G/box: 70 Auto: Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this -

[tony209]

https://jfautomotive.co.uk/product/a...-c70-t5-240hp/

[js90]

Never seen it before but I would avoid it. Why does one of their marketing pictures show a Lamborghini? Are they insinuating that this wonder product will give you DSG performance?

Looks like snake oil to me. Are there any reputable reviews of it? From either a reputable site or a YT channel with more than 10 subs? I doubt it.

[JohnM 855 T5R]

Theoretically this could, if their mapping is effective, give some small performance improvement with a higher shift rpm as well as improving fuel economy by changing the torque converter lock-up strategy (earlier lock-up on light throttle) - though I strongly doubt it would give faster shifts (that's more a function of the design of the internal hydraulics of the gearbox itself which would be unaffected).

I have Volvo Polestar software upgrades on both my automatic C30 T5 and C70II T5. The Polestar upgrades for automatic transmission cars remap both the ECU and the TCM and Polestar make a thing of this in their advertising. The kickdown is much more sensitive and the shiftpoint rpm noticeably increased (in D, on full throttle, shifts occur at around 5900 to 6000 rpm). The shifts are also very positive with no "slurring due, presumably to better management of the torque converter lockup which make them "feel" quicker. Certainly, the Polestar upgrades make the autobox much more like a manual in character as well as providing an extra 20 bhp.
Sadly, there are no Polestar upgrades available for pre 2006 models.

It all comes down to whether JF Automotive really know what they are doing. Remember that Polestar was/is the performance division of Volvo.

Regards
John

[tony209]

Thanks for the input. I've not seen anyone offer auto gearbox tuning for earlier Volvos before. The auto box in the C70 I find although smooth, is a bit lazy and could benefit from a tune up.

I would suspect that the faster gear shifts will be down to software speed rather than mechanical, not an area I know anything about but could they be speeding up the time it takes to instigated a shift?

JFA seem credible, I want to look into their motor racing support though and see if it's technical or just financial.

[CNGBiFuel]

Sounds like snake-oil to avoid a flush to me. I'd get your box back to working as it should first.

The auto box in the C70 I find although smooth, is a bit lazy and could benefit from a tune up.

Something is wrong.... £50 says your fluid is not bright pink.

If brown that'll be your problem right there. Do that this minute, because these boxes are never lazy, and great if looked after. But often go iffy somewhere near 150K when you don't. More so if you've allowed the fluid to burn.


The 'lifetime fluid' that isn't etc etc.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=263883

I suspect that gizmo is versions of the factory Aisin software fix for 2003 era boxes that weren't flushed. It's junk and doesn't work, but kinda does... its purpose was to get dealers off the hook with their 'lifetime fluid', until the warranty on 2002/03 era cars expired. Must have saved the dealers millions.

Sounds like your solenoids are starting to stick, keep fluid pink, and get yourself a Magnefine whilst you're in there.

[tony209]

Originally Posted by CNGBiFuel

Sounds like snake-oil to avoid a flush to me. I'd get your box back to working as it should first.



Something is wrong.... £50 says your fluid is not bright pink.

If brown that'll be your problem right there. Do that this minute, because these boxes are never lazy, and great if looked after. But often go iffy somewhere near 150K when you don't. More so if you've allowed the fluid to burn.


The 'lifetime fluid' that isn't etc etc.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=263883

I suspect that gizmo is versions of the factory Aisin software fix for 2003 era boxes that weren't flushed. It's junk and doesn't work, but kinda does... its purpose was to get dealers off the hook with their 'lifetime fluid', until the warranty on 2002/03 era cars expired. Must have saved the dealers millions.

Sounds like your solenoids are starting to stick, keep fluid pink, and get yourself a Magnefine whilst you're in there.

I had the gearbox fluid replaced 2 years/10k ago and it was serviced by an auto gearbox specialist by a previousowner at 80k. The issues I have ( these may be normal as this is my first auto), firstly, there's sometimes a lag (similar to a slipping clutch) between 1st -2nd - 3rd under certain conditions, almost as if the box is about to change up a gear just as I lift off the throttle and is then 'confused' as to which gear is required.
I feel it's slow to change into a top 'cruising' gear, it's holding 3rd on a level road at 30ish whereas if it was a manual, I would be in 4th - I can force a gear change by slightly lifting on the throttle, it will then stay in 4th until I increase the throttle. Finally, driving up an incline, it keeps changing up and down.

[CNGBiFuel]

Not sure why you're looking for a software tune-up when you 'appear' to be describing flaring. That's not good.
More so if the fluid is pink, for then there's no way out. At 80K there should not be too much wrong with the box anyway, which begs why the PO was having work done? Working as it should, these boxes swap gears better, faster, smoother than albeit the very fastest and smoothest use of a manual. But yes, we've all been in cars with many a driver of a manual that'd leave you glad you've got neck-muscles?

'slow to change into a top 'cruising' gear"

????
If it's 'right' there will be no such thing. With ear-muffs on, you'll not know it changed, and your head won't move. Like a decent driver in a manual. Software won't save a mechanical issue, only mask it. (Which is the dealer 'cloak and dagger' I spoke of).
Looked after with good fluid, a Magnefine and a cooler you'll see 300K easily.

Sounds like sticking solenoids, or a dirty valve-body or old fluid. If the condition has been allowed to continue for too long, this leads to worn friction rings, and bye-bye box. Google 'flaring'.
If the 'specialist' didn't change the fluid, there may be hope. It was fresh fluid 10K since, it'll be pink now... if it's brown. Ah....

Only we still don't know if I'm £50 up on this? If I'm £50 down, for you anyway, that's nearly a good thing. If it is flaring and you allow this, it's good night in about 10-20K. If the fluid is even vaguely brown it has been burnt, change it now, and put a filter on there to help get rid of the crud causing the flaring. You might catch it in time.

The outer limit for fluid is red. Flaring feels like my mother using a manual.



BTW: All the dealers did was make a 'software-tune' It was a rather underhand bandaid to move the kick-up/down points to mask damage already done. Thus, when they would have landed in warranty claims on the dealers, it was these cars found in the crusher 25K later.

[tony209]

After reading up on flaring, it does sound like that is the issue, although I don't have any of the other issues listed and reading further, the problem could be with the torque converter. I mentioned the 'slipping' issue to my local Volvo indie and he recommended the fluid and filter change. I'll check the colour of the fluid and see if it's still pink.

[CNGBiFuel]

the problem could be with the torque converter.

Could it? Well i never did.

You've got balls, I'll give you that. Yet, if having read my words, you've got to this point and still didn't find the arsedness to pull a dip-stick, hope has left for a fortnight's holiday. I'd pack it in now if I were you.

[400-ascona]

Originally Posted by tony209

Thanks for the input. I've not seen anyone offer auto gearbox tuning for earlier Volvos before. The auto box in the C70 I find although smooth, is a bit lazy and could benefit from a tune up.

I would suspect that the faster gear shifts will be down to software speed rather than mechanical, not an area I know anything about but could they be speeding up the time it takes to instigated a shift?

JFA seem credible, I want to look into their motor racing support though and see if it's technical or just financial.

Whilst they may be able to produce code that is more efficient with its use of processor time, I severely doubt it and suspect that "software speed" is dictated by processor capability (or more likely FPGAs). By this what I mean is, it wont be fancy software or electronic wizardry and you definitely wouldn't feel any difference in the driving.

More likely they are upping the pressure in the gearbox. This will lead to increased pump wear and the box running hotter. A short term gain, with long term pain, especially if your box has an underlying problem already.