My girlfriend has a 940T and has always wished it had a manual transmission. I know Volvo sold these cars in Europe with the M90 gearbox which is pretty much not available in North America. You can also swap in a Toyota Supra gearbox with some modification and a kit from Dellow Automotive in Australia. But can you just get the M46 or M47 out of a 7xx series, along with pedal box, etc, and just swap that right into the 940? Or is the shifter location different, etc. Anyone done this? Seems like it should work, but I can't find any info out there on the 'net about doing it. I found a page about swapping an M46 into a 780 Bertone, but that's about it. Any info, links, etc would be much appreciated! Thanks

Karl

I don't think there will be any mechanical issues with installing an M46 from a 700 series. However, you'll need the trim to go around the shifter opening on the console. Since US cars never had a manual trans with this interior, and it's different from a 700, you'll have to get creative or source the european parts. I would be interested to see an interior detail from a European market 5-speed 940, since I have no idea what parts are different here.
Perhaps one of our European readers could post such a picture?
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

Here's one that was posted a couple days ago...



I guess that's the much-vaunted M90?? and the post...
Big front in 700/900

- Brian

Hey, that looks great! Now to see if I can find a 740 donor car. From what I've read, the IRS and live-axle driveshafts are the same length, so seems like just about any 7xx will do. Now, are the driveshaft lengths different between the sedan and wagon? Don't know if they changed the wheelbase or not. Thanks guys!

Karl

No, they are identical.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22) 200k; 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230ET/M46) 290k; 1988 745 GL (B200E/M47) 190k

Yeah, that would be interesting to see. Well I checked around on this site and after much searching found a few posts related to this swap. It appears that the information given on the 780 Bertone manual transmission swap applies equally to the 940 swap. You basically need most of the driveline of a 7xx series to make this work. See the FAQ on this site.

One question, though: will the driveshaft from a 7xx series fit in a 940 without modification? Thanks!

Karl

Yes, your 940 has exactly the same driveshaft as a 740. Or hang on, I can't see your first post now but you did say you have a wagon? If you have a sedan, you might have IRS and if so, you would need to use the stuff off a 760 Turbo with IRS, i.e. facelift. They did come as manual over there, did they not? If you have the old live rear axle, then any 740 or 760 with M46 box will do, not M47 as they are shorter due to the overdrive. Do not fit an M47 on a turbo, they are too weak and make sure the M46 is off a turbo, they are stronger than the M46 on other models.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/M46) 200k; 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46) 290k; 1988 745 GL (B200E/M47) 190k

The M46 is the same between turbo and normally aspirated, however different overdrives were used on the later turbo and 16 valve cars. Volvo introduced the P type OD on the turbo 700s as a running change in the 1986 model year. The J types actually last quite well behind a turbo if you don't powershift into OD. Some of the later turbo and 16 valve cars came with the P/J type OD which is also a stronger overdrive which is supposed to incorporate the best features of both P and J ODs and have the lowest maintenance of all the overdrives.

Do a much better search here on the brickboard. There are a ton of people who have done this. Yes you can put the m45/46 into a 9xx from a 7xx (or 2xx). Make sure you get the right flywheel though

You wouldn't want to fit an M45, that is a four speed box. There is no difference between a manual 740 and a manual 940 in the layout of the instruments down by the gear lever. You can get the centre consol cover off a 740 and try finding one of those nice leather gaiters, actually you can have mine if you send me your address. I'm doing an auto conversion on Friday!

In Europe, the early 940 Turbos and 16v had M46 boxes.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/M46) 200k; 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46) 290k; 1988 745 GL (B200E/M47) 190k

my 91 945t came out of the factory with an m46...exactly like my bro's 740gle...

I believe the turbo also had a beefier clutch fitted....and also hydaulic actuation on the clutch...

Yup, my 740 turbo diesel has M46 with wire clutch and my 740 tic has B230ET and M46 with hydraulic clutch.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/M46) 200k; 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46) 290k; 1988 745 GL (B200E/M47) 190k