850 T5R Tuning

[S40D Sport]

Seems to be alot of tuning info on here - I'm now dizzy trying to make decisions!!

I have a 1995 T5R - just got it. Very happy with the car but to me it feels a touch underpowered - you really have to rev it out and there isnt a really noticeable thump off the turbo - is this just the characteristics of this engine? What should it be boosting standard?

What are my tuning options for an extra say 50 bhp? I live in Northern Ireland and don't really fancy travelling to the mainland - there are folks here who can chip it and have done quite a few before. I dont want to spend a fortune just would like a touch more power - is a panel filter a good option before chipping?

Thanks!

[st5ve]

Originally Posted by S40D Sport

Seems to be alot of tuning info on here - I'm now dizzy trying to make decisions!!

I have a 1995 T5R - just got it. Very happy with the car but to me it feels a touch underpowered - you really have to rev it out and there isnt a really noticeable thump off the turbo - is this just the characteristics of this engine? What should it be boosting standard?

What are my tuning options for an extra say 50 bhp? I live in Northern Ireland and don't really fancy travelling to the mainland - there are folks here who can chip it and have done quite a few before. I dont want to spend a fortune just would like a touch more power - is a panel filter a good option before chipping?

Thanks!

On a standard 850 T5-R the boost gauge goes around half way into the solid white line.
Before you think about modifying anything you need to set yourself a budget, or upgrades in stages. Before you go all out, you do need to make sure your car is safe and capable of taking the mod without causing any other issues. A full stage 0 will make sure your car is working ok, check all boost, vacuum hoses and breather system.

A remap or chip will cost a couple of hundred pounds and will give a noticeable difference, a mbc is cheap and can offer good value for money providing you don’t over cook it.

[S40D Sport]

Cheers Steve.

Ok I took the car out for a test there and at full throttle the needle is less than a quarter of the way into the pure white section of the boost guage

Could this be something simple like a leaky hose? Also there is a slight studder between 1500 and 2500 rpm, more noticeable when cold. Advice please??

[don kalmar union]

It would be well worthwhile checking and if neccessary replacing the plugs, HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm and the turbo control valve.

These are relatively inexpensive parts that are, along with others, overlooked by owners as the cars get much older and record big mileages.

Any one or more of these not in good order will hinder the car making the required boost levels.

I can install MTE software in your car for £285 including VAT , but you would have to send it to me here in London and be without the car during that time...overnight post will cost you arround £9 each way.

Usefull to sign in at www.t5d5.org where most of the well informed and opinionated Volvo tuning community congregate these days.

Regards, Don.

[outnumbered]

Usefull to sign in at www.t5d5.org where most of the well informed and opinionated Volvo tuning community congregate these days..




so are you implying that the voc forum is not up to T5D5 standards or are you posting further options.
mike

[S40D Sport]

Thanks Don

Where is the best place to pick up parts online?

SO the MTE software, can you provide me with more info please? I havent heard of it before. Is it fine to install with no adjustments/post map run etc as would be the case if I was just posting the ECU over.

[RT Mechanics]

Originally Posted by S40D Sport

Thanks Don

Where is the best place to pick up parts online?

SO the MTE software, can you provide me with more info please? I havent heard of it before. Is it fine to install with no adjustments/post map run etc as would be the case if I was just posting the ECU over.

Hi S40D Sport

Just to add to this that which ever route you go with tuning your car do make sure that someone has properly set up the car first before any tuning takes place as any tuner should tell you there can be many problems that can easily damage your great car if not properly checked a
stage 0 is a good start at the minimum.....

Good luck

Russ

[ovlov25]

Hi Buddy

I have a Rica tuned 855, I'm not too far away, just up the road in Ballymoney and I work in Antrim. Would be happy to guide you through what I know.

[S40D Sport]

Originally Posted by ovlov25

Hi Buddy

I have a Rica tuned 855, I'm not too far away, just up the road in Ballymoney and I work in Antrim. Would be happy to guide you through what I know.

Cheers mate. Yeah would be good to get a bit of direction! I'm up that road all the time too. Do you know of anyone good who can work on these?

Just going to replace the basics first and see what happens. The hoses etc look original, so I will do those and plugs and leads etc

The car feels and looks (from the guage, about 1/8th into white section) like its only boosting to the baseline 4psi, from what I've read could this be because the turbo control solenoid is faulty, stopping it from closing and causing the wastegate actuator to open the wastegate at 4psi? or could something else be causing this? its perfectly drivable and fairly fast but again theres no noticeable kick off the turbo. Whats my best process of elimination before replacing things I dont need to?

[ovlov25]

Hi

Boost leaks are more common that actual turbo failure, certainly turbos will suffer with age (most specialists say a turbo life is around 1000hrs or 100k miles), mine leaks a bit of oil (134K) but still puts the boost needle off the gauge.

Do a search on here and carry out a stage zero service and certainly I'd recommend doing the PCV change. It could clear up alot of your issues. A standard T5 is a pretty quick car, even today.