I have an 06S60 2.5T(polestar) and have been slowly but surly fixing her up, now it's time to upgrade the turbo. Has anyone upgraded the turbo on my year or knows what would work? I'm not a mechanic but I like to go fast lol Have been doing research but can't find anything promising or convincing. Thanks in advance, VOLVO4lyfe

 

before you decide to swap out your turbo, you need to consider how the components play together. First you have the ECU which controls the waste gate and defines the boost under various conditions. So, to get more boost, you need to reprogram the ECU. Next is the turbo itself Volvos use for the most part Mitsubishi TD04s. These have various pumping capacities depending on which design of compressor/impeller wheels are used. For example my 850 has a "15G" and my S40 has a "12T"... If I wanted to upgrade my 850, I could install a 16T or 18T etc to get more air through the turbo but its essentially the same turbo casing (there are other things like angled or straight flanges which need to match your downpipe) If I bolted on a 16T without the ECU, I'd get some different spool up responsiveness but my maximum boost (and HP) would be pretty much be what the ECU allows. Now if I put a new "tune" in the ECU, the 16T has greater flow capacity = more top boost. Next problem: If you move more air, you need more fuel. So you have to consider how much boost you've added and match to an appropriate sized fuel injector (they are color coded so you can match ECU, turbo, injectors to a proven design). Last problem - all that air needs to go somewhere, which means you need to consider a bigger (ie 3") downpipe to let the exhaust out of the turbo and into the cat - even consider a freeflow cat and exhaust, all depending on how much extra boost you want. I've listed each item in a suggested order, ie you can drop in a stage 1 ECU tune and live within the capabilities of the factory turbo and pick up a quick 30-40 HP. If you then add a bigger turbo you can then consider stage 2 tunes (ie another ECU program which opens up more boost). Stage 3 gets pretty serious - add the injectors, downpipe, and maybe a better fuel regulator and all sorts of bits designed to drop some coin on...

My suggestion is to research some of the Volvo oriented tuning providers, IPDUSA, ARD Tuning, Viva Performance, Eurosport Tuning all offer ECU programming and ARD has some nice turbo upgrade kits. Then after seeing some prices, set a budget and a goal for how much HP you want to add, then research as much as you can.

 

First and foremost thank you for the reply, much appreciated. I'm quite new to This scene but most definitely in love with volvos.! Have had quite a first experience with a lot of $ in repairs but I love the car so I do it. I've actually been lookin on Eurosport and almost am ready to order the mototech 3"down pip and catback exhaust system. All components included for roughly $1100 delivered to my door. Haven't really checked the turbo situation being I think this would be a decent upgrade with what I've already done. Plus $ I can't drop too much lol. I did just get a promotion and am splurging a bit. Also I always thought since I got the polestar that was my ECU upgrade and I wouldn't be able do any other ones. Atleast that's what I understood buying that at the dealer. Have you heard of the brand and any thoughts if it's worth $1100 I'm ready to drop on it or is there better options?

 

The downpipe is a good start since it helps get air out of the turbo. Next would be to check out various ECU tunes - probably a "stage 1" to get you +50 HP should cost you in the range of $750 from a trusted source like IPD. After that you can consider bigger injectors but I think a mild tune plus downpipe is still enough to get a smile while you drive since you'd be near 300 hp...

 

So I just found a pkg deal: Rica tune catback exhaust system and down pipe(I believe ipd). It's says around 60-62HP kinda pricey tho $2200. The thing is idk about the brands. Can you shed any light on any of the above brands I've mentioned.?

 

My gut sense is everybody that tunes looks at the other guy's programming so a lot of the differences are how the "flash" (ie writing new code into the ECU's memory) is done and whether the product has special features like selectable programs (like a valet mode). RICA is one of the better known brands. For the downpipes, fit and metal quality are the key. There are some reviews online to check out - doesn't have to be for Volvo per se... so look at write ups for VWs etc (way more tuned Dubs than Volvos)

 

Not sure if you consider how much a new turbo mod will cost (TOTAL) vs a polestar upgrade (if available).
GO FAST is a strange desire. HOW MUCH and how much cost.


The polestar mod done by a dealer can boost some of the power factors and not have to deal with many of these engineering challenges.

Especially if you're "not a mechanic"


Just sayin'