97 850R Am I the only one that likes turbo lag?

koffinb · Post by **koffinb** » 19 Oct 2014, 16:30

I know many of you are probably wondering what in the world is wrong with me, but I want to kno exactly why people try so hard to eliminate turbo lag. I personally like the idea of having low to moderate power in traffic/around town situations and then that sudden 'push you in the back of your seat' rocket ship effect...especially with the whining turbine sound my car makes. Having instant torque is nice and all, but I much rather prefer to have a sudden jolt of boost feeling like i have ben suddenly pushed from the back.
Am I the only crazy one on here that thinks this way?
I am just thinking ahead in the future..my current R has the 15G turbo, and I was wondering if upgrading to a 16T or 18T turbo would have any effect on this. I have also considered not doing a turbo upgrade at all because of that turbo sound I was describing above. I have read that the 15G is the only turbo that has that whining sound as the turbo spools up and the 16 and 18T turbos are rather quiet.

Yes you read that right..I love turbo lag (maybe not too much of it) and I like the sound of the turbo spooling as well as the whoosh sound when letting off the throttle. Anyone else on my side?

Post by **rspi** » 19 Oct 2014, 16:57

Not really (here). LOL I like the car to have the power on hand as I push the pedal. If I want a little power, I'll push the pedal down just a little. When I go WOT, I would like all of my power NOW. I have gotten spanked a few times with the lag. And at my 5,600 feet altitude, it's worse (likely double).

The sound is nice, the blowby is nice, and I'm satisfied with the performance of the car, but yes less lag would be nice. (Also, a 16T is not a sizable upgrade, unless your 15G is weak).

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Oct 2014, 17:00

I'm with you, Koffin.

I've had a couple big American V8s with their off-the-line necksnapping torque, and they're fun. But you never get more than whatever throttle you give them.

The disproportionate throttle to thrust of these Volvo T5s, and their sound and wind-out thrust in gears 2-3-4 is just awesome.

koffinb · Post by **koffinb** » 19 Oct 2014, 17:12

rspi wrote:Not really (here). LOL I like the car to have the power on hand as I push the pedal. If I want a little power, I'll push the pedal down just a little. When I go WOT, I would like all of my power NOW. I have gotten spanked a few times with the lag. And at my 5,600 feet altitude, it's worse (likely double).

The sound is nice, the blowby is nice, and I'm satisfied with the performance of the car, but yes less lag would be nice. (Also, a 16T is not a sizable upgrade, unless your 15G is weak).

LOL understood. My 15G is not weak by any means, how would you rate the 18T compared to the 15G. Obviously it puts out more power but is it something worth going for?

koffinb · Post by **koffinb** » 19 Oct 2014, 17:16

matthew1 wrote:I'm with you, Koffin.

I've had a couple big American V8s with their off-the-line necksnapping torque, and they're fun. But you never get more than whatever throttle you give them.

The disproportionate throttle to thrust of these Volvo T5s, and their sound and wind-out thrust in gears 2-3-4 is just awesome.

I'm glad someone agrees with me 100%

Post by **rspi** » 19 Oct 2014, 18:01

I don't know this from experience, just from what mod'ers have told me. The V70R came with a 18T, very noticeable and lots of gain. I have a 16T sitting in my storage now for about 2 months. Looking for an 18 or 19T.

Post by **tryingbe** » 19 Oct 2014, 20:26

Personally, I'd put my money towards a angle outlet housing, 3 inch exhaust before I upgrade the turbo.

Click refresh.

http://www.squirrelpf.com/turbocalc/ind ... ap_sel2=84

Post by **scot850** » 19 Oct 2014, 20:29

I have a 2000 V70R and it runs a 19T turbo, not and 18T. Perhaps the 2.3l engine in the earlier version ran an 18T?

You can improve the output of your existing turbo, by tuning the engine with a software upgrade from ARD, Rica, IPD, etc., which will allow your to boost a higher pressure in your turbo. You can also upgrade your turbo compressor by-pass valve (CBV) with one from IPD which (depending which spring you use) will allow up to 20 psi boost. I'm running RICA software in my V70R and it boosts to around 17-18psi, but I also use an IPD TCV which reacts better at higher pressures than standard Volvo version which I think is only goes to 10-12psi before it can flutter. I haven't put the car on a rolling road, but it is supposed to run around 310bhp and 300ft/lb torque. Even if it isn't that high, it is still pretty good and I'm happy with it. My car is also fitted with a Eurosport twin sports muffler and using standard airbox but with a K&N filter. I have still to add the IPD CBV as I will have to pull the turbo as the 19T doesn't give a lot of room, especially on AWD cars, to replace it in situ.

Neil.