I found a performance chip that *supposedly* increases horsepower AND fuel economy. I'm obviously skeptical, but I thought I'd throw it out to the experts. Anyone have any experience with them?

 

I'm not sure about a "Chip" but on Volvos what you want to do is send the ecu out to a company and have the software updated or should I say tuned to your car and what you are looking for as far as performance. Most on here and other forums have done so. I have mine from speedtune.com. There's also Vivaperformance.com, ipdusa.com and a few others

 

From what I understand, the performance chips that you can buy and install yourself wire into the IAT or O2 sensors (or both). These are nice because, if you're under warranty, they are easy to pull out and not raise suspicion by the dealer. You also don't have to remove the ECU, which is nice. I've heard good reports from people who owned other cars, but no Volvos.

 

That said, nothing electronic that increases horsepower and torque will increase fuel economy...
If you have the money, best bet might be sending your ECU to IPDUSA for a flash..

As far as I know, the only thing that can effectively do both is direct injection and obviously that isn't a factor here...

 

Just from reading this I can tell your speaking about something like the EBAY "CHIPS". That cost like $30 to $75 and say they will raise power by like 30-40Hp and 20-30 Ft-Lb of Torque.

One thing to say to that. THEY ARE A SCAM.

If you want to actually raise power in your Volvo your going to need an ECU upgrade. That means going to IPD USA, RICA, BSR, Upsolute, SpeedTuning USA, Inmotion & having them tune your ECU for you. Prices vary from about $325 for the SpeedTuning USA to over a grand for the RICA PPC and IPD USA PPC units. Yes they quality is different from the different price range and you get what you pay for. Save up and go better then cheaper.