'81 Volvo 245

[Rogue Status]

Some pics I took of the car. It is dirty and the paint needs to be cleaned and buffed out again.

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[RoadconeTuning]

dammit thats a cool car...

[Rogue Status]

Roadcone, I am going to try and make it to the upstate for C&C one weekend. Looks like a bunch of nice cars.

Funny you like the car, part of my motivation for the swap was my desire for a G8. 4 doors, I can still drive my son around, A/C, comfy, and still quick and fun to drive. No A/C or P/S in the wagon yet, just need to get the parts together and make it happen.

[snakeplissken]

dammit thats a cool car...

Agree.

Let me know if you ever go to sell it. I can strap my paddleboard on top and go have some fun. :hysterical:

[ForceFed4g63]

Awesome.

[RoadconeTuning]

Roadcone, I am going to try and make it to the upstate for C&C one weekend. Looks like a bunch of nice cars.

Funny you like the car, part of my motivation for the swap was my desire for a G8. 4 doors, I can still drive my son around, A/C, comfy, and still quick and fun to drive. No A/C or P/S in the wagon yet, just need to get the parts together and make it happen.


I'll be in charleston on the 2nd... you need to let me shoot that thing.

[MonteC]

What throttle cable is that?

[Rogue Status]

Lokar cable and bracket. Cable was a 36" unit that was then cut to fit

[MonteC]

Thank you!

[MonteC]

You dont remember any part numbers do you?

[DolSVT00]

Seen this car Saturday, very cool indeed.

[BigdaddyDupree]

Saw it at SSS. Was very jelly of it. Very nice!

[BIRDMAN]

I three, saw it on Saturday at the SSS. Looked good man.

[Rogue Status]

You dont remember any part numbers do you?

Summit Racing Part #'s

LOK-TC-1000LS1U THROTTLE CABLE BLACK
LOK-TCB40LS1 BRACKET

[MonteC]

Awesome. That just made my day.

[Rogue Status]

Thanks for the kind words. It is a blast to drive but I can already feel the urge for more power.

[Whaler]

I like that car. You passed me this morning on 526 on my way from West Ashley to Daniel Island. I thought it sounded much better than a Volvo motor. Cool setup. :bigthumb:

[Matts94Z28]

Sounded good at the track last night.

[Rogue Status]

Whaler - I work @ Blackbaud, so that is the daily commute. Much easier to navigate the non-drivers with 3X the original torque.

No tach still, going to get that sorted out soon as I am tired of not having a speedo, tach or other gauges. 205/45r16 Street tires @ 35psi proved to be the issue. Was so close to breaking into the 8's just couldn't get it to hook well enough to shave that last little bit off. The suspension doesn't help either, that will get sorted out soon enough. Car feels plenty fast on the street and is ton's of fun to drive. Looking forward to modifying this engine and watching the time drop and trap speed go up.

9.0056 @ 78mph (http://youtu.be/t_5YCvqZxR0)

1981 Volvo station wagon burnout! 5.3 V8 rogue status! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUO4Dju7Lk)

Was acting a bit odd this morning cut off twice while dropping back to idle with the clutch in. Going to scan it before my ride home and see if there are any codes. I think fuel pressure might be the culprit or a dirty MAF, and I still need to replace the fuel filter, not sure when it was done last. I am sure the tune isn't ideal either, it is a bench tune from PSI. I can't fault them in the least bit, the car has gotten me to work and makes plenty of power so far. I am sure there is more in it though.

[ForceFed4g63]

Whaler - I work @ Blackbaud, so that is the daily commute. Much easier to navigate the non-drivers with 3X the original torque.

No tach still, going to get that sorted out soon as I am tired of not having a speedo, tach or other gauges. 205/45r16 Street tires @ 35psi proved to be the issue. Was so close to breaking into the 8's just couldn't get it to hook well enough to shave that last little bit off. The suspension doesn't help either, that will get sorted out soon enough. Car feels plenty fast on the street and is ton's of fun to drive. Looking forward to modifying this engine and watching the time drop and trap speed go up.

9.0056 @ 78mph (http://youtu.be/t_5YCvqZxR0)

1981 Volvo station wagon burnout! 5.3 V8 rogue status! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUO4Dju7Lk)

Was acting a bit odd this morning cut off twice while dropping back to idle with the clutch in. Going to scan it before my ride home and see if there are any codes. I think fuel pressure might be the culprit or a dirty MAF, and I still need to replace the fuel filter, not sure when it was done last. I am sure the tune isn't ideal either, it is a bench tune from PSI. I can't fault them in the least bit, the car has gotten me to work and makes plenty of power so far. I am sure there is more in it though.

Which building? I work in Fairchild.

[Rogue Status]

I am over by the Stadium. 4th floor, Hosting Support AKA Phone Jockey.

[ShawnBoyMoody]

My new favorite. Nicely done.

[toslow]

Did you have a rx7 you were gonna put that engine in?

That thing is sweet.

[Rogue Status]

toslow - I did have a FC RX7, decided the Volvo would be a fun daily with more power. I sold off the turbo parts and what I didn't need for the swap and put that money into swapping the Volvo.

[ForceFed4g63]

I am over by the Stadium. 4th floor, Hosting Support AKA Phone Jockey.

Nice, I go over there every once in a while for the food trucks, I'll have to keep an eye out for the car!

[Whaler]

Whaler - I work @ Blackbaud, so that is the daily commute. Much easier to navigate the non-drivers with 3X the original torque.

No tach still, going to get that sorted out soon as I am tired of not having a speedo, tach or other gauges. 205/45r16 Street tires @ 35psi proved to be the issue. Was so close to breaking into the 8's just couldn't get it to hook well enough to shave that last little bit off. The suspension doesn't help either, that will get sorted out soon enough. Car feels plenty fast on the street and is ton's of fun to drive. Looking forward to modifying this engine and watching the time drop and trap speed go up.

9.0056 @ 78mph (http://youtu.be/t_5YCvqZxR0)

1981 Volvo station wagon burnout! 5.3 V8 rogue status! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUO4Dju7Lk)

Was acting a bit odd this morning cut off twice while dropping back to idle with the clutch in. Going to scan it before my ride home and see if there are any codes. I think fuel pressure might be the culprit or a dirty MAF, and I still need to replace the fuel filter, not sure when it was done last. I am sure the tune isn't ideal either, it is a bench tune from PSI. I can't fault them in the least bit, the car has gotten me to work and makes plenty of power so far. I am sure there is more in it though.

I work at Hall Marine and get off at the first Clements Ferry Exit. You were rolling on by on the highway. I run ~ 10mph over and you made me look like I was sitting still. I drive a silver 4 Runner. I never really liked Volvos, but I like that car a lot. Most of my cars growing up were always something different than most. My last 2 hot rods were a Lightning and a Fox Coupe.

[toslow]

Who is your neighbor that might be into cars. Someone was telling me about you the other day? this is racking my brain.

[lilpanther]

Car looked good and sounded good going down 526 thismorning.

[Rogue Status]

Who is your neighbor that might be into cars. Someone was telling me about you the other day? this is racking my brain.

My neighbor across the street is a Sales Manager at Hudson Nissan in North Charleston. Not too many other car folks in Carolina Bay.

Car looked good and sounded good going down 526 thismorning.

Thanks! What were you driving?

[lilpanther]

Thanks! What were you driving?
The white Mustang that was behind you most of the way down 526.

[The Driver]

Very cool, I have a complete 5.3 in the garage and have been considering a 142 to swap it into. Did you fab everything yourself or is that a Converse kit?

[Rogue Status]

Very cool, I have a complete 5.3 in the garage and have been considering a 142 to swap it into. Did you fab everything yourself or is that a Converse kit?

Fabricated everything myself. All of the heavy work was done in 3 days. I don't think Converse or anyone for that matter makes a bolt-in kit or swap kit for the LS engines. You can purchase a bolt-in kit for 7XX and 9XX series cars.

[toslow]

Right on, Jeff is 1 of our sales managers. I'm in service and just couldnt remember who was telling me about it. Great project, look forward to seeing this in person.

[Harry]

Right on, Jeff is 1 of our sales managers. I'm in service and just couldnt remember who was telling me about it. Great project, look forward to seeing this in person.

Missing yours????

[Rogue Status]

More Pics and a link to some coverage the car has gotten,

LS1Tech.com posted a link to my build thread on their blog: http://ls1tech.com/articles/lm7-powered-volvo-definition-sleeper/

More coverage from StreetLegalTV.com/Chevyhardcore.com: http://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/video-lm7-swapped-1981-volvo-245-dl-burnout-action/

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[Rogue Status]

Have been busy working on the wagon lately. After destroying 2 Volvo diffs, it was time to upgrade the rear axle. I snagged an 8.8 out of an Explorer from LKQ on a half off weekend. The driver's side has been shortened ~3" to accept a factory pass. side axle and center the diff housing. Transferred all the Volvo suspension brackets over to the Ford unit, then finish welded everything. Cleaned it all up and threw on a coat of paint.

Now that the rear bolt pattern is 5x114.3 and not the stupid 5x108, the GTA wheels had to go. Got some knock-off BBS RS's for cheap, 17x8.5 F and 17x10 R with 215/45 and 245/40 respectively. Finally, traction might be attainable in 1st and 2nd gear.

The suspension was is poor condition when I originally got the car, have since replaced all of the bushings, but the stock spring rates were far from ideal and made driving on 526 not only unbearable but dangerous. WAY too much droop travel in the front + blown struts and a poorly sprung rear was far from confidence inspiring. The front spindles have been upgraded to the '83 and up units with larger stub axles and bearings. Shortened them 2.75" and squeezed in (literally had to almost press the bastards in there) struts from a '96 Buick Regal. Should be damped fairly well considering the Buick's additional weight. Coilover sleeves and 2.5" 400 lb. springs were added to the front as well so I can play with ride height and spring rates to dial it all in.

Out back the rear springs were just WAY too soft. Added 5" spring adjusters and 5" 250 lb. springs in the rear with a higher spring rate. Adjustable and OTS springs can swap in to dial in the rear suspension.

Lastly, I have had a slight driveshaft vibration and it had a tendency to rub under acceleration if the rear compressed or if I had a passenger in the car. The stock torque arms had the stock axle pitched up due to the lowered ride height and with all of the compliance in the rubber bushings I was forcing the driveshaft even higher in the tunnel under load. This weekend I am fabricating adjustable torque arms with rod ends on the axle side and stock bushes on the chassis side. Hopefully with the pinion angle set correctly I won't have to cringe when going WOT, listening to the driveshaft rub the tunnel.

Overall the car should not only look better, but actually be a much more complete vehicle. Still need to get the car tuned, but the suspension and traction I have added should let me use the power I have to it's fullest. The LSD in the Explorer rear will help with the 2.0 60ft at the track, and get me well into the 8's in the 1/8th. Not too terrible on a mostly stock 5.3 in a station wagon.

Front Coilovers

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/12950778145_cd8f26461d_b.jpg

Rear Axle

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2112/13105683553_43fcf2ee53_b.jpg

Little teaser of the new wheels.

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[RoadconeTuning]

dang it i wanna put it in front of my camera!

[MonteC]

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSsMEbB2qb_udsfS8LaQy2t5Tb1se4Ki t4WJP-fyYs6p7nne_Cc

[Rogue Status]

dang it i wanna put it in front of my camera!

Gonna get the paint all cleaned up prior to the trip to Atlanta at the end of the month. After that she should be living in the garage so it should keep clean. Anytime you want to I am up for it. Still want to make an early morning trip up to C&C up your way. Do you ever go to the Columbia meets?

[RoadconeTuning]

nope, i've been told the cola stuff is just a bunch of donks and ricers.

[GreebeanZ28]

But you like rice.

[Rogue Status]

nope, i've been told the cola stuff is just a bunch of donks and ricers.

Wasn't too terrible, there were 2 CTS V's and a few other domestics. Apparently in the summertime there are 400+ cars that attend. I will go again and see if the number of nice cars improves or declines when the weather warms.

[BIRDMAN]

nope, i've been told the cola stuff is just a bunch of donks and ricers.

Wrong.

[Silver-Dollar]

But you like rice.

No Fiero, no care.

[RoadconeTuning]

Wrong.

only one person on my facebook from cola ever posts any pictures and its a black dude thats all about big wheels and candy paint. yall should change that...

the shit i see from him on a daily basis lol.
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whatchu know bout dat big body on dem eight foh orangatangs????
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1888727_246908108816940_1333988437_n.jpg



at 2500 a wheel its a bargain!
http://www.texanwireandwheels.com/wire-wheels-shop/product/17-inch-83s-orangatang-poke/

[Rogue Status]

I can say with complete confidence there was none of that at the meet when I went back in December. Mostly imports, but definitely some clean cars, nice garage, and a relaxed atmosphere.

[RoadconeTuning]

Is it still at Quaker? My friend runs the one down in cola now.

[Rogue Status]

This one is in a parking structure in downtown Columbia. Put on by a local performance shop and had permits from the city to hold the event. Was fairly well organized and any sort of ricey behavior was not only frowned upon, but dealt with immediately. They organize on Facebook, Columbia Automotive Enthusiasts i think.

[RoadconeTuning]

I came to that thing once. i was not impressed with it. I think thats where i actually met Wes for the first time. ended up meeting some G8 guys there too(one of which was there out of Kansas... some military stuff)

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[MonteC]

cone is not impressed by your car meet.

[bambooi]

roadcone likes rice

[ForceFed4g63]

Cone will be the judge of your meet.

[BIRDMAN]

The garage meet fluctuates with types of cars and numbers so just because one time didn't impress you doesn't mean they are all like that. We also have our own Cars and Coffee which is getting some good traction. Yes yes, Greenville's is better blah blah fuck you. It has been moved from Quaker to Sandhills btw.

[BIRDMAN]

Cone is the Director of the Better Meet Bureau.

[Rogue Status]

So yeah, about my Volvo . . .

Car meet is a car meet, only as good as the cars and people that show up.

[CINDERBLOCK]

Wow I love it!!! Seen you around before and had no idea it was LS swapped. Great job!

[RoadconeTuning]

So yeah, about my Volvo . . .

Car meet is a car meet, only as good as the cars and people that show up.

whoa whoa whoa... dont you dare try and keep this thread on topic... this is CHP!

[Rogue Status]

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[Rogue Status]

Well, past 2 nights in the garage have been full of ups and downs. Got the brakes bled, no leaks with anything in the rear, so that's a win. Got in the car tonight, no pedal at all. Started poking around, it would appear the master cylinder has decided to start leaking at the booster, that's no bueno. So now I have to replace that and hope my diagnosis is correct. Same thing happened a few years ago when I first brought the car to SC. Not a game ender, but not fun having to track one down right before a decent road trip.

The rear is pretty well sorted, need to fiddle with the fenders some more and the ride height possibly. The front fenders got rolled last night. but I will need to trim the liners to keep them from rubbing.

Still need to sort the gauge cluster out, but I feel my new plan of attack should work. More on that when I have proof I was able to sort it out.

Overall I am confident I can meet the deadline of next Thursday. Just hope I can get some miles on this rear so I can have some confidence in it.

Snapped a few quick shots before calling it a night, I am happy with it, kinda wish I went with a 205 on the front instead of the 215, would have matched the rear more and cleared the fenders better. If I can find someone looking for the fronts, I can pull them off and cut my losses and get the 205's.

Wheel specs:

Front 17x8.5 et30 with 1.25" (32mm) adapters 215/45R17 Sumitomo HTR ZIII
Rear 17x10 et20 no spacers/adapters 245/40R17 Sumitomo HTR ZIII (~et1 with a stock rear axle, 8.8 is 3/4" longer each side)

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[RoadconeTuning]

lookin good

[Rogue Status]

Took a test drive up to the rice bowl Saturday. Everything seems to be working as intended. Still nervous to put my foot in it after breaking the rear 3 times now. Will touch up a few little items and detail this week. I am sure I will have a flood of pics after this weekend.

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[RoadconeTuning]

you've broken the new rear 3 times??

[Rogue Status]

you've broken the new rear 3 times??

No, new one might have 50 miles on it. I had 3 Volvo rears fail. Twice in glorious ear ringing, hart dropping fashion. BWAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH (shift) POW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That and the fact that I have now replaced the engine, trans, axle, fully modified suspension components, links, ect.

Also wanted to take it easy the first night out to make sure everything was tight and good. Would rather hear a loose bolt rattle and be able to fix it, than come out and mess things up while beating on the car and have to do it all over again.

[RoadconeTuning]

pfft, pull out of the garage mid burnout and put that bitch on the limiter in top gear!

[Rogue Status]

Had a great time this weekend at Import Alliance. Car made it there with only one issue, the driver's rear tire was rubbing over some larger bumps, but managed to grab the inner fender and pull it away from the outer. Thus slicing the tire pretty good right at the rim protector. Don't worry, it was ONLY superficial and in no way compromised the integrity of the sidewall. I will have it replaced in a week or two and have all 4 wheels rebalanced (that is a whole different story).

What brought it to my attention was a thump coming from the rear. I immediately got off 95 and into a parking lot. Was relieved to find just a piece of the tire slapping the fender and nothing more serious with the driveshaft, diff, or axles. Raised the rear up to keep the rubbing to a minimum, and managed to reshape the inner fender with a spare tire removal tool from a Nissan Frontier, a 2x4, and a moving blanket to keep dry.

Back on the road, there was rain ALL THE WAY up 16 in GA. After sitting in traffic for what felt like 2 hours, mere miles before our exit we finally made it. By my calculations, I averaged 25mpg running ~75mph most of the way.

The show was pretty fun. There was a number of really cool and unique cars and tons of people. My friend's Prelude was a huge hit, people spending 5-10 minutes scouring over the engine bay looking and asking questions. I think a good number of people didn't know what was going on under the hood of the Volvo. With nothing obvious to someone who has never seen under the hood of a 240, and the use of factory parts, some people didn't even know it was swapped. Most did however and I got all of the usual questions. Had a great time answering questions and showing people the car. Seemed to go over really well. Made the trek home yesterday, no issues and just cruised. Was a nice weekend to just drive the car easy, get some miles on the new axle and suspension, and a good conclusion to this chapter of the build.

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Pic I snagged of the Prelude . . .

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[Blue Skunk]

Raised the rear up to keep the rubbing to a minimum, and managed to reshape the inner fender with a spare tire removal tool from a Nissan Frontier, a 2x4, and a moving blanket to keep dry.



Thats some straight up MacGyver action there. :bigthumb:

[RoadconeTuning]

does that prelude have a whole bunch of old JUN parts in the motor? looks familiar and a guy used to own a shop up here called extreme velocities had one of those.

[Rogue Status]

does that prelude have a whole bunch of old JUN parts in the motor? looks familiar and a guy used to own a shop up here called extreme velocities had one of those.

I don't think he has any JUN parts, but it does have a bunch of J's Racing, Mugen, Nardi knob and Wheel and other rare JDM parts on it. Car was built up from a shell, this was the first time it had been seen in the wild.

I give him shit all the time about his $100 radiator cap, Stant caps cost like $10 and do the same damn thing. Those Honda kids are all about the rare and exclusive. At least the car is quick with a 250whp N/A H22.

[Rogue Status]

Thats some straight up MacGyver action there. :bigthumb:

Gotta make it happen some times. The Canadian folks traveling 95 in their Minivans were looking at us like WTF?!

Really glad I decided to bring the jack, almost left it at home.

[RoadconeTuning]

I don't think he has any JUN parts, but it does have a bunch of J's Racing, Mugen, Nardi knob and Wheel and other rare JDM parts on it. Car was built up from a shell, this was the first time it had been seen in the wild.

I give him shit all the time about his $100 radiator cap, Stant caps cost like $10 and do the same damn thing. Those Honda kids are all about the rare and exclusive. At least the car is quick with a 250whp N/A H22.

some of the expensive jdm stuff is neat but i'd say 75% of it is bs... i like all of the J's stuff, its all real deal because racecar stuff thats absurdly light and they designed it for their race cars. those H22's arent all that bad when you start toying with them... he needs to K-swap or J-swap it and piss off the entire honda community...

[Rogue Status]

Some pics I the other night. Overexposed, which is crazy since it was 10:00pm. Need to learn how to use this camera.

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