Hello! I just got an S70 given to me. Then entire time my mom had it, I assumed it was the base 168 hp model, because it was absurdly slow.

However, just two days ago, when I was adding it my insurance; I found out it's a GLT. It didn't mean anything to me at the time, but right before I picked it up, my mom had some poorly explained (to me) repairs done to the car. So, I get in, back out of the driveway, and put my foot on the gas. All of a sudden the 190 horsepower/199 ft-lbs make themselves known. Apparently, whatever was done to the car fixed it...

So, I have three questions:

1) Is the 1999 S70 GLT a low boost turbo or just a high compression N/A? the google gods are not clear on this issue...

2) What could my mom have fixed to make such a noticable change in power?

3) Are there any cheap (bargain but still quality, not looking for something taped together) turbo upgrades/chips I can do? >:-D

...I have another turbo car (Mini Cooper S) but I can't do anything because of the warranty, I don't have those worries on the Volvo...

Thanks!

 

the glt has the LPT i believe. you can uprade your ECU for $600-$1200, but remember, you get what you pay for.

 

Ic... can you point me in the direction of a company that offers the ECU upgrades?

 

Check out this post.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850-16/volvoforums-resources-thread-7325/

 

Welcome to the forum.

1. Yours is a Low Pressure Turbo. 13g turbo to be exact. Your running around 5-7 PSI of boost.

2. Click the link in my SIGNATURE for links to many many sites.

3. Turbocharger upgrades aren't cheap. Nothing for Volvo aftermarket is cheap. Your going to pay a lot. A 16T would be a nice upgrade to the tiny 13g that is already on your car.

ECU upgrades can be had from $325-$1,200 and yes you get what you pay for. I have a $325 ECU upgrade. Does it boost to what they told me it would? YES. However the cheaper upgrades will make your car run RICH. Obviously not a good thing. I highly suggest looking into IPD USA, RICA and BSR PPC for your ECU upgrades.

 

I come from the world of BMW upgrades so 1200 is a bargain. In the bizarro world that is BMW land, 1200 dollars buys about 0-5 horsepower; since most bimmers are NA. It's absurd.

I'm glad to know my GLT has a turbo... I drool every time I see an S60R/70R but frankly an S70 base just isn't that interesting a car. Good to know I have a car with potential.

Thanks for the recommendations on the upgrades, I was looking at the IPD chip; most of the ECU upgrades I've looked done for my cars in the past either dealer installed, plug in, or piggyback. How difficult is taking out the ECU, and if I can't do it, who would be able to do it cheap? My mechanical skill is about the level where I can replace the headlight assemblies w/o a manual, is that enough?

Also, out of curiosity, what is the max boost the stock internals can reliably handle?

And another... I pulled red lever on the left driver's side under the dash to get the hood open... and nothing happens (I hear a noise like some clamp being loosened), but the hood doesn't come up at all, not even enough for me to reach in and release... is it broken? How do I fix it?

And a final question, I promise! When the car starts up cold it's rough, to the point where I can feel the vibration through the steering wheel. Is this normal, if not, what could be wrong, and how do I fix it?

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll post pics of the car when I get a chance..

 

1. You can take the ECU out yourself. A special tool is what most people would use but it isn't required. Makes things easier though. Don't know where you can buy it or if you even can. But...

There are two purple slides under the ECU. These need to be slid towards the front of the car. One at a time and don't push one to much then the other. Inch them along equally. And don't push them all the way out either, the ECU will pull straight up when it is loose enough.

2. Your car can handle 15PSI max. That is all the little 13g turbo can handle and even at that much PSI it wont handle it as efficently as a bigger turbo would like the 16T.

3. Your hood wont just pop open automatically. It will pop open slightly and then you pull it up some and the lever is right inside in the middle under the grille. Pull the lever forward and pull up and the hood will open up.