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A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Bob Mohr on
Friday, 8 August 1997, at 10:19 p.m.
Well, I've drooled all over the Car and Driver article, gazed longingly at the Converse Engineering website and I'm considering collecting the pieces to build the Volvo I've always wanted (apologies to the 240 wagon in the garage). I plan to start from scratch: buy a used 700 series with a biffed motor and then find a mustang with a blown body. I've got a few questions and I'll be grateful if you wonderful folks would tolerate them...
Any recommendations for a particular 700 model year to look for? My experience is with the 240 series and I'd appreciate advice.
A quick classified search indicates most everything around here came with auto trannys from the factory. I'd like to install a 5 speed manual with the engine swap. Is it tougher to add a clutch lever to certain 700 models?
Hey, I've spent most of my life trying to find cars that run and I don't have much experience in locating nice dead vehicles. Where's the best place to look for a car with body and interior intact to perform my Frankenstein work? Wrecker yards? Advertise under "wanted"? Sneak over to my neighbors cherry 740 GLE, drain the crankcase and make him an offer a week later?
I've heard mention of utilizing a three core or four core radiator to handle the increased heat output from the V8. Are these aftermarket radiators or specific to certain model years? It gets hot here in Texas and the radiator in my 90 240 barely cools 4 cylinders.
I'll be installing stiffer springs up front (and probably new struts, as well). Should I scrounge these from an old diesel Volvo or is there a source aftermarket?
I'm planning on ordering the V8 conversion book from ipd and then seeing if Converse will sell me the conversion manual and video tape. Any other references out there that might provide strength (or scare me away from) this project?
Sorry about the length, and I appreciate your time...
Bob Mohr
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Saturday, 9 August 1997, at 2:30 a.m.
Bob - I encourage you to follow your plans as outlined. I have a '79 262C Bertone coupe and it's really a great ride. No arguements here.
Topically, or typically, what ever boils your crawfish, most all the talk on the Brickboard is about everything but the 262's. They seem to be the ugly step child of Volvo. My neighbor is from Italy and was a project engineer at Bertone's design center. The Italians are very proud of the Bertone and I'm told there are more of them in Italy than in any other country. Just an fyi.
For what it's worth-I particularly appreciate the 350 Olds under the hood, the Cad 4 speed automatic, the brand new full 2 inch exhaust system I just had put on. This, a real luxury for me. Uh Huh... The brakes are a little shaky - by design, I've discovered. Will change this soon. NBD. No conversion kits or parts were incorporated in the swap. No exotic parts or special dweedle-whopper after market secret formulas. Just ordinary low tech fabrication, lots of thinking, dreaming, spray can paint, some Tequila, missed a few social events, NBD-they came around again- and help from nice interested folks that had been there, done that, etc.
So... good luck, why don't you get started in the morning? It won't get done by just a 'grinnin at it!
Regards - JRE
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Stefan on
Saturday, 9 August 1997, at 5:07 a.m.
This was the most horrible thing i have ever herd of !!!
Changing the highperformance Volvo engine to a lowtech, heavy, castiron engine !!(?)
The Volvo engine is capable of 350Hp without bigger modifications (witout touching the bottom) and it weights about 150Kg !!
However there is a cracy Norwayguy selling conversionkits for 1500SEK inkl installationinstructions and enginemount (mail me if You whant the phonenr)
About springs:
We have springs for whatever You whant (my salesmanager have 28years in the springbuissnes)
In our productrange there is also everything You need for the roadholding (Shocks 5different types, Strutbars, Nylonbushings etc..)
Best Regards
Stefan
BSR Sportsman Chiptuning
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Saturday, 9 August 1997, at 11:28 a.m.
There is a thin line between crazy and genius-ask Auggie Dusenberg, Kurtis, Robert Goddard, Philo Farnsworth, and Preston Tucker among others!
Volvo only makes the ride, what you do with it afterwards is your thing! My dad used to tell me about Jeeps w/ 8 cyl. Packards in 'em, the time an Aero Mechanic tried to put a P-38 Superharger on a staff car, etc.
It is called INNOVATION! And without it we would still be using candles and casting spells to ward off the evil spirts of the dead!
I like the idea of doing the dirty on that 740GLE...theres a brand new 960 round the corner and there is no moon tonite......Hmmmmmm I hear the "Mission Impossible" theme in my head....
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Mike on
Saturday, 9 August 1997, at 9:46 a.m.
I've had my 85 760 (formerly turbo diesel) back from Converse Engineering for two months now and I love it. We did a basic swap to a 302 HO with AOD automatic transmission.
The stock front suspension works just fine, as does the radiator (although I recall that the diesel radiator is beefier than the gas - not positive though). There are now two thermostatically controlled fans in the car - one on each side of the radiator. I've only been running one though. Maine is certainly not Texas but we have had a couple of 3-4 day heat spells with high humidity and temps in the 90s - no problems at all.
I would recommend that you consider buying the conversion kit from Converse. Not only will it save you from reinventing some wheels, but you will have access to their support as you work through the process.
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Henry T. Mui. on
Sunday, 10 August 1997, at 12:10 a.m.
Bob,
I have the IPD V-8 Conversion book. But, the book is only for 200 series conversion using only G.M. V-8 or V-6 engines. Example: 305 throttle-body-injected V-8 (91 Camaro), 4.3 VF-6 or a LT1 engine.
just remember a Ford V-8 engine could not and would not overtake (speedwise)
out run a G.M. V-8 no matter how much improvement engine wise you do to it.
Read your Car And Driver Mag. for the speed (If you are into speed that is) results. Remember that for both Volvo 200 or 700 series cars with either
the Ford V-8 or G.M. V-8 the transmission tunnel would require modifications.
You must also put in a new motor mount crossmember for the G.M. V-8 conversion.
The Volvo 700 series V-8 Conversion book can be ordered at the below address.
JTR P.O. BOX 66 Livermore, Ca. 94551. cost @$50.00
Phone: 1-510-462-3619. FaX. 1-510-846-3642.
One thing bad about this book is the fact that there is no Technical support
phone number!
Good luck!
P.S. I've only seen one 200 series Volvo that had a Ford V-8 in it so far!
P.S.S. I plan to have a 700 series Volvo wagon with a V-8 on the road in @10 yrs. I hope!
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Sunday, 10 August 1997, at 5:33 a.m.
Henry,
Do not anger the gods of Mustang!
I have friends that have tatoos that read "I'd rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy!" and "Friends don't let friends drive a GM!".
Though after talking to Jim Ellis about his Voldsmobile (Volvo w/Olds V8) and seeing a 90 240 at Englishtown, NJ dragstrip yesterday-I may change my mind. All the Volords (Volvo+Ford) I have seen have T5 stick shift, and all the Volvolets (Volvo+Chevy),Voldsmobiles, Vontiacs(Volvo+Pontiac),Vuicks (Volvo+Buick), and one Voldidliac(Volvo+Caddy) including the rare bird the Volvette (Volvo+Corvette LT-1) used an automatic tranny.
I have heard of, but never seen, a beast named Volvfire (Volvo+RRMerlin Spitfire engine) but considering it's predecesors lineage I would hate to see it across the line from me at a red light! 'Cause if the motor didn't get ya, the 6 Browning .303 machine guns would! And the gun camera would record the kill!
Stoney
The above must be read while consuming vast amounts of spare ribs w/ BBQ sauce chased by a 6 of Dixie Beer!
Brought to you as a public service by the Stoney Fantasy Network...No Psycics, just Psychotics! All wierd-all the time! Comming to a UHF station near you...
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Henry T. Mui. on
Monday, 11 August 1997, at 11:39 a.m.
I know! There has always been this thing between Ford owners and Chevy Owners!
I guess you have to be careful. I see this where I live The Chevy trucks have these stickers with Calvin taking a wiss on the Ford logo and the reverse for the Ford owners! I hear that you can squeeze more hoursepower from the Volvo/Chevy engine swap by swapping the chips in the ECU. The same goes for the For/Volvo engine swap.
Re: A Few V8 Conversion Questions[ALL/1998] posted by Bruce on
Monday, 11 August 1997, at 2:48 a.m.
speaking of engine swaps, what about putting a more powerful volvo engine from the 90s in to an 1980 242. Is this practical? Which engine would make the most sense, and from what model would it come from?
Thanks
Bruce