Should I get my car Rica'd?

[sholtby]

Guys,

I'm getting a few last minute nerves about sending my ecu off for an upgrade.
When I bought my T5 I thought it was a quick car. Then I fitted a Dawes type MBC valve (boost set to 14 psi) and found the performance stunning. To be honest it has all the power I need but power is addictive and I'd like to try some more.
Whats troubling me is that my mbc valve was £20 and a Rica upgrade is like £600 hence I'd expect it to be a huge gain over my mbc valve, taking the performance of my car into tyre shredding levels.
Will I really see this big performance gain and get my monies worth?
At nearly £600 I wouldnt normally spend this sort of money on a chip but I love my car to bits and dont plan to sell it for a long time for the simple reason that I cant find anything to match it for the money so the cost is a bit more acceptable.

Thanks

Simon

[sarge]

As you say, power is addictive. I recently upgraded my ECU and have mixed feelings about the results. Fortuneately, because I went with the BSR PPC I can return to stock anytime, which I have done for the time being. There are however a lot of people out there who seem very satisfied with their upgrades (be they RICA or other types). I may decide not to run my car on the upgrade all the time, but I don't yet feel that buying it was a waste of money. However, my advice, for what it's worth, would be to temper your expectations, and then you can be sure you wont be disappointed. Incidently, I had loads of last minute nerves too!

Sarge
'99 V70 AWD

Simon,

If it helps, we offer a full 14 day no quibbles money back guarantee! So if you're not happy with the performance we will return the car back to standard and give you a full refund.

The MBC gives completely different power delivery to the ECU upgrade, so the best way to find out is to try.

Adam.

Simon,

If you've got the money then youo may as well get it done. From what I've read in the past (and this is confirmed by Adam's post), RICA isn't just about the power increase. The power is delivered differently too. People who've had it done have reported better delivery of power throughout the entire rev range.

I'd say a remap is probably safer than a boost valve too because your ECU maintains full control over the engine (having said that I'm not sure exactly how a MBC works).

Just do it - especially given the 14 day money back guarantee.

Regards

Andy

[burchi]

Simon

If you don't end up with a massive grin on your face right from the first time you drive the car after the upgrade, I'll be amazed! It really is a brilliant change to the way the car performs. If you think it's quick now, be prepared to hang on tight!

Good luck

[davebslater(uk)]

Have you considered unichip ,

you can return the car to std even for a short while with a blanking plug , also if you dont have the boost control itll only cost £400 , and get it chipped to the max boost you want , you can then turn the boost down with your MBC , although you cant turn the boost up , over what the unichip is modulating , saying that the volvo ecu is more complex than others so if you have the money it may be worth an ecu upgrade that is undetectable to the eyes .

so what exactly are you having mixed feeling about?? is the power not there??

i'm looking to get a chip too and really need to know what people with them think.

Simon,

Some points to mention - since we won't see the car, we can't do our usual inspection and checks, so we have to assume that your car is ok and the turbo is not worn, and all the sensors are working ok etc etc. Also, you will need to either remove the MBC or set it at something low like 5-8 psi before fitting the ECU. You can then play with the MBC afterwards, but we cannot guarantee anything if you meddle with the MBC, because the MBC bypasses the boost control, effectively removing the safe-mode capability.

Adam.

[don kalmar union]

Simon,

Can you tell us exactly what car you have and where you are?


Regards,Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

TME engineered software UK distributor.

[doorman]

Hi Simon

You should also consider the TME verion through Don, even more so if your car is auto, as it is not as harsh as the RICA, plus you will be looked after very well by TME/Don, I have had very good experience with them, and the smooth deliverance of the TME re-map is superb through-out the rev range.
Dave
V70 'R' AWD