The 3 Day Swap, from '81 Volvo Wagon to Tire Slaying Daily
10-03-2013, 10:10 AM
#1
The 3 Day Swap, from '81 Volvo Wagon to Tire Slaying Daily So here is the premise, I have a 1981 Volvo 245 DL that I drive to work everyday. Currently it is mostly stock with the exception of a drop and a set of wheels. About 2 years ago I purchased a 1987 Mazda RX7 and a 5.3l LM7 to build a drift/track car that I could still put on the street. In that time, my wife gave birth to our son and I changed jobs/careers. I was planning on turbo'ing the 5.3 and had all the parts to do so.
One night sitting in the garage working, I said, "why don't I just swap the engine and trans into the wagon?" From that point forward I have been fighting the urge to sell off what I wouldn't need for the Volvo swap and just dive in. Holding me back was the wagon, it runs fine, and the fact I drive it everyday.
Finally in July, I decided to just jump in and sold off all of the turbo parts and the Mazda. Once the dust settled, I had sold everything and ordered all of the parts I would need to swap the 5.3 into the Volvo.
Here is where things get interesting. I still drive this thing daily but am now prepped to swap the engine. So tonight the battle against time begins. At 7:30pm I will commence to living in my 2 car garage until the Volvo backs out under GM power. This needs to be before 8:00am Monday morning when I head to work.
I will admit, I have cheated a few things like the exhaust is half built, and other small items have already been handled. Otherwise, nothing has been done, including mounts, fuel system, driveshaft, cooling system, ect.
I will update this thread over the weekend with pics of the progress and I am sure a question or two and more than likely a few rants.
I would like to thank the community here as none of this would have been possible without the impossible amount of information in these forums and the knowledgeable people that post in them.
Wish me luck! and here are some pics for views . . .
One night sitting in the garage working, I said, "why don't I just swap the engine and trans into the wagon?" From that point forward I have been fighting the urge to sell off what I wouldn't need for the Volvo swap and just dive in. Holding me back was the wagon, it runs fine, and the fact I drive it everyday.
Finally in July, I decided to just jump in and sold off all of the turbo parts and the Mazda. Once the dust settled, I had sold everything and ordered all of the parts I would need to swap the 5.3 into the Volvo.
Here is where things get interesting. I still drive this thing daily but am now prepped to swap the engine. So tonight the battle against time begins. At 7:30pm I will commence to living in my 2 car garage until the Volvo backs out under GM power. This needs to be before 8:00am Monday morning when I head to work.
I will admit, I have cheated a few things like the exhaust is half built, and other small items have already been handled. Otherwise, nothing has been done, including mounts, fuel system, driveshaft, cooling system, ect.
I will update this thread over the weekend with pics of the progress and I am sure a question or two and more than likely a few rants.
I would like to thank the community here as none of this would have been possible without the impossible amount of information in these forums and the knowledgeable people that post in them.
Wish me luck! and here are some pics for views . . .
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10-04-2013, 10:29 AM
#12
We have made it through the first night successfully and on time. Pulled engine. Dropped in the 5.3 and took measurements for some additional fab work. Drive shaft being made now. Engine should be in very soon. Taking many pictures and videos. Will post when at a computer! Thank you for looking!
10-04-2013, 12:42 PM
#18
Thanks everyone. Things are moving along, on my way to pickup the driveshaft. Dude who made it, looks just like Flash Gordon. So I have that going for me. Hopefully I can get the fuel sender finished and once back home I can install the engine for the last time, I hope. I will try and post another update and another batch of pics this evening.
