Hello there! :)

[spuker1]

Hi,

I wanted to get myself a project car to learn to hold the spanner and that and also I would love to give some drifting a go. Because I have got no budget what so ever I haven't go much options. Someone somewhere recommended a 340/360 to me as a perfect car to learn basics of going sideways.

Am I in the right place?

[Speedy88]

Seriously though, yeah sure, all the technical info you need is here. Please remember to search before you ask anything! More drifting advice on the series is available on TrampDrift but there are some drifters here too... like me

[Nimminz]

Welcome! aye you're in the right place if your looking to own a 300 series, There are a few drifter people on here. Check out the 'offers' section of the forum for cars for sale. Quite a few people get a V300 as a first drift car, probably cos they're cheap. They make excellent daily's too IMO. That's one of the reason's i got one, to learn how to do stuff myself rather than paying garages.

Good luck

[spuker1]

oh ok cheers

well actually if I would get a 300series volvo I would probably have to use it as a daily driver. I have just passed my driving test and I'm under 25 which means whenever I want to insure anything with wheels on I have to lube and bend over for insurance companies :S I can barely afford running one car and two is just a mistake so I either have one totally off road just for tinkering and a night time hoon around my neighbourhood ( doesn't seem like a brilliant idea anyway, tbf) or I will get one as my only car.

How are they to own anyway? And can they skid at all without welded diff and all de-roadworthying work that has to be done that people do to make it go sideways.

Help?

[Nimminz]

I used to have a 1.4 peugeot 206, that was loads more to insure than my 360 (2.0) they are (relatively) cheap to insure. I always liked the idea of a 'daily project car' mainly 'cos, well, you enjoy it daily. Aye they can skid with an open diff, especially in the wet even the 1.4 340's. Welding the diff and other drift-mods can be done and still keep the car pretty roadworthy and comfortable enough for daily use. There are some good topics on here about it, as speedy says, have a search and a good look around

[Speedy88]

How are they to own anyway? And can they skid at all without welded diff and all de-roadworthying work that has to be done that people do to make it go sideways.

Take a look at my current car and build topic which I both drift and commute to work. Search "Green GLS" As long as you maintain your car properly and don't absolutely abuse it all the time it can be used comfortably.

[jon-ovlov]

Ello bud, and welcome. I bought mine as a 1.4 and drove it round for a good while. Capable cars, simple enough to work on yourself and learn about spannering, but not so easy that everything is a piece of cake. There's a fair amount of info on here regarding everything from maintenance to modifications, so have a search around. Ebay is also good usually for 300s.

There's a few "intro to the series" threads somewhere too. If I find them, I'll link them here.

I drove mine when it was a 1.4 daily, which was fine, and now with the williams, it's also fine. Took a little getting used to using a choke, (no fuel injection on the 1.4 and 1.7 versions) but its very easy.

[spuker1]

Well I think that if I would get myself a 340 I wouldn't like to just trash it on McDonald's car park and wrap it around a lamp post eventually. I would use it everyday and I would like it to last at least a year or until I save up for some RWD Jap car

Actually more I think about it then more I want one.

My point is that I can't afford run a clean looking neat car, especially that most of cars I can afford are well eaten by rust already and Volvo 300 series is one of those cars that look cool when welded up, multi colour panelled etc. It's like a VW, more banged up = more charm to it

My other point is that I grew up watching my older cousin bash around his old Rover powered FSO Polonez I just remember this feeling of pride when such and underdog car turned out to be more capable in right hands than e30 beemers etc. Since then I always wanted a car and had occasional going sideways on my mind all the time. Somewhere on my way I fell deeply in love with pretty much out of reach AE86 Corolla. I just really want simple, RWD, small, boring at first glance, underdog of a car that will give me plenty of pleasure and will be fairly practical every day, cheap to run and full of character Volvo 340 seems to tick all those boxes

So yeah, here I am. Asking all those stupid questions

I don't know if I get it right but the choice in 300series is between 340 which has Renault designed engine/tranny which takes F7P and F7R lumps easily or a 360 which has 2.0l Volvo lump straight out of box and takes all big turbocharged engines from all those chest of drawers shaped big saloon Volvos, right?

Which one would be more recommended to start from? I quite like F7 series engines, is it a lot of hassle to plonk one in 340? what about gearbox? Is it located at the back or something? Does it mean you have to connect standard gearbox to Renault 16v engine? Are they strong enough to take that punishment?

I know that all of those questions were probably answered already somewhere on this forum, I just want to get my head around 300 series briefly. I hope you guys don't mind...

Regards,

Tom

[Ride_on]

Rust is the biggest problem really, so get a sound car first. Everything else is fixable and fairly reliable with the right repairs and parts. All cars are of course old now, but mileage isn't an issue, especially in a 360. Expect a few niggles, most common faults are on here and, if not, plenty of us enjoy a repair challenge.

Engine changes are a bit of a challenge, but again plenty of info here. Get to know the car first before thinking about that sot of thing. I prefer the 2.3 Turbo route, its a proper Volvo engine with plenty of tuning potential.

[Nimminz]

340's are either 1.4 or 1.7 Renault engines - 1.7's easiest to swap for F7R or F7P - engine/gearbox misalignment breaks props
360's are 2.0 volvo engine - 2.3T is the most common swap. wiring is usually the hard bit.
Both have gearbox at the back, mounted straight onto the diff - 50/50 weight distribution. Whichever engine swap you do you can keep the gearbox you have.
Personally I'd say 360 and a 2.3T swap out a 940, 360 has a torque tube, a prop held in bearings in a tube bolted to both bellhousing and gearbox and very rarely go wrong. Much more tuning possibilities with the old volvo engine.

I just really want simple, RWD, small, boring at first glance, underdog of a car that will give me plenty of pleasure and will be fairly practical every day, cheap to run and full of character Volvo 340 seems to tick all those boxes

Pretty good definition of the 300 series there mate but add in 'uncool' which IMO makes it better.

Matt