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Removing The Torque Limiter On A 2004 Volvo V70R.To Speed, Or Not To Speed? That Is the question.

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rockstarjake79

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey Guys! I'm so sorry for bothering you, and the little play on words In the title. I just wanted to ask a question, about the Issue that everyone knows, It was about the Torque Limiter, on the 2004-2005 AW-55 Transmission, I never thought the day would come! As we had Rocket, our 2007 Volvo S60R. But now, With the Addition of neonshaun's V70R! And driving It more, It really brought up a question for me. Should I remove the Torque Limiter on my car?

So, I was thinking of using Hilton Tuning! Just a Stage 1 Tune with the addition of a Torque Limiter Delete, and the price came up to about $400 USD. But, I was reading the threads from YEAAAAARS Ago, Okay! MAYBE Not that long, But still quite a while. But, When people mentioned The IPD/MTE and RICA Tunes, And I haven't heard too much about Hilton's Tuning past one thread, I think It was Haunt's 2005 S60R? Where he said It was amazing, But nothing bad ever came from It.

So, That left me wondering, Would this be a good Idea? I knew from the AW-55 Overheating and the Flare Issues, I was worried. But my V70R, It was babied a lot of It's life, and It's at 102,480 Miles right about now. So, The transmission Is In perfect health, But I was wondering, Would It be a good Idea?

Should I design an almost, Custom Loop Transmission Oil Cooler? Or Is this safe enough... But the good news! If something does fail, We have an amazing mechanic named Kyle, So an M66 Swap, If things go wrong, Wouldn't need to be completely out of the picture. Thank you guys so much! But If you guys would be willing to help, Or would have any advice, It would mean the world. Thank you guys so much! I hope you have a great day!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
martynunya said:
Why not just go straight to manual swap?

Sent from my ECU
Click to expand...
Hey, martynunya! Thank you so much for responding! That's a really great question... WELL, I know It's just delaying the Invevitable, But life has just been so busy lately, I've been dying to drive the car, And being so far away from Rolling Motors, Not to mention, I guess to me, As embarrassing as It Is, There's something so relaxing about an Automatic, AW-55 or TF-80SC, But having more power would be nice! My Good Buddy's T5 Is quite a bit faster than mine, But what do you think marty? Do you think It would be a good Idea? I'm really not sure. Thank you so much for the advice! I hope you have a great day!
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
martynunya said:
I think that if you are good with knowing that the transmission life is going to be premature then have fun with it. My aw55 finally crapped out at 340k so you have time...

Sent from my ECU
Click to expand...
RIGHT? That was what I was afraid of... With the AW-55, I was thinking of building that Transmission Oil Cooler Setup, But the question would be, Where? You're not kidding! But with this Transmission In really good health, It would give a little bit more time to get all of the Cards In place for the M66 Swap! But until then, That would be quite fun. That's not a very noble way to die though, You know? I know It's just a machine, But It did have a legacy. LOL Thank you Marty!
 
#7 ·
I’ve got a couple of original AW-55, 2002 models known for their lack of reliability, that are over 200,000 miles without a rebuild. I’ve also got a 2001 that runs flawlessly behind a modified T5 engine (R manifold, IPD down pipe, IPD exhaust).

i replaced the valve bodies when they started to shift poorly (you won’t need to do that on yours, problems were fixed by then).

I’ve added an external cooler, thermostat and remote filter, and that’s what I recommend for you. I removed the bumper cover to plumb it all in. I used Oetiker clamps for the connections. Quick to crimp tight. Ten years later, no leaks.

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Discussion starter · #8 ·
Astro14 said:
I’ve got a couple of original AW-55, 2002 models known for their lack of reliability, that are over 200,000 miles without a rebuild. I’ve also got a 2001 that runs flawlessly behind a modified T5 engine (R manifold, IPD down pipe, IPD exhaust).

i replaced the valve bodies when they started to shift poorly (you won’t need to do that on yours, problems were fixed by then).

I’ve added an external cooler, thermostat and remote filter, and that’s what I recommend for you. I removed the bumper cover to plumb it all in. I used Oetiker clamps for the connections. Quick to crimp tight. Ten years later, no leaks.

View attachment 151725
View attachment 151726
View attachment 151727
Click to expand...
ASTRO, Thank you SO Much! That Is exactly what I was looking for! That sounds amazing. I really appreciate It! Where did you get your cooler, thermostat, and Remote Filter? I'm just exhausted! LOL Thank you again, Astro!
 
#9 ·
Hey Jake, my apologies, been away for a while, lost a family member. Back now.

It‘s been a few years, but I think I got the filter mount, thermostat and cooler on Amazon, but they’re also available on Summit racing and other sites.

I went with the
Derale 25750 Remote Filter Mount Kit
Derale 13011 Fluid Control Thermostat Kit,Silver
B&M 70264 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler

Derale also makes a thermostat mounting bracket which makes installation a bit easier.

The remote filter mount takes a variety of large filters. I went with K&N, but any good filter will do. PH8A or equivalent size would be my recommendation. Take the filter mount to an auto parts store and check the thread pitch and gasket size.

The thermostat is a 180 degree one. It will bypass the cooler until the fluid gets to 180. The cars were in Colorado and Vermont, so I actually wanted them to warm the fluid in cold weather.

My fluid routing was from transmission to radiator, from radiator return line, splice a hose (3/8” brass barb work for me) to the oil filter. From oil filter to thermostat. From thermostat to cooler. Return line from thermostat to oil return line (splice point) to transmission. You could, with the thermostat, bypass the radiator loop altogether, but I left it in place.

You can get 160 degree thermostats if you want a lower running temperature. They were rare and expensive. The Derale wasn’t that expensive. About $60. The radiator coolant temp was about 210, so best case, before the installation, the transmission fluid was running 210, but I suspect it got a bit hotter.

The B&M is a stacked plate cooler. Both more damage resistant and more effective than a tube and fin cooler. Also more expensive than tube and fin but at $100 or so, not going to break the bank. It’s recommended for much bigger vehicles than the Volvo, but heat is heat, and I wanted to be able to get rid of as much heat as the transmission was going to make.

I highly recommend that B&M. Fits neatly. Works well. Has held up for many years.

I had to fabricate a bracket to hold the cooler in front of the condenser. I used 1/8” aluminum bar stock and just pop-riveted it to the bumper frame. I had to trim just a bit of the radiator shroud in the front of the car to route the two hoses from cooler to thermostat.

Good luck with your installation.

PM me if I don’t respond quickly. Busy time in my life.

Cheers,
Astro
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
Astro14 said:
Hey Jake, my apologies, been away for a while, lost a family member. Back now.

It‘s been a few years, but I think I got the filter mount, thermostat and cooler on Amazon, but they’re also available on Summit racing and other sites.

I went with the
Derale 25750 Remote Filter Mount Kit
Derale 13011 Fluid Control Thermostat Kit,Silver
B&M 70264 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler

Derale also makes a thermostat mounting bracket which makes installation a bit easier.

The remote filter mount takes a variety of large filters. I went with K&N, but any good filter will do. PH8A or equivalent size would be my recommendation. Take the filter mount to an auto parts store and check the thread pitch and gasket size.

The thermostat is a 180 degree one. It will bypass the cooler until the fluid gets to 180. The cars were in Colorado and Vermont, so I actually wanted them to warm the fluid in cold weather.

My fluid routing was from transmission to radiator, from radiator return line, splice a hose (3/8” brass barb work for me) to the oil filter. From oil filter to thermostat. From thermostat to cooler. Return line from thermostat to oil return line (splice point) to transmission. You could, with the thermostat, bypass the radiator loop altogether, but I left it in place.

You can get 160 degree thermostats if you want a lower running temperature. They were rare and expensive. The Derale wasn’t that expensive. About $60. The radiator coolant temp was about 210, so best case, before the installation, the transmission fluid was running 210, but I suspect it got a bit hotter.

The B&M is a stacked plate cooler. Both more damage resistant and more effective than a tube and fin cooler. Also more expensive than tube and fin but at $100 or so, not going to break the bank. It’s recommended for much bigger vehicles than the Volvo, but heat is heat, and I wanted to be able to get rid of as much heat as the transmission was going to make.

I highly recommend that B&M. Fits neatly. Works well. Has held up for many years.

I had to fabricate a bracket to hold the cooler in front of the condenser. I used 1/8” aluminum bar stock and just pop-riveted it to the bumper frame. I had to trim just a bit of the radiator shroud in the front of the car to route the two hoses from cooler to thermostat.

Good luck with your installation.

PM me if I don’t respond quickly. Busy time in my life.

Cheers,
Astro
Click to expand...
My sincerest apologies for your loss Astro, I can't Imagine how you're dealing with that. I really appreciate your response! You're going to save my V70R. Thank you so much again, Astro! My sincerest condolences again.
 
#11 ·
This is crazy you made this thread cuz I have been thinking this same thing. I tried contacting Hilton a week ago by both Facebook and the email on their site, and I've gotten no response. I hope he's still around doing stuff and he's just busy with the holiday week, but their socials have been pretty inactive for at least 6 months.

I don't really want a full tune, just the limit removed. So if I hear back, I'll let you know!
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
SwedeyRedWagon said:
This is crazy you made this thread cuz I have been thinking this same thing. I tried contacting Hilton a week ago by both Facebook and the email on their site, and I've gotten no response. I hope he's still around doing stuff and he's just busy with the holiday week, but their socials have been pretty inactive for at least 6 months.

I don't really want a full tune, just the limit removed. So if I hear back, I'll let you know!
Click to expand...
Hey, Swedey! Thank you SO Much! I saw your post on your HID Sadness. I'm SO Sorry to hear about that madness with that, I've just been dying to reach out to you! I'm so glad to hear that your headlight trouble was able to be fixed! It's just really great to meet you. Yeah! But If you would be willing, If Hilton reaches back out to you, I would really appreciate It! I'm so glad we're In the same boat! I love your V70R By the way. SUPER Late Congratulations on the win. LOL Thank you so much, Swedey! I hope you have a great night!
 
#13 ·
rockstarjake79 said:
Hey, Swedey! Thank you SO Much! I saw your post on your HID Sadness. I'm SO Sorry to hear about that madness with that, I've just been dying to reach out to you! I'm so glad to hear that your headlight trouble was able to be fixed! It's just really great to meet you. Yeah! But If you would be willing, If Hilton reaches back out to you, I would really appreciate It! I'm so glad we're In the same boat! I love your V70R By the way. SUPER Late Congratulations on the win. LOL Thank you so much, Swedey! I hope you have a great night!
Click to expand...
Hey! Thanks! I like your fleet of Volvos, it's totally awesome. I appreciate how enthusiastic and active in the community you are too, so thank you! Good to meet you as well. I appreciate it, and I love love love my V70R. Best car I own easily.

I have good news! Hilton got back to me and they do have a package just for the torque limit delete! Link below. Just need a DICE unit after you download the tune and their software. I'll let you know how the "install"/flash goes!

Automatic Transmission Torque Limiter Removal Upgrade | Hilton Tuning

hiltontuning.com hiltontuning.com
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
SwedeyRedWagon said:
Hey! Thanks! I like your fleet of Volvos, it's totally awesome. I appreciate how enthusiastic and active in the community you are too, so thank you! Good to meet you as well. I appreciate it, and I love love love my V70R. Best car I own easily.

I have good news! Hilton got back to me and they do have a package just for the torque limit delete! Link below. Just need a DICE unit after you download the tune and their software. I'll let you know how the "install"/flash goes!

Automatic Transmission Torque Limiter Removal Upgrade | Hilton Tuning

hiltontuning.com hiltontuning.com
Click to expand...
Hey Swedey! Thank you SO Much! I'm so glad you love your V70R! I'm so glad that Hilton responded. Yeah! But If you would let me know! Funny enough... Now, I have to chase down a Headlight Issue. I think It's just a Bulb, But... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH It's Intermittent! But kind of consistent LOL It's when you turn the Headlights off and on again... EEEEEEEEEE LOL I hope you have a great night Swedey!
 
#15 ·
rockstarjake79 said:
Hey Swedey! Thank you SO Much! I'm so glad you love your V70R! I'm so glad that Hilton responded. Yeah! But If you would let me know! Funny enough... Now, I have to chase down a Headlight Issue. I think It's just a Bulb, But... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH It's Intermittent! But kind of consistent LOL It's when you turn the Headlights off and on again... EEEEEEEEEE LOL I hope you have a great night Swedey!
Click to expand...
No problem! I did my transmission fluid change (the iPd/Gibbons method) and she drives... about the same, maybe worse as it heats up? Hopefully it'll readjust with some miles, cuz my fluid was horrifyingly old. So I'm gonna wait until I'm sure the shifting is back to normal to do the torque limitr removal. Regardless, I'll make sure I follow up!

As for your bulbs, that sounds similar to my issue. If I switched the lights off then on again, it would fix the light for awhile. Eventually that stopped working and the light stayed off cuz my ballast was dead.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
SwedeyRedWagon said:
No problem! I did my transmission fluid change (the iPd/Gibbons method) and she drives... about the same, maybe worse as it heats up? Hopefully it'll readjust with some miles, cuz my fluid was horrifyingly old. So I'm gonna wait until I'm sure the shifting is back to normal to do the torque limitr removal. Regardless, I'll make sure I follow up!

As for your bulbs, that sounds similar to my issue. If I switched the lights off then on again, it would fix the light for awhile. Eventually that stopped working and the light stayed off cuz my ballast was dead.
Click to expand...
Hey Swedey! I totally Understand! I'm SO Sorry to hear your transmission Is giving you trouble. I think I heard from my Dad, or somebody! When the Fluid Is so old, When the new fluid Is put In, It's almost like It's slipping because It doesn't have enough friction? You know? BUT, I really hope It gets better! That breaks my heart. Thank you so much for the Headlight Advice, Swedey! I'll let you know though LOL I hope you have a great night Swedey!
 
#17 ·
rockstarjake79 said:
Hey Swedey! I totally Understand! I'm SO Sorry to hear your transmission Is giving you trouble. I think I heard from my Dad, or somebody! When the Fluid Is so old, When the new fluid Is put In, It's almost like It's slipping because It doesn't have enough friction? You know? BUT, I really hope It gets better! That breaks my heart. Thank you so much for the Headlight Advice, Swedey! I'll let you know though LOL I hope you have a great night Swedey!
Click to expand...
Well, good news is I was a bit low on fluid, so I got it to the right level at the right temperature and after a long drive, it seems just fine! So I think I am good.

Btw, I ordered the torque limit removal from Hilton, so as soon as it comes in, I'm throwing it on there. I am super excited to try the car out with those silly torque limits.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
SwedeyRedWagon said:
Well, good news is I was a bit low on fluid, so I got it to the right level at the right temperature and after a long drive, it seems just fine! So I think I am good.

Btw, I ordered the torque limit removal from Hilton, so as soon as it comes in, I'm throwing it on there. I am super excited to try the car out with those silly torque limits.
Click to expand...
YAYYYYYYY LOL That's amazing Swedey. I'm so glad to hear that your transmission Is happy and healthier! I can't wait! I'm sure you probably can't more than me! LOL But If you feel comfortable, I would love to know how It goes. Maybe some videos too? For Science! ;) Thank you so much Swedey. Have a great night!
 
#19 ·
rockstarjake79 said:
Hey Guys! I'm so sorry for bothering you, and the little play on words In the title. I just wanted to ask a question, about the Issue that everyone knows, It was about the Torque Limiter, on the 2004-2005 AW-55 Transmission, I never thought the day would come! As we had Rocket, our 2007 Volvo S60R. But now, With the Addition of neonshaun's V70R! And driving It more, It really brought up a question for me. Should I remove the Torque Limiter on my car?
Click to expand...
Hi there,
I bought my V70 about 2 years ago and wasn't thrilled about the performance (understatement...) Installed a boostgauge after a few months and noticed Ithe car was only making max 10 psi of boost, read a lot of things here about the factory limitation in first 3 gears but honestly, my car never boosted higer even in 4 or 5th gear. So i decided to go with the torque removel from Rica and....

Best bucks I ever spent :)

I went with the softloader option, took about 5 min's to flash the car..

Car boosts "normal" now (1.1 bar should be factory spec. I read somewhere), I'm getting max 1.3 and the car now moves like a 300hp wagon. 0-60 in 6.3 sec. or better on a cold day. I'm not trashing it daily, I think if you just drive the car as a powerwagon (not a racecar) the transmission will be fine. My car has 310K Km on the clock. It's now a torqueyieieie wagon :)
Cheers, Paul
 
Discussion starter · #20 · (Edited)
paulv70_r said:
Hi there,
I bought my V70 about 2 years ago and wasn't thrilled about the performance (understatement...) Installed a boostgauge after a few months and noticed Ithe car was only making max 10 psi of boost, read a lot of things here about the factory limitation in first 3 gears but honestly, my car never boosted higer even in 4 or 5th gear. So i decided to go with the torque removel from Rica and....

Best bucks I ever spent :)

I went with the softloader option, took about 5 min's to flash the car..

Car boosts "normal" now (1.1 bar should be factory spec. I read somewhere), I'm getting max 1.3 and the car now moves like a 300hp wagon. 0-60 in 6.3 sec. or better on a cold day. I'm not trashing it daily, I think if you just drive the car as a powerwagon (not a racecar) the transmission will be fine. My car has 310K Km on the clock. It's now a torqueyieieie wagon :)
Cheers, Paul
Click to expand...
Hey Paul! Thank you SO Much! I'm so glad that you love It! That Is absolutely what I wanted to know. I hope you have a great day!
 
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