1980 242 GT T5 swap. An unreasonable pursuit.

[doucheNozzle]

We had a silver 04 V70 T5A but again, not sure if it’s slightly different or not

 

[The Full Banana]

Not sure what all it came on, but I also don’t think it’s all that great of a color. Most of the car was already that color when I got it, so I just kept it.

The color is one of my less favorite things about the car, but it’s a lot of effort and cost to change that.

 

[elborikua]

Not sure what all it came on, but I also don’t think it’s all that great of a color. Most of the car was already that color when I got it, so I just kept it.

The color is one of my less favorite things about the car, but it’s a lot of effort and cost to change that.

what color you envision it would fit your car the best?

 

[The Full Banana]

what color you envision it would fit your car the best?

Not really sure, but the last color that caught my eye was Porsche Fjord Green

 

[brendon_ak]

I think your current color was the optional color for 2007 R cars, my dad's is that bright silver, very classy.

Man if you repaint you should do mint green from Porsche!

Or Dakar yellow from BMW

 

[elborikua]

I’ve considered Porsche racing green for my 242 project. Doubt I will go through with that color.

 

[brendon_ak]

I’ve considered Porsche racing green for my 242 project. Doubt I will go through with that color.

The E36 M3 GT came in a beautiful racing green color, worth a gander.

Candy apple red would be neat too.

 

[The Full Banana]

Love the green on the e36 M3 GT! Could also see just doing white

 

[Amagon]

The MaxxECU install is complete, and the engine is back in the car.

Your precise work on this project is excellent! Pro-level , or better.

 

[SquareD]

The video, the garage and the 242, all really well done. Nice work Tom.

 

[The Full Banana]

The video, the garage and the 242, all really well done. Nice work Tom.

Thank you!

Wanted to get one more on the books before the end of 2024. Ending the year with first start seems fitting.

 

[The Full Banana]

I just went through and cleaned up the first post of this thread. While I was at it, I added in a summary of what's happened over the course of the last 12 years, and dear god this has been quite a ride with this car...

I think 80% of the miles driven in this happened between 2014-2015. I need to change that.

A brief history, linked to posts in thread:

• 2013: Acquired as rolling shell; build begins
• 2014: 4 cyl B230FT swap complete; epic cross-country roadtrip
• 2015: Carefree driving & car shows; 246whp dyno (full specs noted in post)
• 2016: 5 cyl turbo engine swap
• 2017: Cautious driving & diagnosing oil consumption
• 2018: Head replaced; still diagnosing oil consumption
• 2019: Block replaced with forged block build; engine bay repaint
• 2020: Block rebuilt with oversized pistons; fab new exhaust; upgrade to E85 & Gaz dampers
• 2021: Week of bliss after dyno tuning to 366whp; followed by months of no-start, then a little driving
• 2022: Freak oil starvation incident damages bottom-end shortly after recovering from no-start issue
• 2023: Occasional driving until continually decreasing oil pressure prevented use
• 2024: Crank & bearings replaced; MaxxECU swap; Head gasket blew then replaced after first drive

Anyway, first drive on MaxxECU & the rebuilt engine happened, but I made a mess of things by being careless and trying to do too much before winter hit. Hear the full story here:

Very much looking forward to March/April when I can resume tuning. Hoping to find someone else to tune it on a dyno and do it right--being in the midwest great lakes region doesn't help that.

 

[Harlard]

You could say it’s a foolish pursuit.

 

[The Full Banana]

Oh god I didn't even realize

but yep

 

[brendon_ak]

Watched an episode about the HG issues. Frickin nice work man. Keep it up!

 

[adomz]

Great work buddy! As said in the comments, love how you do stuff!

 

[Duder]

Keep at it man, you are definitely determined to get this thing sorted! Don't stop now! All things considered, a previously warped head as root cause is kind of a win, although I know the whiteblock top end is a pain to reassemble. Good call reverting back to wastegate boost until you can get it baselined.

The YT videos are quite nice to watch - compliments on those too! I haven't caught up with all of them yet. Glad to see you sorted out that commenter about 3067 vs. 3076 in the turbo installation video

 

[Jack]

looks great! Doing a t5 swap in my wagon. Would you care to share the engine mount files

 

[brendon_ak]

Don't share them without negotiating lots of powdercoating. He's really good at it.

 

[Chuck W]

This build is inspiration for my '78. Top notch!