Hi I have a 1985 245 wagon and I planon keeping it for a very long time. But not as a primary car but as a project car. I was wonderiing how much fun the V-8 conversion would bring to my driving. I have also heard that the extra weight in the front makes the car oversteer really bad. Is this true and is it worth the effort?

I've had my V8 wagon now for a little over 2 years, and I still love it. People still give me those weird looks like, "what the hell was he thinking putting an exhaust on a volvo and making it look all ghetto?". But people that know a V8 sound, are definately impressed.

I have an aftermarket radiator, all the a/c and iron heads and my car still oversteers. I do have alot of suspension upgrades though, but it handles very near as well as a 242Ti at the auto-x's. If it weren't for an open rear end, it would be alot quicker through the curvies.

Torque is great! Nothing like sitting at a light next to some guys in an accord laughing at your car, then watching their faces quickly turn green as you pull away laughing.
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'84 302 wagon '93 taurus SHO

Nice looking 245 - where did you get the black trim around the headlights, or did you sand and paint the chromed plastic?

Jay
84 245 GLTi 218k

thanks! It is sanded and painted with a satin trim paint from advance auto
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'84 302 wagon '93 taurus SHO

I too have a 245 that I plan on keeping. I am going the 5.0 Ford route when the time comes, though I am curious as to how much it costs to rebuild the current 2.1 engine. Still, the Ford would be bullet proof, more power, at least as efficient in MPG, etc.

Jay
84 245 GLTi 218k

its hella dope.. i'm currently working on my 262 Bertone Coupe. Saturday I'm going to dallas to pick up my engine.. a fully built 355 made for nitrous. I got to drive Tom H.'s blue v8 244 once and that was fun as hell.. chasing a trans am all around in a brick. It cost a lotta money and takes a LOT of time. You CAN do a cheap swap with a 305 because those are a dime a dozen. My friend actually has a 305 were gonna go throw away tomorrow because its useless to us. I'm going for performance. THe longblock I'm buying is gonna cost me $1600 and that is minus the water pump, intake, carb, and distributor. Since I have a v6 in my coupe stock I don't need to change the springs, swaybars, or dick with the rear brake porportioning valve either which will definatly make things easier. So far I'm several months behind as far as the conversion goes.. I was thinking I'd already have my engine in there by now but as it turns out I'm just now getting started and I am expecting it to be like 2-3 more months before I finish. Mainly becuase I"m going for performance crap. Since my engine has a solid grind nitrous cam with a 590 lift imma have put a 2,5000 stall torque converter on there because even at idle the car would still move with my foot on the brakes. Its crap like that where u start spending money. I COULD do a 305.. but what's the fun in that.

The extra weight makes the car understeer. You can compensate for the weight somewhat with stiffer springs and with good tires you can make the car handle pretty well. I never drove one but I bought the book on the Chevy conversion. It's a real project, one that is easy to get over your head if you don't plan well and be very dedicated. I think it's worth the effort. Torque from a strong V8 is fantastic.

Personally, I'm sticking with Volvo turbo power in my Volvos because I have a different V8 project car. I have a 1966 MGB GT with a 289 and 4 spd from a mid sixties mustang. The car has got to be at least 500lbs lighter than a Volvo so I'm really looking forward to the performance it will have. Good luck with your
project.

Dave 82 242ti 276k mi.

So it is basically a Sunbeam Tiger with more hp.
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90 744ti, airbox, K/N, G-Valve, VDO, modified exhaust.