Engine swapping a classic automotive will be tempting for anyone who seeks more power from their old time capsule.
Nonetheless tough the drawbacks is perhaps, it’s often the top result that gets people talking. And Christian Hjukström‘s 1966 Volvo Amazon actually does that.
Christian has at all times been loyal to 1 Swedish automotive brand: Saab. The 36-year-old from Stockholm has modified several Saab models through the years, so when it got here time to decide on a suitable engine swap for his vintage Volvo Amazon, he knew exactly where to look. Are you able to see where that is going?
Christian took an actual gamble purchasing this automotive in the primary place. He placed a bid on a web based auction with not a complete lot of knowledge concerning the Amazon’s overall condition, nevertheless it ultimately paid off. When Christian picked up his purchase, it was in much better shape than he expected it to be.
On the skin, the Amazon looks prefer it’s in need of some work, but that’s totally by alternative. Christian didn’t need to construct a show automotive; his plan was at all times to make use of the classic Volvo as a day by day, and never having to fret about wear and tear on the bodywork was an enormous a part of that. But really, Christian just isn’t a fan of pristine panel and paint.
The Amazon’s bodywork is completely original, warts and all. The patina gives the automotive its own character; every scratch, dent, rust spot and faded paint spot telling the story of its lifetime of use and ownership. For anyone who doesn’t know the complete story, they’d simply see the Volvo as an old, rusty automotive from the Sixties, and there’s something cool about that fact too. It’s totally unpretentious.
Anyone who looks closer though, will see the telling signs that this isn’t any strange Swedish classic. The wheels and brakes are probably the most obvious giveaway.
These old Volvos have the identical bolt pattern as current-model Teslas, and as Christian’s friend had a full set of Model 3 wheels kicking around, the alternative to suit them was a simple one. The Tesla wheels measure 18×8.5-inch and are wrapped up in 235/45R18 Nankang AR1 semi-slicks in any respect 4 corners.
Behind the front wheels you’ll find 4-piston Brembo callipers from a Volvo V70R, that are attached with custom mounting brackets. The hubs were barely modified, but no re-drilling was required since the front rotors are from Nissan, and so they too have the identical 5×114.3mm bolt pattern. Out back, you’ll discover a Ford Explorer brake setup with upgraded rotors and pads.
Why such a thorough brake upgrade? Well, you simply should pop the hood to see why.
Say hello to what some Swedish automotive enthusiasts might call blasphemy. Not me, and definitely not Christian, who’s named his creation the Saabazon.
Sitting within the bay is a 2.3L DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder turbo Saab B235 engine that’s been built up with quite a few parts right out of Saab’s spare parts catalogue. That features pistons and rods from a B234 – the pistons having been machined down 1.1mm to get enough clearance for the MLS head gasket – and B202 camshafts, which give the engine all of the characteristics Christian was on the lookout for. The B235 made slightly below 260hp in stock form, but Christian wanted rather a lot more.
And that’s where the upgrades are available, probably the most outstanding being the Maxspeedingrods GT3071 turbocharger boosting 1.85bar (27.2psi), mounted on a custom manifold, and the modified intake plenum. There’s an enormous front-mount intercooler in the combination too.
E85 fuel is stored in a custom tank that Christian fabricated himself from laser-cut aluminium plate, and is supplied by dual Bosch Motorsport 044 fuel pumps. One pump is enough for the present setup, but the availability capability is there should Christian need it in the longer term.
The engine is backed up by a BMW 6-speed manual gearbox, which required the transmission tunnel to be modified to ensure that it to suit. Tenaci Motorsport supplied the clutch – a 240mm Black Series pressure plate paired with a sintered disc able to holding 780Nm (575.3lb/ft) of torque. Which may sound like overkill, but when the automotive was dyno-tuned and tested, 700Nm (516.3lb/ft) and 536whp was seen. Christian says there’s more in it though, and at the least 605hp may very well be easily realised.
Suspension-wise, the Amazon now encompasses a custom 4-link rear end with QA1 shock absorbers and adjustable coilover springs. To get probably the most out of the broader wheels, the rear end uses two right-rear axles from a Ford Explorer which were shortened to suit.
You actually won’t discover a roll cage (for now), race seats, nor a custom interior once you look inside Christian’s Amazon. He’s stuck with the ‘day by day’ concept by only making minor adjustments. Save for Saab electric memory seats and a ’60s-era steering wheel, a digital tablet that gives all of the engine information and an OBP adjustable pedal box, the inside stays all-original.
It’s protected to say that this Amazon has ruffled just a few feathers in each the Volvo and Saab enthusiast communities of Sweden. There’s a little bit of an unwritten law that says you shouldn’t mix the two brands, but up to now the vast majority of people in each camps have only had good things to say concerning the Saabazon. And really, how could they not.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
