Kit Vexed Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 so im pretty new to the Volvo scene. as you can see, i've been a member for a VERY short time now... I have a T-5R with some iPd upgrades: wires, RIP kit, MSD, and most importantly, a Stage I ecu (15psi). that being said, i still have the stock 15G and the rush of the ecu upgrade isnt making me smile as much - think i need MORE. I can't afford a bigger turbo @ this point, so i was wondering if i could get a mbc to get maybe just a *little more from the turbo, like 17psi? is that going to kill my turbo or engine doing so? keep in mind i dont have like a 3" downpipe or exhaust, but i did remove my A/C condenser so the stock intercooler is essentially 'front mount'. who makes a decent mbc? what have ya'll used and how is it holding up? best bang for the buck? i apologize in advance if this is a topic discussed millions of times (which im sure there is NO topic on VS that hasn't been). thanks so much you guys! also, anyone have pics or a link as to how to install a mbc? this is my first turbo car :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu92in99 Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 ...i was wondering if i could get a mbc to get maybe just a *little more from the turbo, like 17psi?...No problem with that. But until you get a better exhaust on the car, you're just cheating yourself out of any real gains. Even the hp/tq gains as stated by iPd with their ECU tune were achieved using a 2.5" free flowing cat-back exhaust. A good exhaust is the cornerstone of any internal combustion engine, and should be the first upgrade after the neglected maintenance is handled IMO.Look on eBay for the OBX turbo-back exhaust kits; two 3" downpipes (one flat flange, one angled) and a 2.5" cat-back system for ~$450 delivered. It's not the end-all be-all of exhaust kits, but it's one hell of a great budget system that costs less than most companies charge for just a 3" downpipe. I wanna say that another member here (ColoradoT52?) recently posted his car made ~16hp gain on ye olde dyno after he installed his OBX system.And(!) before you go dropping a MBC on there, install a calibrated boost gauge. Just my $0.02... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Vexed Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 hey Blu, thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post. OK, so i forgot to mention some essential things and i apologize. i do have the 'stage 0' done already - i am VERY meticulous when it comes to my vehicles. i always use AMSoil, did a rad flush, Denso Iridiums, rotor and cap, K&N, Stylin silicone hoses, and all that i'd mentioned in my original post. the car runs outstanding, and i can't complain. as far as exhaust goes, i do understand it can be a major limiting factor, and its not like i hadn't thought about that, BUT, i do have the stock 15G, which we all know is conical. i didnt wanna blow any $$ (even if it is a cheap OBX system) on a DP and exhaust for this turbo, when i KNOW im going to upgrade. even though it comes with the straight AND the angled, i dont know for sure im going to go with a Volvo 18 or 19T - cause i'd read even those turbos are limited and only boost safely 20psi TOPS. i may go with a turbonetics or garret system from VMS, rendering the OBX basically useless whenever im done with the 15G (which is hopefully soon, lol). i guess i was basically looking for just a tad more power for the setup i've already got.. plus a mbc can be used almost any time with any setup, correct?p.s. i do have a boost gauge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomdude Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 i have a 3bar racing hybrid mbc and i really like it and it was cheap for the quality. a member on here used to sell them. T5M, but now he goes by angel fairy something or another. i replaced a voodooII with this 3bar and the 3bar repsponds noticeably quicker. 17 psi will be fine, but ill quote ^ have a calibrated boost gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Vexed Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 hey, thank you so much! i am always so inviting of everyone's advice, cause it comes from people who've tried it. this may be off topic, BUT, when i first started upgrading my car, i basically lived and died by iPd... this is not to say they dont have quality products, cause they DO. however, we all know iPd is SUPER expensive! you're paying $1000+ for an 18t and another $900 for a DP, when you can only boost 20psi. if ya'll are correct, you can safely boost 17psi from a 15G or 16t... is the 18t really worth the extra 2-3psi? is the iPd DP really worth the extra $900 when you can get the ENTIRE obx for less than half that? i was thinking i could do a custom 3" cat back cause no matter the turbo/DP setup, everything behind the cat can be permanent... what do you guys propose is the best resonator/muffler combo? have a good day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Vexed Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 so is the 3bar racing the general concensus? any others cheaper or just better in general? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
--Aaron-- Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 so is the 3bar racing the general concensus? any others cheaper or just better in general?They are very commonly used and deliver great results, however there are better out there just as there is always something better pertaining to anything you can imagine. Your high dollar MBC's are going to be Turbosmart, Hallman, Perrin to name a few ranging from ~60 to ~200 depending on whether or not you want in cabin control, single/dual stage, etc.Next step would be EBC's which are pretty damn pricey but people that use them have nothing but good to say about them.Ebay has a nice selection of the brands I mentioned above, that's where my Turbosmart blue single stage came from and IMO it's very sharp and does the job accurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdubT5m Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 i grabbed one of the cheaper ones i found on ebay (innovative tuning) and it has been one of the most reliable upgrades on my car. its your basic ball and spring style (LIKE THEY ALL ARE) but it has been probably one of the best bang for the buck mods on my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewhiteguy1 Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 hey, thank you so much! i am always so inviting of everyone's advice, cause it comes from people who've tried it. this may be off topic, BUT, when i first started upgrading my car, i basically lived and died by iPd... this is not to say they dont have quality products, cause they DO. however, we all know iPd is SUPER expensive! you're paying $1000+ for an 18t and another $900 for a DP, when you can only boost 20psi. if ya'll are correct, you can safely boost 17psi from a 15G or 16t... is the 18t really worth the extra 2-3psi? is the iPd DP really worth the extra $900 when you can get the ENTIRE obx for less than half that? i was thinking i could do a custom 3" cat back cause no matter the turbo/DP setup, everything behind the cat can be permanent... what do you guys propose is the best resonator/muffler combo? have a good day!some people say yes, some say no. the reason for the bigger turbo is the airflow through the turbo not just how many psi it holds. look for joe has a 18t setup on his car. talk to him. you will also need forged rods(def)/pistons(maybe) if you go bigger. (i think) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreo931 Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I didnt read all of the info here, but I skimmed some of what the OP said.1. Get rid of those iridium plugs and swap in some Champion coppers, NGK coppers, or OEM plugs. 2. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM VMS. EVER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
--Aaron-- Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 hey, thank you so much! i am always so inviting of everyone's advice, cause it comes from people who've tried it. this may be off topic, BUT, when i first started upgrading my car, i basically lived and died by iPd... this is not to say they dont have quality products, cause they DO. however, we all know iPd is SUPER expensive! you're paying $1000+ for an 18t and another $900 for a DP, when you can only boost 20psi. if ya'll are correct, you can safely boost 17psi from a 15G or 16t... is the 18t really worth the extra 2-3psi? is the iPd DP really worth the extra $900 when you can get the ENTIRE obx for less than half that? i was thinking i could do a custom 3" cat back cause no matter the turbo/DP setup, everything behind the cat can be permanent... what do you guys propose is the best resonator/muffler combo? have a good day!IPD's products are proven time and time again to live a long life and on the flip side none of us know how well the OBX setups will last, I will say I'm running an OBX dp and it seems to be holding up just fine, given it's only been 2 months or so and the shop that did the install actually complimented it's quality/craftsmanship.IMO after ~17 psi the 15G/16T's tend to just blow hot air and are not very efficient much higher than that so to run ~20 psi you're going to want an 18T/19T turbo.If you like a pissed off rumble run a 3 in. dp, high flow cat, screw the resonator and a smaller round muffler in the back complimented by a nice fitting (centered in the opening) chrome/polished tip.....that will rip and whistle under heavy acceleration. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
--Aaron-- Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 1. Get rid of those iridium plugs and swap in some Champion coppers, NGK coppers, or OEM plugs.+1I was one that learned that the hardway, given spark plugs are a simple task it's still a PIA and waste of time to run anything but the above mentioned.I ran Iridiums for ~5K miles or so and disregarded all the negative comments about them and then found out through weird little stumbles that it was time for OEM Volvo plugs.Also, if you run across a used IPD/TME catback for a good price def. snatch that up....you'll love how TME Sweden designed that catback. My IPD/TME catback sounded mean and aggressive as stuff before I straight piped the resonator, now it sounds the same just really pissed off. LOLI love getting my car's ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD end right next to people as I'm passing while I aggressively get on it....gets some pretty cool looks, especially when it starts growling and whistling. I guess you could say I'm guilty of picking on little sports cars. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookforjoe Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 IMO after ~17 psi the 15G/16T's tend to just blow hot air and are not very efficient much higher than that so to run ~20 psi you're going to want an 18T/19T turbo.+1 on this and the plugs.There is no point going over 15psi on a 15g, or even a 16T, it just produces heat not power.Installing an MBC & setting it for 15psi will give you stronger & more rapid response than the TCV/BCS.Mine was under 40bucks - and has a third port if you want to vent back to the inlet - you have to buy a flare nut & a section of pipe - that's not included. Came from Lower_Shores_Performance (ebay)If you are thinking of going over a 18T, (and over 20psi) you will need to seriously consider engine mods (rods, etc) if you want to play it safe. You will definitely need higher flow injectors, etc., and a tune that accounts for that. There are people running larger turbos on stock internals, but the tune must be spot on.I'd say stick with what you have, and start saving for the bigger mods. You can always buy a used angle or straight flange exhaust housing, and upgrade the exhaust with that. Your 15g cartridge will fit any TD04HL exhaust housing. Once you've opened up the exhaust, you can start thinking about some of the other stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Vexed Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 thank you ALL so much for your input. im like a kid in a candy store when i go on iPd, VMS, QBM, etc. then after i see their stuff, i always look on here to see if anyone's run it and what they've said... why should i (or anyone) never buy from VMS?? what's happend? i know iPd is the true-est, but they're just so darn expensive! so as long as i have the 15G, im already getting what i can out of it via iPd's stage I ecu? no point in getting a mbc for this then? and i should just do some stock Volvo plugs as well? i haven't put too many miles on the Iridiums and they seem to be doing alright - i only had to regap them when i got the stage I ecu. okay, so, just to make sure im not to bug any of you guys again - the ideal/reliable setup (without having to change any internals) is: 18 or 19t with iPd's stage III ecu, 3" DP and exhaust, and maybe a mbc to get this up to 20psi? i also saw on QBM that phenolic intake spacer? any of you guys do that? any noticible difference? what about injectors or a walbro fuel pump? c'mon, just gimme all the answers! haha, thanks you guys :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Vexed Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 p.s. Aaron, it doesn't look like iPd is going with TME exhausts anymore, they're selling Ferrita's? anyone have experience with those? build quality just as good as the ol' TME's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.