Hi folks, I am new to this site but have owned a number of RWD volvies in the past, including a 264GLE V6. I currently own a 91 240 GL wagon with a 2.3l motor and want to find out who may have done a V8 engine conversion into either the wagon or sedan of this era. I saw one recently for sale on eBay so I know it can be done. Any leads, ideas or links for this kind of conversion being done in Australia would be helpful. I know about engineering cert and other requirements for such a project. I could not find a thread on this topic so have started one...thanks!


Look in the showroom section of turbobricks.com

Its easy if you know what your doing and impossible if you dont :-)

My personal notes are that 1uz conversion is easier than just about anything else available in australia (best value for $$ as well)

Ls motors work but are dam expensive here compared to cost in the usa

We fitted an injected Ford Windsor into a 242 with a t5 manual. All pretty straight forward but needed custom headers. Qld compliance was easy.
Okay - getting the idea it's not impossible. I have done lots of mechanical and body work over the years so not too worried about ripping the old 4cyl out...might even throw a manual in there too while I'm at it. Vauts, will a t5 box handle the extra torque okay? Thanks for your help.
The t5 is a ford gearbox, we used a 6 cylinder box because of availability and price.
200 plus rwhp and 400ftlb of torque, welded diff and a spirited owner. Been on the road for 8 months
Any idea what size V8 you can turbo and still get it engineered?
Does a t5 box need any crazy adaptation to fit a 1uz? Anyone done a ford inline 6 swap on a 240 as well?
I feel like somebody on Ozvolvo should put a Barra in a 240. It would be silly heavy but nice and patriotic.
For a 1uz, there are better boxes to use than a t5. W58, t56, r154 (in order of price and strength) all have off the shelf available adaptor plates.
There is a GVM to engine displacement formula on Vicroads or maybe RTA. And turbo reduces the displacement allowed.


@jmy60 Any thoughts on what V8 you would like to swap?
Ford Six has been done. I know a guy who has done half a dozen of them. All the old 4.1 crossflow though.
@carnut1100 that's awesome! I think someone was planning a turbo barra conversion at some point but it might have been over on performance forums or turbobricks. Don't think it ever eventuated though.
Samman88;77411 wroteI feel like somebody on Ozvolvo should put a Barra in a 240. It would be silly heavy but nice and patriotic.
For a 1uz, there are better boxes to use than a t5. W58, t56, r154 (in order of price and strength) all have off the shelf available adaptor plates.
There is a GVM to engine displacement formula on Vicroads or maybe RTA. And turbo reduces the displacement allowed.


@jmy60 Any thoughts on what V8 you would like to swap?
I've not done much investigating on a particular V8 but the thought was a holden 253 or 1uz...probably go with price and adaptability.

Samman88;77413 wrote@carnut1100 that's awesome! I think someone was planning a turbo barra conversion at some point but it might have been over on performance forums or turbobricks. Don't think it ever eventuated though.
Length is the killer, plus its height. That's why no one will bother if a 2jz is easier to fit..

You can legally go to 6l capacity, with a turbo, you're basically limited to 4.5 litres or so because a turbo will multiply the capacity, something like 1.35 times. Iirc. Its weight related also.

Mark, a t5 will handle a 5litre ford or holden, they did sell them with the t5 after all.

But a 1UZ is a good option and been done multiple times. If you look in the rwd section there is multiple v8 conversion cars. It depends what your budget is and how fast you want to go and why you want a v8.
Vee_Que;77428 wrote
Samman88;77413 wrote@carnut1100 that's awesome! I think someone was planning a turbo barra conversion at some point but it might have been over on performance forums or turbobricks. Don't think it ever eventuated though.
Length is the killer, plus its height. That's why no one will bother if a 2jz is easier to fit..

You can legally go to 6l capacity, with a turbo, you're basically limited to 4.5 litres or so because a turbo will multiply the capacity, something like 1.35 times. Iirc. Its weight related also.

Mark, a t5 will handle a 5litre ford or holden, they did sell them with the t5 after all.

But a 1UZ is a good option and been done multiple times. If you look in the rwd section there is multiple v8 conversion cars. It depends what your budget is and how fast you want to go and why you want a v8.
Thanks for that info. I'm not after excess hp/huge acceleration...mostly the low end grunt and sound of a V8 in a trusty old 240 wagon. Maybe lowered a little but definitely not street car look. Don't want to turbo an engine even though that's an option on the stock engine or an 850 turbo engine.
Hi all. I have a ed ford with a good six and T5, and have been toying with the idea of squeezing them into my 1985 240. Purely because I have both cars and the 240 drivetrain is going to be set aside for my GT. From comments above this is 'doable'.
What are your thoughts ? Will it be a fairly simple swap ?
I think the sump will be an issue, thogh the ideal sohc motor to start with, the Au, needs more sump work.
fg1631;77451 wrote

Mark, I am doing exactly the same, V8 sound and grunt in a tidy old 240 Wagon. Have 5.0L injected Ford motor with all FI gear removed, Edelbrock Manifold, Holley 670, C4 and Salisbury rear end. At this time car is having some repair to the clear coat on the bonnet and roof prior to running gear being replaced. I know where you are coming from, I am not after a speed demon but a practical and enjoyable cruiser.
Build thread please!?
fg1631;77451 wrote

Mark, I am doing exactly the same, V8 sound and grunt in a tidy old 240 Wagon. Have 5.0L injected Ford motor with all FI gear removed, Edelbrock Manifold, Holley 670, C4 and Salisbury rear end. At this time car is having some repair to the clear coat on the bonnet and roof prior to running gear being replaced. I know where you are coming from, I am not after a speed demon but a practical and enjoyable cruiser.
That's a very tidy wagon! Mine will need a fair bit of body work to get anywhere near that. The upside is that its a '91 and has a very reasonable interior. I want to keep it all looking fairly stock inside - even with the cloth Volvo seats and door panels.
Yes - Id be interested in tracking your build as you go about dropping the Ford motor in. Is the car manual or are you going to leave it auto?
91 means you need to keep it efi also, a 304 would be a great choice i reckon.
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