Volvo and RallyCross?

Figured I'd finally pop in here finally, considering I've been reading through the forum for quite some time. As the title states I'd like to try my hand at rallyx but with a volvo. I've done it off and on with my focus zx3 for a couple years, due to constantly moving I haven't been able to have some fun for quite awhile. Every time I watch people with RWD I get envious, just seemed like they were having more fun than I. So considering I gifted my focus away I'm looking for a set of wheels to get back into and came to the conclusion that I want a volvo. Rant over let's get to the bacon.

I want to participate in the SR category. I'm not trying to be competitive..... yet, but for fun like it always has been. What Volvo would you guys choose and year frame? 240, 740, hell maybe even 850, 900 series? (I'm initailly leaning towards the 240 or 740). What would be a good price range in general? I'm trying to keep it low but I'm mechanically savvy if needed.

Additionally would a stock turbo still be considered SR? I'd prefer to start with one in a car stock, due to avoiding headaches in the future and I know nothing about tuning or installing them. With that would you go for a 4 or 5 speed manual?

Thanks for the input.

Considering your list and the desire to stay in SR - Volvo 740 Turbo

They work best with a wayback seat for easy ballast addition.

I'd head to Tallahassee and get the 142.

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: I'd head to Tallahassee and get the 142.

Yesss.

I would get the 240 because it's probably a lighter chassis. I suggest a five-speed because 5>4. Just joking, but the 5 speed has on overdrive and the 4 speed likely doesn't. If the 240 didn't come with a turbo from the factory, you can't put it on and run in Stock RWD, even if it's a factory Volvo turbocharger.

Edit: Volvo did make a 240 with a turbo, so you could find a non-turbo and install a factory system on it and run Stock RWD.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Edit: Volvo did make a 240 with a turbo, so you could find a non-turbo and install a factory system on it and run Stock RWD.

Not exactly. You could only do that if you add every single option that came on a factory turbo car.

EvanB wrote: They work best with a wayback seat for easy ballast addition.

^^^ Bahaha nice, even looks like fun to be the trunk monkey.

Simple enough, thanks for the input. Guess now it'd be better to say what are the main differences between a 240 and 740 if they both came with stock turbo? Forgive my complete lack of knowledge on Volvos, besides the info that I read from google searches.

240 has more suspension travel, 740 is cheaper. I think either is a good bet for rallycross, just get the best one you can afford of either series.

EvanB wrote:

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Edit: Volvo did make a 240 with a turbo, so you could find a non-turbo and install a factory system on it and run Stock RWD.

Not exactly. You could only do that if you add every single option that came on a factory turbo car.

Including the VIN. You can't reshell in Stock. That's where the line is drawn.

Dont think about 850s if your looking for a rwd volvo because obvious reasons. And given your limitations I suggest a 740 turbo or 940 turbo with swapped transmission. Btw the stock volvo manuals arent too strong, that isnt to say tons of people dont beat on m46/m47 but lots of people who dont still break them. Stock 240 turbos were earlier and thus had antique mechanical fuel injection so if your scared to install a turbo and arent a diesel mechanic its probably not the best system for you. I curently have an 88 240 with all the turbo bits from my old 740 so ive got lots of good redblock knowledge to share

Also, see avatar.

The turbo engines are different internally than the NAs (like most manufacturers) and it's easier/cheaper to just get a turbo engine to begin with.

Some good stuff brewin here. Thanks for replies. I'll go ahead and assume there's different engine types with turbos. Anyone have experience with them? How difficult is maintenance?

Maintenance is easy on any of them. Lots of people add turbos to the NA redblock with no issues. It is cheaper to just get a turbo car initially but not a big deal to add the turbo later if you find a good deal on a non-turbo car.

Finding a 740 Turbo cheap will be a hell of a lot easier than finding a 240 Turbo cheap.

Rallycross is less car and more driver - don't overthink your car choice. Get one and drive it!

What about an 850 GLT? Fast, grippy, comfy, if not quite as charismatic.

Supposedly the b230ft have forged pistons but the record hp on stock pistons (milled 3mm) are na pistons..630hp. Stock turbo b21 are 7.5:1 and b230ft are 8.5:1 whereas b230f are 9.8:1. That said im running 9.8:1 and 15psi no problems. Its so easy and dirt cheap to turbo these cars it is not nessisarily more expensive to turbo a na motor, I did it for $200, many have dont it for even less. Join turbobricks and post a similar thread and before too long somw old guy(johnv) will hop in and ramble and youll learn what you need to know

If you want to stay stock a 90+ 740 turbo would be the cheapest fastest ride. 940 and v90 are nice in turbo form but I don't think they came stock with a manual transmission.

Which rallycross region will you be running with?

Get one that has an LSD stock, if you plan to run in stock class only. SR is full of Miatas and e30s and other things that mostly have stock LSDs. If you are without, you'll be at a disadvantage on certain types of surfaces, especially when it gets muddier.

Not sure what Volvos did and didn't come with LSD from the factory, but I assume Evan and some of these other guys know which ones those are.

In reply to chiodos:

Agreed. Most people doing any kind of aggressive driving in manual Volvos convert to a T5; the stock Volvo manuals are made of glass and frequently blow up second gear at stock power levels. So be mindful of that if you go with a manual one.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

Ever driven an 850? They are great highway barnstormers but TERRIBLE for any kind of autocross/rallycross scenario. Very heavy, FWD, slooooow steering.

In reply to irish44j:

Factory LSD is EXTREMELY rare. It was a very expensive special-order option. Luckily they have Dana axles so there are lots of aftermarket options, though.

SlickDizzy wrote: In reply to irish44j: Factory LSD is EXTREMELY rare. It was a very expensive special-order option. Luckily they have Dana axles so there are lots of aftermarket options, though.

Yeah, I'm aware of the options for Dana axles. My point was that the aftermarket options cannot be used in stock class. So if the car is going to run in stock class it's going to be an open diff car. Meanwhile, almost everything else running in competitive SR class will have LSD.........

OP said that he didn't care about being competitive anyhow, so it really doesn't matter either way. But if down the road he wants to keep running SR and actually decides he wants to win - having a non-LSD car will put him behind the 8-ball at that point.

If you're in any stock class and want to win, you will need to choose your car wisely. The only way to really get that wisdom, though, is to just jump in.