BSR tuning

[Dan850]

Has anyboby had any experience of the BSR PPC tuning box, the results seem impressive, just wondering what you think, as most people go the rica route.

[Goof]

Mat562be has a BSR upgrade, but most folks in here go with the RICA option as it's a re-program of the ECU.
2 options (depending on engine) - 304bhp or 280bhp. See VolvoTuning site for more info.

[mat562be]

Dan 850,

I assume you may be in the market for an upgrade..? If it's any help, I run a 2000MY V70N T5 with a BSR stage 1 upgrade (299bhp/408nm) and have experience of both standard cars and a friend's S70 with a 310 bhp upgrade, so I am in a position to compare and give an objective view.

My car was recently dyno'd and gave figures of 312bhp@6000rpm and 432nm versus quoted figures of 299bhp and 408nm. My car runs a stage 1 upgrade, on a standard exhaust, albeit with a K&N direct replacement panel filter. I use 97RON petrol, with RedLine Si2 fuel additive, and ZX1 added to the engine oil and gearbox lube. I don't have any performance figures unfortunately (the last time I did was when I had a 375bhp Graham Goode Modified T35 Escort Cosworth, when I didn't worry about breaking clutches and driveshafts, just how fast it would get to 60 and 100!!)

My experience of the V70, versus it's standard state is that it is noticably more tractable and responsive. I also have driven many thousands of miles in standard spec V70, S70 and 850 cars (I am a cop) so I can tell the difference!

It feels much more responsive, particularly when in higher gears (e.g. motorway cruising in 5th) and is markedly more tractable. On boost it feels much more lively, particularly in relevant in-gear acceleration (e.g. 30-50 and 50-70 overtakes) particularly in 2nd and 3rd. 4th is now a fantastic gear, usable cleanly from 60 right up to.... well, the legal limit, and 3rd is a barnstormer.. The whole car feels noticably more lively, but not unruly, although in greasy or wet conditions torque steer is a problem, but then it always was/is. Top end, the car feels much more lively, and pulls cleanly to big numbers with some real gusto.

Fuel-wise, it has improved. On a motorway run, at realistic speeds, I now get 29mpg or so versus 27.5 before. Daily driving (e.g. 15 miles to work on fast B roads) gives between 24.5 and 26.5 mpg versus 24 to 25 before. The car also has no vices as a result. Idle is not lumpy, and the engine feels on song throughout the rev range.

Overall I am entirely happy with the conversion which was easy and convenient. Idid experience some software installation problems, but these were quickly sorted by BSR and the vendor.

With regards to the RICA upgrade, there will be people here with more experience than I have (a few days with a friend's 310bhp RICA'd S70)

Overall impressions of the RICA are that it seems to have more top end power, but conversely it feels less tractable and torquey than my BSR (although the figures say not; RICA quote 420Nm as a torque figure over a similar spread..)

Not much really to choose between the two; they both are well worth the effort and money as they transform the car into what it should be. Importantly, I have noticed no ill-effects in 12000 miles of driving with my BSR upgrade. The RICA mods seem equally good from what I have heard.

If I can help further, or offer any more, let me know..