Did the 78 242GT come stock with heavy duty/sport sway bars? Also, does anyone know why my gt seems to be the only one in existence that does NOT have threaded mounts/holes for the strut-to-firewall brace? IPD claims the 78 came stock this way, but not so on this one. Thanks.

No the '78 242GT had skinny bars and some had R sport front springs and lower braces. IPD is wrong about the years and braces in their catalog. The '79 GT had 21 mm front (and R sport front springs) and 23 mm rear with the upper braces. I think 79 was the first year for the threaded firewall holes. Maybe some late 78s. The 80 GT had 23 mm front and 21 mm rear.
The GT changes are very unusual for Volvo to have fiddled with it every year. The '79 is the best by far, but if you find a 79 donor for the 78 take the springs and rear bar. Than add a turbo (or 80 GT) front bar for the ultimate salvage suspension package.

Then, if my 78 had lower braces, could I assume it also had he R springs? How do I determine if the springs are Rs?

Hi

I just got a GT for parts and found your responce to the GT question interesting. I'm wondering, I think the GT I have here is a late 78 with the upper strut braces. But being a 78 and in your responce referred to as having the "Skinny" bars, would they still be an improvement over my 79, 245DL bars? As much of the GT as possible is going into and on to the 245. I hadn't thought about the springs but that's a good tip. Any info or advice is greatly appreciated. Working on my back is difficult and any time saving tips are a huge relief. I'm also wondering if the GT exhaust will fit the DL and if there are any engine components that might be a benifit to my DL. I only regret not being able to install the GT instruments but the GT nose on my 245 and the improved handling will keep me quite happy.


Thanks
RichardM