T5 info

[bigbade]

hi, im new to the volvo scene and im struggleing to find out much information on modifying the T5 engine, am i right in thinking the rods are at there limit at 300 bhp? and what turbos can be used to achive 300bhp (ish) with minimum lag.
Can i raise the boost pressure useing a mechanical boost controller,if so what to or would i need a remap, also whats a rica? is this just a remap or somthing else?
Is there any restrictons which can be relativly easyly improved i.e exhaust, intercoler ect.
I also heard its worth haveing new 3 or 5 angle valves fitted (i will be removing the head anyway) and what about the head gasket and bolts?
sorry about all the questions but im really struglleing.
thanks

[Niles]

Rods should be ok to 300bhp unless you do silly boost or full boost a very low revs.
Turbos to 300bhp may be a angled outlet TD04 HL16T, 18T or 19T.

You can run a manual boost controller but DO NOT exceed 14psi as the ECU will kick in the 'fuel cut' & again risk a bent rod.
Rica is a replacement ECU chip that remaps the engine, adjusts fuelling, boost & removes the max speed limit & removes the fuel cut.
Best way to reduce the flow restriction is to fit a 3" downpipe & a free flowing exhaust (make a BIG difference). The standard intercooloer is very good so no major hurry to switch it. Well worth looking at a reverse intercooler piping kit.
HLM chip tuning can do a Rica chip for £150. Should deliver around 280-300bhp with reliable software.
As for angled heads....haven't a clue.

[bigbade]

thanks for that, but can i ask were you would get one of these turbos, are they from another volvo or or they a aftermarket item? also whats a intercooler reverse pipe, i take it its to swap the inlet/outlet around on the intercooler if so thats quite strange?, and lastly if i get a new bigger turbo will the rica chip still be ok to use?
thanks

[JelT5]

I understood that the rods could take more than 300bhp (340ish?) before they turned into banana shaped things, but happy to be corrected on that score!

MBC is a great mod and works brilliantly if you're careful (like Niles says) brutally aggressive tyre fryer works very well with the HLM remap I have on my V70!

[p fandango]

if your planning on an ME7 conversion so you can use coil packs as we talked about in your "what manifold" thread, then you won't be able to use a MBC becuase they measure the boost pressure

as said above the rods will take 300bhp aslong as you be gentle with the boost & build it up slowly

[bigbade]

oh well i supose the remaps probly the way to then...

[Mrsmopp]

Are you modding an 850 or something newer?

The turbo's Niles mentions are all Volvo units so can be sourced fairly easily and do pop up second hand on here or ebay from time to time.

If you are going to be changing your turbo and doing further upgrades like exhausts etc then it may be wise to go with an MBC for now and then get a custom map at a later date once you have done the upgrades you have in mind

[bigbade]

well the engines from a mreg 850, but its going into a E30 bmw, but as p fandango said ill be converting it to ME7 (because the dizzy will be in the way) so its a right mish mash really, will be worth it when its done though.
i read somwere that porsche desighned or helped desighn this engine, is this true?

[Mrsmopp]

well the engines from a mreg 850, but its going into a E30 bmw, but as p fandango said ill be converting it to ME7 (because the dizzy will be in the way) so its a right mish mash really, will be worth it when its done though.

In which case, if it were me, I'd stick with the MBC to begin with until you have found your ideal set up then get a custom map Sounds like an interesting conversion make sure you keep us updated

ETA: Thinking about it IIRC ME7's have hissy fits with an MBC?

[Al115]

Choose a later T5 engine than one from the early 850s if you have the option - stronger rods IIRC? Happy to be corrected though.

[Al115]

(I'd heard of the Porsche connection as well!)

[cookie]

apparently ME7 (99MY) the engine changes made engine stronger

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/revised_engines.shtml

[RollingThunder]

i read somwere that porsche desighned or helped desighn this engine, is this true?

Correct - Porsche were contracted to design the Volvo Modular Engine - otherwise known as the whiteblock. It started with the 3.0 24v 6 cylinder engine, then a cylinder was lopped off and viola - the famous Volvo 5 cylinder engine was born (later to be ripped off by Ford).

[EddyP82]

Don't all of the ME7 engines have VVT? and is this controlled from the ECU?

[cookie]

Don't all of the ME7 engines have VVT? and is this controlled from the ECU?

AFAIK yes, IIRC exhaust side only, but for ECU to run engine AFAIK you may need lots of the other bits for it to run (clocks, alarm.........) its not just a case of using ME7 ECU to run Engine. I have questioned about removing MAP from my car after it got smashed, and yes its possible, but how much of the electrics have to go with it, is unknown, but basically any part that needs to be dealer programmed to car (classic example on ME7 is ETM - electromecanical part, but needs software update when changed)

Good luck, IIRC Al had major problems trying to run on standalone, and broke car eventually (I may be completely wrong), don't know on possibilities of seeing if you have running on its ECU B4 transplanting into car. Would be interesting to know you findings.

Sorry for the essay


Ben

[Al115]

Moving from Motronic 4.4 to ME7 (or the other way) isn't a simple job - but you may well have more skillz than me

[lance]

Correct - Porsche were contracted to design the Volvo Modular Engine - otherwise known as the whiteblock. It started with the 3.0 24v 6 cylinder engine, then a cylinder was lopped off and viola - the famous Volvo 5 cylinder engine was born (later to be ripped off by Ford).

Power of a 6 economy of a 4 goes back a long way!

Audi/VW worked closely with Porcshe 924 beetle conection and more lately the RS2, so surely the true origins of the volvo 5 pot go back to the Audi 100 of 1977 that was then turbo charged a couple of years later.
Also Rover attempeted using a 5 cylinder petrol injection engine in the rover P6 instead of a straight 6 it was meant to sit above the 4 pot 2.0 but instead after failed devopments couldnt get it balanced right they went for the buick v8. That was back in the late 60s. Mercedes were the first to use a 5 cylinder engine in a production car in the 300d of 1975, however before then they built the worlds fastest diesel basically a C111 with a 3 litre turbo charged 5 pot capable of 200 MPH not bad for the early 70s but it never made production.

[EddyP82]

It might be possible to get an ME7 engine to run from an aftermarket ECU like an Emerald, I was planning that for a pre ME7, might be worth looking into how the VVC is controlled now, and if the Emerald will do it.

[walter leever]

And something else entirely,it seems that Volvo will drop the 5 cyl in the near future(so get one while you still can)

[Rhys]

Hmm, E30 eh? that's going to be a bit tail end happy