Suggestions for gains while staying N/A

1179 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Wagoneer, Mar 30, 2009

eurotuner

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2009

Hey everyone, the name's Kacper and I just recently bought a 1996 850 N/A, and I'm looking to stay that way. I was hoping to get some advice on what kinds of mods I can install for gains while remaining N/A, such as a chip, exhaust, headers,etc., whether they are worth the money or not, and if not, some advice on a set up that I should run. Highly appreciate any advice seeing as how I don't know much about these cars..yet...haha. Thanks.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

ss60

· #2 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

It's just not worth it. You could buy a whole other car for what it would cost to get any appreciable gains on a NA engine without adding a turbo.

eurotuner

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (ss60)

I expected that to be honest....the thing is I need it to serve as a commuter as well, which is why I would prefer to stay N/A, but I'm not set on it. Seeing as how I have 137k though, i would need a motor rebuild before considering a turbo right?

eurotuner

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

another one of my inquiries is my stock hp. I have the I5 20v 2.4L engine, but everywhere I attempt to find my hp, I end up finding a different #. I've found 140, 168,173, and 190. Which is it? Thanks

ss60

· #5 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

the 2.4 is 168hp.

I've driven the same car with that same engine and found it to have quite good power actually (for the size and weight of that car). If you get some lighter weight wheels on it you'd be amazed at the feel and the quicker starts. Something under 20lbs like an ultraleggra helps a lot. There are a few 17lb models around too. IPD has mesh wheel they are currently working on.

eurotuner

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (ss60)

I thought that one seemed most realistic. To be honest with you, I was pretty surprised by the power too. But unfortunately, the car does weigh as a lot. But thanks for the tip on the wheels. I'll definitely look into it. If I'm not being a hassle, I'd like to ask your opinion about this ECU, or maybe if you know someone who is running a similar set up. Came across it today and I was considering it, if it is indeed right for my car. Like I said, the main reason I want to stay N/A is because of commuting, but if with the installation of a cat-back, and ECU like this, and running some sort of an intake set up I can get between 20-40hp extra, ill be happy. Thanks

http://www.volvomotorsports.co...d=128

Ozark Lee

· #7 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

The best thing you can do on a N/A is force the airbox thermostat open. They all fail and just kill the performance of the car. This is a good thread that discusses the subject:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.c...ilure/

...Lee

eurotuner

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (Ozark Lee)

Will do. Thanks.

ss60

· #9 · Mar 27, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

Intakes don't really add any HP to that engine, at best they just allow the power to come on a little more smoothly. You can try one, your engine will sound louder, but the power won't really change (2 hp at best).

In a non turbo engine a cat back won't do much either. They help turbo's a lot by decreasing the back pressure in the system, but in a NA there is not as much real benefit (only a couple hp).

You might get a few HP out of an ECU, but not more than 7 or 8. Even BMW Dinan ECU only add 5hp to a NA engine (without other mods).
Most of the cheaper ECU out there only advance the throttle - so the power comes on quicker with less pressing of the pedal, but it's the same amount of power.

Honestly if it was my car, I'd just get a light weight set of rims and nice wax job. The car would look great, feel more responsive off the line due to the decreased rotational mass of the wheels (though there would not be much effect when passing on a highway since the wheels are already rotating), be a little more nimble handling wise, and I'd feel quite happy.

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Wagoneer

· #10 · Mar 28, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

Quote, originally posted by eurotuner »

another one of my inquiries is my stock hp. I have the I5 20v 2.4L engine, but everywhere I attempt to find my hp, I end up finding a different #. I've found 140, 168,173, and 190. Which is it? Thanks

140 was only the very base euro-spec NAs, 168 was base north american NAs, 173 is the new NA engines ('01 and up) and 190 is the light pressure turbo 2.4L engine.

Like others have said, ECU upgrade, 2.5" exhaust, and at least enjoy the 5cyl warble. All that you can do with an NA.

LloydDobler

· #11 · Mar 28, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

Quote, originally posted by eurotuner »

I want to stay N/A is because of commuting

Can you explain your reasoning here?

jh_on_the_cape

· #12 · Mar 28, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

K&N air filter?

i have a N/a... just replace plugs/wires/caprotor/coilpack/fuel pump/etc
that helped (dont know the numbers, but it ran smoother and felt quicker)

and good wheels/tires will get it going more quickly

it's nice having a car with nothing to do but keep it in good shape.

Taleof2Bricks2

· #13 · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (jh_on_the_cape)

Quote, originally posted by jh_on_the_cape »

...i have a N/a... just replace plugs/wires/caprotor/coilpack/fuel pump/etc...that helped (dont know the numbers, but it ran smoother and felt quicker)

and good wheels/tires will get it going more quickly..

A basic tune up should help any car, especially if it has been a while since the last one. Still, with an N/A, there's not much you can do for a reasonable amount of $, and any gains would be minimal, at best.

I like the 'nice wax job'

suggestion by ss60, though. I'm sure it would make the car 'glide through the air' much faster!

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2

JRL

· #14 · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

C'mon man you know you can't.
Unless you want to do a Johann and spend 10K on an engine, there's not a whole lot you can do. Enjoy the 29 MPG on regular unless you spend $1500 to make 10 hp as that's about all you can get without opening up the engine and then you have defeated the purpose of the entire thing
168 hp

Johann

· #15 · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

Quote, originally posted by eurotuner »

I thought that one seemed most realistic. To be honest with you, I was pretty surprised by the power too. But unfortunately, the car does weigh as a lot. But thanks for the tip on the wheels. I'll definitely look into it. If I'm not being a hassle, I'd like to ask your opinion about this ECU, or maybe if you know someone who is running a similar set up. Came across it today and I was considering it, if it is indeed right for my car. Like I said, the main reason I want to stay N/A is because of commuting, but if with the installation of a cat-back, and ECU like this, and running some sort of an intake set up I can get between 20-40hp extra, ill be happy. Thanks

http://www.volvomotorsports.co...d=128

Like the others said, a 10 HP gain for a lot of money. ECU doesn't do much.

What you could do is to source a turbo exhaust and the downpipe which comes with a turbo car. Cut the downpipe just behind the cat and weld the part behind the cat to the pipe on the NA which needs to be cut in the same spot. This way you will open up the exhaust a bit and the car will respond a bit sportier. Air filter might add something also. The lightweight wheels is a good suggestion and a good tune up. This should make it a nice car.

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eurotuner

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (Johann)

Thanks for the advice everybody. I appreciate it and I'll definitely take it all into consideration if and when I decide to do anything. Any specific suggestions on lightweight wheels? I was hoping for something with a gold finish. Thanks

Wagoneer

· #17 · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Suggestions for gains while staying N/A (eurotuner)

Quote, originally posted by eurotuner »

Thanks for the advice everybody. I appreciate it and I'll definitely take it all into consideration if and when I decide to do anything. Any specific suggestions on lightweight wheels? I was hoping for something with a gold finish. Thanks

Enkei makes some very nice 17" wheels that weight about 16-18lbs each in 5x108. I have 18s that weight 20lbs a peice. I noticed no difference in steering weight of acceleration going from my stock 15s to 18s, which is never the case. Ask the people running 28lb pegs

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