posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Wed Feb 7 13:04 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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Hey all! I recently aquired a 1998 S70 non-turbo. I was wondering where I could find a chip upgrade to boost power. Does anyone one have any suggestions? Also has anyone experimented with cold air induction systems (racing intake runner with better filter)?
Thanks
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 04:52 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I found the ECU chip replacement! The site is: http://www.pes-tuning.com/. They have them for turbos and non-turbos and are price in the $450-650 (USD) and claim improvements of 15-40 hp depending on the nature of your system (turbo or non-turbo).
Tootles
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posted by
someone claiming to be John O
on
Thu Feb 8 00:48 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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The car has NO boost! So, there's no chips for it either and nothing that'll really have any effects.
Why do people buy non-turbo cars then want to make them faster? If you want a faster car, that's what you should have bought so I'd advise trading it in for a turbo car, then you'll have a faster car.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 04:10 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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John,
Thanks for the reply.
I am not talking about turbo boost controls. I am talking about the ROM (read only memory) that codes the Electronic Fuel Injection system. The computer controls the fuel and air mixture based on the data provided on the chip. These are never tuned to optimum (If this on is it will be the first one I have heard of). By adjusting the the tuning the memory to the optimum mixture you can improve proformance (5-15bhp) and you can even get better fuel economy. This is a very common practice. My ex. girlfriends father had all the ROM's in their BMW's replaced with tuned ones, including his M3 (which if any car should come with an optimally tuned ROM it should be an M3 or Audi S4 or similar proformance auto). Many people who race need thier ROM's tuned as a result of modifications to the engine.
Now in answer to your question about non-turbo buyers...in my case I simply prefer naturaly aspirated vehicles to turbo-charged or super-charged. There are lots of ways to modify such engines to deliver exceptional proformance, without subjecting them to the stresses associated with turbo. Don't misunderstand, I think turbos and super-chargers are a wonderful way of really maxing out power, a much safer way to go than nitrous. I am not looking for maximum power, I am just looking for a bit more to balance my non-turbo out. I didn't want a race car when I bought it. Had I been looking for one I would have kept my 1992 Jaguar XJS with its 5.3L V12 and modified it to 8L with dual super-chargers and power in excess of 1200bhp with torque in the same area.
Again thanks for you responce, and hopefully this will give you some insight.
Tootles.
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posted by
someone claiming to be John O
on
Thu Feb 8 06:34 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I know about "chipping" other makes of cars as it's been around for years on some makes/models but to my knowledge no one makes performance chips for non-turbo Volvos.
Despite problems the other guys have had with turbos (like GM for example ) Volvo doesn't have many turbo related problems and I wouldn't hesitate to buy yet another Volvo turbo car. I own one now myself.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 07:06 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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John,
Actually I discovered a company which makes upgraded ECU (found it on a link at Volvospeed). You will find a link to the site in this reply. Your turbo could get 40 hp upgrade with their chip!
I will certainly agree with you that Volvo turbos are vastly superior to the American attempts. However, even the Volvo turbos seem to go out every 100K to 120K at $1200.00 a pop. That miIeage is impressive for a turbo, but I am also a college student so I need to minimize costs occassionally. I nearly bought a 1998 S70 GLT (low-pressure turbo), but I needed the headroom that the moonroof took up, so I got a base model that had all the same features except the turbo and moonroof. Besides the base was in the color that I wanted, Emerald Green.
Happy motoring!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 06:59 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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John,
Actually I discovered a company which makes upgraded ECU (found it on a link at Volvospeed). You will find a link to the site in this reply. Your turbo could get 40 hp upgrade with their chip!
I will certainly agree with you that Volvo turbos are vastly superior to the American attempts. However, even the Volvo turbos seem to go out every 100K to 120K at $1200.00 a pop. That miIeage is impressive for a turbo, but I am also a college student so I need to minimize costs occassionally. I nearly bought a 1998 S70 GLT (low-pressure turbo), but I needed the headroom that the moonroof took up, so I got a base model that had all the same features except the turbo and moonroof. Besides the base was in the color that I wanted, Emerald Green.
Happy motoring!
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posted by
someone claiming to be John O
on
Thu Feb 8 13:12 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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"even the Volvo turbos seem to go out every 100K to 120K"
Definately not correct here.
Where do you get your info on Volvos turbos ONLY last 120K? I've been a Volvo tech for a living since '84 and I have yet to replace a bad turbo on an 850, some I've seen with over 200K.
My car is an '86 745T, so there's no chip anywhere, not even in Europe. My old oil cooled only turbo lasted 165K miles before it made noise due to a cracked turbine housing (rebuilt it, new housing). It's oil cooled only and the original owner didn't maintain the car well. The newer water cooled turbos, even on the '87 on up 700s lasted over 200K miles IF the engine was well maintained (sufficient oil changes, etc).
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 13:29 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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John
Well that is very interesting to know. I recieved the information from a friend who is a wholesaler. He primarily deals in Volvos, Mercedes, Jaguars, BMWs and other Europeans. I have also heard this from the local dealer. However, I am pleased to know that you, a Volvo tech, have never had problems with the 850's. I don't trust the dealer anyways. :-)
Happy motoring!
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posted by
someone claiming to be John O
on
Fri Feb 9 01:09 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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"have never had problems with the 850's"
I'd never go that far but my point is simply that your claim on 850 turbochargers was incorrect.
Wholesalers aren't technicians either, they typically buy/sell the used "junk" that dealers don't want to fix because it'd cost more to fix than what the dealer wants to spend on it, not profitable.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Fri Feb 9 05:22 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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In general your statement is probably accurate. However, I must defend my friend in saying that he only stocks very nice autos. Others may pick up junk but not him. He deals only with auction cars and does not sell to the public only to dealers. I do understand your commentary though, it can be quite difficult to find a dealer who stocks well maintained autos, I only know of one.
Tootles
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posted by
someone claiming to be John O
on
Fri Feb 9 14:15 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I've worked in dealers for 21 yrs now and INHO, most of the better ones these days try to keep only the better used cars for resale as they'll have better customer relations doing that vs selling cars in poor shape, questionable condition.
Not to put down your friend or his cars (as I don't know his circumstances, etc) but generally it's my experience that most cars found at auctions are also those that are typically less desireable, very often lease returns (had little to no maintenance) or marginally repaired "crash puppies", sold because they were no longer "like new" or (again) dealer rejects because the dealers didn't want to have it come back with an angry customer. Most experienced used car people have "been there, done that" and they eventually learn from mistakes, don't want to repeat them if they plan to stay in business at the same location with their name in front.
We have a few guys that bring us some of these wholesaled auction cars and every one is more messed up than your typical older, but well maintained one owner Volvo. Every one I can look at and see why it was found at an auction.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Ray Niblett
on
Wed Feb 7 16:55 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I'm not sure on the chip source (I suspect choice will be limited).
The intake flows pretty well since it can flow enough air
for the turbo (the whole intake system is fairly well designed).
You also have a factory cold air intake (just follow the hose
to the grill). Some 98s came with a splash guard
over the fresh air intake that is right at the front grill. You
could probably remove this if you have it for slightly better air
flow (98s equipped with cold weather packages have it).
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posted by
someone claiming to be Joseph R. Verderame
on
Thu Feb 8 04:20 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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Ray,
Thank you very much. I was wondering where that intake ran to. Mine does have the winter package, but I think I will leave the guard inplace. Take care.
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