480 Richmod

[M D E]

Hi,

Does anyone know if a richmod ECU could be fitted on a 480 Turbo Auto or is it just for the manual ?

[B20F]

The richmod will work on your auto. But the ZF4 box can't handle the extra Nm's for long. Even the turbo strengthend manual M59 box can hardly cope with the extra torque. To give your autobox some extra lifespan I advice you to buy a bottle of lubegard (no other brand!) and ad a bottle to the ATF. Best is to do this after a flush. Ask Lubegard for the right stuff for the ZF4 box. You will notice smoother gearchanges immediatly.

[M D E]

Many thanks for that, what does the richmod raise it Torque and BHP to ? And how do you tell (physically) that an ECU has had the Richmod treatment ? Can the 480 Turbo take + 14 bar ?

[B20F]

Richmod is around 170hp and 250Nm, original is 120hp and 175Nm. And 14 bar is impossible. No turbo, Volvo or otherwise can take that much boost. You prob. mean 1,4bar? That's a bit on the high side I 'think" the richmod runs on 1,2 bar.
The original richmods done by Richard Pruen (hence Rich(ard)mod) from the 480europeforum have a handwritten sticker inside or on top of the ECU.
Rica tuning can also chip the 480turbo, a bit less power then the richmod though around 150-160hp.
Richard also did a superrichmod, that did 250+hp with higher capacity injectors, higher fuelpressure, adapted MAF sensor, bigger intercooler, Renault sport camshaft etc. Those are really rare. He even experimentated with a turbo AND a compressor. He modified the complete engine, special pistons, special head and camshaft, racing clutch etc. It didn't last long though, he flew it in a shed when he hit a curb.

[M D E]

Many thanks for the info ... Yes it was a 1.4 bar .... 14 bar would be great !

Do you think it's safe to run an old 480 Turbo on a Richmod at 1.2 bar ... As it's an Auto ....

Also does the 480's get alittle unhappy about swapping there ECU's ?

[B20F]

You need the same colour ecu as the original. The sticker on top of the ecu is your reference. For example if it's red you need another red richmodded ecu. If you switch colours it won't run or run bad. The're something like 5 different coloured ecu's: blue, brown, yellow, red, purple depending on modelyear.
And 1,2 bar is way to much for an autobox. In normal circumstances a ZF4 box needs a rebuilt at around 130Kmiles to give you an idea how healthy your autobox is. If it's maintained according to the manual (not many are though!) with regular fresh atf, filterchanges and Lubegard added it lasts much longer

[M D E]

Many thanks again for all your advise .... Fingers crossed the one I have fits my 480 .....

[B20F]

If(?) the 480europeforum is online again, check out the tuning and tweaking forum regarding the richmod. Lots of usefull information is to be found there, specially look for the advice regarding replacing the wastegate voor a VAG (VW, Audi) one. The Volvo one can't cope with the richmod, it's innards are plastic as to the same VAG one the're made out of stainless steel.
Hope you have the right richmod!

[glasgowjim]

480 club europe forum is back online now.

oh your 480 will do approx 148 mph with a richmod and only 128 mph without it