Typical noob, checking in.

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BobOfTheFuture
Ha ha ha. The sledge videos about have me sold. I found it interesting how he one handed alot of that...

Ok, so lookin for 240's. I thin GRM had one with a T5 in it already

Edit- 740. Avoid?

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/1988-volvo-740-turbo-1800/24730/page1/

Yeah aside from truly unfathomably ugly looks thereäs a number of solid reasons to avoid what we call the Oldsmobile Cutlass Cirias 747 K car.

First maybe is the wheelbase is around 109" which would be the longest car in the woods, maybe not so terrible really but jeebus.

Second there's justa few construction details which are different enough that you'll have some work to convert to the stuff we make for 240s...

In truth in a well prepped rally car---with a cell---the problems are less major functionally.
But as they sit the fuel tank is some blow molded plastic blob-u-lar thang and it means there's only upper axle location on one side and the OEM one side thing is doo-dooo and street guys kill them constantly.

Front suspension is different, rack is different som betyder du måste bygga egna grejor själv eller

Oi oi oi, morning emails all in the wrong langue!!
Sorry.

rack is different which means you must build own stuff yourself OR...


No donät mess witjh 747 K+cars, 240 is just about puuurrr fect as a base...
example
Sean M here in Sleezattle weighed his Xratty and its 51%F-49 back..
Volvo2300 SOHC and Fords 2300 SOHC are both 96mm bore and 80 stroke and even have same head bolt spacing, so we KNOW that is the XRATTY is 51/49 but if we look at the position of the motor relative to the front spindle, we see the Ford motor is a FULL CYLINDER farther FORWARD, or said the other way the Volvo motor is a bit more than a full cylinder diameter more rearward---so we KNOW the balance will be even better.

That's a good start.

That's a big part of why I call the 240 the "Escort of America", Escort had, when prepped very nearly 50/50 weight and nearly even side to side and they ARE EASY to pitch around and vary the degree of sidewaysness easy, and my experince with sideways in both Xratty and 240 confirms both are VERY EASY to drive REAL HARD.

And I'm sure that our resident 240 and Xratty boys will agree how easy it is to drive these buggers.

And easy means confidence.

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john vanlandingham
And easy means confidence.

I'm quite likely repeating myself, but for our self-proclaimed n00b here, I'll stick my nose out with a story that so e have heard before.

I agree so very much that easy is one thing that leads to confidence. Building a tank that you KNOW will stand up to the abuse, etc. Also means a ton of confidence, and all this is key to even being able to BEGIN being fast.

The story I have told before is about me trying a friends go-cart. By all accounts not the best car. Old, lagging on "vital" upgrades, running old medium compund tires at a point where everybody ran soft, etc.
The thing is though, my friend knows his shit. So at a casual training day he's faster than everybody else in much knewer gear. I'm wondering why, and he says "well, I tried with soft tires, but I haven't made a proper setup for it so far, so I haven't bothered yet. Right know it's so easy to drive, and as you can see I'm more than fast enough to win, and on a low budget having FUN". Had to agree with the guy, and the ease of driving that thing was amazing. My first try with a real go-cart, and within 20 minutes I was competing wi guys with 2-3 years experience. That is not me being some raw talent. I'm quite conservative... But that just means that ease and confidence are key factors to me, and it was really proven to me there.

That has followed me ever since in my racing. Every change I do to the car, I first and foremost have to TRUST... I have to trust that it'll stand for the abuse, otherwise I'm just wondering if it'll last, when the car will break, etc., and that means me easing off the throttle... And that's not fast....
It has taken me as far as having a quite extensive checklist of even the simplest things to check on the car before the event, and tools to bring. I really takes a load off, and ensures that me mind is only occupied with driving.

Secondly, I seriously don't go for "responsiveness" or some other ill conceived way of saying that something is a twitchy bitch to drive... I go for reliable, easy to read, stable, being able to trust, etc... It's muuuch faster...

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Brgrds
Brian

Okay, thanks for the update. I never paid much attention to the volvos so I am still learning the models.

Unfortunately all the 240 I am seeing here are wagons.

Brian, I agree whole heartedly. With any track/autocross cars I have dealt with I always "Overbuilt and abused" If that broke it early it was going to break anyway eventually.

Just don't get this one; someone somehow grafted wagon quarter panels onto a sedan and built a custom trunk. As mentioned elsewhere; meth is a hell of a drug.


http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1966539821.html

Wow. I kinda dig it. Give it a retro flair, reminds me of the tails on an old bentley or something

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alkun
Just don't get this one; someone somehow grafted wagon quarter panels onto a sedan and built a custom trunk. As mentioned elsewhere; meth is a hell of a drug.


http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1966539821.html

So the stuff about the 240, is that only the 2 door or are 4 doors okay... Ive found one or two i can go look at. Also a Bertone... dont know what condition though

Bertone is out as a rally car as there will be no room for a cage! 4 door is fine, some prefer the access to the back seat. I personally think 4 doors is 2 doors 2 many, as the old saying goes...

having done a 2 door, a 4 door would be easier to work on, just a little harder to get in and out if youre over 6'. 4 doors are about a grand for a nice running car, or are often free with a blown fuse or something, if you wait and find one 2 doors cost $300 and are always clapped out.

Bob a Volvo 240 can start out slow and end up as sick as you wish for.

We've plenty of them on this side of the Country. No rust; often enough for next to nothing.

John knows what he speaks, as he has won events in his Volvos. Post some video links John please?

Sounds good. I belive you guys about the 240, and Ive always dug Volvos.
I just have to not fall into the Subaru trap. Found a not bad example here on my little Island, and parts availibility is sexy.

And about that last post, sorry about how incoherient it was. I was at work and had little time to proof read.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2010 11:47AM by BobOfTheFuture.

Here is a link.

http://www.wrchd.com/index.php/2009/04/19/wild-west-rally-2008-john-lanejason-grahn/

Another.

?v=dfzzYp7OhNY&feature=related

Another.

?v=M8gRHjtJ5wo&feature=related

Another.

?v=XrdH9vhLSqU&feature=related

My car has a turbocharged PRV six. Should you find that the turbo four is just not quite enough.... I can help.

Many good times had in the rallycar!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2010 11:48PM by JohnLane.

(bear in mind that John was consistently spanked HARD by some guy driving a simple barely warmed over 2.3 8v 4cylinder turbo( and a decent box and 4.8, later 4.63 final drive---and that's it)
Some guy name Kalle....
Kalle something..

Kalle Anka?
I think that's it

Consistent you are John. Hows about you get out there and drive some events......

Karl can drive + likely has more experience then I.

I'm a savage who drives the wheels off of my junk. Literally! Though not of late. Hmmmmmm.....

Don't start again John. No good comes of it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/2010 01:02PM by JohnLane.

I just wish the 740 would've hit it off better. It's such a better looking car, in my opinion. I like the straight lines. And I liked the K-cars, too, I always wanted to put the Shelby 2.2 drivetrain in one and ruin people's day.

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973