 

 

go to top     |     how to order

---

ARP Bolts

ARP head stud kit

Comes with nuts and hardened washers, highly recommended for all engines as the original head bolts are showing fatigue and often do not give an accurate torque reading. Switching to these studs is the cure for most head gasket problems. Considered mandatory for street performance and race use. — $100 per set

Rod bolts 

Custom made by ARP. Needed to prevent rod failure in high RPM street or basic race use. Will not fit engines with 8 bolt cranks. - $105 per set

go to top     |     how to order

---

Gaskets and Seals

Head Gaskets - High Performance and Racing

• Cometic head gaskets in stock and custom bore and thickness sizes for Volvo B18/B20 high performance and racing applications . Used in all of our large bore B20 engines. Most stock sizes - $110 - Slightly higher for custom sizes.  Gaskets for other Volvo and non Volvo engines also available on a special order basis.

• Volvo B20 - 90 mm and 92 mm x .036"  or .045" -  $110

• Volvo B20 -  93 mm and 94 mm x .036" or .045"  -  $125

• Volvo B20  -  92 mm, 93 mm and 94 mm  x .060"  -  $137.50

• Volvo B20  -  also available in other custom sizes

• Elring gaskets - The standard Volvo gasket - used in all of our engines - including race engines - when a special size is not needed. Common sizes usually in stock.

Manifold gaskets - Volvo B18/B20

Intake/ Exhaust manifold gasket for Volvo B18/B20 - specify engine and whether fuel injected when ordering - $15.50

Front and Rear Crank Seal Housings with Modern Seals

Convert your B18/B20 from leaky felt seals to modern silicone rubber seals. We use these seals in all of our engines.

• Machined front timing cover with seal - $45 plus refundable $45 core charge - Total  $90
• Machined rear seal housing with seal - $40 plus refundable $30 core charge - Total $70

go to top     |     how to order

---

Oil Cooler Adapter

For those of you who have had problems getting the oil lines to clear the header or just want a better quality adapter than those previously offered, I now have a solution which has eliminated all problems. It is a high quality billet aluminum adapter with the threaded holes for the oil line fittings on the side, not coming straight out from the block. In addition, the adapter can be rotated 360 degrees and tightened in any position. This is a great unit compared to the cheap, cast metal units previously available and has eliminated the oil line clearance problems on my race car and street cars using headers and remotely mounted oil coolers. Comparatively expensive at $85, but well worth the price. Problems with the old type units cost me a race weekend and a set of engine bearings in '98, plus countless extra hours during every engine change. I will never use that type again.

Machined billet aluminum, not the cheap cast ones. These can be rotated to any angle to facilitate hose to header clearance. - $85

go to top     |     how to order

---

Baffled Racing Oil Pans

To provide for continuous oil flow during racing conditions it is necessary to modify the oil pan to prevent the oil from being forced away for the oil pump pickup by G forces during cornering. We have tested out a simple system of baffles, without moving parts, which has given excellent results over twelve years of racing use. A requirement to ensure a continuous oil supply on the race track or in hard cornering.

On your core or exchange $125 Core charge $75 With oil temp fitting $100

 

go to top     |     how to order

---

B18/B20 Oil Pumps

Since oil pumps are no longer as readily available as they were, we are now stocking a limited supply for the benefit of our customers.

• Original equipment oil pumps  $125.  $130  ( Still $39 less than what that big outfit in Oregon sells them for, assuming they even have any in stock. )
• With heavy duty relief spring ( increases oil pressure ) and shaft reinforcing ring  $150
  

 

go to top     |     how to order

---