The Trollvo: One Cheap, Fast LS-Powered Wagon

1. Ultimate Sleeper?

The term "sleeper" probably gets batted around way too much these days. But it doesn't get much more unassuming than a boxy Volvo wagon from the 80s. Your school teacher's vehicle of choice doesn't exactly exude performance, but it apparently makes for a heck of a drag racer. With the proper motivation, of course. And Billy Sijthoff’s LS-powered 1984 Volvo 240 certainly proved its worth at this year's Hot Rod Drag Week.

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2. Proper Motivation

At the heart of any sleeper is some kind of serious powertrain. And the Trollvo receives plenty of motivation from a 5.3 liter LS sourced from a 2001 Chevy Suburban. With a Borg Warner S475 providing 20 pounds of boost, the junkyard motor propels the junky looking wagon into the 10-second range with ease. Shifts are handled by a 4L80E  transmission, and there's a Ford 8.8 out back.

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3. Paid the Cost

As you might have figured out already, the Trollvo isn't exactly a high dollar build. “I built the car for about $10,000, and I have more fun in it than my race car,” Sijthoff explained. We don't doubt that for a second. And it's worth mentioning that part of the appeal of budget builds like this one is that you don't feel too bad when something blows up, or if you run it into a wall.

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4. Hurricane-Related Issues

Regardless, the Trollvo did face some last-second problems heading into Drag Week. FedEx was unable to deliver a new set of axles ahead of the race, thanks to a certain Hurricane Harvey. Even driving out to Dallas wasn't enough to land the needed parts. Thankfully, the fine folks at Strange Engineering were able to come through with a custom set, which Sijthoff fittingly installed in a hotel parking lot.

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5. Fruits of Labor

You'd think that the last second axle installation might be enough of an issue for one weekend. But the Trollvo's fuel pump also bit the dust, prompting another hotel parking lot mechanic session. But the Trollvo and its owner persevered, ripping off some mid-10's in Drag Week's Street Race Small-Block Power Adder class. And more than likely, it raised a few eyebrows along the way.

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For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of LS1Tech.com