It feels like a new car!

Post by **tailor** » 21 Apr 2008, 22:25

I decided to switch from economy mode to sport mode, I know, I know with gas at 1.20 /ltr what am I thinking, anyway I have awakened a beast.
I am sure that with my modest speeds and gentle driving I had made a coddled car. I am absolutely astonished at the difference in modes and performance, ok, so at 11.5ltrs/100km still a little high.
I rather think that the computer had got used to my "grandpa " driving and now after a couple of good boosts she runs well, at 266000km seems very well.
The warmer weather must be playing a part too.
It surely could not have anything to do with the air-con now working after a fill up..... could it?(and I will stop calling you Shirley)
Any thoughts anybody?

Post by **Sperry** » 22 Apr 2008, 05:43

I don't note any appreciable difference between econ/sport modes.
Perhaps it is moot unless one modifies driving styles as well.

dobriduh · Post by **dobriduh** » 22 Apr 2008, 13:55

Me too. I dont notice any difference between S and E. Maybe the Volvo makers did it as a marketing trick or whatever, but it feels the same to me

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Apr 2008, 15:37

It is very different...my car (although modified) is sportier in S, almost spinning the wheels in the first two gears...this doesn't happen in E.

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 22 Apr 2008, 21:28

Of course you feel a difference! You are changing your shift points. I know that you people know this, but just thought I'd chime in with my input. My 93' moves alot faster in S.mode. Except right now while it's sitting on the side of the house awaiting a tranny.

Post by **tailor** » 22 Apr 2008, 21:38

Of course you feel a difference! You are changing your shift points.

True, but even the turbo feels like it has more boost and for longer.
Further to my previous thoughts, maybe I just did my own " Italian tune up", in any event it feels a lot more responsive.

Wingman45 · Post by **Wingman45** » 23 Apr 2008, 19:00

While you were on this topic, it seemed like an appropriate place to ask this. I understand the infinite number of variables, but I'm asking this in a general sense.

Would there be an obvious reason that I'm overlooking, why my '94 850 turbo is WAY faster than my '96 855R??? I mean, it's not just a little bit...the '94 will burn tires, in a second, and hold you against the back of the seat as long as you've got pair enough to keep you foot in it.

I bought a '96 855R, thinking, if that's what the '94 was like, this is going to be my new baby...but it's not.

It's smooth and fast, but only about as fast as my OTHER '94 850T ( I'm afraid I'm addicted) All 3 have had a new tranny & Oil flush and have similar mileage (155k+) The turbos are boosting exactly the same, according to the stock guage. They are in similar condition (actually the fast one was a northern car, so it's in the WORST condition of the three. In fact, when I took the intake off it for a PTC cleaning, the compressor side of the turbo looked nasty and didn't even feel like it would spin freely!!) Short of a dealer ECU check I just don't know. The ABS / TRAX OFF lts wouldn't slow the R down would they??? Anyway...sorry for the long post. Thanks for your thoughts!

Confused in VA.

BTW: Two of these will be for sale soon if interested.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Apr 2008, 20:21

Confused...it's hard to say... It actually could have a chipped ECU. Another thing might be the wastegate is adjusted way out of spec and therfore the boost. Another thing is that later model "R's" are AWD therfore shared torque to the rear wheels slow them down. Trying to remember if a '96 was AWD or not...maybe not. Hard to say. Others will most likely chime in with their theories.

Wingman45 · Post by **Wingman45** » 24 Apr 2008, 07:51

My R is just front wheel drive. A Chip was the only thing I could think of too. Can you tell by pulling the ECU and looking at it??

Would the '94 ECU work in the R and vice a versa?

thanks for the input...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Apr 2008, 15:32

The ECU's are different and not interchangeable. If it is chipped, depending on who did it, you might be able to tell, but some companies like IPD use TME for pure software upgrades and there is nothing physically added so you wouldn't be able to tell on their upgrads.. So, I guess a true test of "chipped" or not "chipped" would be a dyno. Just for kicks, look at the numbers that IPD shows for their ECU upgrades (also lists what ECU each car has) at the bottom of this page: http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-850/Perform ... -143-2183/

Reading the chart on that page, conceivably, the '94 could be upgraded and run much quicker than the R. Compare tire size too....if they are different, rotational speed might make you feel like you're going faster when you really might not be...