480 ES Twin Carb conversion

For those of you not faint of heart, who believe the Volvo 480 should have more torque and horsepower, find all you need to know in here.

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DCD
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480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by DCD » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:16 am

Hi.<br><br>I'm considering converting my '91 ES onto carbs (probably down draughts, since I don't think that here's enough space for side draughts), instead of the present EFI system. <br><br>Is anyone aware of any similar conversions being carried out? If so, any recommendations / info would be welcome.<br><br>Thanks<br><br>David <p></p><i></i>

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Jamo
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by Jamo » Thu Aug 14, 2003 9:59 am

Why the fcuk would you do this????<br><br>The best method would be larger injectors and a Megasquirt unit.<br><br>Alot easier and with the benefit you could go back to stock system without to much hassle. <p></p><i></i>

DCD
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480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by DCD » Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:48 am

The efi system has left me standing a few times in the past (an ecu problem), but more recently, has started to play up on a very regular basis. The car would work fine for the first 10 minutes or so , but then start to misfire and eventually stop. After a 15-30 minute wait (during which no amount of cranking would get the engine to start up), she'd start up as if nothing happened and work ok for another 10 -15 mins and then throw another tantrum..... This coupled to the lack of aircon and also the hottest Maltese summer in ages, meant that I consigned the car to the garage for the past 3 months. Yesterday she started first go, and the engine worked fine (left her started for about 5 minutes, but only had time to drive round the block) and thought of the carb idea as a possible solution (I happen to have a few sets of carbs at home too...). <br><br>Apart from the reliability issue (imho, carbs are easier to deal with), a decent carb set-up could also up the power and make the car a bit more fun to drive (great chassis, but so underpowered).<br><br>David <p></p><i></i>

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Jamo
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by Jamo » Thu Aug 14, 2003 12:54 pm

So how exactly are you planning to get the ignition ecu to function correctly without it's input from the fuel ecu??<br><br>if i remember correctly the ES has it built into one.<br><br>Basically you'd have to change your ECU's for the 440/460 Carbs one.<br><br>And no the Carb is not better than Fuel Injection.<br><br>Your problem sounds like the temperature sensor is knackered.<br>Not the one for the dash used by info centre but the one for the ecu.<br><br>Quite a common problem <p></p><i></i>

DCD
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480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by DCD » Thu Aug 14, 2003 2:54 pm

The carb idea was something I 'dreamt up' yesterday. Given that I wasn't too sure as to the implications of such a conversion, I thought it would be best to seek some advice from the gurus on the net, hence my post on the forum. <br><br>From what I can gather, it's not worth going the carbs way....<br><br>Onto the temp sensor, once you've brought it up.... where is this located? I'm assuming that if this sends the wrong reading to the ecu, the mixture is probably becoming too rich or too lean and hence the probs. Whilst on the temp sensor issue, the display on the info centre always reads -40 deg Farenheit. It's been like that since I've had the car and never really bothered me, but if it's something that can be sorted out easily without any major expense, I'll give it a bash. Any ideas?<br><br>Thanks<br><br>David <p></p><i></i>

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Jamo
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by Jamo » Thu Aug 14, 2003 3:24 pm

There are quite a few threads on the issue with pics.<br><br>I'll have to see if i can find them or you have a look as well<br><br>I think Mr Harris put one up. I'll check later <p></p><i></i>

480-Pelle
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by 480-Pelle » Thu Aug 14, 2003 4:39 pm

If the outer temperature sensor is broken or if the cables are disconnected or something, the display will show -40. This happened to me too but one cable was just a little loose.<br><br>The sensor is located in the front grille.<br><br>Regards, Pelle <p></p><i></i>

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Ben Harris
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by Ben Harris » Thu Aug 14, 2003 4:40 pm

No... not me (for once!) <p></p><i></i>

DCD
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480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by DCD » Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:23 pm

Hi,<br><br>Thanks for the info. I'll check it out over the weekend.<br><br>In the meantime, if anyone knows where the engine temp sensor is, the info would be welcome.<br><br>Thanks & nice w'knd.... <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

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martinholmesuk
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Re: 480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by martinholmesuk » Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:44 pm

Right hand side at back of engine has a black wire going to it. (looking from front) <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.photobucket.com/albums/0603/ ... ac4754.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

DCD
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Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:16 am

480 ES Twin Carb conversion

Post by DCD » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:23 am

Thanks a million.... <p></p><i></i>

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