Rica stage 3 for the S60/V70 R

**stricky** · Monday 8th August 2005, 14:00

Hi Guys,

I have a 2003 V70 R GT and been considering a 'few' modifictions but as the car is still relatively new I've been sitting on the fence for months. Mainly to see how the various aftermarket tuning products mature and develop before commiting.

But I just noticed on the volvo tuning website that RICA has put together a stage 3 kit producing a claimed 440 bhp.

Does anyone know the technical details for this i.e. which turbo is fitted etc ?

Has anyone fitted this package yet ?

If so how do you rate it ?

http://www.volvotuninguk.com/D...s.asp

cheers

**Murphy** · Monday 8th August 2005, 14:03

hello and welcome.

A V70 R GT is not one i have come across ? Is it ltd edition like the old 850R's ?

As for the tuning package - a few people have the basic upgrades i think, although i haven't heard of anyone having the full fat version yet.............

You could be the first !

Andy

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 8th August 2005, 15:00

First off,

welcome to our site.
2nd - Nice car mate - got any shots?

By the year it has to been a Phase2 V70R (I am guessing but the GT is the spec level - like the GT pack for the C70s etc).

Stage 3?

The best people to speak to about this is obviously Hamish and Adam @ Volvotuning. RICA Stage 3 (I am on a stage 2 @ the mo) promises to be one of the most exciting developments since the T5 engine started. Dedicated development time on the map, full backup, custom tuning - basically takes your Phase2 as far as it will go. Custom induction, custom turbo/exhaust system, custom mapping. I am getting quite excited thinking about it. In a few years I will have my own late R (S60/V70) and all the works.

Faster than an Audi RS6? - I should co-co! Plus you'll become my new bestist friend - LOL

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 8th August 2005, 15:06

I have also thought that it might be worth considering a Stage 1 tune first off. See how you like it? Stage 1 will still be seriously quick!

**volvotuning** · Monday 8th August 2005, 15:24

Sticky, is yours manual or geartronic auto?

Adam.

**V8guitar** · Monday 8th August 2005, 16:44

Originally Posted by Wobbly Dave

First off,

welcome to our site.
2nd - Nice car mate - got any shots?

By the year it has to been a Phase2 V70R (I am guessing but the GT is the spec level - like the GT pack for the C70s etc).

Stage 3?

The best people to speak to about this is obviously Hamish and Adam @ Volvotuning. RICA Stage 3 (I am on a stage 2 @ the mo) promises to be one of the most exciting developments since the T5 engine started. Dedicated development time on the map, full backup, custom tuning - basically takes your Phase2 as far as it will go. Custom induction, custom turbo/exhaust system, custom mapping. I am getting quite excited thinking about it. In a few years I will have my own late R (S60/V70) and all the works.

Faster than an Audi RS6? - I should co-co! Plus you'll become my new bestist friend - LOL

Dave, stop dribbling, you'll damage your keyboard!

Stricky - I have briefly looked at this and it looks expensive but top notch. Not heard of anyone having one yet, but if you do, you'll have lots of freinds.

Adam - Happy to trial this upgrade if you are short of ginnea pigs!

**stricky** · Monday 8th August 2005, 16:55

many thanks for the warm welcome.....

Adam - it's a geartronic (GT), don't tell me the box won't take it ....?

**volvotuning** · Monday 8th August 2005, 17:03

Originally Posted by stricky

many thanks for the warm welcome.....

Adam - it's a geartronic (GT), don't tell me the box won't take it ....?

I'm afraid that's why I was asking. Problem with the early GT models is that they do have a weak transmission. For that reason we were not even comfortable doing stage 1 ECU upgrades unless we explained to the customer that it was at their own risk with the gearbox.

Adam.

**stricky** · Monday 8th August 2005, 18:04

hhhhmmmmm....I've discovered this over the last few months, however there's a few guys over at swedespeed.com in the states that do run modified GT's they seem to be holding together OK (so far, they're upto 360 bhp'ish and well hammered ).....but granted not stage 3 400+ bhp mods.

Is this gearbox issue just rumour or is there any actual/factual evidence of failures?

After all the model is now nearly 3 years old? I know the box has a recommended max torque rating, and is limited in 1st and 2nd, but I won't be doing any heavy track days, just the odd squirt against boxsters and the like (...hate em)

I recently quizzed a friend about the suitability of your stage 2 ...He now works lives and works in Sweden and specialises in building gearbox's for various rally cars he's clued up and used to work for the top WRC teams, he 'informaly' asked a volvo engineer on my behalf during a meeting at work he said it would be fine " ...as long as I'm not towing a caravan as well"....???

maybe I should dig a little deeper though

Adam, If I were prepared to take a chance what are the details of your conversion? Or do you recommend floggin' it and buying something german....(spit)

**After_Shock** · Monday 8th August 2005, 18:08

Considering the new versions of the R line's have an updated geartronic box to take the std torque the last thing would recommend is doing that upgrade on the gearbox you have.

With regards to what turbo is used unfortunately thats a secret and VT wont reveal it!

Naturally its a convenient kit as its available in one go but as mentioned is expensive, it will become very expensive indeed when the cars drop to around the 15k mark used as that would be a third of the value of the car just to get it to 440bhp.

Their are lots of kits in development and im sure a few have been released so far so just wait and see what becomes available.