Im looking to flash my ecu for my 2000 s70 glt and it seems like the only reasonably priced person to go through would be Speed Tuning USA for $325. The rest of the companies are 600 up. Does ST USA do a good job? or is it worth it to spend the extra money and get it done by RICA for almost $900. Im not looking for insane hp gains but I would like a little more power.

 

There are two thoughts of theory here with chip tuning.

1. If your not going to be doing any major engine ugrades to your car then SpeedTuning USA is great for an almost stock Volvo.

2. If your planning on upgrading the turbo, intercooler, injectors, etc... Then your going to want to go with a company like RICA, IPD, Civinco.

Like I said SpeedTuning USA is good for the money. I have the ST USA ecu upgrade and I love it! This ecu upgrade is good for a Volvo that isn't planning on extreme engine upgrades like bigger turbo, injectors, intercooler, etc... See ST USA has three programs, 12PSI/15PSI/17PSI chip upgrades. They do not "CUSTOM" tune for other upgrades such has a 3" downpipe and 3" catback exhaust system, etc... Oliver just puts the chip upgrade in and your on your way. However if you do plan on a 3" downpipe and a 3" free flowing catback system and or a 3" downpipe and a 2.5" free flowing catback system it will be ok do not fret over it. You will feel a difference even though the ECU isn't tuned for the exhaust upgrade.

Now chip tuners like RICA, IPD will tune your ECU to the mods that you have. Well I don't know if IPD will but in general IPD's chip upgrade is worth the money and RICA more so. CIVINCO is a Standalone EMS I believe and if you don't have the money you obviously cannot get it, but if you don't know much about tuning then this isn't for you.

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BEWARE

Oliver is a nice guy when he wants to be. However he can get very stubborn on refunding money and the like. If you are sending your ECU to him I suggest you e-mail him with your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND WHAT ECU UPGRADE YOU WANT 12/15/17 PSI PROGRAM. ALSO WHAT CAR YOU HAVE. Next put a piece of masking tape on your ECU with the same information above. Also include a sheet of paper with all the information on it with the ECU have it attached to the ECU with tape.

 

Also I would have your car dynoed before and after to see the effects of the ECU upgrade. I didn't do it this way, I got mine dynoed after the ecu upgrade only.

Also if your Volvo is automatic there is going to be a big loss in the HP figure. Stock mine is suppose to be 190-193 Hp and it dynoed like a 164Hp. However I dynoed about 240 Ft-Lb's of torque.

There is like a 25% drivetrain loss with the automatic.

If you don't have a boost gauge get one now before you have the ECU upgraded. Please do this.

 

ALSO make sure you have had the ETM RECALL software before getting the Chip program into it.

 

+1 to that.

 

You can see my dyno figures here.

 

So if your planning a 16T turbo 3" downpipe to a 3" free flowing catback exhaust system. I would suggest looking into RICA. And if you do go by the way of RICA. Please have your car dynoed stock and get A/F ratio's for RICA to look at as well. This will help them tune your Volvo. And get your downpipe and exhaust first before the RICA chip.

Also RICA charges $100 per re-tune. So if you got a RICA chip now on your stock Volvo and then added the exhaust and you wanted the RICA chip to be tuned for that it would cost $100 to get it re-tuned.

St USA doesn't charge for a re-tune.

 

Oh by the way I have the 12PSI program. It is the "STRONGER" 12PSI program that Oliver gave me. I am boosting however 15PSI perfectly this about the limit of the tiny 13g turbo.

If you don't have silicone vaccum lines and silicone turbo hoses get them.

http://www.vivaperformance.com (They sell 1999+ SAMCO turbo hoses)

http://www.stylinmotors.com (They sell 1999+ turbo hoses and also vaccum lines)

I have the Stylin turbo hoses and also their vaccum lines. I LOVE THEM!!!

 

apparently I need a ppc to tune my car since its the me7 monotronics. That pretty much limits my options. If I get the car dynoed but I dont have my rear o2 sensor hooked up (ziptied under the car because it wouldnt reach the hole) can I still get a/f ratios?

 

1. I am running ME7 on my 1999 s70 awd and I have a tune from SpeedTuning USA.

2. You have options for ME7 tuning. BSR PPC, IPD/RICA softloaders.

3. Just buy an exstention for the rear 02 sensor.

 

Im going to go with rica, and I am going to get the wires spliced correctly so that the o2 sensor will reach and work properly. I wont be able to get the car dynoed because of $$$ and time, but maybe down the road I will.