What's the best way to increase Torque/BHP on a Diesel?

Post 450661 by KevWak on 2012-01-17 12:41:05

Hi everyone. I know this seems to be covered a lot but I can't find answers specific to my questions, so here goes... I have a 2008 S40 2.0D (136bhp) I would like to make it a bit quicker as I feel the engine must have much more potential. Most 2.0D cars now kick out circa 150-160 bhp and 350 NM. The 2.0D in the Volvo's is lagging behind. Which in your opinion would be safer for my engine/keeping my warranty/etc. Tuning box such as this Or remap like this Thanks for any advice. Kev

Post 450663 by T5RPete on 2012-01-17 12:48:02

I think you'll get better results with a remap. Although I have no experience with those boxes, often the descriptions promises are "too good to be true"

Post 450664 by turbo-tuner on 2012-01-17 12:50:35

[quote=KevWak;450661]Hi everyone. I know this seems to be covered a lot but I can't find answers specific to my questions, so here goes... I have a 2008 S40 2.0D (136bhp) I would like to make it a bit quicker as I feel the engine must have much more potential. Most 2.0D cars now kick out circa 150-160 bhp and 350 NM. The 2.0D in the Volvo's is lagging behind. Which in your opinion would be safer for my engine/keeping my warranty/etc. Tuning box such as this Or remap like this Thanks for any advice. Kev[/quote] A remap is always better than a tuning box. The link below explains why: http://www.rica-uk.com/about.aspx?tab=4

Post 450666 by smithy on 2012-01-17 12:58:55

the are various tuners mate who will remap with good results such as hlm /rica/mte ,i dont know much about the diesel maps off mte but the hlm bromsgrove and rica maps are very good

Post 450679 by t5_monkey on 2012-01-17 13:22:37

remap but don't get sucked in by the remap power hype - most remaps are simply limited by the mechanical hardware.

Post 450715 by Nealevo on 2012-01-17 15:06:46

alfa 156 2.4 jtd got remapped, 136bhp standard, 173bhp after and monster torque, better fuel economy too, i would recommed a remap. only negative was a little more smoke out the back when booting it, but i think that was the engine giving up :-)

Post 450717 by KevWak on 2012-01-17 15:14:59

Thanks guys. So remap seems to be the preferred option. How would I stand regards to warranty if the engine gave up? Would I be turned away because it was remapped? Also would the be able to tell it is remapped during a servicing/MOT?

Post 451151 by Nathlm on 2012-01-17 23:48:44

Hi, Is your car still in warranty ? You shouldn't have any problems our upgrade is undetectable by the dealers and it does not effect the emmissions for MOT. Regards, Nat. www.hlmtuning.co.uk

Post 451256 by KevWak on 2012-01-18 12:22:45

[quote=Nathlm;451151]Hi, Is your car still in warranty ? You shouldn't have any problems our upgrade is undetectable by the dealers and it does not effect the emmissions for MOT. Regards, Nat. www.hlmtuning.co.uk[/quote] It is no longer under the standar Volvo warranty. But I have taken out a further warranty from the RAC covering mech and elec for the next 3 years. I'm just worried that if I have a major fault (either due to the remap or not) that they will refuse to pay out because of a remap.

Post 451264 by Nathlm on 2012-01-18 13:01:58

[quote=KevWak;451256]It is no longer under the standar Volvo warranty. But I have taken out a further warranty from the RAC covering mech and elec for the next 3 years. I'm just worried that if I have a major fault (either due to the remap or not) that they will refuse to pay out because of a remap.[/quote] Hi, If you are worried about this which you shouldn't be have one of our APC Units this will enable you to swop between Standard and Modified in a couple of minutes by yourself. Regards, Nat. www.hlmtuning.co.uk

Post 452020 by KevWak on 2012-01-19 22:46:00

Hmmm tempting for a remap then. Any other opinions guys? Anyone got just a remap?

Post 452908 by KevWak on 2012-01-21 23:40:06

Anyone?

Post 452909 by Wobbly Dave on 2012-01-21 23:44:30

I know of many diesels that have had just a remap & run very successfully. Once the warranty is up on Trudy - I will be remapping her.

Post 452911 by KevWak on 2012-01-21 23:51:30

That's my concern though. Why not remap her before the warranty runs out?

Post 452915 by Wobbly Dave on 2012-01-22 00:03:23

It was more to do with ironing out any issues with the car before remapping it. It is not the remap in itself that I am worried about. Mostly I have not done it yet as I have been working on spending all my spare money on my new engine project.

Post 453206 by GRN Motors on 2012-01-22 18:00:40

We have remapped a fair few Diesels using Rica Software and the customers have been over the moon, as they have found an improvement in power and mpg. And with the softloader you can swap between standard and tuned software at you own convenience. Benny

Post 453214 by Santa on 2012-01-22 18:18:36

[quote=KevWak;452911]That's my concern though. Why not remap her before the warranty runs out?[/quote] Hi KevWak, where abouts you located? Providing your servicing your car when required there shouldn't be much to worry about with a remap. (I say shouldn't, I'm not validating that statement). I'm looking at changing a couple of my cars with diesel powered Volvos and will be looking to have them mapped as well. From personal experience the iSoftloader it's easy to swap between Maps. (In your case I'm guessing swapping between standard and stage 1). Disclaimer : I give no warranty on the above, other products are available but I haven't used these.

Post 453217 by claymore on 2012-01-22 18:24:38

[quote=Santa;453214]Hi KevWak, where abouts you located? Providing your servicing your car when required there shouldn't be much to worry about with a remap. (I say shouldn't, I'm not validating that statement). I'm looking at changing a couple of my cars with diesel powered Volvos and will be looking to have them mapped as well. From personal experience the iSoftloader it's easy to swap between Maps. (In your case I'm guessing swapping between standard and stage 1). Disclaimer : I give no warranty on the above, other products are available but I haven't used these.[/quote] Way you go covering your own backside there rich..;)...lol

Post 453223 by Santa on 2012-01-22 18:40:37

[quote=claymore;453217]Way you go covering your own backside there rich..;)...lol[/quote] Getting used to it mate at the moment lol

Post 453226 by Santa on 2012-01-22 18:52:36

These are the particular products I'm looking at for the moment: For a Volvo S40 1.6D I'll probably go for an eco tune because economy is important: http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=130 And for a Volvo V70 2.0D I'll either go for: http://www.rica.nl/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=184 Or the E-Power: http://www.rica.nl/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=2146 Again, the views above are my own as a person, my personal experience and Volvo owner and not that of the site owner. Again I warranty none of the above and would ask anyone considering remapping their car to do research, talk to garages and get reviews on how the garage conducts themselves and if possible how they resolve any complaints you may have afterwards.

Post 453392 by KevWak on 2012-01-22 23:04:25

Thanks for the info guys. This thread IS my initial research before I go contacting suppliers/garages. Santa, what would you recommend for my 2.0D 136bhp S40 as none of you're links would apply to me specifically! Plus the prices are in €. EDIT: I'm located between Swindon and Oxford.

Post 453395 by turbo-tuner on 2012-01-22 23:12:19

If you go to www.rica-uk.com then the prices are in GBP. Alternatively, just click on the button at the top right to change the country from Netherlands to United Kingdom.

Post 453397 by t5_monkey on 2012-01-22 23:19:30

[quote=Nealevo;450715]alfa 156 2.4 jtd got remapped, 136bhp standard, 173bhp after and monster torque, better fuel economy too, i would recommed a remap. only negative was a little more smoke out the back when booting it, but i think that was the engine giving up :-)[/quote] Isnt the 2.4 jtd 185 standard ?

Post 453430 by Santa on 2012-01-23 06:42:21

[quote=KevWak;453392]Thanks for the info guys. This thread IS my initial research before I go contacting suppliers/garages. Santa, what would you recommend for my 2.0D 136bhp S40 as none of you're links would apply to me specifically! Plus the prices are in €. EDIT: I'm located between Swindon and Oxford.[/quote] http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136 then :-)

Post 453433 by T5frankie on 2012-01-23 07:34:27

[quote=t5_monkey;453397]Isnt the 2.4 jtd 185 standard ?[/quote] 150 bhp 10 valve, 175 bhp 20 valve

Post 453442 by KevWak on 2012-01-23 08:51:21

[quote=Santa;453430]http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=136 then :-)[/quote] That looks pretty good. Do I have to take it to a garage for them to do or do I buy the map with the hardware to load it? Sorry for all the noob questions.

Post 453538 by Santa on 2012-01-23 19:04:16

[quote=KevWak;453442]That looks pretty good. Do I have to take it to a garage for them to do or do I buy the map with the hardware to load it? Sorry for all the noob questions.[/quote] No worries mate, thats what forums are for. I'd recommend going to a garage or even letting them come to you. I think several tuners offer maps by post though. (Believe Rica does and they post you a isoftloader but I would recommend having a mechanic look over the car before the map).

Post 453686 by KevWak on 2012-01-23 21:59:45

I've just come across the RR day at HLM. Now this is getting tempting!