Just curious if anyone has that answer. Why the funky bends and the exhaust tip?

Thanks!
Mike C

There are actually 2 tailpipes available for the 240. One is the common S shaped one, the other is a simple 90 degree bend, and straight out the back. I was told that the simple one is used if the car is having a clearance problem with the S one.

Greg

Seems to me the main question here is not where the tailpipe ends but why it has the extra curve in the middle.

Suppose you made a pipe that had a single large radius curve and terminated where the standard s-shape pipe does. What would be the difference?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Doug Harvey

well, for one thing, it would be impossible to make said tailpipe, because the spare tire well is in the way.

I have to agree with the response that it was done for rear end crash reasons. That person seemed to have an answer from an authentic source.

Greg

My '82 244 seems to eat one of the two mufflers every couple years. Quite a while ago, the muffler shop put a straight pipe in. Seems to have worked fine for about the last decade...

For noise reduction.

Roguls
New York, USA

I'm with tony and jet man.

Put an entire new system on my '83 245 a year ago, from exhaust man all the way to the back, 7 pieces I believe. Price was right +/- 200$, front pipe was authentic STARLA from Sweden, rest Goerlich, made in USA. Came w/ "L" pipe, hadn't seen such before but it fit so I figured what the heck.

I swear with L exit/tail pipe, directing exhaust straight out the back instead of to the side, I smell exhaust via "drafting effect" as Tony mentions. Wind/weather condition has to be right....maybe if I'd of pointed the pipe more down toward the ground effect would be less but I doubt it.

I didn't notice the smell on previous 242 that had "traditional" S pipe which I also recall on 2 140s from old days.

Have had enuff leaky exhausts over the years, my nose is attuned.

Frank

OK guys, here's the skinny: Understanding that the 200 series was the final permutation of the Volvo safety concept car that predated it, I learned from a company engineer that the 's' bend in the pipe was, likewise, a safety feature, and wasn't just put there for grins. The theory was, in the case of a reverse impact, such as the car spinning and hitting something while going backwards, the pipe would crumple along with the rear crash zone, and would be unlikely to 'spear' someone or something that got hit. As they say, 'the devil's in the details.' Pretty cool, huh?

Brad

Maybe the owners have backed into a wall or some obstruction about a foot high that clears the bumber but bends the tail pipe back into a weird shape. Thats what happened to my daughter's 240.

part (or all) of the reason is to not burn anyone exiting a wagon with the third seat installed (exits tailgate).

I was once told that they did it to cheaply reduce noise without adding another muffler.
--
1988 745 GLE B23FT M46 (J-P Type combo). Toronto. 380000Km. Suspension upgraded and lowered . 1982 242 GLT project (B23ET LPT to be included) Also in charge of GF's 1986 244

I have 240s with both the 'L' and 'S' shaped tailpipe and they both sound the same.I prefer the 'S' one myself.
--
philvo

Good question! Not technical but I wondered the same thing.

Maybe to get the exhaust as far to the outside of the car so you don't get a Drafting affect on the fumes?
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

I would say that it is designed to get the exhaust gases into the flow of air which takes it away and thereby remove any chance that it would get into the car. I placed a 3.5 in tip at the valance gap, eliminating the ugly S bend and I notice more exhaust coating on the rear. I know that datsun z cars are notorious for getting exhaust into the cockpit.
--
92 244 lowered, Bilsteins, IPD sways, Unitek cam/header, TSW Revo 18x8's - 94 965 Niiice MONEY PIT! - 76 Datsun 280Z lowered, modified head, cam, headers, intake