Another learn me thread -- reasonably priced volvo wagon for 5.3 swap

So lets say you were on the can one day and you thought to yourself

"Self, I want a v8."

Then you thought to yourself

"Self, I want a wagon again."

And then...

"Self, I want a sleeper"

Well, then you decided to make this thread.

I don't know anything about Volvos. Which reasonably priced RWD volvos can be made to handle well (without too much NVH)? Which ones have the best highway manners? Which ones are less likely to rust? Which ones have the nicest interiors? Which ones are least likely to be abused by previous teenage owners? Cheapest to maintain?

You all made me buy vehicles in the past that I didn't need, DO IT AGAIN!

Leaving this here...

JohnInKansas wrote: Leaving this here...

I'll see your 122 and raise you a turbo...

It seems like the 740s? are the ones most commonly swapped?

I've had those thoughts too. By 5.3 do you mean the L33?

Jaynen wrote: It seems like the 740s? are the ones most commonly swapped?

And 240's, although for some reason SBF swaps are more common with those (when I bought my ES, the same seller had an incredibly clean 240 5.0/5 spd that would have been ours had it been a wagon - even the g/f liked it).

But in the case of both cars, the mac-strut design gives them a nice roomy engine bay that takes an American V8 like they were meant for one, unlike the 140 and earlier cars where the double a-arm front suspension makes such a swap a PITA.

The 960 wagon was sold until the 1997 model year and for that last year was known as the V90.
These were the highest end model of Volvo rwd but the came with a 6cyl that was typically considered to be a lump. These will be the most likely cars to find with a "bad engine" but good otherwise.
All the 960's came with an auto so you will have to self fashion if you want a manual.

And I'll lay down the last of the RWD Volvos with an LS1!

jrw1621 wrote: All the 960's came with an auto so you will have to self fashion if you want a manual.

IIRC, the 740 is close enough that most of the manual bits (pedals) swap in without too much difficulty.

Real basic 4l60e with an iron block 5.3 swap. Keeping it as cheap and reliable as possible.

Go fast mods being nothing more than a street cam and a dyno tune.

Look here . . .

The major reason Ford outranks Chevy in Volvo swaps is the distributor on the "original" Chevy small-block.

Mounting a big honkin' HEI distributor up against the firewall is a tough fit.

If you really want a Chevy, it's best to use a points-style distributor with a breakerless retrofit (i.e. Pertronix) or a modern, LS-? motor that doesn't have a distributor at all.

Any build threads or swap tutorials on these? I got a 97 n/a s70 that is just begging for this.

D_Howard wrote: Any build threads or swap tutorials on these? I got a 97 n/a s70 that is just begging for this.

Um, an S70 is front wheel drive, no? That's a whole other kettle of fish when it comes to V8 swaps.

Unless you want to be the first guy to do a Northstar Volvo!

EvanR wrote:

D_Howard wrote: Any build threads or swap tutorials on these? I got a 97 n/a s70 that is just begging for this.

Um, an S70 is front wheel drive, no? That's a whole other kettle of fish when it comes to V8 swaps. Unless you want to be the first guy to do a Northstar Volvo!

Rear engine, front drive?

haha oh god, yea it is, i totally forgot it's my brothers DD he said it's mine whenever i want it. That northstar sounds interesting, it also sound like it might induce a trip to the psych ward.

Hopefully Greg V will chime in here. He let me ride along in his swapped volvo wagon at an MSCC autocross. That car made me grin.

JoeyM wrote: Hopefully Greg V will chime in here. He let me ride along in his swapped volvo wagon at an MSCC autocross. That car made me grin.

bumped:

check http://turbobricks.com/ for more info

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/3157/

I don't have a whole lot to add since my experience is only with the swapped car posted above. Its been down for about a year for rust repair. It rides pretty well but transfers road noise. Its a mild 5.0 that puts out maybe 300hp.

If I was to start from scratch I would start with an early 245 and put in a 5.3 / auto combo with a mild cam and leave it completely stock looking. Most of that is based purely on looks and cost. T-56's are pricey and it seems like all the other manual options are as well.

I do like the 960's like posted again also.

Greg Voth wrote: I don't have a whole lot to add since my experience is only with the swapped car posted above. Its been down for about a year for rust repair. It rides pretty well but transfers road noise. Its a mild 5.0 that puts out maybe 300hp. If I was to start from scratch I would start with an early 245 and put in a 5.3 / auto combo with a mild cam and leave it completely stock looking. Most of that is based purely on looks and cost. T-56's are pricey and it seems like all the other manual options are as well. I do like the 960's like posted again also.

Glad to hear my thoughts and your experience are lining up. The thought I had while on the can was essentially "i need an iron block 5.3 with an automatic in a 240 wagon. NOW!"

I also briefly had a SBC/Auto in a 245. Bought it for $650 and sold for $1500 a couple weeks later.

Seemed to fit pretty well but it was carb'd so a bit simpler than the fuel injected 5.0 in my car. Mine is a Converse Conversion from 1996 and does not appear to have any major fitment issues. It does use some type of custom crossmember through. The SBC seemed simpler to mount.

I am a big fan of the LSX motors. A friend of mine has 5.3 with the stock cam, LS6 intake and long tubes in a 2nd gen RX-7 that puts down just under 300 rwhp and about 325 tq. Very impressive car.