Car culture has resulted in some seriously cool, ambitious, and sometimes sketchy custom builds. However, sometimes a builder will look at something unorthodox and say, “yeah, we can put a twin-turbocharged V8 in that.” Enter MotorBiscuit reader Ross and his twin-turbo LS-swapped Volvo, a delightful marriage of fun and lunacy. We love when people like Ross take an old Volvo 240 roller and turn it into something hilariously awesome. 

What’s up with this custom Volvo?

Ross had a non-running 1983 Volvo 240, which doesn’t sound like much at first. That is, until you hear it run. He and GAP Tuning endowed the Volvo with an LS/LQ series motor from a Chevrolet Silverado. The steel block engines are a popular choice among car builders, considering they’re plentiful, affordable, and compliant with turbo applications. That said, Ross’ custom 240 packs not one but two turbos. 

“It has two of everything,” Ross joked to MotorBiscuit’s Braden Carlson about his LS-swapped Volvo build. The build screams street rod, with its stock rotating assembly, 255 wide rear tires, and lumpy idle. It doesn’t stop there, though; the custom Volvo’s monstrous heart joins a GM 4L80E automatic transmission. Working back, the beast packs a 15-gallon fuel cell and a Ford 8.8-inch rear end. 

How much power does Ross’ twin-turbo LS-swapped Volvo make?

Most of you will want to know how much power the sensibly unsensible twin-turbo LS-swapped Volvo 240 makes. Well, Ross strapped the beast down for dyno tuning, and the results were smile-inducing. It produced 613 wheel horsepower (whp), all the while looking like a “something’s-off” family sedan. “We got it dialed in now,” Ross said about the car. 

Is it a Volvo on the inside?

As you might expect from a twin-turbo LS-swapped 1983 Volvo 240 with 255 rear tires, the interior is similarly street rod-esque. The dash is dominated by a metal-backed set of switch gear with a push-button ignition. Also, the Volvo’s Holley EFI Terminator X controller pokes out of the dash so that Ross can monitor and adjust his electronic fuel injection settings. Finally, the aluminum bucket seats seem to say, “if we die, we die.” 

Should you build your own twin-turbo LS-swapped Volvo 240?

Ross’ twin-turbo LS-swapped Volvo 240 is a testament to budget engine builds and cool custom cars. Better yet, Ross says that aftermarket options for swapping your own Volvo are available. Many builders will choose European and Japanese vehicles for LS swaps due to the engine’s versatility. As a result, companies offer kits and mounts to drop an LS into a Mazda MX-5 Miata, BMW E36, or even a Volvo 240. 

However, if the startup, idling soundtrack, or novelty of an LS-swapped Volvo isn’t enough to make you want one of your own, check out the video above. Ross says he could even use the car as a daily driver, but it lacks power steering and some comforts he’d like in a daily. He took Braden for a spin in the car, and Braden’s “oh, this was a mistake face” says it all. 

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