My RICA PPC Remap Review...

[cornclose]

Right then, I've had my RICA PPC for the best part of 6 weeks now and as promised here is my review of how it's been and how it performs.

I wanted to refrain from posting a one liner like 'it's awesome' as so many have done in the past in favour of something with a little more substance. So here it is;

Deciding on which remap to go with

It was a very tough decision to make. Although there arn't that many off the shelf remaps out there for Phase 2 V70 T5's deciding on which one to go for wasn't that easy. To be honest I was bitterly dissappointed with the T5's stock performance. For a car with 250bhp I was expecting more - a lot more, so not long after buying it I knew that I had to have a remap of some kind, and that any remap would surely be better than the stock performance.

I'd always hankered after a similar level of performance that I used to get from my 1992 Saab 9000CS turbo, which stock gave 200bhp and masses of torque (I forget how many) from a lowly 1500rpm all the way up the rev range. This made the Saab incredibly drivable on the open road without revving it to death, but it was a bit of a handful off the line in 1st and 2nd - so much so that many lesser performing cars would leave you scrabbling for traction. This was a small price to pay though in my opionion as the 30mph+ performance (which is where it matters) was phenomenal. To get anywhere near this kind of performance in the T5 you had to add 2000 or more rpm to your driving style - this is not a driving style I like!

So, not being rich enough to try out every remap on the market I had to decide on one. I spoke to Volvo specialists about Rica and Autologic. I spoke with BSR. I read reviews (very few and far between!) and forum posts about the experiences of others. After a few weeks of this ad-hoc reading I thought I saw a pattern emerging. Very few had Autologic remaps, or not many were talking about them. Many didn't like the Autologic remap, although some did. I read about BSR and MTE maps being 'progressive'. I read about Rica maps being 'brutal'.

I also read of problems others had experienced with one map or another. But it seemed wherever there was an issue (with whatever map) others would come along and state that they'd had no problems.

I looked for power and torque curves to try and get an idea of how each map would perform. Some companies had this information readily available, others had no information whatsoever, and even when asked they were reluctant to provide anything at all.

So in the end I decided that most of the information out there pertained to Rica maps, and I liked the look of their torque curves when compared to stock, so I plumped for the Rica 310. Rather than get it mapped at a tuner I decided that the extra to get the PPC unit was worthwhile so that I didn't need to return if there was ever a problem or my map was overwritten by somebody else during routine servicing or whatever.

Russ at RT Mechanics kept appearing in forum posts during my searches, so once I'd decided on the Rica PPC, I gave him a call and bought one. A few days later, the device was in my hands and I was itching to get it on the car...


First Impressions

Having already read the manuals online in pdf, a quick flick through the paper manual that came with the PPC was all that was required to be sure of what I needed to do. So, within minutes, I was logged in to the ppc-tuning website with my account details, and had synced my PPC with Rica over the internet. I did this a few times, and looked at the sync logs on the website, just to get a feel for the process. For a variety of reasons after I'd done this I didn't manage to get the PPC connected to the car for over a week! It was like torture.

The day finally came where I had a few hours to spare to get the Rica map into my car. I connected the PPC to the OBDII port and followed the prompts on the PPC's display. All went smoothly, and within 4 minutes, the new map was on the car.

Turned the key for the first time

The car was already warm, so turning the key after the map was installed was rather exciting I have to say. She started immediately without any signs of anything having been done other than the revs were a little higher than usual (at about 1200-1500 rpm) for a few seconds before they sank back down to about 800 rpm.

I gingerly drove out of the car park I was in and put her into MAN - 1st gear. I set off gently (residential area) and could tell instantly that the car was different. There was more power at light throttle pressure, and the turbo could just be heard whining from about 2000 rpm, whereas before (stock) you couldn't hear it until late 2000's or about 3000 rpm. It was different, and I could tell, having done less than 50 yards.

Out on to the open road I went, but it was rush hour and traffic clogged, so couldn't really put it thorugh it's paces. However, after the 45 minute trip, some of which was on a fairly busy dual carriageway (although free flowing) I was very pleased with the results, but my testing was far from complete and I'd still got a lot of miles to go before I was fully used to the car and knowledgable about it's capabilities.

The first 'proper' test drive

I took one of my favoured driving routes through the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire countryside on roads I knew well. Conditions were dry, about 14 deg.C, so ideal.

Over a drive that lasted about 2.5 hours, I gradually took the car through it's paces on a variety of fast country roads, some long straights, some fun and bendy, some 30mph limits through small villages etc. I was pleased with the general level of performance, a big improvement over stock, although I had to admit to myself that it wasn't as good as I'd been expecting. I got the feeling that something wasn't right - somewhere. This became more apparent as I pushed the car a little harder, bit by bit, as I got more and more used to it. There came a point that basically, under hard acceleration, I got a massive drop off in power usually as I lifted the accelerator (even slightly) to change gear or just backed off a little to steady my speed. Sometimes this happened when I wasn't changing gear. At first I thought I was hitting the rev limiter or something, but no, it was a pretty long way before that (say anything from 3500-5000rpm).

Actually rather than a drop off in power, it was more like the engine had cut out! Sort of like a misfire, but rather than it lasting for a few milliseconds, it was more like half a second or so, by which time I've lifted off the gas completely with a worried look on my face. Obviously this wasn't good, and I had concerns that something was wrong with my car - highlighted by the perhaps tighter tolerances it was now operating under.

Diagnostic Time

I hooked up my laptop to read codes and freeze-frame data, but there was nothing. I left the laptop connected to the car and took it for another drive to see if I could 'spot' anything. It wasn't long before I realised that having the laptop slide around on the seat was use nor ornament, so I sourced a Brodit mounting solution to get it fixed in the car properly. I'm glad I did, because it didn't take me long to see that my fuel trims were way over what I thought they should have been.

I monitored fuel trims for a few weeks and long term fuel trim on bank 3 was up at around the +25% mark, and seemingly increasing. There was only one thing I could think of that would cause this; MAF. My theory was that the ECU was compensating for a measured mass air flow that was somewhat lower than reality, and so was increasing fuel delivery to compensate. Interestingly, recently (even before the remap) my fuel consumption had been creeping up too, down by almost 2 mpg in the same driving conditions.

All this was enough for me to take a punt and fit a new MAF. Could this also have been the cause of the undesirable performance hiccups with the car remapped ?

I fitted the new MAF that Saturday - got a genuine Bosch unit from GSF Car Parts in Nottingham - they even price matched the cheapest online price I'd seen of £155. Not too shabby I thought. Once the MAF was fitted, I reset the ECU and cleared codes/freeze frame data so that it would 'relearn' how to control the engine, and took her for a post MAF drive.

My fuel trims started falling almost immediately and before long my long term fuel trim on bank 3 was down to +5-6%. Over the week or so that followed, fuel economy crept up back to it's usual 27.5 to 28 mpg with the kind of daily driving I do. The car was generally more responsive too, but there was one glaring problem still. The issue with loss of power didn't go away, it was still as problematic under hard accelleration as before the new MAF was fitted.

I decided that I should revert the car back to stock using the PPC to see if this problem went away. To my surprise, it did. None of the problems related to power drop off described above where now present. To get a second opinion, I took the T5 to my local friendly Volvo specialist (DPA, Nottingham) for a diagnosis session. They concluded that they could see nothing wrong with my car and that it was all performing exactly how it should (still stock at this stage, no Rica map).

Remedy Time

As luck would have it, Russ from RT Mechanics contacted me (shortly after going back to stock) to see how I was getting on with the PPC. I responded of course and let him know about the problems I was having. To my absolute amazement, he got back to me within a few hours of me describing the issues to him in an email (see above!) and said he would contact Rica to see what they could do. A few hours after that Russ told me to re-sync my PPC on the internet as there was a new map for me to load into my car - I could hardly believe the level of service and speed of response. Maybe I just got lucky and timing was perfect - but in any case, impressive nonetheless.

Needless to say I synced my PPC and shortly afterwards loaded the map into the T5. Less than five minutes later, I was out on the road again to see what was different. To say it was a vast improvement is an understatement. It was now more of an improvement over the stock map than the previous map was. Gone were all the issues I described above regarding loss of power. Now there was no such issue. Power delivery comes on strong from about 2500 upwards (rather than the 3500-4000 rpm as it is when stock). It pulls much much stronger now at all engine speeds and in all gears. All the way up to 6000+ rpm there are no boost/power delivery issues at all, it's all pretty linear and exactly what you might expect.

Conclusions

Despite the initial power delivery problems, I have to say I'm pleased with the PPC and the remap. Russ at RT Mechanics couldn't have responded any quicker than he did, and couldn't have helped any more than he did (obviously with the help of Rica too it would seem), so both companies are to be applauded for their efforts.

However, I do have a few reservations. As a Software Developer myself, I'm slightly concerned about the apparent lack of information and clarity about what remap you are running in your car via the PPC or the PPC website (once you log in). I mean, take for example the new map I have in my car now. It has the same software version number as the previous map (with all the power delivery issues). Yet it performs in a completely different way and exhibits none of those issues. Now, maybe this is just a few parameter changes rather than any change in the core map, but even so, something that performs as differently as this ought to have a different version number in my opinion.

I also wonder how many others are running Rica maps on 2001 V70 T5's who have issues. I know of at least one other who potentially has the same issues as I had. There was another one recently who may also have suffered the same issues (also a 2001 T5 - S60 this time though). Unfortunatley he's now traded in his car and gone to the dark side. So what is it with 2001 models, if anything ? I asked Russ the question but he hasn't responded, perhaps he doesn't know, maybe only Rica could tell me, if I could get hold of someone there...

All in all, I think the PPC is a winner, regardless of what map you load into your car from it. The ability to load and unload the remap in my opinion is more than worth the extra money, although I have no intention of removing the Rica map from my car now!

By the way, fuel economy is still gradually increasing, despite me driving in a more 'enthusiastic' manner since the remap, although this may have as much to do with the new MAF than anything else. However, I make more 'progress' now than before the remap, and the whole experience is so much better than stock, yet I still get more miles to the gallon - it can only be good!

If I had to comment on any downsides of the map, then I'd say that turbo lag does seem to be a little more pronounced now than stock. This is especially so when accellerating from low RPMs, as the turbo does seem to take a while to spool up and deliver the power. I suspect this is more to do with my expectation that more power and torque would be available from lower RPMs than there actually is though. It still doesn't have the grunt and torque that the Saab 9000 had from such low RPMs, and to be honest I do still hanker after that! It is so so much better than stock though, and worth every penny.

[JelT5]

Great review CC, thanks for putting in the time and effort.

[mikouk]

Great write-up mate. Hopefully once I eventually get that map on mine I should be smiling too!

[j@mie]

excellent review.

[kyebosh]

Great write up.

[Piles]

Well done CC! Having a short attention span like mine, it's difficult to read large amounts of text but that was both informative and interesting. Nice write-up. Hopefully people will have more faith in this system as a result. Having such good customer after-care like that that Russ provides also helps .

[MIKESC70T5]

Nice write up, one question though,why did you have to sync your PPC with Rica over the internet before using it for the first time?
When i purchased mine off Russell,he did all that for me before posting it out. I just plugged mine in on my lunch break.

[dave stew]

Agreed, excellent work and I can now see worth the wait! I too am thinking about tweaking mine but am worried about it's mileage being high at 146,000. How many miles have you got up Chris?

[Dream3r]

very concise, what software did you use to monitor your fuel trims?

[KPB]

There was another one recently who may also have suffered the same issues (also a 2001 T5 - S60 this time though). Unfortunatley he's now traded in his car and gone to the dark side.

Ha! No offence taken!

Seriously though, thats an excellent review. I had a very minor problem when I lifted off which sounds similar to the issue you encountered - a momentary pause in fuel delivery which made the reapplication of throttle result in a jerky response?

I fear your (and my) experiences may pose more questions than answers about RICA to the nervous beginner, but information is power etc.

I think, however, you've been very lucky with the service you've had from RICA. They seem to be getting a formidable reputation for exactly the opposite amongst their UK agents (at the time of writing they still havent supplied a working password/username for my PPC unit after 6 weeks of trying). You might want to talk to Dave at DPA about his experience with them.

I dont think I can add much to your review, but to paraphrase my experiences:

Positive
1. Very noticeable effect on drivability outside of full boost
2. Full boost performance excellent
3. Slightly better mpg (32 vs 30)

Negative
1. Expensive @ £550 inc PPC
2. RICA customer service very lacking, undermining the efforts of their UK Agents
3. Slight hesitation on lift off at around 4k rpm
4. High performance gains may expose component frailties or exceed permitted tolerance levels (possibly)
5. The presence of a RICA map and PPC unit cuts no ice when trading the car in. Dealers with little Volvo experience seem to be confused or disinterested in the upgrade. You need to keep the car for a considerable time to have much return on your investment.

Overall I think in hindsight that whilst the RICA turned the performance of my S60 into the car I hoped it would be - and then some - there is an element of risk involved which the potential purchaser needs to assess.

[hamish]

I think, however, you've been very lucky with the service you've had from RICA. They seem to be getting a formidable reputation for exactly the opposite amongst their UK agents (at the time of writing they still havent supplied a working password/username for my PPC unit after 6 weeks of trying). You might want to talk to Dave at DPA about his experience with them.

I dont think I can add much to your review, but to paraphrase my experiences:

Positive
1. Very noticeable effect on drivability outside of full boost
2. Full boost performance excellent
3. Slightly better mpg (32 vs 30)

Negative
1. Expensive @ £550 inc PPC
2. RICA customer service very lacking, undermining the efforts of their UK Agents
3. Slight hesitation on lift off at around 4k rpm
4. High performance gains may expose component frailties or exceed permitted tolerance levels (possibly)
5. The presence of a RICA map and PPC unit cuts no ice when trading the car in. Dealers with little Volvo experience seem to be confused or disinterested in the upgrade. You need to keep the car for a considerable time to have much return on your investment.

Overall I think in hindsight that whilst the RICA turned the performance of my S60 into the car I hoped it would be - and then some - there is an element of risk involved which the potential purchaser needs to assess.

Hallelujah

[cornclose]

Thanks for the comments chaps.

I too am thinking about tweaking mine but am worried about it's mileage being high at 146,000. How many miles have you got up Chris?

Just shy of 90,000 now, running beautifully I have to say.

very concise, what software did you use to monitor your fuel trims?

PCMSCAN

I had a very minor problem when I lifted off which sounds similar to the issue you encountered - a momentary pause in fuel delivery which made the reapplication of throttle result in a jerky response?

That does sound like it, yes, although on yours it may have been minor, on mine it was a bigger issue.

I think, however, you've been very lucky with the service you've had from RICA.

Maybe I have, but really I bought the PPC from RT Mechanics, and my 'contract' is with them, and credit where credit is due, it was Russ that sorted it out. I'm sure he has a lot more clout with Rica than any individual user has, so perhaps that's the way forward.

You might want to talk to Dave at DPA about his experience with them.

I did, at length. It's one of the reasons I opted for the PPC rather than a Rica tune with a tuner. Dave's other favoured tune was the Autologic one, but finding out any sensible information about it was like trying to get blood out of a stone. Being described as 'great' just doesn't cut it with me.

[KPB]

I also bought via an agent - Farnsfield nr Southwell/Mansfield. Whilst trying to maintain an aura of calm they were obviously having to rely on other UK dealers to resolve the username/password option. I suspect its because RICA weren't very responsive.

Dave (DPA) obviously didnt want to bad-mouth my choice of map - in fact he said the software itself was good - but the frustrations of working with RICA (not least because the download VPN hijacked his limited IT facilities) had caused him to move on to Autologix as a result. That's a story for him to tell though.

I've just spotted my S60 up for sale again via another trader in Northants...£750 more than I paid for it 6 months ago! No mention of the RICA on the advert either!

[cornclose]

Yeah, Dave was always complimentary about the Rica maps themselves, but also mentioned to me that getting the map onto the car wasn't always plain sailing.

I think I ought to add that it wasn't Dave at DPA who didn't give information about the autologic map - he was quite happy to do so, if he had any (but he didn't). But I could find no info on this map on the autologic website or from any other tuner I contacted. It seemed to me to be a case of "put it on your car and see how you get on". This may be the case for all maps really, but at least lots of others have graphs and dyno runs to be seen first...

As I say, all in all, very happy with the Rica map and the PPC. If anyone wants to offer to tune my car for free so that I can review all the other maps out there, please get in touch...

[lance]

Good write up! Im glad to see you are enjoying the car more now and all minor glitches sorted!
I have to admit I went for autologic over rica purely on it was almost half the price and the same sort of performance, I personally dont think there is much difference in off the shelf maps, but I do feel it should make the car feel a different beast. I also feel the phase 2s as stock although 250 BHP They only feel about 200 bhp but a remap does make them much quicker and feel nearer 300 BHP. I think if real low down power is your thing it might be worth trying an 850 T5 as the smaller turbo spools up much quicker or maybe an LPT or dare I say it a rica D5!

[RT MECHANICS]

Hi Chris

Good write up so glad your happy with the Rica PPC

Russ

[t5owner]

Agreed, excellent work and I can now see worth the wait! I too am thinking about tweaking mine but am worried about it's mileage being high at 146,000. How many miles have you got up Chris?

Join the club dave i`m also on 146k and am thinking of a remap

Cheers

stuart

[dave stew]

Have you done anything significant to your engine. Stuart? All mine's had is regular oil changes, new front and rear main seals and cam belt. The cam cover's never been off, let alone the cylinder head.

[lance]

Im sure it will be fine, I had mine mapped last year with 130k on her now on 145500 and still fine, my last car was running 322 BHP with 180k on the clock and the biggest thing she had replaced was turbo, clutch and rear main as a precaution, and as far as I know she is still in fine fettle, a remap will maybe a bit more sensitive to finding faults, but still they prove to be fine reliable cars.

[t5owner]

Have you done anything significant to your engine. Stuart? All mine's had is regular oil changes, new front and rear main seals and cam belt. The cam cover's never been off, let alone the cylinder head.

Done a few things

Full set of new injectors (old set found to be fubared when sent for cleaning) , full set of new coil packs , not done the oil seals yet but they are on my list , oil and filter change every 3k , both belts and all tensioners done last year , fresh coolant and new thermostat last year , BCS and vac hoses replaced , poly bush top mount and lower torque mount other than that she`s completely standard engine wise anyhow

Cheers

stuart