I own a '88 240DL. My headlights are yellowing, and my turn signals are cracked. I was looking to replacing these lenses, and ran across e-code headlights. the problem is, i live in California, so will these be street-legal? And as for installation would it require modifications to my brackets? I'm not to excited about the euro turn signals because of the two colors, but i really like the look of the headlights. Is there anything i can do to get around that?

I'm also curious as to any suggestions about simple performance upgrades for my car. I believe i am running the B230 motor. I am a college student, so i don't really have many funds, so i'm looking for cheap fixes. Any suggestions? I am already looking into a thicker roll bar.

I know that others say not to, but we put aftermarket lenses and corners in the '87 and the '90, that we got from the vendor who advertises on this forum. That was ?? maybe 5 years ago. They fit perfectly and still look great. The '91 looks really dingy when parked next to the others, so it is about due for some. I cannot imagine that the e-codes are worth the extra $$, even if you are planning to drive the car for the next 20 years, and there is no way I would pay for new Volvo headlights.

As far as California-legal, we don't have a safety inspection here in California, only an emissions inspection. Cops are looking for broken or obviously altered lenses, they don't look for the DOT insignia unless the lens is an odd color. I would not hesitate to use e-codes in California if I wanted them.

Engine horsepower? There are mods you can spend money on, but the only appreciable gain is to trade the car for a turbo brick or do a V-8 conversion. The turbo is the preferable alternative With a V-8, you loose simplicity, economy, and reliability, which were big reasons you bought a brick in the first place.

Whether or not the ecodes are worth the money is a personal judgment, I'll agree. That said, they cast a much better beam of light out ahead of the car than the plastic ones, even if the plastic is clear and not yellowed, thanks to the different reflectors. Up here in Alaska, where it's darker than usual for six months, it is worth it to me.

Plus, so long as you don't hit someone head-on, you can either resell them and reinstall the originals when you get rid of the car, or you can move them to a different 240, if you purchase another. As they're a limited quantity here in the US, you'll not see lots of depreciation on them.

To quote a friend who lives up here and has an '89 245 with old, yellowing lenses, after seeing the output of the ecodes on my car:

"Your low beams are better than the high-beams on my car"

Seems that those airplane headlights yellow unless they never get exposed to sunlight. Bummer.

To repair those lights you can -

(1) Replace the lenses. Means removing old lens, cleaning out the old sealant, installing new lens with good sealant. Assumes you can find a good lens, a Cibie or Valeo brand, not aftermarket. eBay.

(2) Replace the entire headlight. Lens and reflector. Volvo dealer will love you, as they are close to $200 a pop. eBay sellers will gladly sell you one that may or may not be damaged. If you go the eBay route, buy one that has the black bracket attached. Last quote I saw was $50 plus shipping. Came from my query to the seller of a 1986 240 in "Parts Cars, Volvo ". Might still be there.

(3) Install E-Codes. (European Code). Check eBay again, look for a set from FPC Groton. A set will run you around $400, and includes corner lights, all lenses and trim and some wiring. Takes revised wiring, otherwise, I understand< they bolt in readily. They are a one-time deal. Never a yellowed lens again.

By the way, the corner lights must match with the headlights. No putting US corner lights on E-code headlights.

If you stay with the US airplane headlights, light output can be increased by installing a relay system. This allows the high beam wire to close a relay, which in turn allows a 10-gauge wire to carry power from the battery via an in-line fuse to the headlight. Word is that increase might reach 15%.

Corner lights usually get decayed and brittle lenses, but they can easily be replaced. Get a dealer quote, then check eBAy or junk yards. The other failing on a corner light is the disappearance of the chrome coating on the reflectors, which can be re-sprayed with some success.

If you are a newbie to eBay, ask me before bidding, I have been down some dry holes and also found good parts, and one whole car.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

I don't know about the ecode lights.

Here is a really good website on how to improve your 240: http://www.geocities.com/balu_vandor/240mods.html

Has some good ideas, lots of do it yourself, and things you can get used parts for.

Hope this is helpful. Enjoy the car!!

Mike
--
Mike Brown Greenville, NC 1996 965 139K 1994 940 137K 1986 244 137K (odometer broken)

Does anyone know which relay kit from Daniel Stern Lighting i'm supposed to use? i'm new at this so i'm still trying to figure i tout.

Should be the "RIK-H4R" kit. Just let Dan Stern know what you're doing when you order, and he'll be sure you get what you need.

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 312k
1990 245 DL 133k M47, E-codes
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club

There are a couple of good websites on the conversion -

On the conversion - Ryan Ridgely's page
Dave Shannon's page (aka daveshan here)
For parts - Daniel Stern Lighting
Rally Lights for bits
and I ordered used, but in great shape, Volvo eCodes from here:
Jon-Erik in Sweden - though his inventory of good, used equipment varies. Though his webpage is in Swedish, we emailed in English without problem. You'd be interested in these parts:
RH corner lamp: "Blinkerslykta höger 1981-1989, komplett, 200 kr"
LH corner lamp: "Blinkerslykta vänster 1981-1989, komplett, 200 kr"
...
RH headlamp: "Strålkastare H4 höger 1981-1993, 400 kr"
LH headlamp: "Strålkastare H4 vänster 1981-1993, 400 kr"

The prices look the same as when I purchased, though the exchange rate has likely soured somewhat. - UPDATE: It hasn't soured significantly. I think shipping was 675 SEK, or about $75 at the time.

Good luck -
Zach
Anchorage, Alaska
1990 245 w/252k miles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachz/

do you know if it's possible to keep the american turn signals? my car is grey/black, and i'm not sure if i'd like the clear/orange turn signals. Maybe it'll look nice who knows.

The clear amber gives you the proper European look, IMHO. :-)

Though, FCP Groton may have all clear lenses.

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 312k
1990 245 DL 133k M47, E-codes
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club

Some of the Swedish aftermarket sites sell all-clear corner lamps for 240 Euro Lights.

DS

The US corner lights mount differently - so unless you want to get into some custom work - my answer is probably not. A bit of hunting on Flickr -
http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=471436824&size=o

I didn't finish your initial post - yes, get some sway bars!

Chickenricekid,

If you're really sweating it, keep the plastics for visiting the DMV, and put in the ecodes when you go home. I doubt anyone can even tell the lights are legal/illegal unless they're really looking.

There's a guy here who has 3 bmw 320's and he's got round ecodes in them for the same reason we want them. He's never had a problem.

Best of luck,

Lanval