280 or 304 RICA? HELP!?!

[Tosh]

I'm looking for some good feeback here on what experiences others on the forum have had with the 280 and 304/310 RICA updates. I'm due at VT Scotland tomorrow (taking advantage of their super special 850 deal) and am still not sure what upgrade I should be going for?!?!

My own car is an 850R with 114000 miles on the clock. It has been well maintained throughout its life and I carried out a stage 0 at the weekend.

I'd really appreciate your help with experience, advice and recommendations. Bit late I know to be asking, but better late than never!

Tosh

[Mrsmopp]

Auto or manual?

x

[volvotuning]

I'm looking for some good feeback here on what experiences others on the forum have had with the 280 and 304/310 RICA updates. I'm due at VT Scotland tomorrow (taking advantage of their super special 850 deal) and am still not sure what upgrade I should be going for?!?!

My own car is an 850R with 114000 miles on the clock. It has been well maintained throughout its life and I carried out a stage 0 at the weekend.

I'd really appreciate your help with experience, advice and recommendations. Bit late I know to be asking, but better late than never!

Tosh

Hi Tosh,

Form a tuning point of view, both upgrades are good and will give you big gains. The easiest way to make your mind up is to decide what fuel grade you want to use. If you don't want to run 98 RON, go for the 280 map as it's designed to cope with 95 much better than the 304 map.

Adam.

[MIKESC70T5]

I had the 304 upgrade done in August on my manual t5r.Adam said the car was in excellent mechanical condition.The difference was very noticeable when you wanted extra grunt but it's still lovely and docile when just driving around normally. I just said i wanted the 304 because it meant getting more power for the same financial outlay.You do have to use 98 ron fuel or above though. I think with the 280 upgrade its not as vital.

Are you getting the miltek cat back at the same time? No extra power gain but boy,it sounds lovely when idling,not intrusive when cruising and fantastic under hard acceleration.

[MIKESC70T5]

Hi Tosh,

Form a tuning point of view, both upgrades are good and will give you big gains. The easiest way to make your mind up is to decide what fuel grade you want to use. If you don't want to run 98 RON, go for the 280 map as it's designed to cope with 95 much better than the 304 map.

Adam.

Why is it when you are in the middle of writing a response someone gets in before you and answers with the same reply (98 ron fuel)

Whoever this Adam guy is obviuosly learnt from me.

[thunderace]

Hi Tosh, I went for the 304 only because I'm greedy and 98ron is readily available. if this will be a prob for you go for the 280 as it is happy with 95.
Either way it's a great improvement.

[irf]

i'm tempted(when funds allow) by running the 280 on 98 ron. wonder how much difference there would be?

[MIKESC70T5]

Hi Tosh, I went for the 304 only because I'm greedy and 98ron is readily available. if this will be a prob for you go for the 280 as it is happy with 95.
Either way it's a great improvement.

Hi thunder ace, any update on the samco hoses piccys/prices etc.

[Tosh]

Forgot to mention it's an auto. I also run 98 RON or above (mainly Shell V-power) so the fuel arguement is not that critical.

I guess my main area of concern is the cars mileage and whther the 304 upgrade will over stress things.

Obviously all you fortunate people that have the upgrade already can help me hugely with your own experience.

Cheers.

[MIKESC70T5]

i'm tempted(when funds allow) by running the 280 on 98 ron. wonder how much difference there would be?

If your happy to pay for 98 ron fuel you might aswell have the 304 upgrade as its the same money as the 280 upgrade.

[volvotuning]

Whoever this Adam guy is obviuosly learnt from me.

Adam.

[MIKESC70T5]

Forgot to mention it's an auto. I also run 98 RON or above (mainly Shell V-power) so the fuel arguement is not that critical.

I guess my main area of concern is the cars mileage and whther the 304 upgrade will over stress things.

Obviously all you fortunate people that have the upgrade already can help me hugely with your own experience.

Cheers.

My mileage was 116,000 when the upgrade was done.Now on 121,000 and it still purrs like a kitten.Adam checked over everything before carrying out the upgrade.

[volvolised]

Whoever this Adam guy is obviuosly learnt from me.[/QUOTE]

He must have customer problems too then !!!

[Mrsmopp]

Always had the 304/310's on mine mainly as I have a shell garage less than 3 miles away. I've not had any problems with my cars that have been in any way related to the map.

x

[MIKESC70T5]

Whoever this Adam guy is obviuosly learnt from me.

He must have customer problems too then !!![/QUOTE]


I love your sense of humour. Must be because we be twin brothers

[thunderace]

Hi thunder ace, any update on the samco hoses piccys/prices etc.

er no lol

i'm back this w/end

oh and mileage was 160+ when i had mine done

[Tosh]

I'm thinking along the lines of the 304 but there is still a niggle at the back of my mind telling me the 280 is more sensible.

What will be the result of running 95RON with the 304 upgrade? Has anyone mistakingly filled up with 95 and had problems? Also a good point earlier what would be the result of running 98/99 RON with the 280?

[volvotuning]

The 280 upgrade may well run slightly better on 98, but it's normally a lot more tolerant of 95 than the 304 upgrade which normally runs very crap on 95. The 280 was designed as a milder tune for those who wanted precisely that.

At the end of the day, trust your gut instinct. If you think the 280 is gonna be better for you, go for the 280.

Adam.

[MIKESC70T5]

I'm thinking along the lines of the 304 but there is still a niggle at the back of my mind telling me the 280 is more sensible.

What will be the result of running 95RON with the 304 upgrade? Has anyone mistakingly filled up with 95 and had problems? Also a good point earlier what would be the result of running 98/99 RON with the 280?

In what way do you think the 280 is more sensible?

[thunderace]

i've run my 304 in uk france belgium holland germany poland and ukraine

fuel varies enormously, not sure what they have in ukraine (lol) but it ran ok

obviously better in the west but ok in the east