Many car owners across the globe endorse cosmetic “improvements” that make their vehicles look faster than stock, even when they are not. Sometimes these upgrades, such as giant rear wings, actually make the vehicle slower, but nevertheless they persist. For those who rest firmly in the opposite camp, stealthy individuals seeking performance in an invisible everyday wrapper, I offer this 1977 Volvo 242 in Oregon City, Oregon. Looking nearly stock inside and out, this 242, normally a bastion of Swedish safety and practicality, swallowed (what else?) the 5.3 L V8 from an American pickup truck! Take a look here on eBay where it you will need more than $6,800 to meet the seller’s reserve.
By now the site of an LS V8 shoved into unintended engine bays barely raises an eyebrow, but it should warm the hearts of anyone who worries that hot-rodding is dead. Suffice to say whether your goal is roasting tires or reliability, the ubiquitous 5.3 should deliver consistently for years.
The seller reports that “The car is turn-key [and] ready to drive,” and graciously includes pictures of imperfections and minor rust issues. This picture simulates the view that most posers in the Traffic Light Gran Prix will see about half a second after hitting the gas.
From inside, not even the automatic transmission shifter (now connected to a GM 4L60E four-speed automatic) gives away the car’s stout drivetrain. Sure; the iron-block LM7 variety of the LS series weighs 580 lb., about 200 more than the B-series four-cylinder it replaced, but moving the battery to the trunk would effect a 100 lb weight transfer and nearly offset that deficit. Besides, this DIY project is about stealth, not maximum performance. What would you bid to own this boxy Swedish-American missile?
I’ve heard of some Volvo enthusiasts — including a few who worked for Volvo — putting Ford 289s in everything from 544s to 240-series cars. They’re lighter and more compact than the SBC, and apparently are easier to install. That’s the way I’d go….
I wonder how well sorted-out this is? Engine swaps seem never to be that easy (again, in my experience), so I’d check it out very carefully and still plan to put some effort into smoothing the rough edges.
But there’s no question it would make a heckuva good DD and long-distance car.
A SBF might be lighter, but won’t make the power of an LS. Maybe swap a Coyote into it.
…and surprise a few at the local dragstrip…
I am not sure if smog is required in Oregon City, but that may be why he doesn’t have plates on it.
I see a temporary tag in the rear window.
LS motors are cheap and Volvo’s are cheap.
I’m not dissing either as I own a Volvo but u could build this setup for a couple thousand bucks, some know how and watching some Utube videos.
I like the 2 door but the wagons are cool also and still plentiful.
Very cool but very overpriced.
The parts might be cheap, but not the labor and a lot of people can’t do this level of fabrication.
Really, JimmyJ… spoken like someone who has never swapped an engine from one make into another. A decent donor car is a a couple thousand, engine and trans a couple thousand, swap parts another couple thousand. The guy’s labor is worth nothing?
I love trick ! I am pretty sure smog is not an issue 1977 car with a later model engine system. Pretty cool. I’ve seen a few Volvos years ago with small block chevys in them Transforms the car for sure !
Depends where you live, in California 1975 is the cutoff year for smog exemption.
Depends where you live, in California 1975 is the cutoff year for smog exemption.
The only way moving the battery rearward on a vehicle would result in a 100 lb transfer would be e D6 Caterpillar dozer…
Hi Steve. Maybe you can explain. Generally moving a 50 lb battery from front to back (right rear to offset the driver) is 50 + 50 = 100 lb of transfer.
Needs a fresh coat of Chevy Ochre paint.
Now that’s what I call a sleeper. Forget the Nova’s and Dart’s, we all know what you got, Buick Electra 225’s with nitrous and four exhaust pipes, forget about it. A Volvo yawn mobile with an LS V8, now that takes the cake.😉
I dig it….would be better with 4 doors and a lift gate in back…..lovin it…….as others said tho, there are other options to build this…..Ecoboost anyone??????????
I hope the driveshaft and rearend have been swapped out
For something heavy duty…as they would be tested every
Time I drove it…😎 A very cool sleeper indeed..!!
Hi Madmatt. Driveshaft and rear end will survive longer with stock-ish rear tires. A friend of mine dropped a 2002 Z28 SS motor in a mid ’90s 3-series BMW (he called it the “357i”), and we learned that the stock rear tires spin and save the drivetrain from any tremendous shock. If you threw on some sticky drag radials, though, all bets are off.
I love this!
Now this is exciting. More smiles per miles! Insurance should be pretty inexpensive.HOWEVER… if it’s in a serious wreck, adjuster will likely not payout due to undisclosed modifications. So be careful who else you put in car passenger seat, as pending lawsuit from family of passengers will come after your personal property. DRAG….
My son came home from the hospital (when he was born) In a 1978 Volvo 265 ( the side emblem said 285) wagon. It looked stock outside and inside. The Ford 5.0 (5.0 with an AOD) was a virtual bolt in and the rear crossmember already had the holes in the correct position. (only had to drill 2 holes in the crossmember for the transmission mount) The original V6 sat so far forward that you could see about 1/2 of the transmission. So once the 5.0 was installed as close to the firewall as possible) the front end now sat 2″ higher! (So an order to IPD was in order to get the car back down where it belonged. This car has been lowered.) It was my wife’s car for 5 years.
Glued to the bumper of a lowered 535I With a Dinan sticker on a long twisty on ramp made a believer out of the BMW driver. He kept looking in his rearview mirror at the dresser strapped to the roof rack. And the disbelief (when once on the freeway and passed him) on his face was priceless. (Still single exhaust and quiet)
Even with my wife driving it most of the time. It killed 3 rear diffs!
I love sleepers, but this one is a bit too sleepy for my blood. Not the power plant, the rest of it. At least do a little something to the interior, even if it can only be seen from the inside! Also, I’d have a decal, or an insignia made for the front fenders that said “5.3 liter”, or else a Chevy set of racing flags.
From the detail photos ,very nicely done. I have to wonder before the transplant why not paint and clean the engine bay and chassis?
Totally love to see stuff like this. Normal, (borderline boring) “econobox” stuffed with an LS engine. Looks to have been well done. The body and the interior of the car are presentable but also in drivable condition so you’re not going to lose sleep if you get a door ding or a rock chip. Would love to see a 240 wagon equipped the same way.