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Promotion effective from January 15, 2010 through March 5, 2010
I recently reaffirmed the happiness that this old Volvo brings. Looking back onto day one, this car has become a part of who I am. It all started one summer afternoon when knowing absolutely nothing about cars my dad drove me and my friends over to the local Volvo dealership. My first car waited patiently. Four skinny Pacific Northwestern boys geekily walked around the service center to find my 1982 240 Turbo sitting proper. I saddled up for what was unknowingly the start of a very good relationship.
Like any relationship it takes time to get to know one another. I soon found out that if I took the car out of gear and coasted to a stop, the engine would die. The car also found out that I didn’t know anything about how to take care of it. After things that needed taking care of out number the things that didn’t it became obvious, my car and I needed therapy. I took to the internet and found Turbobricks.com and oh boy did I find that therapy.
As first order of business my 240 got a new engine wiring harness. I also disassembled about 2 million things that I didn’t need to in the process. With my pink handled “ladies home tool kit” ratchet set in greasy hand, I worked the evenings away. Night after night I spent, taking things apart for the simple reason of curiosity. Soon enough my mom’s basement had been turned into my classroom, or depending on who you ask, a mass of old crappy car parts. The day came where I had finished, everything was put back together as best as I could reckon. I anxiously slid the key into the ignition and cranked it. A couple of loud noises and nothing… saying my heart was crushed was an understatement. I decided from then on I was going to get educated. For a fresh start the car was put back on the road by a professional mechanic and this is where the true journey began.
I figured the best way to learn about cars was not just to read about them but to work on them. After washing cars at a lot and changing oil at a Ford dealership, I soon got the job of a lifetime, changing oil at a friend’s families Honda and Acura repair shop. I worked 6 days a week from 8am to 5pm on Hondas and From 5pm to whenever I couldn’t see straight, I worked on my car. It was a dream come true. My boss let me work after hours all by myself. My work environment went from a dim light basement to a beautiful 12,000sq ft shop with lifts, tools, parts for wholesale, and Doug and Bill. Doug and Bill were like the internet, but for car related questions. You walk up, ask a question and in a few minutes you know everything you wanted to know. This job was incredible. I would’ve had to actually tried to not learn anything. I soon had enough knowledge and confidence to start something much bigger, my first engine build. I spent weeks making plans, gathering parts, saving money. I started and I still haven’t stopped. As it sits today;
- 1987 B230FT block with 13mm rods
- OS2 pistons
- Balanced internals
- Ported stock cylinder head
- 1990+ Exhaust manifold
- ARP head studs
- Cometic Head gasket
- IPD Turbo Camshaft
- IPD Adjustable cam gear
- 15G Turbocharger
- Large Intercooler
- MSD 6AL w/BTM
- IPD plug wires
- 3” exhaust
- Large aluminum radiator
- Electric fan
- Walbro 255 fuel pump
- Stainless steel fuel, oil, and coolant lines.
- Bilstein HD struts
- B&G lowering springs
- IPD 28/25mm sway bar
- IPD panhard rod
- Craving Boost strut chassis bars
- ATE front brake rotors
- Brembo rear brake rotors
- BBS RS wheels
- Falken RT615 tires
- HID headlights
- Window louvers
- Saab spoiler
Since the start I have became part owner of the Honda/Acura shop (Import Auto Center of Tacoma) and thus have had more responsibilities on my plate. The rate of improvement for the Volvo has slowed, but not stopped. I am in the process of putting a Mustang T5 transmission into the car, with a Spec clutch kit and a Pro 5.0 short shifter. Plans after that are yet to be determined, but include standalone engine management and a big turbocharger.
Whether it be by teaching me a lesson, letting me escape everything else going on in my life, or simply making me giggle when I punch the gas pedal, every time I put hard work into this car it returns the favor. I can only imagine what this relationship will produce in the future. I can only hope it will last my lifetime.
What’s your Volvo story?
Send your story to bryan@ipdusa.com and it may be included in an upcoming publication!
Promotion effective from January 15, 2010 through March 5, 2010
