I was doing some snooping around, looking at what bolts to what, and found that from 2005 to 2010, Volvo had a V8 for their SUV and executive sedans, the Volvo B8444S. They collaborated with Yamaha, and put together a 4.4L, transverse mounted V8. In the SUVs it was mated to either a modified GM 4T65, or one of a couple different Aisins.
So, my question is, why hasn't anyone tried it yet? I know enough money can make anything work, so I won't ask if it's worth it or if it's possible or whatever. I've also tried the search, got nuffin'.
The bellhousing isn't the GM Metric, so you will need an adapter plate.
You will also have to figure out all the wiring and engine controls. Non-common swaps, will not have a lot of documentation on how to complete them, so you will need to figure it out.
That Volvo/Yamaha engine weighs 420 lbs- more than a GM LS V8......The 3900 V6 is the top engine in the GM/Chevy 60* V6 family- approx' 50 Lbs lighter than the 2.8 but with 240 Lb/ft and 240 HP, plus variable cam timing so it revs to 6500 (Power starts pulling at 2000)
Another engine to consider- lighter but really broad power band; The latest version of the 4.3 90* (LV3) V6- based on the LT V8s, it weighs only 300 Lbs, but has 285 HP and 320 Lb/Ft of torque....
The best GM V8 is the LS4, which has the FWD Bellhousing pattern so no adapter is needed...they came in Monte Carlos and Grand Prix....
[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 04-07-2025).]
My suggestion is not to try "reinventing the wheel" when there are proven and documented Fiero swap solutions. Those types of foreign engine swaps would prove very difficult to do. A giant obstacle would be powertrain management.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Full disclosure, I've not even seen a Volvo V8 in my life, much less am I considering doing a swap myself. I simply saw that it looked like it would fit, and with a standalone ECM and TCM you could probably fab some mounts and axles and make it work. I even figured that with the 4T65 it can come with, there'd be data here on axle length, which would help the swap go more smoothly.
So, my understanding then is that it hasn't been done because there's no documentation on swaps, and there are other options that net similar or better results? Could also have something to do with the engine's relative scarcity, and that Volvos don't seem to end up in junkyards, lol. Last few times I was at my local junkyard, I saw three or four Northstars and a supercharged 3800, but no Volvos of any kind. Thanks for the responses!
Full disclosure, I've not even seen a Volvo V8 in my life, much less am I considering doing a swap myself. I simply saw that it looked like it would fit, and with a standalone ECM and TCM you could probably fab some mounts and axles and make it work. I even figured that with the 4T65 it can come with, there'd be data here on axle length, which would help the swap go more smoothly.
So, my understanding then is that it hasn't been done because there's no documentation on swaps, and there are other options that net similar or better results? Could also have something to do with the engine's relative scarcity, and that Volvos don't seem to end up in junkyards, lol. Last few times I was at my local junkyard, I saw three or four Northstars and a supercharged 3800, but no Volvos of any kind. Thanks for the responses!
Volvos most definitely end up in junkyards... but a lot has changed in the last 10 years in junkyards. Many of the more expensive imports (BMW, Volvo, etc.) end up in specialty parts dismantler yards for the explicit purpose of JUST selling used Volvo parts. I grew up with Volvos... we had four bricks (a 122, two 240 coupes, and one 240 Turbo Wagon), and two 850s... an 850 Wagon and an 850 T5r Sedan. They are great cars, and I'm all about that, but I do have to echo what others have been saying. You're basically looking to reinvent the wheel.
All of that said... Volvo produced cars under the ownership of Ford at the time they made this V8. There were no Volvo transmissions that could handle the torque and power... there was a twin-turbo version of that motor that put out over 600hp. I'm guessing this isn't one of them (so it would be around 310hp). During that time, Ford put in a couple of transmissions to handle the power. It came with both the Ford Powershift, and GM's 4T65E automatic transmission. It was a custom 4T65E with a Volvo/Yamaha bell-housing... so you'll want to look for that. Otherwise, you can try to get the 5-Speed that was in the T5r and regularly mated to the inline 5 turbo motor.
I don't know a whole lot beyond that.
My advice would be to go with an aftermarket controller, like a FAST system or something like that, so you don't have to rely on the entire control and dash cluster from a Volvo... and you'll be able to tune it and optimize it. Honestly, the only thing about that motor I like, personally, is that it's a 60 degree motor... which is the most ideal for things like performance. But you can save a lot of headache by just getting a 3.9 VVT GM V6/60... which will mostly drop in.
Ah, I missed the part about the bellhousing. And sorry for the late reply, I was busy. Nat'l Guard duties.
In any case, I appreciate all the feedback. I'm not considering a Volvo/Yamaha engine swap, nor am I advocating someone to do it over any other engine. I was merely curious.
