Tree
Greetings,
So I recently sold my SW20 MR2. It was a good run and great memories were had but I was owing a bit of money and it was time to get something different. Something with a turbo, RWD, fairly reliable and cheap/easy to maintain. Immediately you think, too easy - Nissans. But every asian and his dog has one, the whole premise behind MR2 was something "less common". I'm also about to sell my bike (CB125e, not enough to do 100km/h) so I'll be almost vehicleless next Friday when I return the keys to a Hyundai Excel I'm renting. I say almost because still living in the nest but I need something to take me to work. The bonus of old unassuming Euros is that no one's ever gonna steal one ha! Skylines on the other hand...
So I've been trawling the interwebz for the last couple of days and inevitablely the old Volvos come up on the radar. Turbo, RWD, reliability and cheap seem like a lot to ask for but my armchair research concludes the swede satifies all conditions (at least I'm not putting fast in the mix hehe). I did consider Saab 900/9000 but FWD is a bit of a let down.
Anyways lets get down to it:
240 - Intriguingly rare, dunno why
940 - Last of the RWD, more comfortable and luxrious
740 - Better engine, bit more lardy than 240 but more common. Will offer a more classic and visceral experience than 940 - this seems like the ideal choice.
According to wiki, the 240s and 740s had assemblies in Melbourne, Clayton for the 740. I wonder why a search on carsales only retrieve a handful, most of them autos? Which brings me to my main course:
Auto to manual conversions - their difficulty, time, parts availablity and options.
From moderate research, there is a bit involved with setting up the pedalbox. Parts wise in Australia it's not like japanese tuner galore but there seem to be enough accessibility for it not be a struggle. Gearboxes also come with a range of flavours - M90 from the 940 or even a Supra box. In fact engine/tranny swaps are a common place now but lets not get ahead of myself...
So my question is, if I had to do a manual swap seeing as 99% of ones for sale are auto (want Sedan) would I be diving into the deep end? Skill wise I can change fluids, pads, misc stuff like A/C delete or alternator, do my own maintenance on motorbike (but that's easy) etc. I wouldn't consider myself naturally mechanically minded - I just learnt from dad/mates and reading guides/manuals. Fortunately I have a mechanic friend. He said never to speak to him again when i said I was thinking about a Volvo haha. Obviously I'd rather just buy manual outright but if nothing pops up I may as well use his help before he leaves for Japan next year. I read the gearbox isn't too great on the 240/740s anyways.
Ultimately, I just want something to run about with a bit more character than some utilitarian hatchback and room to haul couple guitars and then some. Then a few months down the road I'd probably keep it stock and get back on 2 wheels or very mildly build it up to handle some track day abuse couple times a year and do an E85 or LPG convo
My options are still open for car choice so feel free to continue suggesting...and thanks for reading!
carnut1100
240 factory turbo never sold in Aus.
Lots of turbo conversions, relatively easy to put a 740 turbo engine in.
740 turbo mostly auto, all wagons auto unless converted.
All 940s in Aus were auto.
Manual conversion using stock parts is easy on 240 and parts not hard to find.
740 or 940 is harder as you need the pedal box and tail shaft and shifter from a manual 740.
M90 box is non starter in Aus, never sold here, hard to find even in Europe now.
M46/47 box not ideal, not super strong, but I've only broken one....
Supra conversion had been done several times, strong box, good ratios.
Alex has done T5 commodore box conversion, few shifter issues but doable.
Anything else and you're on your own....
A_Volvo_Driver
Welcome to the forum.
there are always friendly people here who are happy to help you. I am not mechanically inclined, but forum members have been happy to help me. I've had the suspension upgraded and a manual conversion done to my 240 by some of the guys here.
Philia_Bear
Ls1
T56
Done for life
It bolts in
Ex850R
Welcome!
Where are you?
This place has plenty of help with knowledge and parts .
Where you live could get you to someone who can help with hands on if in the right place!
I am biased for wagons meself....
Like a TARDIS they are!
As for your 'so called' mechanic mate , tell him he mustn't be much of one if he doesn't know a good long lasting quality made vehicle such as you are suggesting! ;-)
L.
iceton1975
There are 6 factory 240 turbos in Australia from the prototype range, this did not go ahead in Australia in production, Voldat in Victoria has this in his collection, as well as the only FACTORY built 165 wagon
Vee_Que
Welcome!
740s and 940s are the go if you want s factory turbo motor. Manuals stock aren't that great but finding pedal boxes and such isn't fun either. I've recently converted my friend Jays 740T Wagon to a t5 manual and the parts cost is a bit less than doing a supra conversion which @Angus242164 has done before.
The weight difference between a 240t and 740t is no more than 100kg and given that a 740 has a stronger body and is wider in the interior it is a better decision if you plan to carry friends too.
I personally prefer the auto which is an asian Warner box and can be rebuilt to handle decent power. My 740T has a 3000rpm stall and 940 4.1 diff and slightly bigger turbo and it matches well vs Jays manual Wagon. But that are fun both ways. I just tow and use mine as a quickish daily.
Where are you located? I'm in Melbourne, south eastern suburbs. Pom is selling his own 740T sedans which have had work done. Unsure if they are on carsales. 940s are a better choice if you get a 93 on from the point of veiw of engine strength and later, more easily programable ecu stock.
Alex
Vee_Que
Difficulty. As said. Angus has a write up on the net and in another section of the forum covers the t5 from a commodore swap.
iceton1975
Don't piss your money away with the above, keep it standard, as Alex said the standard auto box, will take the power unless you want crazy power, then look at the T5 power box or dellow conversion, Toyota box.
fellow forum members should not quote fiction when fact is out there regarding 240 turbos from the factory, here in victoria
carnut1100
Not sure how it's fiction to say the factory 240 turbos were not sold in Aus.....as you say, 6 prototypes.
The reality is that you won't find factory 240 turbos for sale in Aus.
Vee_Que
Regardless.... If he wants a 240, it won't be as fun to turbo it and if it's a daily it makes it pretty awkward actually.
There are lots of 240's around really, it's just most are no longer daily drivers and/or you don't live in a suburb near a Volvo workshop.
volvodriverman
I have 2 turbo'd 2 series & ones a daily which works as a car should ;)
Angus242164
The T5 conversion is the way to go these days, it's the easiest and cheapest way to get a strong manual trans into a RWD Volvo.
The W series Toyota box has it's merits but they're getting very expensive now, the conversion parts are expensive, and a number of aspects of the conversion are a bit more involved than for T5 conversions.
I've spent about $2500 on my initial conversion and fixing a few issues down the track. I'm now getting ready to rebuild W55 number two, and change the clutch setup to something that can reliably handle more than 150kw.
Vee_Que
volvodriverman;36650 wroteI have 2 turbo'd 2 series & ones a daily which works as a car should ;)
Let's be fair. One you bought as a turbo car too.
Tree
Muchos gracias for the warm welcome fellas, I feel at home already. The small but tightly woven MR2 club have a similar atmosphere.
Leaning towards the 240 now due to aftermarket support and ease of mods. Stop hording them volvodriverman!
My "mate" is extremely biased. RWD, turbo and Jap only. Probably due being half-Jap, methinks (serious).
Interesting to know 6 turbo stick 240s that never went on sale. What were they plotting...
Regarding the LS1, I was saving that for when I get an FC RX-7. Still keeping an opened mind tho depending on resource and economics...
It's just not fun without manual personally and I'd really like to kick out the rear. For me: manual>>turbo>rwd. turbo beats rwd only cos I've never owned one yet. I think I'll be pretty happy with 150rwkw, the MR2 only had 110rwkw but it was NA. I like the sound of this T5 swap, the more native the parts and better.
FYI I'm from South East Vic too, would love to pop around to check out everyone's car at next meet or whatever
volvodriverman
Vee_Que;36679 wrotevolvodriverman;36650 wroteI have 2 turbo'd 2 series & ones a daily which works as a car should ;)
Let's be fair. One you bought as a turbo car too.
What is unfair about buying one of my cars already turbo'd? All I am saying is that it is a perfectly functional conversion. I converted the gt myself & extensively coached the previous owner through the conversion on the wagon...
Perhaps have a little think before accusing people of dishonourable conduct, it is not appropriate and I find it personally offensive.
Vee_Que
:/ more that neither were your daily when you converted them. Making the job easier. No offence over the job itself...
For parts. Honestly a 240 isn't that different to 740s. Most parts come from the states and you can buy what you need the anyway.
The rear kicks out with a shift kitted auto anyway ;)
Volvo never did rhd turbo 240s because it had clearance issues on the steering shaft which can be worked around. The engine mounts are closer Mounted than a 740 and wear out fast with turbo 240s. Or even stock ones.
If you seriously plan to buy a 240 then turbo it. Realize that you will lose your daily for up to two weeks if anything goes wrong in the conversion.
Ex850R
Hasn't *whatshisname ? got an FC with LS1 swap for sale?? ( * excuse my chemo affected brain , no memory...)
Are you in Gippsland somewhere?
You should seek out the old peeps in towns with mint low mileage 240s sitting in sheds driven on Sundays!!
Just love idea of a T5 Whiteblock 245 wagon...
Vee_Que
Im guessing he is near my current location in Mulgrave actually.
timbo
Hey tree im on mr2aus too and have followed your SW20 antics, but when i saw you were selling your mr2 i didnt expect to see you getting into a volvo! You have come to the right place and shouldnt have too much trouble finding a good project car
