Engine Reliability Once Chipped

[RAzOR]

Steve,

I know this is OT, but I hope that avatar isn't you. It makes me ill to watch that kid.

B.T.W. your relays are en route...

Thanks. I am looking forward to integrating the electro-mechanical contact actuators.

and YOU CAN'T HELP BUT LOOK at the AVATAR! You want it to be okay, but deep down you know it really isn't.

And maybe that's why I'm never invited to any meets! Of course it could be that i'm in SoCal. :lol:

[matt1122]

If your car smokes a piston because it's running to lean that would effect reliability wouldn't it? measureably?

I've never heard of any chip running lean.

I'm actually with him there, especially if you add "enough to smoke a piston all by itself" to the end of that sentence. I find it hard to believe that there weren't other problems present that contributed to this.

i thought i heard the upsolutes ran lean at some points. could be wrong.

I haven't heard that, but that certainly doesn't make it untrue.

I still somewhat doubt that the chip made the car run so lean that it smoked a piston on it's own.

[Guest 300+_T5R_855]

All I was getting at is that I would rather have a thoroughly tested ECU by a reputable company that I am comfortable with standing behind their product. I am sure others can offer good upgrades, but what if a lean condition because of a poorly programmed ECU smoked your engine? Who would you like to be able to call?

[Guest Guest]

So which companies do you think are reputable? Speedtuning seems popular but occasional the AFRs are way off.

Does that leave TME and RICA?

[Guest 300+_T5R_855]

I think IPD is my choice. They are partnered with TME and seem to do their homework before releasing a product and have the resources to back it up. TME is apparently in with Volvo and has quite a test facility as well.

[dreddj]

actually i believe the TME software is done by MTE, so the testing facilities are MTE's

[neurocache]

i am thinking about chippin' in but considering there aren't facilities in my area from the makers of the chip, i would be afraid to have a general map that isn't generated based on my cars specs and performance. with rica over in the uk you can pay a little more and have them generate the map according to your specs and performance. i don't believe one size fits all when dealing with an expensive machine and buying an ecu online seems just...wrong to me. this car has to last me so i'd willingly pay to have the chippers fit and callibrate if that option was available to me so i guess i'll just have to wait until i build up the courage to do it.

i was also wondering what things i should be cautious about if i was going to chip. i hear making sure there isnt a leak in the hose connecting the intercooler to the turbo is a must. but what else? is upgraded exhaust / downpipe necessary? i feel like a victim enough spending $700 on another identical bosch motronic that the only difference is a replaced write-once eprom chip with a reprogrammable eeprom chip that, by the way, only costs about 6$.

any advice would be appreciated. yes im a newb when it comes to cars but not electronics and this is my first car got an '98 S70 T5 that im dying to know more about

[don kalmar union]

Unfortunately I cannot have any dialogue on www.volvot5.co.uk as they have a policy of sanitising and censoring posts concerning competition with their associates at HL Motorsport/Volvotuning/Chiptuning who distribute RICA products in the UK.

You would be very well served by visiting the site of the UK Volvo Owners Club www.volvoclub.org.uk who operate a less divisive and more equitable moderation policy.

Also, you will find that they have their monthly Performance Car meeting this coming sunday near Slough where you could meet a large number of owners who have a range of mods. to their cars with parts and software upgrades from many suppliers active in the UK other than myself.

Hopefully, I will have my '98 S70 T5 with me and you could try the MTE programmed ECU from my car in yours which I think is the same.

You can allways call me on 01462 894100 if I can cover any other ground with you.

Regards, Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

[Guest Guest]

Unfortunately I cannot have any dialogue on www.volvot5.co.uk as they have a policy of sanitising and censoring posts concerning competition with their associates at HL Motorsport/Volvotuning/Chiptuning who distribute RICA products in the UK.

Don, this is the kind of bullsh*t that got you banned from there in the first place. So grow up and stop spreading shite on the net. One day you may be held accountable for the rubbish you quote!

[Guest Guest]

Don, this is the kind of bullsh*t that got you banned from there in the first place. So grow up and stop spreading shite on the net. One day you may be held accountable for the rubbish you quote!

This last post is familiar in its anonymity and bullying style to many in the UK

anon.

[Denroll]

Don, this is the kind of bullsh*t that got you banned from there in the first place. So grow up and stop spreading shite on the net. One day you may be held accountable for the rubbish you quote!

So you, Mr. Anonymous, are saying that Volvot5.co.uk does not in any way shape or form sanitize or censor posts concerning competition with their associates at HL Motorsport/Volvotuning/Chiptuning who distribute RICA products in the UK? Is that what you're saying? I mean, it seems that your website has chosen a fine spokesman such as yourself to come over to VS forum for this friendly conversation, so you all must be a stand-up bunch of guys over there, right?. I mean, what good has Don done for the volvo community anyways?

[PorBleemo]

This was a good thread until it turned into people badmouthing other's products.

Hopefully vacations will be handed out.

[don kalmar union]

Problem there is... no address to send the tickets!

Regards, Don

www.kalmar-union.com

[Johann]

i am thinking about chippin' in but considering there aren't facilities in my area from the makers of the chip, i would be afraid to have a general map that isn't generated based on my cars specs and performance. with rica over in the uk you can pay a little more and have them generate the map according to your specs and performance. i don't believe one size fits all when dealing with an expensive machine and buying an ecu online seems just...wrong to me. this car has to last me so i'd willingly pay to have the chippers fit and callibrate if that option was available to me so i guess i'll just have to wait until i build up the courage to do it.

i was also wondering what things i should be cautious about if i was going to chip. i hear making sure there isnt a leak in the hose connecting the intercooler to the turbo is a must. but what else? is upgraded exhaust / downpipe necessary? i feel like a victim enough spending $700 on another identical bosch motronic that the only difference is a replaced write-once eprom chip with a reprogrammable eeprom chip that, by the way, only costs about 6$.

any advice would be appreciated. yes im a newb when it comes to cars but not electronics and this is my first car got an '98 S70 T5 that im dying to know more about

Difference between the well known tuners is character.

When talking chip only I can only give one example which is a new V70T5 I bought in 1997. Before delivery the car was lowered using H&R springs and 17" Titan rims were added using 215/45-17 Bridgestone S02 tires. The car was tuned by RICA at the time with 3500 km on it. During this period Mr. RICA still visited the dealers in the Netherlands on request to perform the tuning at the dealership. My V70T5 was tuned using an old IBM desktop computer. This was the first time I met Roel van den Brink, owner of RICA, by the way.

I had the same concerns as you, didn't know a thing about turbo's and tuning and had a very sceptical attitude toward this tuning thing. The chip change itself only took 5 minutes. I really couldn't believe that this act would really gain so much..

After that I drove home. Stranded in heavy traffic I couldn't find a free sport to floor the throttle for the first 20 minutes or so. After that traffic clear up and I started to overtake the car in front of me to finally check what was changed. I nearly ran in to some rear lights.. I think I must have wet my pants a little...

Darn did that thing scared the chit out of me..

Next day the clutch went.. Dealer discovered what they said was a known issue and nothing chip related. New clutch went in and a few days after that the whole family wanted to experience what a 300 HP Volvo was like so we went for a ride with 5 adult people in the car. 260+ on tacho was a breeze. Flying back home again the brakes evaporated on first brake attempt. Decided to go AP-Racing 4 pod caliper with 328mm rotors after that. It only cost me an arm and a leg but safety is the first priority of course.

I drove the car for 3 years that way and I have really beaten the chit out of it. Drove accross Europe, outperformed BMW 850's without problems, outran them on top speed also. Killed an Audi RS2 in Italy on the highway without a sigh. Pushed Porsches all day, even managed to stick with a turbo Porsche until the guy gave up. Several miles further I went in to a gas station and the Porsche drive stopped next to me to tell me that this was the first car he encountered being capable to hang on... I guess that tell's somethig about the unbelievable performance of this car.

No 3" downpipe, no catback exhaust, only a chip.

The car received it's service changed 1500-2000KM earlier than specified. Always used Shell 10W or 5W-40 motor oil depending on availability at the dealer. Brakes needed a lot of attention but all other was OK always.

After 2.5 years I traded the car for a P2 V70T5 Geartronic. 5 months later this car was returned to Volvo for being a Lemon. I ordered an S60T5 manual but it had 6 months delivery time so the dealer suggested to drive my old V70T5 again during that period which I did so again I could enjoy the car for several months and it kept performing strong. After that the car was sold to the police for use as an unmarked surveillance vehicle.. Car received "ghost" license plates so was untraceable for several years.

roughly 3 years without any out of the ordinary problems.

Your remark about tailor made tuning is correct but based on a stock vehicle the "standard" tuning will do more than fine. Of course engine's will blow left and right but given the amount of tuned Volvo's and given the fact that most have done considerable mileage with average maintenance I still think the overall conclusion still is that the Volvo's can handle the tuning well without to much worry. Every day maintenance and regular wear items remain like they do on stock cars.

Now for a custom tuned S60T5, 19T, 3" down pipe, 3" Catback and revised intake some extra maintenance is required. For instance very 30-40K KM new driveshafts were required. Stoc brakes held remarkably well.

Also plugs needed a change more often.

Don't start about tires. ;)

[USMC850T]

All I was getting at is that I would rather have a thoroughly tested ECU by a reputable company that I am comfortable with standing behind their product. I am sure others can offer good upgrades, but what if a lean condition because of a poorly programmed ECU smoked your engine? Who would you like to be able to call?

No one. I would bet my last dollar that every single one of these companies would sidestep liability by blaming the problem on the way you drive.