For what its worth. Volvo 144 with B20A engine, and M40 gearbox was rated for top-speed of 90mph from factory. When fixed to good mechanical condition, that one drove too finely hour after hour at speeds exceeding 80mph continously. No loss of oil pressure, no creeping temps.

I tested it, and it hit barely the factory promised 90mph at high-way also.

It was factory warrantied with that engine, that gearbox, and that rear. Nothing makes it any different than our belowed Oldsmobiles. Just an other example, that cars warrantied by factory work as they left the line, when at proper condition.

 

Thinking it mainly comes down to traditionalist vs non traditionalist for some of us. We believe in what was versus what is. In order for our cars to be quick back in there day they had to rev all the time... 4 speed and up overdrive automatic changed all that. And some of us have been corrupted by modern cars including myself to some extent. Because of my 6 speed daily driver my 69 sounds and feels like I forgot to shift gears at 2500 RPM but there is no other gear and that's just fine. And our engines will be just fine. Although our minds may say otherwise...

I am bothered by it to the extent that swapping my rear for more aggressive performance gives me pause.

 

Yes, these cars had warranty, was it even 60,000 miles? Probably a better example vs a tiny 4 cyl Kia, still very few Volvo's over here. I remember Volvo wagons with straight 6 motors and mechanical fuel injection, those were old cars when I was a kid. Have you ever driven an Olds V8 powered car with an OD trans? I owned a car with an Olds V8 and 3.42 gears with a 3 spd TH350 and an overdrive trans, the TH2004R, in the same car. It ran faster at the track, got better mileage and was much more pleasurable to drive with the overdrive. Ran hotter, oil pressure was less of an issue, slightly lower due to the higher temp. Also my 2000 Dodge Dakota would not shift into OD below -18, so all Winter. I now have manual control for it now. It has 3.91 gears, the 3.9L V6, did not like to rev. It was borderline dangerous passing on the highway. My Daughter drove home in second gear, made horrible sounds after that, then a 5.9 swap. A real world Oldsmobile V8 comparison in the same car and another low revving under powered truck. You certainly would have and also have blasted me for any statement you didn't like.

 

Well ive had late 80's Chevrolet Caprice with Olds 307 and TH200-R4. That was a fine car aswell. It revved what it revved. Remember my car had 2.41's when i bought it, and i drove it as i drive it now, except it has 50% more revs at same speed. Does it just fine, i really dont get why it wouldnt? And it wont use that much more fuel either now.

Good thing youve had Volvo's straight six with mechanical fuel injection. Those were fine cars. Except there never was Volvo I6-engine with mechanical fuel injection, so bullshit again. Not surprised thought. But ill let it be, if you feel your Olds wont survive at 3000rpm cruising, thats fine. But from factory they did last.

 

I don't know Volvo cars, never said I did. Like I said, post some track times with your car, still waiting.... My Challenger would embarrass anything you own and I daily drive my Olds, no Kia **** box for me. The survival of these cars isn't what I am arguing. You saying it is better than running at 2000 rpm and the beyond stupid statement of comparing it to a Kia is total BS. My Yugo runs at 5000 rpm, same as Olds, so you can understand.

 

Since you are an expert, you do realize that Caprice probably had 2.56 gears with that OD trans. So, not the ideal 1850 rpm the original poster put up, more like 1350 rpm. You will also know they shift as low as 3000 rpm factory with soft shifts. The only saving grace was the higher stall 1900 vs a stock TH350 1600 stall. I'm sure you heard the same complaints of lack of power when these were on the road, 85 and up cars especially. But of course you know this from working on and owning dozens of the Oldsmobile cars. At least I can go to a Kia dealer and order a new Olds. I will tell them Inline says it is the same.

 

Cool, I never knew that. Man, you must have a short driving season in Finland. I spent a semester in Denmark and by the end of September I was wearing winter coats. If you are running American cars in your country, you must get alot of attention, I'll bet they are a rarity. I saw a total of 3 American cars in 4 months being in Copenhagen and that was in 1981.

 

Why cruise at 3000rpm when you can cruise at 3500rpm? Dont mind the lambda reading, its fluctuating between .96 and .99.