low-RPM boost?

BrickBoard Archives

The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.

low-RPM boost?[850/1995] posted by Steve on
Saturday, 21 March 1998, at 10:23 a.m.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting a little more low-RPM power (torque?) out of my '90 740T wagon (w/ auto tranny)? Every day when I leave work, I am faced with turing left through an intersection characterized by a high-speed, downhill curve to my left, a (frequently) high-speed curve to my right, and bozos dying to get home across from me. This almost invariably means that I end up accelerating for dear life as I cross the road, and the turbo doesn't really spool up until I'm already safe.

What can I do to get a little more/quicker boost? It seems like most aftermarket upgrades (or Volvo's Turbo+ Boost Kit) increase torque & hp at high RPM (3500+), which I rarely see with my automatic.

Thanks,
Steve

Re: low-RPM boost?[850/1995] posted by Goran Haijenhjelm on
Monday, 23 March 1998, at 2:29 a.m.

Hi,
Forget about Turbo+. It will only work above 4000rpm and full throttle!
Get hold of a Chip, performance exhaust and a better air filter.
Then you will enhance bottom end and response.
(You will also end up with something like 220 Hp..)
BR/Goran Haijenhjelm
940T -97 with 285Hp and 390Nm torque.
For the moment out of air but this week upgrading and
aiming for 300Hp and 420Nm.

Re: low-RPM boost? Quick start ![850/1995] posted by Topi on
Wednesday, 25 March 1998, at 9:32 a.m.

Do as I do: Press the gas and brake at same time to build-up boost, then release the brake. You'll take off like a dragster! PS. Be VERY carefull with all European chips, they're calibrated for 100 oct. gas and have very agressive timing. You'll melt down your pistons with US crap faster than you think....I think ipd is the only one with tested product for US gas. I've asked BSR to develop US spec 92 oct chip for 700/900 turbos but no answer. Also, don't be a guinea-pig for "universal" chip makers. For Volvo you need TWO chips; one for fuel, one for timing. Bosch is one of the most difficult to program, be sure to buy a proven product. (Toyota's the most difficult, everything's together, no separate chip). There's a smart company in California called "G-Forge". They install lap-top programmable mother boards & chips to Japanese cars! Maybe later they'll expand to European cars, too. This is THE way to do it! Cost's only around $ 800 or so. These boys are young & SMART!

Re: low-RPM boost? Quick start ![850/1995] posted by Bill Matthews on
Wednesday, 25 March 1998, at 7:35 p.m.

100 Octane Euro Gas (petrol 8<) ) is measured by the Research Method 93 Octane North American Gas is measured by the averaging of Research and Motor method (R+M)2 because of differences in blending stocks there is not a repeatable direct corelation between research and motor method for all gasoline. the difference on the same gasoline stock can vary from 6 to 12 Octane points. Bottom line 93 Octane (R+M)/2 is about equal to 100 Octane Research Method measure. I forget some of the ASME standards details but I as I recall the biggest difference in the two mw\ethods is higher intake air temperature on the motor method.

Bill Matthews
Hockessin DE

94 855T
93 1800ES

Thanks for the help![850/1995] posted by Steve on
Wednesday, 25 March 1998, at 5:46 p.m.

Thanks for the great information! I'm now toying with the idea of either just installing a cheap manual boost controller and being VERY conservative with boost, looking for a boost controller from a Saab 9000T, or going on a diet and losing 40 pounds of blubber to improve low-RPM acceleration.

I'm intrigued by the HKS EVC IV, but it's appears to "optimize" the boost curve only by examining boost pressure change rates. The Saab unit will retard boost if anything is amiss, but it appears that the HKS EVC will increase boost to compensate for problems- that might be good if I was only interested in making it to the end of a 1/4 mile drag strip. I'm afraid that without using a knock sensor or other feedback mechanism it will be a great, high-tech way to blow up my turbo or melt down my engine. Anyone out there familiar with the HKS or Reddy electronic boost controllers?

I'll let you know what I decide to do and how happy I am with it.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.