What's the best way to increase Torque/BHP on a Diesel?

[KevWak]

Hi everyone.

I know this seems to be covered a lot but I can't find answers specific to my questions, so here goes...

I have a 2008 S40 2.0D (136bhp)

I would like to make it a bit quicker as I feel the engine must have much more potential. Most 2.0D cars now kick out circa 150-160 bhp and 350 NM. The 2.0D in the Volvo's is lagging behind.

Which in your opinion would be safer for my engine/keeping my warranty/etc.

Tuning box such as this (http://www.bhpplus.co.uk/Speedhawk-Diesel-Tuning-Box-Common-Rail.html?carid=963&box=true&Info=Volvo%20V40/S40%202.0%20D%20136%20BHP%20CR-1)

Or remap like this (http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136)

Thanks for any advice.

Kev

[T5RPete]

I think you'll get better results with a remap. Although I have no experience with those boxes, often the descriptions promises are "too good to be true"

[turbo-tuner]

Hi everyone.

I know this seems to be covered a lot but I can't find answers specific to my questions, so here goes...

I have a 2008 S40 2.0D (136bhp)

I would like to make it a bit quicker as I feel the engine must have much more potential. Most 2.0D cars now kick out circa 150-160 bhp and 350 NM. The 2.0D in the Volvo's is lagging behind.

Which in your opinion would be safer for my engine/keeping my warranty/etc.

Tuning box such as this (http://www.bhpplus.co.uk/Speedhawk-Diesel-Tuning-Box-Common-Rail.html?carid=963&box=true&Info=Volvo%20V40/S40%202.0%20D%20136%20BHP%20CR-1)

Or remap like this (http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136)

Thanks for any advice.

Kev

A remap is always better than a tuning box. The link below explains why:

http://www.rica-uk.com/about.aspx?tab=4

[smithy]

the are various tuners mate who will remap with good results such as hlm /rica/mte ,i dont know much about the diesel maps off mte but the hlm bromsgrove and rica maps are very good

[t5_monkey]

remap but don't get sucked in by the remap power hype - most remaps are simply limited by the mechanical hardware.

[Nealevo]

alfa 156 2.4 jtd got remapped, 136bhp standard, 173bhp after and monster torque, better fuel economy too, i would recommed a remap. only negative was a little more smoke out the back when booting it, but i think that was the engine giving up :-)

[KevWak]

Thanks guys.
So remap seems to be the preferred option. How would I stand regards to warranty if the engine gave up? Would I be turned away because it was remapped? Also would the be able to tell it is remapped during a servicing/MOT?

[Nathlm]

Hi,

Is your car still in warranty ? You shouldn't have any problems our upgrade is undetectable by the dealers and it does not effect the emmissions for MOT.

Regards,
Nat.
www.hlmtuning.co.uk

[KevWak]

Hi,

Is your car still in warranty ? You shouldn't have any problems our upgrade is undetectable by the dealers and it does not effect the emmissions for MOT.

Regards,
Nat.
www.hlmtuning.co.uk

It is no longer under the standar Volvo warranty. But I have taken out a further warranty from the RAC covering mech and elec for the next 3 years. I'm just worried that if I have a major fault (either due to the remap or not) that they will refuse to pay out because of a remap.

[Nathlm]

It is no longer under the standar Volvo warranty. But I have taken out a further warranty from the RAC covering mech and elec for the next 3 years. I'm just worried that if I have a major fault (either due to the remap or not) that they will refuse to pay out because of a remap.

Hi,

If you are worried about this which you shouldn't be have one of our APC Units this will enable you to swop between Standard and Modified in a couple of minutes by yourself.

Regards,
Nat.
www.hlmtuning.co.uk

[KevWak]

Hmmm tempting for a remap then.

Any other opinions guys?

Anyone got just a remap?

[KevWak]

Anyone?

[Wobbly Dave]

I know of many diesels that have had just a remap & run very successfully. Once the warranty is up on Trudy - I will be remapping her.

[KevWak]

That's my concern though. Why not remap her before the warranty runs out?

[Wobbly Dave]

It was more to do with ironing out any issues with the car before remapping it. It is not the remap in itself that I am worried about. Mostly I have not done it yet as I have been working on spending all my spare money on my new engine project.

[GRN Motors]

We have remapped a fair few Diesels using Rica Software and the customers have been over the moon, as they have found an improvement in power and mpg.

And with the softloader you can swap between standard and tuned software at you own convenience.

Benny

[Santa]

That's my concern though. Why not remap her before the warranty runs out?

Hi KevWak, where abouts you located?

Providing your servicing your car when required there shouldn't be much to worry about with a remap. (I say shouldn't, I'm not validating that statement).

I'm looking at changing a couple of my cars with diesel powered Volvos and will be looking to have them mapped as well.

From personal experience the iSoftloader it's easy to swap between Maps. (In your case I'm guessing swapping between standard and stage 1).

Disclaimer : I give no warranty on the above, other products are available but I haven't used these.

[claymore]

Hi KevWak, where abouts you located?

Providing your servicing your car when required there shouldn't be much to worry about with a remap. (I say shouldn't, I'm not validating that statement).

I'm looking at changing a couple of my cars with diesel powered Volvos and will be looking to have them mapped as well.

From personal experience the iSoftloader it's easy to swap between Maps. (In your case I'm guessing swapping between standard and stage 1).

Disclaimer : I give no warranty on the above, other products are available but I haven't used these.
Way you go covering your own backside there rich..;)...lol

[Santa]

Way you go covering your own backside there rich..;)...lol

Getting used to it mate at the moment lol

[Santa]

These are the particular products I'm looking at for the moment:

For a Volvo S40 1.6D I'll probably go for an eco tune because economy is important:

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=130

And for a Volvo V70 2.0D I'll either go for:

http://www.rica.nl/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=184

Or the E-Power:

http://www.rica.nl/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=2146

Again, the views above are my own as a person, my personal experience and Volvo owner and not that of the site owner. Again I warranty none of the above and would ask anyone considering remapping their car to do research, talk to garages and get reviews on how the garage conducts themselves and if possible how they resolve any complaints you may have afterwards.

[KevWak]

Thanks for the info guys.

This thread IS my initial research before I go contacting suppliers/garages.

Santa, what would you recommend for my 2.0D 136bhp S40 as none of you're links would apply to me specifically! Plus the prices are in €.

EDIT: I'm located between Swindon and Oxford.

[turbo-tuner]

If you go to www.rica-uk.com then the prices are in GBP. Alternatively, just click on the button at the top right to change the country from Netherlands to United Kingdom.

[t5_monkey]

alfa 156 2.4 jtd got remapped, 136bhp standard, 173bhp after and monster torque, better fuel economy too, i would recommed a remap. only negative was a little more smoke out the back when booting it, but i think that was the engine giving up :-)

Isnt the 2.4 jtd 185 standard ?

[Santa]

Thanks for the info guys.

This thread IS my initial research before I go contacting suppliers/garages.

Santa, what would you recommend for my 2.0D 136bhp S40 as none of you're links would apply to me specifically! Plus the prices are in €.

EDIT: I'm located between Swindon and Oxford.

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136 then :-)

[T5frankie]

Isnt the 2.4 jtd 185 standard ?

150 bhp 10 valve, 175 bhp 20 valve

[KevWak]

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136 then :-)

That looks pretty good. Do I have to take it to a garage for them to do or do I buy the map with the hardware to load it?

Sorry for all the noob questions.

[Santa]

That looks pretty good. Do I have to take it to a garage for them to do or do I buy the map with the hardware to load it?

Sorry for all the noob questions.

No worries mate, thats what forums are for.

I'd recommend going to a garage or even letting them come to you. I think several tuners offer maps by post though. (Believe Rica does and they post you a isoftloader but I would recommend having a mechanic look over the car before the map).

[KevWak]

I've just come across the RR day at HLM. Now this is getting tempting!