Turbo-tuning

This page is based on the article on turbo-tuning earlier published in the club magazine Born Classic.
Please note that Volvo does not accept any responsibility for any tuning. Alterations to your car may effect your product warrantee rights. Alterations may have negative side-effects. Please also refer to the policy statement page of this site.
Some tuning companies offer specially programmed chips to increase performance of turbo engines. Several club members were interested. On 16 September 1996, the Dutch Volvo 480 Enthusiasts Club organised a chiptuning day. A report.

On a sunny Saturday, the parking lot gradually filled with Volvo 480's. A chip specialist was invited for a presentation. He also offered a specific chip.

Advantages of chiptuning can be:

  • more power and, even more important, notably higher torque
  • lower exhaust temperature and lower turbo temperature, enhancing durability
  • improved fuel efficiency
  • more fluent driving in traffic jams
  • lower CO-emissions.

The turbochip offered for the Volvo 480 turbo changes ignition timing and increases turbo pressure. For best results, RON 98 gasoline is required. RON 95 is also possible, but this causes some loss of power. Of course, ignition and injection systems should be in proper order to achieve good results. The same applies for turbo waste gate, control, tubes and connections. Proper sparks are essential. Bosch W(R)6DC and Champion (R)N7YC are known to be okay for this chip. Sparks should be changed every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres. Matters remaining unchanged are:

  • motor management failsafe measures
  • turbo overboost controls

The relevant chip can be changed easily to convert to original specifications when desired. Chances being so are considered limited though, as the standard Volvo 480 turbo engine is very advanced and more than reliable.

Not every club member was directly convinced, but test drives showed notable improvements, although varying per car. After sale experience learned that drivers well appreciated increased performance.

See table below for comparison with other turbo engine cars.

Auto hp/l Nm/l pk/kg 0-100 km/h
Volvo 480 turbo, standard 1.7 l, 8 v 70 102 0.12 9.0
Volvo 480 turbo, chiptuned 87 136.6 0.15 7.5
Alfa Romeo 75 T, 1.8 l, 8 v 87 127 0.13 8.1
Fiat Uno turbo, 1.3 l,8 v 81 113 0.13 8.2
Ford Escort RS, 1.6 l, 8 v 82.5 113 0.14 8.7
Ford Sierra Cosworth, 2.0 l,16v 102 138 0.17 6.5
Lancia Delta HF 1.6 l, 8 v 87.5 119.5 0.13 8.7
Nissan 200 SX 1.8 l, 16 v 93 124 0.14 7.5
Porsche 911 turbo, 3.3 l, 12 v 91 130 0.23 5.5
Renault 5 GT turbo, 1.4 l, 8 v 86 118 0.14 8.0
Renault 21 turbo, 2.0 l, 8 v 87.5 135 0.15 7.4
Renault 25 turbo, 2.5 l, 12 v 73 112 0.13 7.7
Renault Alpine, 2.5 l, 12 v 80 114 0.16 7.0
Saab 900 turbo, 2.0 l, 8 v 77.5 122.5 0.13 8.6
Saab 9-3 cabrio, 2.0 l, 16 v 77 120 0.11 8.5
Saab 9-3 cabrio, 2.0 l, 16 v chiptuned 93 140 0.14 7.3
Volkswagen Corrado G60, 1.8 l, 8 v 89 125 0.14 8.3