I could use the advice of those familiar with the 740 Turbo. Today I stumbled on a really sweet looking 1990 745T with a M46 manual tranny (4sp+OD). I have a 90 745 16 valver with M46 but the turbo looks sweet. Will test drive soon but out of curosity, is there any significant difference between a 90 and 91 745 Turbo? 91 was the last year for the manual tranny but it was a M47 (true 5sp) in 91. I heard that the M46 is stronger and was favoured over the M47 for turbos since it could take more torque. Did they beef up the M47 in 1991? If not, it looks like 1990 is the best year to buy a 740T stick in North America based on the general consensus that by then most of the 740 bugs were eliminated and it is the last year for the preferred M46. Beyond 91, there were no 740 sticks in North America. Is this resasoning sound?

I would like the newer smooth dash that is not prone to cracking but that never appeared on a 740 with a stick, as far as I know. From what I can gleen from this board, the only weaknesses of a 1990 745T is the crack-prone dash and the extra heat stress from the turbo.

The 90 740T has the phase 3 smaller turbo that is intercooled. How is the turbo lag? Is the turbo better suited to a auto tranny (since the turbo spools down a bit while shifting a manual)? If so, I might as well stick with my 16 valver manual shifter and look for a 1995 945T auto box since it was the last of the simple B230FT's.

When did they put beefier internals in the B230 block? Was that pre 90 or closer to 95?

Sorry for all the questions. Just curious.

Bill
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Volvo Info Site 1990 745GLE 16valve