This site is dedicated to detailing the installation of an all aluminum LS1, V8 engine, and 6speed T56 transmission removed from a 2000 Camaro Z28 and installed in a 1982 Volvo 245 Turbo Wagon.  While this car is not yet running it is well on its way to putting 300 RWHP in a boxy, very utilitarian, Volvo.   Hopefully, with the proper work, the suspension and other drivetrain components will be up to the task of keeping the power firmly planted.

The Odds and Ends (Lots of These)

The Battery:

This is located in the well across from the spare tire in the back of the wagon.  It is obviously a sealed Optima gel battery since it is inside the car (don't put a regular lead acid battery inside your car...duh).  You will notice the fuel filler neck.  It is held down with a battery tray and clamps which were purchased at Autozone.  It is held level with pieces of 2x4 and bolted down to the body.  It is grounded to a frame rail in the back of the car.

Power Distribution Bulkhead:

Here is the power distribution block.  It is necessary with the trunk mounted battery.  It is isolated with a bulkhead connector from Summit Racing.  To the left of it you see the Ford starter relay discussed on page 16-1 of the JTR manual (you do have it right?).

The Instruments:

The instrument cluster now contains a VDO 3" electronic speedometer.  The speedometer reads the signal from Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) coming from the transmission via the LS1 computer.  The VDO speedometer is programmable so no worrying about rear end ratios, tire sizes, etc.  

The surround holding it in was made from the Volvo speedo face using a dremel to cut out a circle then painted black.  Unfortunately the OEM speedo is not round and this makes fitting an aftermarket speedometer more difficult.  Also, the back of the instrument cluster is a circuit board.  To fit the electronic speedometer in through the back of the cluster, some of the circuits had to be cut.  I simply hard soldered wires to the correct places allowing these functions to remain.  I had to solder wires for the high beams, the oil pressure warning (which is still functional in the LS1), the alternator light, and the left turn signal.  The plexiglass was removed to allow access to the trip reset on the VDO speedo.  I've got a second dash cluster (yeah parts car) so I might try drilling a hole in the plexiglass to push the button.  Without the glass dust will accumulate and be difficult to remove. The flash emphasizes the surround, so the cluster looks better in person.

The Manuals You NEED!!!!:

If you are going to do a Volvo swap you'll at minimum want to get the JTR Volvo 200 series swap book, the Helms manual of whatever engine you are using, and the Bentley 200 series Volvo manual.  I also found both the JTR TPI/TBI book and the S-10 swap manual helpful.  The Street and Performance Catalogue and LS1 (or LT1) video were also useful.  Buying these books isn't free (Helms manual costs $120) but it will save you lots of money and headache in the long run.  Just get them.