T4 tuning help

[Mark_V40T4]

Looking into getting a turbo boost valve and gauge was wondering what the "safe" limit is to boost on a standard T4 bearing in mind it is a daily driver!

Also looking at improving the brakes, is there any kit i cant get for a bigger brake setup up? maybe off another model etc?

Thanks,
Mark

[LiamT4]

Looking into getting a turbo boost valve and gauge was wondering what the "safe" limit is to boost on a standard T4 bearing in mind it is a daily driver!

Also looking at improving the brakes, is there any kit i cant get for a bigger brake setup up? maybe off another model etc?

Thanks,
Mark

What year is it? Not sure about the phase 1's but the later versions can be a bit stroppy with mbc's.
Think mine was running at 18psi (remap), never had any problems. But i would say that using super unleaded is a must when running higher boost.

[Mark_V40T4]

98, R Reg, always used super! :)

[LiamT4]

98, R Reg, always used super! :)

Its a phase 1 then. Have you got a throttle cable? Its usually just cars with an etm that don't like mbc's.

You should check to see if your car has the phase 2 280mm front brakes (early cars had something like 250mm) as these, as long as they have good discs and pads, should be good for fast road use.

[madness]

i found an mbc did not work at all, the ecu just kept correcting it plus the air fuel was way too lean anyway.
i know people who have melted valves with mbc as well even at low boost. 1.1 bar is the safe limit if you did want to try one .

the remap route is a must

note : the smaller discs were only fitted 96-97. everything after that is the same all models 1998-2004. i never had a problem with the standard setup, even from a whole day at the strip, never a hint of a problem with genuine parts.

[siamblue]

But aren't the later cars coded ecu's, so how would you go about mapping one? i know Marco can do it, but he isn't over this side that often, plus with custom mapping costing £600 upwards, it's a lot of dosh for a car worth sometimes upwards of £1000 on a PII.


Gary.

[LiamT4]

But aren't the later cars coded ecu's, so how would you go about mapping one? i know Marco can do it, but he isn't over this side that often, plus with custom mapping costing £600 upwards, it's a lot of dosh for a car worth sometimes upwards of £1000 on a PII.


Gary.

Mine was done by a previous owner, but i think smithy has a mate who's just had his t4 mapped, maybe send him a pm.

[scoobysn7x]

I owned a Almera TDDI that was remapped celtic tuning did that and I was impressed with the mapp so asked about the T4 I was told £300 and I would have to send them the ECU, they quoted from 200BHP & 221lbft torque as standard to 235BHP & 258lbft torque after the remap, they said they were unable to 'flash' the ECU via the OBDII port which is why they would need the ECU sent to them to be chipped, Celtic tuning have franchises alll over the place so if you have one local you can go in.

I also was in revolution in gateshead getting some wheel nuts & they said they had done a T4 before and it would be £349, they said they would do a live map and could adjust the set up to take into account another other mods (they also had an offer of a free K&N or piperX panel filter with each map) but they couldn't give any figures....

I'm due a bonus in oct/nov so I'm tempted to get the car mapped then..

[Mark_V40T4]

yes it has the throttle cable.

thanks guys i know my dads old T4 was remapped and he had to take the ecu out to do so. This is the root i plan to take in the future but at the moment its a boost valve and gauge im afraid, im only after a little extra kick nothing stupid thats going to kill the turbo.

[gmain1967]

yes it has the throttle cable.

thanks guys i know my dads old T4 was remapped and he had to take the ecu out to do so. This is the root i plan to take in the future but at the moment its a boost valve and gauge im afraid, im only after a little extra kick nothing stupid thats going to kill the turbo.

You can achieve the same simply by shortening the wastegate arm:biggrin:

[Al115]

BSR do off-the-shelf maps for the T4. Reasonably priced and reasonably tested too.

I ran a BSR map for a while, and strangely it later turned out to be identical to the RICA one.

I later had my car custom-remapped at RICA in NL.

[Mark_V40T4]

You can achieve the same simply by shortening the wastegate arm:biggrin:

please tell me more? :mischievo

[siamblue]

As for the brakes, you can get a set off a Evo 3, as they are dual piston, you could get a set for about £100 inc discs and pads, the brackets are the same on the 40 series and the early Evo stuff.

Gary.

[mitchyboy01]

please tell me more? :mischievo

Hi mate,

You will still need a remap if you raise the boost beyond around 17-18psi via the wastegate arm.

To find the arm, look around the back of the engine at the turbo. Sitting on top of the turbo is a threaded rod that joins onto a small plate on the turbo housing (wastegate). Undo the locknut on the rod and remove the split pin from the arm. Take the arm arm off the wastegate. Then wind the end of the rod IN 1/2 turn at a time. In for more boost, out for less boost. Then reconnect, reuse split pin and tighten locknut. This form of adjustment is very sensitive so go easy and do not overboost your engine as too much much boost with no remap will end in very expensive tears. Thanks. Mitch.

[Mark_V40T4]

ahh ill just wait for a remap! got the gauge and valve waiting here but dont thinke theres much point in putting it in after reading mixed comments

Evo 3 brakes huh? very interesting!

[Al115]

As for the brakes, you can get a set off a Evo 3, as they are dual piston, you could get a set for about £100 inc discs and pads, the brackets are the same on the 40 series and the early Evo stuff.

Gary.

I did that and actually went back to the stock Volvo setup for a while. Was quite disappointed.

Then I put some Hi-Specs on and was even more irritated with those (probably because they were second-hand and the discs had warped - didn't help!!!)

[LiamT4]

I'd say if you've got the 280mm front discs (which you should) then as long as you have good discs, pads, lines and fluid then they should be fine for road use.

[siamblue]

I did that and actually went back to the stock Volvo setup for a while. Was quite disappointed.

Then I put some Hi-Specs on and was even more irritated with those (probably because they were second-hand and the discs had warped - didn't help!!!)

Kerry's car was apparantly awesome at stopping on the Evo set up, i think it is down to pad and discs combination as well as the condition of the secondhand calipers.

Gary.

PS I am really tempted to try RemapScience in Bradford next week..

[gmain1967]

Hi mate,

You will still need a remap if you raise the boost beyond around 17-18psi via the wastegate arm.

To find the arm, look around the back of the engine at the turbo. Sitting on top of the turbo is a threaded rod that joins onto a small plate on the turbo housing (wastegate). Undo the locknut on the rod and remove the split pin from the arm. Take the arm arm off the wastegate. Then wind the end of the rod IN 1/2 turn at a time. In for more boost, out for less boost. Then reconnect, reuse split pin and tighten locknut. This form of adjustment is very sensitive so go easy and do not overboost your engine as too much much boost with no remap will end in very expensive tears. Thanks. Mitch.

What remap would you suggest?

[lurchio2]

I run a mbc on my t4 1.2 bar. I've had no problems. According to hamish at hlm up to 1.2 bar is ok as long as you use super unleaded. I don't drive at full throttle everywhere though.

[mitchyboy01]

What remap would you suggest?

HLM, MTE, RICA seem to be faves on here. You will only need a generic, off the shelf map. I'm going the whole hog atm with major mods so I will need a custom map when it's all done.

[gmain1967]

HLM, MTE, RICA seem to be faves on here. You will only need a generic, off the shelf map. I'm going the whole hog atm with major mods so I will need a custom map when it's all done.

Same as me then. 19T and all my other mods won't thank me for an off the shelf. :)

[mitchyboy01]

Same as me then. 19T and all my other mods won't thank me for an off the shelf. :)

It's very hard to find someone who actually knows 100% what they are doing with custom maps on the T4's. Apparently according to Ashok, who is well known for his mega power T4, they are very close to finding a solution. I want to run as close to 400bhp as possible so I'm excited to see what comes of it.

[gmain1967]

It's very hard to find someone who actually knows 100% what they are doing with custom maps on the T4's. Apparently according to Ashok, who is well known for his mega power T4, they are very close to finding a solution. I want to run as close to 400bhp as possible so I'm excited to see what comes of it.

Same issue that I have come up against. I'm currently speaking with a company that set up a lot of the cars in the British Rally Championship. A T4 ECU cannot be mapped like many others can. But there are solutions!! Intrigued as to who and what the solution you mention might be!