I'm not interested in buying this but I came across it on eBay and just thought it might make for some interesting discussion.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0204882578

This is a fangled OEM Volvo boost controller kit with a new computer that supposedly gives you all kinds of extra boost and power but only in 3rd and 4th gears. I assume that it only works with an automatic since I can't see how it could detect when you're in 3rd gear with a manual unless the M90 and/or M47 has sensors for 3rd, 4th & 5th. There's a 4th gear sensor for the OD on a M46 so there is a possible way for it to detect when you're in 4th or 5th on an M46 but there's no 3rd gear sensor.

Anyhoo, at $1000 this is a pretty expensive way to get 40-50 extra hp. It does look like it wouldn't be a whole lotta trouble to install and get working though...

Roj

hmm.....iinteresting.

Does nothing particularly useful that your simple cheap mechanical boost controller doesn't do. In fact it's less useful. It limits the conditions and duration for the extra boost, whereas crazy types like us seem to prefer to have the extra boost ALL THE TIME.

Got a message back from the seller and I was correct in guessing that it's only designed to work with an automatic. Here's what he said in his answer.

"You are correct. The instructions say Automatic Transmission Only. FK
engines must have tires that meet at least HR specifications. FT engines
must have tires that meet at least VR specifications. Turbo + installation
is only permitted on cars with automatic transmissions in the USA, Canada, and Japan."

Yah right, like you'd NEED to have VR rated tires for ANY 4 cyl RWD Volvo, boosted turbo or not. You couldn't make ANY of them go fast enough to seriously require a VR rated tire even if you dropped one out of a plane. The terminal velocity of a brick shaped object is well below the rated top speed of a VR tire.

do I even dare ask what the top speed for a VR rated tire is?

240.

I bet Ians car could do it. Maybe mine next year...

I know car and driver did 260 in a stock 850 turbo on a test track.

240?

pretty sure my car could do that...had her pretty close to that at some point....

athal, you got more horses and isnt your car a bit lighter? how can your car NOT do that????

It's called aerodynamics...a brick can only be made to go so fast...

Try telling a tire shop that. I'd be willing to bet places like Costco will not install anything less than V-rates tires on either your 740 or 940. I think it's called CYA for liability purposes...

I'd take that bet, Dale - I figure H rated is what they'd recommend. V-rated stuff were for 150+ mph vehicles of the day. You're right, though - Costco won't install anything that's not in the owner's manual, including size, sidewall, or speed rating. My buddy Scott had to fight to get them to install H rated snows on his car - they wanted to put V rated ones on there but the tread pattern isn't anywhere near as winter-aggressive as the H's were (Michelin Alpin).

Might be H but I think Rick at Kirk cut me a good deal on some V rated because his book said Volvo Turbo cars should have V. If it wasn't so cold outside I'd take a flashlight out and look at them...

...remember that your spedo is calibrated for LEGAL speeds and will most likely be well off at speeds in excess of 200 KPH. On to the physics lesson...IIRC the relationship between velocity and HP is exponential. That's why all the high dollar super cars need 600 hp to do 300 KPH and a KIA can do 160 KPH with 80HP. Then you'd have to factor in aerodynamic drag - which is why I polish everything, molecular level smoothness must make for more speed with only 40 HP

hmm how would i test that? i need to find me a cop friend who could stand outside with a speed gun and not ticket my ass

and...come on....my car's still pretty brick-ish here guys....we want a streamlined *70, look at ian's car. not mine!

why don't you just use a GPS?

you know...I now have the brother-in-law thinking he should be getting me one of those for christmas this year.

i hate suburbia calgary...with its roads all being the same name...and general confusion and rabbit warrenness!!!