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As of January 4, we will be launching a Project Car based on the Volvo 240 wagon. It can be found in the Features Section under Project Cars.
Project 245 : Launching Swedespeed's Newest Project Car
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Cool beans. I'm looking forward to the build-up.
cheers,
scott
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BTW got an email about the car hitting 80 on an uphill. It'll do so, but not with a lot of authority. On an uphill grade, it's very slow to accelerate. As this is our first 240, I'm not sure that is typical, but I do know the car has a crappy aftermarket exhaust which could choking it to some degree.
Though it did pass emissions with flying colors !!!
Though it did pass emissions with flying colors !!!
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305 Posts
My old '82 245 auto had problems with long steep hills at high speeds (it would just slowly lose steam until it dropped to ~60 or reached the crest), but I always blamed the K-jet 2.1 (worst year hp-wise). I suppose the gearing on the autos might not be friendly to those conditions. My '85 245 has the M46 and experiences no difficulty in maintaining speed up hills.
cheers,
scott
cheers,
scott
Mine has had some problems climbing hills too. I'd run it in 5th for as long as I could, but it would just lose momentum so I'd drop to 4th and do about 80mph at 4000+rpm. That seemed to work. The only problem was that some guy in a minivan would cruise right by at 85-90 and there was no way I could keep up! I had the last laugh on the downhill runs, at about 95-100.
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hey George, I really look forward to seeing how this project goes. Its definately more in the price range of something I could get if I sold the Caddy to get a wagon replacement.
I am not familiar with these, its it rear wheel drive? any type of limited slip or traction control?
I am not familiar with these, its it rear wheel drive? any type of limited slip or traction control?
Yeah, that exhaust, and maybe a tuneup, might be responsible for you being a little down on power. If you're talking about maintaining 80MPH up those hills on I83 (like the one near Gunpowder Falls), dropping out of OD is required, but you can keep at least 85MPH showing with a healthy motor and nobody slowing you down - once you lose your momentum, you'll accelerate like a slug on hills that steep.
Yes, the 240 (produced '75-'93) is rear wheel drive with a Dana 30 differential (1030 or 1031). There's no traction control. ABS was introduced in '91, but that's about as close as it gets. Drivers side airbag started in '90. There was a limited slip differential available as an option, but it's rare to find a 240 with a LSD. If it has a factory towing package option, or maybe a winter package, it's more likely to have a LSD. Of course you can always have one installed by a 4x4 shop since the diff. is common. Let me know if you have any other questions about the 240.
George. First things first, take the orange reflectors out of the turn signal assemblies by removing the lense and sliding them out.
Also, why the slushbox? That's why it's so slow. I really enjoy driving the standard in this car. I'm a bit surprised at your decision.
Still, this will be interesting to watch. Anymore hints of upcoming mods? IPD swaybars, new tires/wheels?
Also, why the slushbox? That's why it's so slow. I really enjoy driving the standard in this car. I'm a bit surprised at your decision.
Still, this will be interesting to watch. Anymore hints of upcoming mods? IPD swaybars, new tires/wheels?
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"Not quite the 850, but you can put stuff on top of it without worrying about scratching the paint." Good point. I've found that one of my pet peeves, I find myself saying, "Watch it... don't lean on the paint" "Be careful, watch the paint" "WHOA! Dad, let me move the car before you cut those plants." So maybe I'm a little over cautious, but you've gotta say the Bright Red on 850's looks great, especially in prestine condition.
I would enjoy keeping up with the 240 Project, especially if it ever gets started. The 240 is a great project car, especially for the longevity it's known for, I call it "the work horse" for Volvo's. They start to get broken-in at about 120,000 miles, and last well into the 300,000 range.
I would enjoy keeping up with the 240 Project, especially if it ever gets started. The 240 is a great project car, especially for the longevity it's known for, I call it "the work horse" for Volvo's. They start to get broken-in at about 120,000 miles, and last well into the 300,000 range.
Things start wearing out around 120K (or earlier). I got mine at about 133K, and it needed a ton of work during the following 6+ months. However, after the first year with some trouble, it's been going strong with no problems for over a year. It's nice to have the confidence to go outside when it's below freezing and know that my 14 year old, 153K mile car WILL start quickly and easily, without a doubt.
Well, yeah the engine gets broken in by about 120K miles, but you gotta replace a bunch of stuff every time you hit a multiple of 100K or so - bushings/shocks, wheel bearings, tie rod ends/ball joints, timing belt/front engine seals, oil/filter, cap/rotor/plugs/wires, engine and tranny fluids, maybe brake pads/rotors. At 200K, the exhaust and clutch usually need it too. But if you can get over those humps, its smooth sailing in between...just the standard oil changes and yearly tune ups, fluid changes and brake maintenance.
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Why an automatic? Well, I would have preferred a manual, but my wife and I had some other criteria that needed to be met, and this was honestly about the 10th 240 we'd looked at and (besides the paint) in far better shape than the others we'd seen with half the mileage.
We'll see how far this project goes. If something grenades, like the tranny or the motor, than I may go for some sort of upgrade/swap, but that's not high on the initial list.
Suspension, brakes and exhaust are up there in the performance upgrade department, though I'm also going to look into maintenance as things fail or need addressed (some fiddling with the electrical system is needed at this point), in addition to some sort os seat solution, installing a tachometer and auxiliary gauges, stereo, roof rack etc.
As for the corner markers, I don't have the aversion to amber that most have. Plus, this being a project car, I'm apprehensive about performing a mod on the car that will take it out of compliance with US traffic law however trivial I may believe that to be.
She's truckin though. I just turned 204K on her on the way home from PA tonight.
We'll see how far this project goes. If something grenades, like the tranny or the motor, than I may go for some sort of upgrade/swap, but that's not high on the initial list.
Suspension, brakes and exhaust are up there in the performance upgrade department, though I'm also going to look into maintenance as things fail or need addressed (some fiddling with the electrical system is needed at this point), in addition to some sort os seat solution, installing a tachometer and auxiliary gauges, stereo, roof rack etc.
As for the corner markers, I don't have the aversion to amber that most have. Plus, this being a project car, I'm apprehensive about performing a mod on the car that will take it out of compliance with US traffic law however trivial I may believe that to be.
She's truckin though. I just turned 204K on her on the way home from PA tonight.
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