Jon's 1978 LS Swapped Volvo 242

Completed: April 2025

Jon came to us and said, "I want to do burnouts."  Now he owns a 380hp LS-swapped Volvo.

This 242 is incredibly clean and was the perfect build candidate. It was running and driving when the car arrived, but its stock engine was tired and not enough for what Jon was looking for. We decided a 5.3L would do the job.

Engine & Drivetrain

After securing the donor engine, we did a full refresh and installed a BTR Hot Rod cam. A T56 transmission and McLeod clutch were then sourced — the perfect combo for this little Volvo. For engine management, we’re using Holley Terminator X.

The factory rear end wasn’t going to hold up to the new drivetrain, so we shortened a Ford 8.8 by almost 6 inches to fit the widest wheels the factory tubs would allow. A custom stainless exhaust with a Vibrant Performance resonator and muffler was built.

Interior

The interior features a set of classic Recaro bucket seats that match the style of this build perfectly. For gauges, we chose the Holley 6.86 EFI Pro Dash. After heavy modifications to the stock cluster, we were able to fit the dash unit into the factory bezel, giving a very clean and functional display of the Pro Dash.

Engine Bay & Cooling

The engine bay was a bit of a mess with some old wiring. After cleaning and re-looming what we could, it's now much more presentable. A custom radiator and fan shroud setup was built to keep the LS running cool.

Final Thoughts

This car is a blast to drive.

MORE WORK

3100 CHEVY

FABRICATION

MISC

BELAIR