Hello, so I've recently made a friend. He drives a white 05 XC70 with 200k+ miles, whom we characteristically named Berta [emoji4]. I myself am a low-key Volkswagen enthusiast and I personally drive a 2012 2.5L 5cyl golf. Because of my love for my personal 5cyl, I quickly realized the gem of a car the XC70 really is.

Since my epiphany, we haven't stopped looking for upgrades and ways to bring out Berta's character when she goes off road. The necessary improvements for Berta's off-road abilities seem minimal beyond stiffening the frame. However, my friend has always had interest in a little extra power. In our findings, the 2.5l lpt is easily compared to the other trims of this car in terms of design. This lead me to believe that the hpt and lpt are more-or-less interchangeable. Another thing was that a polestar tune may also be available for a potential gain of 29hp and 37lb ft (according to polestar). The potential gains for a turbo swap is less explicit but, looking at the v70r of the same year hit 300hp makes us a bit googley-eyed.

So here come the questions: has anyone done this tune and/or can someone tell me more about it (price, differences in how the car performs)? And what other kinds of related upgrades do we need to pursue to make the turbo swap happen? And how much could it cost?

Note: this is my first time posting and I am newish to this forum. So if the information I'm looking for has already been explained elsewhere, if you may please point me in the right direction, Berta would greatly appreciate it!!

I asked the same question when I first joined. More or less boils down to "turbo, charge tube, injectors and downpipe" on the parts side as far as I know. I would go with a tune for now, there are lots available and it will give you an idea of how the car feels with some more power without any hardware changes. Then if you're really looking for power go up the stages adding downpipe, injectors, turbo etc.
Also, make sure to "stage 0" the Volvo beforehand. (Basically a really in-depth service... Belts, bushings, etc). And if it hasn't been done, REPLACE THE PCV SYSTEM. If you try to run any serious boost, especially on an older engine with more blow-by, you're gonna blow out every seal on that damn engine unless you replace the PCV vent hoses first.

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Great points. We came to the same conclusion on hitting stage 0 before going gung-ho on a new turbo. Also, are there any good write-ups for helping us achieve stage 0? But I think you're right about just gong through the stages. It would be less complicated for sure. What tunes are recommended/commonly used? I feel like the polestar tune would be "best" but I'm worried it'd be too expensive. If it helps we live in South Florida.

 

My car has ARD tune (previous owner); which most people seem to like (I've seen some say nay); it hasn't given me any issues. Hilton, JZW, VIVA, and IPD all sell tunes, and I'm fairly sure the fourm has members with each of them.
Personally, if you're going to upgrade the turbo, I highly recommend doing that first/ in tangent with the tune. The 15T/16T/19T/K24s turbos, will bolt on; but some of them have different oil lines and OTC pipe angles. ARD sells the turbos refurbed. ARD has 16T turbo for ~870 and tune (mail your ECU to them) for ~560. IPD wants 725 a tune. as examples.
I also recommend Snabb's High-flow intake pipe. Helps turbo kick in a little faster.
In theory the 2.5T with a 16T and a 'stage 1' tune should bump 205hp stock to ~280hp. I've seen downpipe/exhausts claim as much as 35hp WITH the tune, so ~310ish.
A tuned 2.5T with the stock 14T will bump to ~235hp (IPDs chart: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/775...ucts/7756/115121-engine-ecu-flash-tune-upgrade-for-motronic-7-turbo-models-1999)
The 16T came off the old 2.3 HPTs, T5 versions if I'm not mistaken.

Stage 0 is basically a glorified tune
air filter
sparks
fuel filter
check all hoses
special flush of transmission (Gibbons method, google it - easily done at home)
clean/replace PCV pipe, flame trap, and associated hoses (with engine warm at idle remove oil cap and slip on a plastic glove; it should NOT inflate, if it does, DO THIS.) Or likely will blow seals even w/o a tune.

Sometimes people include:
Ignition coils
clean/refurb fuel injectors
O2 sensors
clean/upgrade all intercooler pipes and clamps

 

Perfect! I think you have me everything we need to start! We will have to do some discussing to see which route we want to go but a "deluxe" stage 0 is most definitely in order for Berta.

 

Polestar is a lovely tune but is far more expensive plus you can't have it!
They only go back to the 2006 model year (fact) so that's out for you

 

I just found out! I am honestly quite disappointed about it.... I'm curious as to why the 2005/2006 model is the cutoff.

 

You can always go Hilton for a tune.

 

Don't be too disappointed. A Hilton tune will be just as good, over twice as inexpensive…you just won't be able to put a cool, cyan-colored square on the back of your car (with any degree of authenticity, at least). I'm hoping to have Hilton tune my wagon by this Summer…if I can ever get around to installing the used, go-fast goodies I've been slowly collecting. You've gotten some good info here—Stage 0 first. Then tune…or turbo THEN tune. If you're thinking of upgrading the turbo, my understanding is a 16T will be the easiest, both the find and to implement. But you'll need a tune to take advantage of it.

 

I recommend turbo and tune together. If you upgrade the turbo you must buy a tune to get anything out of it, the stock software controls everything and will make no more power. If you buy a tune first, and then upgrade the turbo later, it may cost more because you will have to re-tune.

There is no way to swap electronics to improve power or manually control boost on these cars, it's all electronic and all the relevant computers are tied to the VIN of the car.