Re: 780 engine swap

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it. It
> runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do eventually
is
> swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
about a
> 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need the
> change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
domestic
> engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.



I've done the Converse swap (1985 740) and purchased a 1991 740 with a
350ci Chevy LT-1 installed. The Chevy is much faster, but don't get me
wrong, the Ford H.O. even in stock configuration will make your 780
move. I used the Converse kit for the '85, and was one of the 1st
people to install the kit with a T-5 5-speed. The common problem with
both swaps is the driveshaft. The Volvo's use a 2 piece unit, and under
high speed (90+)is prone to wobble, causing a vibration that resonates
throughout the vehicle. This can be cured, you just need patients and a
protractor to get the angle just right.

You will need a good donor engine and transmission. The automatic
trannies are easier to install then the manual (no clutch cable), but a
stick has a higher fun factor. Also, if your car now has an automatic
trans, you will need to find a pedal assembly out of a 700 series with
a manual trans if going with the stick. You will need a 1987-1993
(better heads/power than the 1986 H.O. engine) Ford 302 H.0 with a Ford
OD trans (or manual Borg Warner t-5 trans), a "complete" engine,
including all smog components, ECM (computer) and wiring harness. The
ECM should be matched to the transmission and engine. It is best to
pull all parts from the same donor car. Ross Converse lists all needed
parts in the swap kit. You may need a different Volvo trans crossmember
as well. Mine had a hump that interfered with the mounting surface.
Ross will give you the P/N of the proper crossmember as well. Of
course, you will need to cut off the engine mount purch in the engine
crossmember, Get the driveshaft shortened and rebalanced, and go with a
high capacity radiator. The Volvo Diesel radiator works well for this.
Best of all Ross gives you everything you need in the kit. Group 6 made
the Chevy LT1 kit, but they are now out of business.

The swap isn't too bad to install, and will possibly cost less for the
swap kit, engine/trans/parts than having your v-6 rebuilt. If you don't
want to attempt the swap yourself, Ross can set you up with an
installer in your area possibly. Let me say- the car will be a blast
to drive! Just be aware if you live in Calif. you will need to deal
with the B.A.R. for the smog. If smog is not an issue in your state, go
with a ford performance crate motor. You will get the best MPG (25
average) with a 302 H.O fuel injected motor though.

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> > I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it. It
> > runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do eventually
> is
> > swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
> about a
> > 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need the
> > change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
> domestic
> > engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.
>
>


It's a much more direct swap to go to a Volvo 4 cyl turbo motor, I've seen a
few V8 conversions but frankly haven't been all that impressed. Also it just
doesn't seem right to hack a big lump of domestic iron in such a fine
European car.

James Sweet wrote:
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> > (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> > > I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it.
It
> > > runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do
eventually
> > is
> > > swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
> > about a
> > > 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need
the
> > > change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
> > domestic
> > > engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.
> >
> >
>
>
> It's a much more direct swap to go to a Volvo 4 cyl turbo motor, I've
seen a
> few V8 conversions but frankly haven't been all that impressed. Also
it just
> doesn't seem right to hack a big lump of domestic iron in such a fine
> European car.


It may be cheaper and easier to put a used Volvo 4 cyl. in the 780, but
it all depends on what person wants. Do you want to be able to have a
reliable source of inexpensive power, or will you be satisfied with a
Volvo 4 cylinder. I have friends that a ported, bored, cammed, and
turbo/intercoolers their Volvos trying to attain the power, torque and
reliability of the modern V-8. They end up spending way too much money,
and end up with a rough running unreliable power plant. My LT-1 Volvo
has 300HP in stock form, and can be modified to 500HP and still be smog
legal, still pulling 22 MPG average. Right now in stock form I'm
getting 25MPG average. I will say that a stock 302 H.O has around
215HP. A stock Volvo turbo motor has around 175HP or so. This isn't a
big difference power wise, but the potential for power is much greater
with the 302. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat cubic inches. The
swap can always be reversed if the purist in you wins as well.

Why not use the old Buick Skylark engine. OK it is only 3,500 cc (213.5 cu
ins) but has enough power to make a Rover P5 Coupe drag 0-60 in well under
10secs and it weighs about 2.5tons. It will certainly fit a 780 and can be
tuned or have it's bore increased. LandRover use them to this day and have
upped the size to 5,000 cc (305 cu ins) with dramatic power increase.

Cheers, Peter.

"James Sweet" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4WNAd.10390$L7.4254@trnddc05...
>
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
>> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>> > I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it. It
>> > runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do eventually
>> is
>> > swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
>> about a
>> > 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need the
>> > change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
>> domestic
>> > engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.
>>
>>
>
>
> It's a much more direct swap to go to a Volvo 4 cyl turbo motor, I've seen
> a
> few V8 conversions but frankly haven't been all that impressed. Also it
> just
> doesn't seem right to hack a big lump of domestic iron in such a fine
> European car.
>
>

I've done the 215ci old/buick swap is a few cars. I actually installed
one of these in a VW Westfalia camper. Great little engine, very light
(300lbs)KEP (Kennedy Engineering Products)offers adapter plates and
kits to mount the 215 in a lot of different vehicles. You can do a
search for "granny's speed shop" as well to find other interesting
swaps.
Peter K L Milnes wrote:
> Why not use the old Buick Skylark engine. OK it is only 3,500 cc
(213.5 cu
> ins) but has enough power to make a Rover P5 Coupe drag 0-60 in well
under
> 10secs and it weighs about 2.5tons. It will certainly fit a 780 and
can be
> tuned or have it's bore increased. LandRover use them to this day and
have
> upped the size to 5,000 cc (305 cu ins) with dramatic power increase.
>
> Cheers, Peter.
>
> "James Sweet" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:4WNAd.10390$L7.4254@trnddc05...
> >
> > <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> >> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> >> > I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it.
It
> >> > runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do
eventually
> >> is
> >> > swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
> >> about a
> >> > 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need
the
> >> > change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
> >> domestic
> >> > engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > It's a much more direct swap to go to a Volvo 4 cyl turbo motor,
I've seen
> > a
> > few V8 conversions but frankly haven't been all that impressed.
Also it
> > just
> > doesn't seem right to hack a big lump of domestic iron in such a
fine
> > European car.
> >
> >

My 1988 780 Bertone is running strong at 230k. Why ruin one of the few
remaining 780's with a domestic engine. It just seems like such a waste.

Contrary to most of the other comments I've found it runs better at higher
speeds (75-85) than at 55 or 60, And yes I've had it over 90 without any
wobble or vibration.

Just my opinion.


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>> I have a 1987 Bertone with the PRV 6 engine that has 185K on it. It
>> runs fine but who knows for how long. What I'd like to do eventually
> is
>> swap in a Ford or Chevy V8. Has anyone tried this? I hear lots
> about a
>> 240 engine swap but not about the 7 series cars. Would I need the
>> change the tranny as well? I really like my car and I think a
> domestic
>> engine could really enhance my driving pleasure.
>
>
>
> I've done the Converse swap (1985 740) and purchased a 1991 740 with a
> 350ci Chevy LT-1 installed. The Chevy is much faster, but don't get me
> wrong, the Ford H.O. even in stock configuration will make your 780
> move. I used the Converse kit for the '85, and was one of the 1st
> people to install the kit with a T-5 5-speed. The common problem with
> both swaps is the driveshaft. The Volvo's use a 2 piece unit, and under
> high speed (90+)is prone to wobble, causing a vibration that resonates
> throughout the vehicle. This can be cured, you just need patients and a
> protractor to get the angle just right.
>
> You will need a good donor engine and transmission. The automatic
> trannies are easier to install then the manual (no clutch cable), but a
> stick has a higher fun factor. Also, if your car now has an automatic
> trans, you will need to find a pedal assembly out of a 700 series with
> a manual trans if going with the stick. You will need a 1987-1993
> (better heads/power than the 1986 H.O. engine) Ford 302 H.0 with a Ford
> OD trans (or manual Borg Warner t-5 trans), a "complete" engine,
> including all smog components, ECM (computer) and wiring harness. The
> ECM should be matched to the transmission and engine. It is best to
> pull all parts from the same donor car. Ross Converse lists all needed
> parts in the swap kit. You may need a different Volvo trans crossmember
> as well. Mine had a hump that interfered with the mounting surface.
> Ross will give you the P/N of the proper crossmember as well. Of
> course, you will need to cut off the engine mount purch in the engine
> crossmember, Get the driveshaft shortened and rebalanced, and go with a
> high capacity radiator. The Volvo Diesel radiator works well for this.
> Best of all Ross gives you everything you need in the kit. Group 6 made
> the Chevy LT1 kit, but they are now out of business.
>
> The swap isn't too bad to install, and will possibly cost less for the
> swap kit, engine/trans/parts than having your v-6 rebuilt. If you don't
> want to attempt the swap yourself, Ross can set you up with an
> installer in your area possibly. Let me say- the car will be a blast
> to drive! Just be aware if you live in Calif. you will need to deal
> with the B.A.R. for the smog. If smog is not an issue in your state, go
> with a ford performance crate motor. You will get the best MPG (25
> average) with a 302 H.O fuel injected motor though.
>

"jrh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:vQKBd.21524$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> My 1988 780 Bertone is running strong at 230k. Why ruin one of the few
> remaining 780's with a domestic engine. It just seems like such a waste.
>
> Contrary to most of the other comments I've found it runs better at higher
> speeds (75-85) than at 55 or 60, And yes I've had it over 90 without any
> wobble or vibration.
>
> Just my opinion.
>


I always thought it would be cool to install the inline 5 or 6 from an 850
T5, 960 or S80 T6. Keep the refinement, keep it Volvo, and get gobs of
power. Plenty of 760's to drop V8's into, the 780 is something special.