Which is the best way to go?

From what I've seen, the volvo head swap is a can of worms at best...requires a lot of machining and fab work. I'd say stick with the turbo 2.3 for now, and forget about the volvo head swap until somebody perfects it.

Phatt_daddy said:

I also know that boost will only be up in the 9 to 10 lbs range until I upgrade the block and internals. So what would be the better swap?

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not even if you mean turbocharging a n/a 2.3 but a 2.3T can easily run what, someone confirm, but i think my sis' bf's tc ran 15 or 16 with the premium switch.... and now that motor is mine.

Red_LX said:

I'd say stick with the turbo 2.3 for now, and forget about the volvo head swap until somebody perfects it.

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Or until it gets abandoned and people realize that a factory Ford 16v engine swap could be about the same amount of work as a Volvo head. At this point it's like trying to put Cleveland heads on a Windsor. Once upon a time it was the only way to get heavy breathing heads on a windsor, but now there are cheaper, easier, more effective, and generally better options. Not to knock the people that have tried and/or done it, but seriously, about the only thing that doesn't get changed is the shortblock......why not upgrade that too?

boost on a n/a block is a bad thing. you may push 6psi before it detonates and your engine bites the big one. save everything for a complete t/c motor swap. there is a lot of info out there on it. it shouldnt be that difficult. stinger has put together some awesome turbo motors. he helped build project bolt on, and that car has zeroed in on 10's in the 1/4.