This 1989 Volvo 240 wagon (VIN YV1AX8852K1842571) runs a bevy of mechanical upgrades, the most notable of which is a 5.3 liter GM Vortec V8 that reportedly provides a near 300% power increase over stock. The car was built by a specialty shop in Idaho utilizing what’s described as a clean body with 90k existing miles, and photos show what looks like good cosmetics all around. The seller has put about 1k miles on the car since completion of the build, says it runs extremely well with no overheating issues, and adds that it averages 20 MPG on the highway with full emissions compliance ad even working A/C. Find it here on eBay in Tucson, Arizona with no reserve. Special thanks to BaT reader Kyle K. for this submission.

Appliance white makes it tough to pick out small flaws, but the body and paintwork look pretty good from a few feet away. Bumper rubber, beltline trim and window black also look decent. The car sits two inches higher than stock to accommodate the 215/75 BFG AT’s wrapped around blacked-out wheels, and the speedo has been recalibrated for the larger rubber. Behind the big front tires lives a set of larger rotors and calipers donated from a Miata, while the stock units remain in back.

The interior looks to be in good overall shape, with no significant tears, stains or missing pieces visible. The cockpit is where most of the modifications have been made, such as an aftermarket tach, control box for a cruise control system not currently hooked up and an Alpine stereo with Bluetooth. The lower half of the center console is blocked by the large box that houses a Corvette-sourced shift lever, and the controls for cold-blowing A/C are mounted in their stock location just forward.

The Vortec V8 is a 2010 model donated from an unspecified source, but GM equipped Suburbans, Yukons, and various vans with the powerplant. Stock output was around 325 HP, but the seller says close to 400 should be available thanks to a custom cold air intake, reprogrammed ECU and Borla exhaust with dual cats. Output is routed through a GM L90 6-speed auto, but the factory rear axle remains and is most certainly the weakest link in the power chain. An aluminum radiator with dual electric fans has been installed, and an IPD aluminum skid plate keeps things underneath better protected. Note the large strut tower brace too.

Additional improvements to the undercarriage include a set of custom coilovers, new ball joints, end links and new bushings up front. IPD sway bars front and rear, traction bars, an adjustable Panhard rod and lower chassis braces have also been fitted.