Sleeper Turbo LS Volvo Makes Killer Power With Budget Parts
Sleeper Volvo 244 with truck 5.3 and Chinese turbos puts down over 600 wheel horsepower. Listen to that baby chop!
The beauty of a sleeper vehicle is perfectly apparent to any car enthusiast. That beauty multiplies even further in our minds when it’s got an LS under the hood. So, when my good friend Ross made the official decision to do a truck LS swap in his ratty old Volvo 240 sedan (or 244 for those near and dear to the Swedish sleds), I was beyond excited. When he decided it was going to be twin-turbocharged, I went ballistic. Though there we plenty of hangups and delays along the way, the LS Volvo finally hit the dyno to show us what it’s made of.
Fortunately, I covered the entire thing on my Youtube channel so that you all can come along for the ride, too. This isn’t the highest horsepower “budget” built LS in the land of Youtube. However, it is still impressive for what it is. So, you’re probably asking, what are the specs?
Just A Good Ol’ 5.3
Under the hood of this Volvo lies a run-of-the-mill GM 5.3-liter V8 engine. The very same engine you’ll find in trucks all over junkyards everywhere. Though it has had a little love thrown its way in the form of a Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft and ARP head studs, the bottom-end components remain entirely stock. Stapped to the engine, of course, is a pair of On 3 Performance 70mm journal-bearing turbochargers. A set of 1000cc fuel injectors and Holley Terminator X engine management keep everything in check to ensure it runs happily.
Gap Tuning, the majority builders of this car, strapped a bone stock 4L80E transmission with over 200,000 miles to the engine. Finally, a Ford Explorer 8.8-inch rear end sits under the rear-end with the spider gears welded together for ultimate tire-slaying capability.
Of course, the term “sleeper” starts to get a little washed out when you see the fat Mickey Thompson racing slicks outback. Additionally, anyone listening to this car idle would immediately know something was up if the tires and fender-exit exhausts somehow escaped them. Still, if you saw this thing on the street, its ratty appearance may still make you think you can hang. However, you’d better tread lightly.
How Much Power Does This Not-So-Subtle Sleeper Make?
After twisting Ross’s arm just slightly to convince him to put 14-pound springs in the twin Turbosmart wastegates, the little blue Volvo that could managed a more-than-modest 613 wheel horsepower. That’s more than enough considering how light these cars are. Though they look mighty chunky, the 1983 Volvo 244 carries a curb weight of under 2,800 pounds. Furthermore, this car has an entirely stripped interior save for two lightweight racing seats. If you watch the first few seconds of the video, you’ll know that 613 whp is more than enough to be plenty scary.
Though this is a massive sigh of relief for Ross and everyone involved, this car is far from done. This winter, the Volvo will be getting some brake and suspension upgrades to keep up with the massive power output. Finally, a roll cage is an absolute must; otherwise, any drag strip tech will happily laugh this car away.
For a closer look at this car and to hear its nasty idle and epic dyno runs, be sure to check out the video below!
Join the LS1Tech forums now!
