Most power through a auto box,

[siamblue]

Right i don't know much about the auto scene on the T5 front, so what would be the most power to put through a auto box? and what is the best way too look after the box?
Also because the AWD came in 3 phases on the classic 97-00 V70 would the power be more suited to the AWD than a FWD?

GARY,

[Engineer]

Right i don't know much about the auto scene on the T5 front, so what would be the most power to put through a auto box? and what is the best way too look after the box?
Also because the AWD came in 3 phases on the classic 97-00 V70 would the power be more suited to the AWD than a FWD?

GARY,1. Depends on the box there are 3 types for S/V 70's average on 280 bhp without mods but its the torque that kills em so drive accordingly.

2. Don't stall it on the line but if you want a good 60 you will have to as I found out lol.

3. Are you sure about this question?

[siamblue]

1. Depends on the box there are 3 types for S/V 70's average on 280 bhp without mods but its the torque that kills em so drive accordingly.

2. Don't stall it on the line but if you want a good 60 you will have to as I found out lol.

3. Are you sure about this question?


So number 3, if you put 300 whp through a AWD, it will show up through the transfer box? eventually in destruction,


Gary.

[BlackBeast]

In a P1 x70 id never have an AWD, too much hassle and you just know theres going to be an expensive bill at the end of it. IMO you will have the worst of both worlds if you had an auto and awd.

[siamblue]

In a P1 x70 id never have an AWD, too much hassle and you just know theres going to be an expensive bill at the end of it. IMO you will have the worst of both worlds if you had an auto and awd.

Volvo also tried to sort out the problem, because in 99 came the V70 classic p2 with a 4 speed auto and in late 99/00 came the 5 speed auto,

Gary,

[Andrew]

SIAM. I know there's hundreds of Autos for sale and few manuals but stay away from the auto chap. On the older cars they do get weaker. I paid 3k to have mine fixed and I'm told by the new owener it failed again and he had a fight on his hands even though it was under warrenty. Manual is just so much easier if you're going to fiddle with it.

If you do get an auto I wouldn't go above 280bhp.
Ac.

[Phuturephantasy]

Does this mean I would be advised NOT to get my car RICA'd then as I have an S70 T5 Auto.

[Al115]

There are loads of autos that have been RICAd and the boxes still seem to be ok! :)

[Andrew]

There are loads of autos that have been RICAd and the boxes still seem to be ok! :)

Agreed - but you do have to be more careful with an autobox than a manual - plus the older they get the weaker they get. All I'm saying is if you want to tune it heavily go for a manual. Autoboxes are a mystery to most here - all we can really do is check the fluid for the telling caramel look and feel and when / if they go wrong they tend to go really wrong.

Personally if I ever had another old auto box I wouldn't consider putting any more than a RICA 280 through it. You often can't tell if you have a good or a poor one so better to be cautious than splash out 1.5k-3k on a reconditioned/auth box when the cars only worth that sort of money any way.

Both Wobbly Dave and I have had major failures in the past and paid heavily for it. We both swapped to manuals.....

[Baj]

Slight tangent:
Is it possible to put a manual box into an auto vehicle?
I come from a Landrover background where cars are like lego and we stick in whatever comes to hand so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

[volvotuning]

Both Wobbly Dave and I have had major failures in the past and paid heavily for it. We both swapped to manuals.....

That is a tiny tiny percentage of the auto T5 models that have been RICA tuned, probably less than 0.0001 %. And even then, Wobbly's was most likely cause by his power braking on the 1/4 mile. There are practically no problems at all with tuning the autos.

Adam.

[BlackBeast]

Slight tangent:
Is it possible to put a manual box into an auto vehicle?


Yes its possible. Get yourself on VolvoSpeed and do a search, plenty of info on there!

[Andrew]

That is a tiny tiny percentage of the auto T5 models that have been RICA tuned, probably less than 0.0001 %. And even then, Wobbly's was most likely cause by his power braking on the 1/4 mile. There are practically no problems at all with tuning the autos.

Adam.

At no point did I say it was a common thing. I believe I said it was personal preference and just stated it happened to me and wobbly and cost us when it did :(

Although I far preferred the auto over the manual for ease of driving this bad experience means I'll only go for auto on a newer model and not a model which is 10 years old.

Again personal preference.

[Wobbly Dave]

I am sure that this scare mongering about automatics is unnecessary. I think we only ever hear about the ones that failed and like Adam said - my AT failure was most likely down to abuse. Whilst both of us got stung on it I think we were the unlucky ones.

[stuAWD]

I am sure that this scare mongering about automatics is unnecessary. I think we only ever hear about the ones that failed and like Adam said - my AT failure was most likely down to abuse. Whilst both of us got stung on it I think we were the unlucky ones.
Absolutely agree, it would seem that reading this thread that someone is trying to drive the price of the older manual S/V70 upwards.

[Babybadger]

Slight tangent:
Is it possible to put a manual box into an auto vehicle?
I come from a Landrover background where cars are like lego and we stick in whatever comes to hand so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

Yes, aparently there is a guy in the states that sources all the parts and sells a kit, Bill at Adrenaline Racing.

He is found on AIM - billadrenaline is his user name.

http://forums.turbobricks.com/archive/index.php/t-10961.html

I have an auto and am paranoid about busting it, but it just keeps on going. Regular ATF changes must be good for it , and it puts the 304PS down on the road very well. I live in South East London and I would personally love a Manual if I lived in the sticks. I don't and driving in town is a lot easier in an auto and loads of fun as well. I would like to know what the times on standing 1/4 mile are for manual v auto?

[lance]

I belive the Old autos are stronger than the new Geartronics, a chap I know is looking at upto £3k to fix his at just 90k. Wobblys was an old auto and had done 145-150k when it broke probably caused by power launching!
I belive on the whole in the future it will be electronics that kill the car before the engine mechanicals.

[Wobbly Dave]

Best quarter I got from the 855R was 14.6 - It is not poss to compare it with a manual as the whole thing is different and will depend on many other factors. e.g. Driver, power output of engine, age, condition, mileage, traction. TBH not really important. As long as your happy with your car - then that's all that matters.

[Straker]

Interesting thread guys.

Mine's an Auto and I can't decide between 280 and 300 as the ultimate HP.

better auto trans fulid was mentioned. What does everyone recomend and what about changing filters?

Cheers

[Wobbly Dave]

The filters are internal to the box and cannot be accessed. I did see someone fit an external in-line ATF filter - which could give extra life to your ATF. As a closed loop system I am sceptical about filtering. Better to just flush/change your ATF every 20K or so. I have a sticky thread in the top of the Volvo Parts for Sale board - describing how I developed a system to extend the life of the box in a tuned car. There is no proof it works but it should assist in reducing heat stress on the ATF.
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=899

I have no proof other than the implied idea it is required as Volvo can supply an extra cooler for autos being heavily used e.g. as a taxi or for a lot of towing.

My system defo reduced the return temps of ATF going back into the box.

[Straker]

Thanks Wobbly.

My fluid has never been changed so it's next on the list. When I go for big power I might come knocking for that cooler of yours.

Cheers

[siamblue]

Absolutely agree, it would seem that reading this thread that someone is trying to drive the price of the older manual S/V70 upwards.

Hi mate, If that was aimed at myself, then you and Wobbly are wrong i wasn't scaremongering, i was genuinely asking questions,
As
1, I posted this thread before i even looked at the AWD auto,
2, I have the parts at hand off my broken S70 manual to fit 19T etc,
3, I have now bought the AWD auto,

so it does look like i can fit the parts, as long as i look after the new buy, which i will do,

no hard feelings guys ;) :)

Gary.

[Andrew]

I think it may have been aimed at me Siamblue.... given my tales of woe but I was simply stating my opinion and my experiences.

Ac.

[Engineer]

Na bugger off you two everybody picks on me lol..............:wink:

[John]

Have had the 310 Rica on my 1997 S70 T5 108000 miles now and no problems. I changed the auto fluid a short while back to help with smooth gearchange as the fluid in the box looked original. Have always had manuals this is my first auto, does take some getting used to.

[Wobbly Dave]

Hi mate, If that was aimed at myself, then you and Wobbly are wrong i wasn't scaremongering, i was genuinely asking questions,
As
1, I posted this thread before i even looked at the AWD auto,
2, I have the parts at hand off my broken S70 manual to fit 19T etc,
3, I have now bought the AWD auto,

so it does look like i can fit the parts, as long as i look after the new buy, which i will do,

no hard feelings guys ;) :)

Gary.
My comments weren't really amied at anyone, but I think that assuming just because both myself and Cardwell have experienced AT failure - doesnt necessarily mean that all AT will fail under tune or as standard.

[stuAWD]

Hi mate, If that was aimed at myself, then you and Wobbly are wrong i wasn't scaremongering, i was genuinely asking questions,
As
1, I posted this thread before i even looked at the AWD auto,
2, I have the parts at hand off my broken S70 manual to fit 19T etc,
3, I have now bought the AWD auto,

so it does look like i can fit the parts, as long as i look after the new buy, which i will do,

no hard feelings guys ;) :)

Gary.
Definately not aimed at you, it was aimed at Andrew, he's scaring the s**t out of me.
By the way I've had the 310 rica, its early days as yet but me autobox is still sound. What I have found though, with the remap, the power is progressive through the box range, the power at very low revs is not much different to standard, once the thing is rolling though it does make a big difference. Having said all this, mine is the AWD and I can only speak from that standpoint.

[Babybadger]

Definately not aimed at you, it was aimed at Andrew, he's scaring the s**t out of me.
By the way I've had the 310 rica, its early days as yet but me autobox is still sound. What I have found though, with the remap, the power is progressive through the box range, the power at very low revs is not much different to standard, once the thing is rolling though it does make a big difference. Having said all this, mine is the AWD and I can only speak from that standpoint.

I always find that my auto is quicker with more than just me in the car, maybe the weight helps the boost and when the engine is warm as well it seems quicker. This may be down to cold air, warmer oil and a heavy right foot.

I find that it depends on how much throttle you give it and how long you hang on to it for! The auto seems to spool up the turbo , then dump the power into the box and whooooooooosh!

[siamblue]

I always find that my auto is quicker with more than just me in the car, maybe the weight helps the boost and when the engine is warm as well it seems quicker. This may be down to cold air, warmer oil and a heavy right foot.

I find that it depends on how much throttle you give it and how long you hang on to it for! The auto seems to spool up the turbo , then dump the power into the box and whooooooooosh!

I will find out next week, when i pick her up, will be a whole new ball game to me, but i loved the gear changes in Wobbly's old red R hardly any lose in revs and it changed gear, lovely,

Gary,

[Babybadger]

Interesting thread guys.

Mine's an Auto and I can't decide between 280 and 300 as the ultimate HP.

better auto trans fulid was mentioned. What does everyone recomend and what about changing filters?

Cheers

On the auto , save your money and get the 280 as the torque is what makes it fun. The 304 has to run on 98 RON and after Buncefield its not as common as normal unleaded. If I had mine RICA'd again I would choose 280 for the Auto and 304 for an 850R or T5R. All personal taste.

The auto fluid will make it run smoother and will preserve the box for longer, it all depends if you stamp on the pedal until smoke comes out of the tyres or not?

[Babybadger]

I will find out next week, when i pick her up, will be a whole new ball game to me, but i loved the gear changes in Wobbly's old red R hardly any lose in revs and it changed gear, lovely,

Gary,

You will love it! Just set the revs from the off to get a good start at the lights. Hold on the brake , then engage drive , lights go green and put foot on the pedal at about 2/3 throttle then wind it on once its moving to 3/4 to 7/8. Then ffel the warp speed , just as quick as a manual! Don't forget the 3rd gear stealth weapon. Hold it in 3 and it is really quick flying around. Now at 30 mph + put it in 2nd and it will only work in 2nd gear until you shift to 3. Very handy for overtaking learners in tight situations. Have fun. Does it have the sport,econ or snow box? Or is it adaptive?

[siamblue]

You will love it! Just set the revs from the off to get a good start at the lights. Hold on the brake , then engage drive , lights go green and put foot on the pedal at about 2/3 throttle then wind it on once its moving to 3/4 to 7/8. Then ffel the warp speed , just as quick as a manual! Don't forget the 3rd gear stealth weapon. Hold it in 3 and it is really quick flying around. Now at 30 mph + put it in 2nd and it will only work in 2nd gear until you shift to 3. Very handy for overtaking learners in tight situations. Have fun. Does it have the sport,econ or snow box? Or is it adaptive?

Hi Badger i will have to have lessons from the old man in the Grandad Grey R, lol, It is the 4sp adaptive box, so now SWE on it, shame as i liked Engineers car, but it will be a whole new learning curve for me, and hopefully my insurance will come down as it is a auto, nah didn't think so lol,

Gary.

[Straker]

On the auto , save your money and get the 280 as the torque is what makes it fun. The 304 has to run on 98 RON and after Buncefield its not as common as normal unleaded. If I had mine RICA'd again I would choose 280 for the Auto and 304 for an 850R or T5R. All personal taste.

The auto fluid will make it run smoother and will preserve the box for longer, it all depends if you stamp on the pedal until smoke comes out of the tyres or not?

Right 280 it is as I'm a cheap skate and like using 95 RON :B_blite:

Cheers Badger.

[stuAWD]

On the auto , save your money and get the 280 as the torque is what makes it fun. The 304 has to run on 98 RON and after Buncefield its not as common as normal unleaded. If I had mine RICA'd again I would choose 280 for the Auto and 304 for an 850R or T5R. All personal taste.

The auto fluid will make it run smoother and will preserve the box for longer, it all depends if you stamp on the pedal until smoke comes out of the tyres or not?
All sounds sensible to me, I had the 310 because I didn't know any better, and it was the same price as the 280 at the time I had it done, also, I have always run it on optimax even before the remap.
BTW know what you mean by Whooooosh.

[Engineer]

Hi Badger i will have to have lessons from the old man in the Grandad Grey R, lol, It is the 4sp adaptive box, so no SWE on it, shame as i liked Engineers car, but it will be a whole new learning curve for me, and hopefully my insurance will come down as it is a auto, nah didn't think so lol,

Gary.Have I got enough years left to teach you then? lol. :wink:

Right 280 it is as I'm a cheap skate and like using 95 RON :B_blite:

Straker 95 ron gives less mpg than super unleaded mate plus Tesco 99 ron is only 2p a litre dearer than 95 ron at present work it out for yourself your an engineer :wink:

[blackbooty]

Hi Badger i will have to have lessons from the old man in the Grandad Grey R, lol, It is the 4sp adaptive box, so now SWE on it, shame as i liked Engineers car, but it will be a whole new learning curve for me, and hopefully my insurance will come down as it is a auto, nah didn't think so lol,

Gary.

Hi siamblue, you will love the auto box once you get used to it.
the only time my autos are in D is for gentle driving and high speed, i use it like a sequential box.
You have a lot more control over the revs and gear changes than most manual drivers think. i recon its down to people driving escort autos (ect) thinking all autos are slushmatics and then liking it to a performance auto.
i swear by hi powered autos and have changed many peoples opinions and they get out of the passenger seat amazed at what they can do.
away from the lights... they are demon !
approach a round about and drop her into 2, revs come up to 3.5k and power is instant, slip up into 3 at desired revs.
80,90,100... drop down to 3 and take off.
you can drop into 2 at 120 and nothing will happen till the auto box ecu desides its at a safe rev range to do so.
i hope you have a lot of hassle free fun with the new purchase.
wayne.

[siamblue]

cheers Wayne, never thought i could use a auto box like that, I know when i went out in Wobbly's i was amazed at the lack of dropped revs in gear changes,

Gary.

[blackbooty]

some peole love the boost kick in each gear but i love the way an auto boosts n boosts n boosts n... well, you get the idea.
as you said Gary, the revs dont really drop and niether does the boost pressure, its a personal preference at the end of the day.
your left leg will thank you the next time you sit in a traffic jam .
enjoy.

[BlackBeast]

Im probably going to get flamed for this, but even if the auto was faster than a manual i still could never own one. The reason being, the noise that autos make when changing gear, its just such an un-natural noise.

I totally understand the left leg comment though. My father-in-law has an auto xc70 and drives in rush hour traffic going into and out of Milan every day. Still wouldnt have one :)

[siamblue]

Im probably going to get flamed for this, but even if the auto was faster than a manual i still could never own one. The reason being, the noise that autos make when changing gear, its just such an un-natural noise.

I totally understand the left leg comment though. My father-in-law has an auto xc70 and drives in rush hour traffic going into and out of Milan every day. Still wouldnt have one :)

I know what you mean Steve, but I live in London and sometimes the traffic is horrendous, plus my dodgy left hip, i think i will get used to it, or maybe not, I do have all the parts for a FWD conversion lol, :slap: did i say that :B_blite:

[BlackBeast]

I do have all the parts for a FWD conversion lol, :slap: did i say that :B_blite:

lol and a manual box conversion too :)

[siamblue]

lol and a manual box conversion too :)

Yes mate that's what i meant doh, :troutslap

[Babybadger]

All sounds sensible to me, I had the 310 because I didn't know any better, and it was the same price as the 280 at the time I had it done, also, I have always run it on optimax even before the remap.
BTW know what you mean by Whooooosh.

At the time I only knew about the 304 map and not the 280. It would be nice to drive a 280 auto just to see the difference. Now if its a manual.........that's a different ball game......