On paper, a rear-wheel drive diesel Volvo wagon with a 5-speed sounds like an ideal formula for a daily hauler. But "even communism works on paper," as any smug Huffington Post reader will tell you. The problem wasn't necessarily the slower-than-walking D24 diesel engine or its 75-horsepower output, but the 3,200-lb weight they were saddled with. Both problems have been fixed in this lightened, stiffened, turbocharged wagon that redefines what a daily driver vehicle should offer. Find this 1985 Volvo 760 wagon with turbo-diesel swap in San Antonio, TX for $2,950 via craigslist.
The D24 2.4-liter inline-6 engine comes from a time in the 1980s when Volvo outsourced its diesel engine production to Volkswagen. A turbocharged version, like the one swapped into this silvery brick, granted 110 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. A Mustang SVO turbo and MkIII Supra intercooler should allow for much more push through a Volvo 240-sourced M47 5-speed manual transmission, on its way to the rear wheels via shorter Dana 3.31 locking differential.
PhiLOL actually likes the tuna here, but abhors structural rust. Save the manuals.
I've seen this before, recently, on another site... can't recall which.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing I'd watch out for is that M47. While not "fragile" per-se, they were initially designed to be behind a ~100bhp 4 cyl with much less torque than that diesel is likely pumping out. YMMV.
Function before Form on this one for sure.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a grade A death trap.
ReplyDeleteSomeone's already done the hard work, now if you can just figure out how to get $1500 out of selling the seats, glass, and trim you'll have the fastest Class C car in Lemons...
ReplyDelete