V70 T5 Air Filters

**Welshlou** · Monday 27th July 2009, 09:45

Hi there,

I have a 2000 V70 T5 phase 2 model and I have read on this forum that a change of air filter can make the engine sound a lot sweeter? Is this true, can a change of air filter make much difference to the sound of the engine? If so, please could you tell me what filter would be best?

I'm also considering an RICA remap - there's a 25% discount for models over 3 years old!! - If anyone has one of these please let me know if it has made much difference.

Cheers...

**mikouk** · Monday 27th July 2009, 10:13

I have a 2000 V70 T5 phase 2 model and I have read on this forum that a change of air filter can make the engine sound a lot sweeter? Is this true, can a change of air filter make much difference to the sound of the engine? If so, please could you tell me what filter would be best?

I'm also considering an RICA remap - there's a 25% discount for models over 3 years old!! - If anyone has one of these please let me know if it has made much difference.

Hi there.

Yes and Yes really. I have just fitted a K&N panel filter to mine and it does make a difference. No sound difference as far as I can tell but everythings definately smoother. Throttle pickup is better and general acceleration is better. Not a huge difference but worth it in the long run.

I also have the RICA PPC upgrade which is amazing. The car is so much better, definately worth the money. It's much harsher than other maps I think but I like it as pootleing around you don't notice it but when you want it you just let the revs rise and feel the thump in the back. However! and its a big however, be very careful with RICA as a company. Their customer service is appalling so get it through a dealer like RT Mechanics. They supplied my car with completely the wrong map and I know they have done the same to many others. I think I was given a C70 map instead of a V70. So be warned.

Russ at RT's sorted it all out for me though and now the cars brilliant.

Good luck
Mark

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 11:02

Originally Posted by mikouk

They supplied my car with completely the wrong map and I know they have done the same to many others. I think I was given a C70 map instead of a V70. So be warned.

Is that what the issue was Mark ? I presume the same issue I was having too ? Where did you get this info from ?

**mikouk** · Monday 27th July 2009, 11:31

Is that what the issue was Mark ? I presume the same issue I was having too ? Where did you get this info from ?

Yeah that was it. Russ managed to get the info out of RICA eventually. It was some part of the map that relates only to the C70. Not all the map but enough to make mine go very wrong. They then sent another which didn't work at all, then eventually I got the one that was right and now it goes like stink. I don't what I would have done with out a dealer to sort it out as RICA want nothing to do with the customer direct.

I haven't driven the car for a while but took it out late last week to test the new filter and its running really well. I was even happy with the suspension, but I was giving it some along very nice smooth A roads.

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 11:43

That's interesting then. When I took my car to the local Volvo specialist, he said that I had the 'wrong' throttle module (ETM) software installed. If I recall, I think he said it was the software for a C70 2.0 LPT, not for a V70. I fed this info back to Russ, I wonder if he chased this up with RICA and found a ££££-up somewhere...

Anyway, mine is performing fantastic at the moment with the new map, so I'm chuffed aswell.

All credit to Russ then, and it looks like RICA really need to get their version control sorted out...

**mikouk** · Monday 27th July 2009, 11:54

That's interesting then. When I took my car to the local Volvo specialist, he said that I had the 'wrong' throttle module (ETM) software installed. If I recall, I think he said it was the software for a C70 2.0 LPT, not for a V70. I fed this info back to Russ, I wonder if he chased this up with RICA and found a ££££-up somewhere...

Anyway, mine is performing fantastic at the moment with the new map, so I'm chuffed aswell.

All credit to Russ then, and it looks like RICA really need to get their version control sorted out...

Sounds like it mate. I can't remember exactly what Russ said but that sounds along the right lines. RICA are very lucky they've got dealers that can spot their ££££ ups.

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:00

I wonder if Russ is reading. Can you shed any light on this Russ ? I'm genuinely interested!

**thebadger** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:04

The filter can make a difference, BSR do a cone filter with a heat sheild & a socket for the OEM air pipe.

K&N do their cone & panel filter, which will aid performance.

Other than that, there are induction kits like pipecross etc (the money heads very far north at this point) which come with cold air pipes which you need to rig & fit yourself.

The "cone" type filter gives a louder suction noise, which sounds meaty.

The "panel" type filter is more subtle, but can offer "some" bigger improvements in power as unlike the cone filter it only gets cool air.

I hear angry typing as I post that one... (hot air does not improve the performance of the engine vs cool air. Lots of ppl on here disagree, I have a panel filter as I like the stock look. tho it is a K&N!)

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:14

Hi

You can also get a variety of other Remaps - my personal recommendation is from HLM in Bromsgrove- they have a new tuning tool from Sweden. It cheaper and better than the PPC.

http://www.hlmtuning.co.uk/news.html

As far as panel filters go - there isnt much in it, IMHO

**mikouk** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:15

It cheaper and better than the PPC.

Whys that better then? More power?

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:20

If it's cheaper than a PPC (which I think is a little on the expensive side if I'm honest...) and it does the same job, i.e. delivers a map into the car's ECU, then it's certainly worth investigation.

However, it's the map that counts IMO, and despite the little issues I had originally, I think the map is superb for my needs!

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:24

RICA PPC is 1 map and is basically just a loader. The ECM tuning system give you more flexibility - it's laptop based.

I don't remember if PPC actually does fault code reading??

You can tune upto 5 cars - so in theory you could all get together and buy 1 map each (but don't tell Hamish I said that)

As for power - I have been very impressed with the results seen so far (admittedly on ME9 engines). I am getting a tune from them when I get back. So I will keep you posted.

For me it is the single most interesting development in ME7 maps for sometime

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:34

The PPC does do fault code reading. I havn't tried it though - I use my laptop for that!

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:52

Precisely - so going forward (something I like to do a lot) - I'd say the geek in me would want something on my Laptop to do the whole job?? Plus it gives me an excuse to buy another laptop - which will keep Justin happy.

Back to the thread title topic - You can also buy filters on line direct from
http://www.hlmtuning.co.uk/acatalog/...r_Filters.html

Which is odd because the online shop at HLM has been empty for a long time.

**cornclose** · Monday 27th July 2009, 12:55

If this had been readily available when I got my PPC, and was around the same price (or less) then it would have been on my list for consideration, that's for sure...