Just shortened the turbo ducting.

Hey guys,
Recently (a few days ago) I installed a turbo ductwork kit in my 1996 850 turbo from eastern aerospace. Baisically this kit reverses the flow of air through the intercooler, and that deletes a majority of the tubes from the intake system, and adds some noticeable power. However, I am worried because I haven't seen any other 850 turbo owners do such a thing to their volvos. Have I done something that everyone knows is stupid, or pointless? Most of all, will this system have any bad effects to the car? Please reply if you have any input! thanks dudes.

[Simon Linton]

Well, we'll all be waiting with baited breath to see what happens to your car...

Though logic would say that shortening pipework has to be a good thing, the ECU programming is set up for whatever was standard and may not be able to cope with a radically different response.

Can I ask why you didn't consult some of the established 850 tuners BEFORE doing something so radical? If you're not just after their experience with no intention of purchase, they're pleased to help.

A word of caution, do not do anything else until you've had a chance to evaluate the change properly - some members have destroyed their engines by over-enthusiastically adding tuning bit onto tuning bit.

It is the setup that was used on the oldest of the 850 T5s, it's not something new the eastern aerospace are adding they are just copying volvo's idea.

It was changed because it was found that one of the front pipes was prone to freezing in very cold weather (obviously might not be a concern depending where you are in the US) with catastrophic results!

But apart from that it won't have any negative effects on the car and as you say should give a little better response.

Interesting. I couldnt see how It would destroy my car being that a sizable corporation is selling it to the public. I felt it was safe to install this hop-up because it IS being sold to the public, and usually those things. I should have consulted you fellas beforehand though.. Well, it works pretty good so far, with no check engine lights.

I am wondering how one of the front pipes started freezing though...Is it due to a greater cooling effect by the intercooler?
I certainly don't want to rouin my nice five cylinder, If anyone has more information on this, please, inform me.

I'm not 100% sure what caused the freezing, I believe it was either that the pipe was more exposed or the shorter length of piping caused the freezing of the pipe to occur.

This was only reported to happen in really cold conditions as far as I know, but still something you might want to know.

Have a look on volvospeed.com, swedespeed.com, volvotuning.com and you'll see Eastern Aerospace don't have the best reputation in the world, if not for the products they sell, for the slightly 'over enthusiastic' hp gains they claim!

I also have the reversed flow ducting but went for the cheaper option of purchasing it from a scrap yard off an older 850. The freezing hapens because the air picks up less under bonnet heat.
I really didn't notice much power increase-around 1-2hp on dyno.

visit my upgrades page for a picture of the system at website below.

maybe I could insulate it then, somehow to prevent that from happening. I find this an interesting problem, it sounds as if the freezing of the pipe would have little or no effect to engine performance. (most usually, you would want it to be cold in the first place) I am discouraged though to hear that only 2 horsepower was realized...darn it.

If you are after horse power gains. its simple.

Asuming that is the only mod you have done, here is the cheapest and easiest "do it your-goddamn-self" tuning mod that will make your mild mannered Clark Kent Type Ride into a Firebreathing Kryptonite fearing Supercar!.

Stick a Bleed Valve on its Wastegate Actuator. Expect a conservative Ten percent Gain. Which on a 200+bhp car is ten times more than you got for your ducting. Oh, I paid £25 quid for mine and Phil (Noiseboy) and I fitted oiutside the Shop at Brands Hatch in about 15 Minutes.

If anyone in here can dispute the logic of this mod I would be happy to do battle in defending my claim that this is the best value mod with the most noticable power delivery gains.

What say you?

Loz

850 T5 CD Auto - Twisted Gearbox Maker! }>

I agree with you adrian. In fact a manual boost controller was going to be my next modification. I've seen many testimonies of their performance. If I didn't notice a marginal gain in power after a boost controller, I dont know whats wrong....It's pure and simple-more boost equals more power.(in the correct proportions)- Although I do plan on holding off on the purchase of a MBC until I have a real boost gauge to monitor my MAP of course.

Servohead,

unless that last comment was tongue firmly pressed in cheek, I have to say, that you appear to be forgetting that the gains available through waste gate Mods are well within the bounds of your engine and ECU. the ECU will cut the power if you overdo it. so stop beggering about and whack the effing thing on.

If I come round and find you've not done it, I'll have you over my knee!!!

Loz

(tongue slightly pressed in cheek)

850 T5 CD Auto - The Devil's Playgound }>