LM4 5.3/4L60E swap into 1995 Volvo 960 Wagon
04-16-2011, 02:16 PM
#1
LM4 5.3/4L60E swap into 1995 Volvo 960 Wagon Didn't realize there was a conversions section until somebody told me, so I thought I'd start a build thread for my swap. I'll try to keep this updated, but a majority of the pictures and info will be in my blog:
www.v8volvos.com
The donor car is my current daily driver, a 1995 Volvo 960 wagon. I bought this a little over a year ago with a blown HG for $400. Had I known what I know now, I wouldn't have fixed it, and just pulled and swapped it right then and there. I rebuilt the top half of the motor, had the head come thru/pressure & crack checked, decked etc., with new valve seals installed. All new timing components on the front, water pump, etc. 28k miles later, I overheated it when the heater control valve broke, and somehow it still runs fine, lol. It leaks oil from every orifice known to man (except the HG & front cam seals, wewt!), and has always had low compression on 5 cylinders, and excessively high on 1 cylinder for god knows what reason (slightly stretched rod maybe??), it's getting tired, the trans is sloppy and shifts hard, and it's simply time to breathe new life into this car.
The motor I picked up is an all aluminum 5.3 from an '04 Buick Raineer, along with a matching 4L60E from the same vehicle. 77k miles. Motor, trans, ALL accessories - a/c compressor, alternator, starter, p/s pump, trans cooler lines, even the fuel ines - EVERYTHING - $1500. Not too bad imo. The junkyard took care to not cut ANYTHING either, the harness is perfect, un-chopped, unplugged everywhere, everything was unbolted nicely. I was very pleased.
www.v8volvos.com
The donor car is my current daily driver, a 1995 Volvo 960 wagon. I bought this a little over a year ago with a blown HG for $400. Had I known what I know now, I wouldn't have fixed it, and just pulled and swapped it right then and there. I rebuilt the top half of the motor, had the head come thru/pressure & crack checked, decked etc., with new valve seals installed. All new timing components on the front, water pump, etc. 28k miles later, I overheated it when the heater control valve broke, and somehow it still runs fine, lol. It leaks oil from every orifice known to man (except the HG & front cam seals, wewt!), and has always had low compression on 5 cylinders, and excessively high on 1 cylinder for god knows what reason (slightly stretched rod maybe??), it's getting tired, the trans is sloppy and shifts hard, and it's simply time to breathe new life into this car.
The motor I picked up is an all aluminum 5.3 from an '04 Buick Raineer, along with a matching 4L60E from the same vehicle. 77k miles. Motor, trans, ALL accessories - a/c compressor, alternator, starter, p/s pump, trans cooler lines, even the fuel ines - EVERYTHING - $1500. Not too bad imo. The junkyard took care to not cut ANYTHING either, the harness is perfect, un-chopped, unplugged everywhere, everything was unbolted nicely. I was very pleased.
04-17-2011, 09:25 AM
#2
Teching In
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Harrisburg PA
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is going to be sweet. A few Volvo builds on here. I thought about a 960 or V90 for looks but in PA a later model (like your 95) would necessitate smog/obdII to be 'correct'. Went the easy way with an 87.
All the best! Can't wait to see more.
All the best! Can't wait to see more.
06-06-2011, 11:11 PM
#5
Sorry I haven't really updated this, but I have made TONS of progress. Engine & trans are currently setting in the vehicle. Not really complete with that yet, but close. Need to verify a few more things before I can say it's ready to be permanently positioned in place.
Picked up an '01 stock LS6 cam for it, and a new set of '02-up LS6 valvesprings. Also going to use a stock truck oilpan, and pay somebody to modify the front part. Will still end up cheaper than dropping coin on a Moroso or something, and I don't have to do a remote oil filter.
Picked up an '01 stock LS6 cam for it, and a new set of '02-up LS6 valvesprings. Also going to use a stock truck oilpan, and pay somebody to modify the front part. Will still end up cheaper than dropping coin on a Moroso or something, and I don't have to do a remote oil filter.
06-08-2011, 09:19 AM
#6
Also created a new FB page for the swap too, and for anybody else looking to motor swap Volvo. Follow along everybody!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/V8-Vo...66726036723385
https://www.facebook.com/pages/V8-Vo...66726036723385
Trending Topics
10-20-2011, 08:05 PM
#8
Haven't updated here in ages, sorry guys! Car runs, and I've put over 3k miles on it already (drove it to Canada and back - 2700 miles in a week). It dyno'd with a base tune and a crappy exhaust right at 300 to the wheels. Corner weighted the car a couple weeks ago in prep for the custom suspension. Check out the blog, and feel free to ask any questions!
02-10-2012, 10:53 PM
#10
Thanks man! Car has about 5300 miles on the swap now, still runs beautifully. It's back under the knife now for new motor mount development, so if there is anybody with a 700/900 series Volvo who wants to do this swap, follow the blog, there will be LOTS of info on motor mounts & availability within the next few months. Car drives great, just need to swap the diff next year (after I buy a house). Just went thru and finally tucked all of the engine wiring too, it was a mess!
