Engine 850: B5234TR/2.3/20v/T5R: - £49 ECU chip - for real?!

Hollowave101 · Jun 5th, 2012, 22:41

Hello all

Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

Please see ebay link below - is this for real?! Seems too good to be true.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-850-...item27c6c870ed

Please could someone more knowledgeable/who has fitted one let me know.

Thank you!

Axionknight · Jun 6th, 2012, 09:10

Things like this should be avoided, they may increase power but they'll likely have the engine running lean, or rich, which can cause detonation damage and ruin your engine. They'll almost certainly remove the boost limiter too, which could lead to unstable boost spikes which could bend the con rods.

You get that you pay for, MTE/RICA will set you back £300-£350 but are both proven and safe providing your car isn't a shed mechanically. These magic boxes are cheap for a reason - cos' they're ****e and unreliable.

Avoid, you may save £200-£300 now, but if something goes wrong you'll be left with an engine thats only good for being a boat anchor and there will be no recourse for the seller.

Hollowave101 · Jun 6th, 2012, 09:18

Thought as much....

Thanks!

charlotte001 · Jun 6th, 2012, 18:31

If you don't mind doing all the soldering work and aren't going to do racing with your car then the £49 aren't that bad I played with one and found it comparable to a RICA one from one of the better known companies, they don't come anywhere near a custom map which you wouldn't expect.

I would say don't knock them till you've tried them and as long as you aren't going to fit a 19T or 4 inch intercooler, water injection running 50/50 methanol and Blue injectors, then don't stick your car round Cadwell Park/Mallory Park or take it stage rallies but want the pick up a little quicker at the traffic light grand prix [don't do that it might be illegal]. Running lean I did notice mine ran a little lean or suddenly had far better fuel economy [26mpg went to 33mpg over a 400mile trip] I just used 5 gallons of lower grade fuel no idea on the science but it solved the problem and at no time did my engine knock running the chip.

Ifitted the chip into an automatic T5 on a 97 plate B5234T1 engine with several modifications so may not be the same on the manual model with or without modifications.

winsox · Jun 6th, 2012, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollowave101

Thought as much....

Thanks!

I bought one of these and swapped it with the RICA chip that I had fitted just to see what it was like.. after 20 minutes of Driving the Lambda light came on... when i stopped it wouldn't start again (Maybe over fuelling ?) > I swapped ROM chips over at side of the road and got it started again and sent it back for a refund...

I wouldn't bother !!

Hollowave101 · Jun 6th, 2012, 22:41

Thanks for your comments all.

Can't really risk engine damage so I will avoid this - as much as you could well be right charlotte.

Jun 5th, 2012, 22:41	#1
Hollowave101 Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2019 23:03 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Taunton	£49 ECU chip - for real?! Hello all Sorry if this is in the wrong area. Please see ebay link below - is this for real?! Seems too good to be true. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-850-...item27c6c870ed Please could someone more knowledgeable/who has fitted one let me know. Thank you!

Jun 6th, 2012, 18:31	#4
charlotte001 Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2012 11:13 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: norwich	£49 chip If you don't mind doing all the soldering work and aren't going to do racing with your car then the £49 aren't that bad I played with one and found it comparable to a RICA one from one of the better known companies, they don't come anywhere near a custom map which you wouldn't expect. I would say don't knock them till you've tried them and as long as you aren't going to fit a 19T or 4 inch intercooler, water injection running 50/50 methanol and Blue injectors, then don't stick your car round Cadwell Park/Mallory Park or take it stage rallies but want the pick up a little quicker at the traffic light grand prix [don't do that it might be illegal]. Running lean I did notice mine ran a little lean or suddenly had far better fuel economy [26mpg went to 33mpg over a 400mile trip] I just used 5 gallons of lower grade fuel no idea on the science but it solved the problem and at no time did my engine knock running the chip. Ifitted the chip into an automatic T5 on a 97 plate B5234T1 engine with several modifications so may not be the same on the manual model with or without modifications. __________________ Previous Volvos:850 GLT 2.5 20V Auto Saloon Silver. 1997 850 T-5 Auto Estate Nautic Blue Chipped ECU, V70 TCV, Carbon Cased Filter, 17inch alloys, Rattling Engine masking the suspension rattles. Engine doesn't rattle anymore

Jun 6th, 2012, 09:10	#2
Axionknight Premier Member Last Online: May 30th, 2020 21:59 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Aberdeen/Huddersfield	Things like this should be avoided, they may increase power but they'll likely have the engine running lean, or rich, which can cause detonation damage and ruin your engine. They'll almost certainly remove the boost limiter too, which could lead to unstable boost spikes which could bend the con rods. You get that you pay for, MTE/RICA will set you back £300-£350 but are both proven and safe providing your car isn't a shed mechanically. These magic boxes are cheap for a reason - cos' they're ****e and unreliable. Avoid, you may save £200-£300 now, but if something goes wrong you'll be left with an engine thats only good for being a boat anchor and there will be no recourse for the seller.

Jun 6th, 2012, 09:18	#3
Hollowave101 Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2019 23:03 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Taunton	Thought as much.... Thanks!

Jun 6th, 2012, 22:41	#6
Hollowave101 Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2019 23:03 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Taunton	Thanks for your comments all. Can't really risk engine damage so I will avoid this - as much as you could well be right charlotte.

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