V8 Volvo's Chevy power!!!

I am the guy who will put a V8 Chevy into just about anything that has rear wheel drive. Here is my V8 conversion list of toys: (New) Nissan 240sx, Volvo 700 & 900 series sedan and wagons, Chevy Astro Van, Chevy S-10's, GM-G body Buick Regal, Monte Carlo, Cutlass.... and all the like. As always I will be at...in the Woodward Dream Cruise this year with V8 swap kits and cars for sale. The input about the Chevy V8 powered 240sx's and the Volvos has been very good, these are the perfect sleeper cars. I am driving a Chevy 350ci powered Volvo 740 wagon right now... and boy it's fast. Volvos are known for their safety and style, their ride is hard to beat for the money they just didn't come with a powerful enough motor. Put the two together and you will have a car that blow the doors off just about anything and still go pick up the kids and some groceries and will probably last forever. If you own a rear wheel drive Volvo that has a good solid body with ...let's say a not so good running motor, why pay the very high repair cost.. it would cost less to drop in a V8 Chevy.
It's hard to beat Chevy horse power... dollar per hp. Parts are everware and chevys are pretty easy to work on and modify also.
I am designing my web site right now, to be finished very soon I need a few more pics of in progress projects to finish it off. If you would like to link web sites let me know.

If you have any other ideas of V8 swaps that you would like to see or have done (NOT TOO CRAZY) ie...Chevy v8 in a Geo Metro, let me know.

AWESOME!!! This summer I hope to get either a 240 or 740 and drop in an LT1.

Check out this guy's 302 744. I love it!
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gilesij/Volvord/

Thanks for the comment Ranger_X, that is my Volvo 740 you mention. I personally don't think there is a real advantage to either the Ford or the Chev powerplant, both are exceptional engines that can produce very impressive power. I agree that the higher ultimate HP potential goes to the Chev but the Ford engine is much lighter. As you can see it is really your own personal preference

I chose the Ford because it weighs 100 pounds less that the Chev, and with the front mounted distributor I was able to postion the engine lower and back further than the Chev. With the current set-up I only increased the weight by 65 pounds over the 4 cylinder turbo auto. I am currently building a new engine spec'ed at 425+HP that, with the aluminum heads will reduce that weight even further.

My car is unbelievably FUN to drive, a practical family hot rod that will blow the doors off of most cars on the street. It really is the ultimate sleeper that turns a lot of heads :hehe:

http://www.volvord.com/ch07a.jpg
http://www.volvord.com/ch02a.jpg

A full body shot of my V8 Chevy powered Volvo 740 wagon.

V8 Chevy powered Volvo 740 wagon.

Looks nice.
What body kit are you using?

What kind of 0-60 and 1/4 times do you get? Top speed? How's the handling, what kind of front/rear balance do you have? Ya :P Nice cars volvos are really cool cars damn it :/ Not so popular here in north america though :( :( It's cool to see mods like yours ;)

Hello Gigatron, my Ford powered 700 series does the 1/4 in 12.7@112 mph, I have upgraded the suspension with iPd springs, 1" swaybars, urethane bushings and Bilstein shock, this stiffens it considerably and lowers the car 2", handling is awesome. With the Ford 5.0L with iron heads I actually only increased the overall weight by 65 pounds, and besause the engine is placed back further the weight distribution is better than stack. I am currently building a new engine (targeting 450HP) which, with the use of aluminum heads will weigh about the same as the original 4 cyl turbo engine. With the new engine I am expecting 1/4 mile times in the low 12's or high 11's

You would be surprised at how many V8 Volvo's are out there.

Wow very nice, have you track tested it?

By the way, what was I gona ask, oh yes, do you have an url to the engine site, or where did you purchase the engine, possible similar sites, etc... just curious I wana know more ;)

How much is your insurance? The same as before? What about hmm going to emission tests or do you ahve to report to insurance, or government or any of that and they'd increase the insurance. Tell me :/ I never find out about engine swaps :/ I heard stories of ppl just doing engine swaps and thats that, but what about the government, insurances, emission tests, so on and so forth, how's that all work out?

Oh and got slips for your 1/4 miles and so what's your 0-60? What about top speed?

Lots of questions Gigatron !!!!

Click the homepage button below each of my posts or copy and paste the web site below my signature to go to my web page, all the info is there. I built the engine the is currently in my car, I am having a new 450HP 5.0L Ford engine built by a highly acredited engine builder $$$.

Insurance is the same as before, we do not have emmisions testing in my area ... yet (thank god), No locval government issues or regulations, my 0-60 times are under 5 seconds, dyno sheets are on my website.

My car is currently torn apart working on extensive modification to body, brakes, and the new engine, wish I had more time to work on it but hoping to have it on the road and at the track again this summer

hey guys i drive a 90 240dl. woudl a ford or chevy v8 fit in mine. i want a sprts car but this woudl be alotta fun. especially for whoppin some sports car ass.

-GTi-VR6_A3

Yes either a Ford or Chev engine will fit the 200 series. In fact Jags That Run publish a book on the conversion, check out http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ .

Then are a blast to drive, no one expects a Volvo to be fast :D

My paps 360glt owned and was fast ;)

Nice stuff, I really like your car, site and stuff!

Make some videos I wana see and hear it perform ;)

Is doing that V-8 conversion hard. I want to do it alot to my mustard yellow 240 DL and I'm only 15 and it might be to time consuming or to hard. Because I don't really know much about cars and my dad says this isn''t the way to start. What do yall think?

As far as engine swaps it is fairly easy but any time you put an engine or drivetrain from one car into another you will run into some problems. The swap took me 125 hours and I am a master mechanic, the time is one thing but also realize the cost can be high also.

I don't want to discourage you but as a first time project it is a lot of work and I would hate your first experience with cars to be discouraging. One thing I can say is that the result is well worth the effort.

Wow, I'm impressed 784VC....thats a really nice looking car you got there. Even though 80s and 90s Volvos are boxes, I like them better than the new ones. They used to be safe, affordable cars. Now they're expensive, luxury cars! My family has owned 3 Volvos over the years (240, 740, 850) and they all worked very well! Great sleepers!

hey volvord, i have seen your sight many times and i am thoroughly impressed by the work you have done. I am amazed at how fast these cars can really get

I am planning to do the 240 conversion in the near (or distant) future with a chevy lt1. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if any particular modifications like headers or valve covers can become problematic with the volvo engine bay or other parts of the car. Also, i was wondering if anyone has tampered with the rearend on the 240's. I have heard that they are dana 30's but im not positive. I would like to put a nice rear end in it before beefing up the engine. Obviously, having not quite reached maturity yet, i dont think i could possibly leave a chevy small block untouched.

And one last thing. I havent seen any numbers as far as quarter mile times and/or 0-60 for conversions of the chevy-engined variety. Does anybody know some?

The 240 makes an excellent candidate for a conversion, I am not as familiar with the Chev conversion but I know one with the LT1 is fairly straight forward, the problems come when you try to install the LS1 as there is some oil pan interference. Exhaust systems are always a problem on a conversion like this, many use the stock exhaust manifold or "block hugger" headers. To use a long tube header be prepared for some major modifications, but in my mind the long tubes are worth the effort.

As for differentials, the 240 comes with a Dana 30, many of the turbo's come with Dana 31's, both are quite strong, you will not run into any problems as long as you stay with a "street tire". If you plan on racing and use a drag tire or slicks then there is a good chance you will experience a diff failure.

As for 1/4 mile times ... well you do the calculations, a 3000 pound car with 400HP should easily be into the low 12 second range, 450HP puts you in the mid 11 second range.

Visit us at http://www.brickboard.com/V8/ there are a large number of members with Chev V8 Volvo's

Good luck.

I want to find out more about the v8 engine in the Nissan 240sx. I emailed you v8-240sx. Sorry to clutter the volvo section, but there's a lot more info on v8 swaps here.

I don't see any problems with your proposed conversion, the only tight area will probably be the exhaust manufolds/headers.

Here are a couple of sites that may lead you to some information

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/pparaska/
http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/

If I can answer any of your general swap questions, let me know and good luck.

I haven't found anything directly related to the 240sx. I'll keep trying.

I haven't found anything directly related to the 240sx. I'll keep trying.


There is no info related to the 240sx....the guy was confused and thought you wanted 240z. The Datsun 240Z conversion is pretty common, I have even seen many Big Block conversions. The 240sx conversion is extremely rare. The problem being that SR20's are a dime a dozen and cheaper in the long run. I want to put a 4.6 Cobra engine in my 240sx but the Army put that on hold for me. If anyone has info it would really be appreciated.

There is no info related to the 240sx....the guy was confused and thought you wanted 240z. The Datsun 240Z conversion is pretty common, I have even seen many Big Block conversions. The 240sx conversion is extremely rare. The problem being that SR20's are a dime a dozen and cheaper in the long run. I want to put a 4.6 Cobra engine in my 240sx but the Army put that on hold for me. If anyone has info it would really be appreciated.

Although this post is over 3 years old now, I was not confusing the 240z with the 240SX, the general concepts and information required to perform a V8 engine swap in a 4 cylinder powered vehicle is generally the same. Reviewing and researching conversion swaps in general will assist greatly in your knowledge, understanding and challenges.

Your idea for installing a 4.6 in a 240sx would rank up there with some of the most challenging. The 4.6 is an extremely wide engine, without knowing the dimensions of your engine compartment I would guess that major modifications and fabrication would be required to get it to fit, but do keep us posted if you proceed with the conversion, and good luck
http://www.arzz21.dsl.pipex.com/upload/compare.jpg

Although this post is over 3 years old now, I was not confusing the 240z with the 240SX, the general concepts and information required to perform a V8 engine swap in a 4 cylinder powered vehicle is generally the same. Reviewing and researching conversion swaps in general will assist greatly in your knowledge, understanding and challenges.

Your idea for installing a 4.6 in a 240sx would rank up there with some of the most challenging. The 4.6 is an extremely wide engine, without knowing the dimensions of your engine compartment I would guess that major modifications and fabrication would be required to get it to fit, but do keep us posted if you proceed with the conversion, and good luck
http://www.arzz21.dsl.pipex.com/upload/compare.jpg


Yeah, the post is a little stagnant. I have taken into consideration the width of the Mod engine and it will require some modifications to the front suspension pieces, if I decide to tackle that particular beast. The difference in the Z car and the SX is sustantial. The Z has a much larger engine bay, especially the width. A guy we used to race with had a 502 stuffed in a Z. I believe, and I could be wrong, that this space is from the side draft system used on the Z. I am far from a Z expert but I know they used side drafts for a while and that particular set up was much wider than the FI on the SX. More side to side room. The S chassis is very thin rail to rail. As for the 4 cylinder conversion being similar that is far from the truth. We bolted a L98 into a Fc3s with nothing more than mounts and block huggers (yes I know rotaries are pigs). We also managed to get a Lm9 (GNX) 6 into a Starion without modding anything other than mounts and a scoop. The theory is similar but the process varies greatly, hence my post about the Z information not being for the 240 sx.

Yeah, the post is a little stagnant. I have taken into consideration the width of the Mod engine and it will require some modifications to the front suspension pieces, if I decide to tackle that particular beast. The difference in the Z car and the SX is sustantial. The Z has a much larger engine bay, especially the width. A guy we used to race with had a 502 stuffed in a Z. I believe, and I could be wrong, that this space is from the side draft system used on the Z. I am far from a Z expert but I know they used side drafts for a while and that particular set up was much wider than the FI on the SX. More side to side room. The S chassis is very thin rail to rail. As for the 4 cylinder conversion being similar that is far from the truth. We bolted a L98 into a Fc3s with nothing more than mounts and block huggers (yes I know rotaries are pigs). We also managed to get a Lm9 (GNX) 6 into a Starion without modding anything other than mounts and a scoop. The theory is similar but the process varies greatly, hence my post about the Z information not being for the 240 sx.

**Sorry if my spelling or grammar are a little off, I am in Korea and it is late here. Also, I dont have facts to back all of my thoughts, they are off the top of my head. If I proceed with the change it will be next year but I will definately post

I have a 83 volvo 760 with a 96 lt1 with a 6-speed tranny out of a 96 camaro ss drivetrain has 25k body 112k runs mint daliy driver body super solid but needs some cosmetics the car is in maine and is for sale for $4000 obo to get more info please call josh at 1(207)754-9978

I have a 83 volvo 760 with a 96 camaro ss lt1 with 6-speed trans drivetrain hs 25k body has 112k daliy driver for sale $4000 obo cars in maine call josh at 1(207)754-9978 for more info

i have a 90 240sx coupe and i wanna drop in a chevy 350 need to know what steps to proceed with any info greatly appreciated thanks

A thread on Volvo V8 conversions is probably not the best source for your Nissan conversion. But be prepared that any conversion of this significance will cost 3 times more and take 4 times longer that your estimates.

There is probably not a kit and everything will need to be engineered, designed and manufactured specifically for your application. Reliability and longevity will be directly related to how well engineered each component is.

I am not trying to scare you off but I do speak from experience and it is not just a "drop in" and drive. an engine conversion like this will effect handling, braking and reliability.

I have invested over 3 years and well over $20,000 into PARTS for my conversion. I have upgraded drive train (engine, clutch, trany, driveshaft, differential), suspension (springs, shocks, sway bars, panhard rod, bushings), brakes (caliper-6 piston front, 4 piston rear, rotors- 12.26x1.25"), weight distribution is 51%F-49%R.

The end result is worth the time effort & expense, but I warn you it is a long expensive journey to get it right

Cool car, and engines!!! I'm also planning to modify or upgrade my car in time.. Maybe you could give some suggestion with it.. Try to post some info bout my ride later on..

Hi everyone, i see that in the jagsthatrun it only shows chevy's motors being put in why is that? Anyways i got a complete 1990 351w setup is that going to fit in a 1990 760 since its wider than the 302? If anyone can help me that would be great! i plan on doing the conversion this winter if its possible.

thanks john

After many years of planning I now have a Ford 302 hanging over an empty engine bay on my '82 Diesel wagon.

I have researched all the forums and web sites I have been able to find. Made a list of all the issues currently identified and solved many of them. Searching for someone currently in a similar position to compare problems and solutions with. I have the JTR books but the Ford presents its own set of detail issues.

Anyone out there interested in discussing the subject.

To address the above question, I would suspect that the 302 and 351 engines have very similar external dimensions.

OK, got the Fox body Mustang oil pan and pick up tube installed. Resolved the heater valve hose clearance with a couple formed 5/8" 90 degree hoses for less than $8.

Keep trying the engine and suspect clearance issues with the cast iron exhaust manifold. Found several 'block hugger' headers ranging from $89 to $300. Anyone know if I can make the OEM manifolds work or which of the 'hugger' headers best addresses this issue?

Stay tuned . . . I am going to get this done. I am taking pictures and will paste up a conversion site.

Hey, So iI know this thread might be dead by now, but I was wondering if I could get a little info.

I have a 1987 Volvo 240 that I'd love to put a 307 V8 from a Pontiac Ventura into.

What would be the basic process?
What kind of money would I be shelling out?
And I need a transmission adapter right?

Thanks.
And that 350 V8 740 is pretty tight.

The JTR books describe and solve most if not all of the SBC conversions issues. They are readily available on eBay, at Summit Racing or directly from JTR. I assume that you understand that the GM transmission would be required behind the GM engine. Don't think I have seen use of the Volvo transmission behind the SBC engine.

Lots of discussion on the financial issues associated with the conversions but I would suggest that it is a lot more than you might expect. I have carefully kept records of my conversion and using a very low mileage Ford engine/transmission have spent more than $5000 to date and have AC, exhaust and an engine tune estimated at about $1000 left to do. You are not going to make this conversion for $1500.

Hey im thinking of doing a v8 swap in my 88 volvo 240 wagon and considering either a sbc 350 or bbc 454 both would be carbed. Does anyone know if a 454 would even fit with like block-hugger headers or manifolds? weight isnt really an issue because the difference between the two motors would be like <200 lbs. let me know your thoughts im still pondering ideas and saving up for the swap.