MSD 260 (430Nm and 260PS)
This calibration works perfectly on a totally standard car and lifts the power restrictions from within the ECU, further enhancing the power output to 430NM and 260PS which really brings the car to life!

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• None.
  
  

Optional hardware:

• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)

 

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Seperate Tab)

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

Total cost of this calibration installed: £249.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 280 (450Nm and 280PS)
A calibration designed to utilise sensible upgrades such as high flow air filters, exhausts systems and sports catalysts. On suitable vehicle hardware this calibration will enhance the power output to 450NM and 280PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• Performance air filter
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.

Optional hardware:

• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)
  

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Seperate Tab)
  
  

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £299.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 300 (470Nm and 300PS)
A calibration designed to utilise all the upgrades for the MSD280 but enhanced further for use with an uprated intercooler. Suitably equipped vehicle can expect to achieve 470NM and 300PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• Performance air filter
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• 1 step colder spark plugs

 

Optional hardware:

• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Separate Tab)

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £349.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 320 (480Nm and 320PS)
This calibration maximises the factory fuel system and the additional boost and torque produced means you should seriously consider having the "Block-Mod" installed. Suitably equipped vehicle can expect to achieve 480NM and 320PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• High performance cold air induction kit
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• 1 step colder spark plugs
• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)

 

Optional hardware:

• Block Mod highly recommended.

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Separate Tab)

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £399.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 340 (480Nm and 340PS)
Taking your Volvo into the mid 300s requires more fuel than the standard injectors can supply so we now need to utilise all the hardware from MSD320 plus fuel injectors from the Ford Focus RS MK2 along with a wastegate actuator we had designed specifically for the job. A vehicle with the correct hardware will now achieve a power output of 480NM and 340PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• High performance cold air induction kit
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• 1 step colder spark plugs
• Focus RS MK2 injectors
• MSD340 uprated actuator and bracket
• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)

Optional hardware:

• Block Mod highly recommended.
  

 

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Separate Tab)

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £449.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 360 (480Nm and 360PS)
Well into modified Volvo performance territory now!
The MSD360 requires all the components of the MSD340 as well as a hybrid turbochargers and a high d capacity fuel pump.

This calibration was originally designed around the Devil Developments C30 hybrid turbocharger and requires the same one or at least one very similar in specification. When allied to all the listed supporting hardware you can expect to be achieving around 480NM and 360PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• High performance cold air induction kit
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• Uprated High Pressure and capacity fuel pump.
• Devil Developments C30 hybrid turbocharger (or equiv)
• MSD340 uprated actuator and bracket
• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)
• Uprated Plenum.
• 1 step colder spark plugs
• Block Mod and forged internals.

Optional hardware:

• Volvo S60R clutch and flywheel strongly recommended.
  
  

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade. (See Separate Tab)
  
  

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £499.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD 400 (480+Nm and 400PS)
Well into seriously fast car territory now!
Some of the standard management systems components cant keep up anymore so we need to start adding a few things from the Focus RS. Take most of the MSD 360 components but also add on a Focus RS Crossover, MAF and its turbocharger. Then add 5 Bosch 550cc fuel injectors and you have an engine ready to produce 480NM and 400PS.

This isn’t just headline power either, flexibility and reliability are our speciality so the ECU's incredible torque model is fully retained ensuring factory driveability with no hesitations, surges or hiccups in the power delivery. Naturally, as with all MSD power upgrades, all necessary safety limits and protection strategies are re-profiled and enhanced in order to allow the extra performance whilst retaining a strong, O.E Level of engine protection.

Please be aware that power figures don’t tell the whole story with these management systems, making extra power is easy, but many companies completely disable the torque control and most of the protection strategies in order to do so and this can cause driveability and longevity concerns with often massive boost levels required to make the power. Read our comprehensive "Safety" tab for more details.

 

Additional hardware needed:

• High performance cold air induction kit
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• Focus RS Crossover and MAF sensor.
• Uprated high capacity fuel pump.
• Bosch 550cc Injectors
• Focus RS turbocharger.
• Turbosmart 7psi actuator with correct 3mm pre-load
• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)
• Uprated Plenum.
• 2 step colder spark plugs
• Block Mod and forged internals.

Optional hardware:

• Volvo S60R clutch and flywheel strongly recommended.
  
  

Standard Calibration Features

• Improved idle stability
• Factory driveability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade.

 

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £599.00 inc vat.
(Includes diagnostics and test drive to asses vehicle pre and post tune condition)

MSD Bespoke calibration solutions

MSD 400 - 600

We recognise that there are many hardware specifications out there and sometimes we need to calibrate to suit your own bespoke hardware build. From MSD400 onwards we tend to be dealing with a variety of different turbochargers.

 

Example hardware specification:

• High performance cold air induction kit
• Full 3" free flow exhaust system with sports cat.
• Uprated intercooler
• Focus RS crossover and MAF sensor.
• Uprated high capacity fuel pump.
• Bosch 550 / 650 / 750 cc Injectors
• Garrett GTX2867R / GT3076R / Etc.
• Internal or external wastegate
• Turbosmart uprated compressor bypass valve (Recirc or 50/50)
• Uprated Plenum.
• 2 step colder spark plugs
• Block Mod.
  
  

Standard Calibration Features
As with all our calibrations, full torque control and safety features will be retained.

• Improved idle stability
• Factory drive-ability under all conditions.
• All engine protections remain in place (See safety tab)
• Gear optimised torque curves for maximum traction.
• Ford Focus RS MAF sensor upgrade.
  

Personalisations Available:

• Idle speed setpoint customisation
• Engine rev limit customisation.
• Decat MIL eliminated (For vehicle with a de-cat fitted).
• Overrun burbles activated.
  

Additional fuel programming available. (Ask for further details)

• WMI (water methanol injection) optimisations available on request.
• High octane fuel optimisations available on request. (100+ RON)

 

Total cost of this calibration installed: £900 inc vat.
These bespoke calibrations will ONLY be available on our dyno and the price includes the dyno cell hire and 2x professional dyno operators / calibrators labour.

Ford Focus RS MAF sensor conversion information.

This firmware change is primarily aimed at the customer who has had a larger turbo fitted and wants to use some uprated Injectors and the Ford Focus RS Crossover and MAF sensor.

Beware:
All ECU "calibrations" are not created equally...

There are many ways to calibrate a modern vehicles ECU but the sad fact remains that a huge percentage of the tunes we see have had all the safety strategies and drive logic features removed from them. These ME9 PCM's have exceptional engine load control strategies built into them and these systems are a key reason that as standard, these vehicles drive so amazingly well. Smooth, linear and powerful to the rev limiter. And safe too... the protection strategies are incredibly complex and work alongside a very comprehensive load model in order to deliver what the driver asks, but keep the engine in one piece should things go wrong.

To recalibrate an ME9 PCM properly, from scratch as we do, takes many hundreds of hours of development on our in house dyno. But the results are worthwhile.

Rest assured that when we calibrate a vehicles PCM we retain:

• Full load model remains intact. (This is what makes the vehicle drive so well)
• Knock control system is left intact and working (Guards against detonation)
• Over-boost limits. (Protects against over-boost due to fault)
• Under-boost limits. (Protects turbo against air leaks)
• Full Engine speed limits. (Raised if the tune would benefit)
• Exhaust temp load profiling. (Takes over if EGT exceeds limits)
• Fuel flow limit air control. (Takes over if you run too lean)
• Coolant temperature limits. (Never raised)
• All the ECU Limp home strategies. (These are what get you home!)
• All of the 300+ fault codes are retained so your ECU can report faults.

The above may look and read like common sense?
You are right... retaining everything above is desirable, but to do so requires an understanding of how these load modelled systems work so that we can actually "recalibrate" the various sub-systems to work the way we want them to, whilst targeting higher airflow and power levels.

Sadly, because all of the above strategies will, by their very nature, fight our efforts to create extra airflow, many amateurs find ways to just disable the limits, often by "de-calibrating" the system so it will allow extra airflow.

We regularly see calibrations with various anticipation and prediction systems switched off, load limits flat-lined, air load limits totally disabled, fuel flow limits deleted, knock systems de-sensitised, the list goes on, its quite disappointing to see.

How would you know?
That’s a good question, and it depends just how bad they have de-calibrated the system.

Lets face a simple fact here... if you have a vehicle with a virtually standard engine and turbo that drove perfectly well before a re-calibration, extending its headroom wont make it drive or perform worse during normal driving. Why would it? No reason at all. Same engine, same air path, same hardware. So it should drive the same, but be faster at big throttle openings.

Now, if they have "only" removed all the safety limits (running more boost than a 3bar map sensor can see for example) then the vehicle will still drive perfectly well if the rest of the system has been recalibrated to properly request the load needed for the torque the conversion makes. That kind of calibration will just have no safety limits in place should anything go wrong. hopefully it wont, so all is well.

However, if you start to disable the load targeting system, or make a mess of recalibrating it then you end up with all manner of horrible drive-ability problems. Aggressive throttle, unpredictable or surging power delivery, doesn’t want to just cruise along at a set speed, these are all very common when a confused ECU tries to deliver closed loop airflow control with a broken model.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, some of these de-calibrated strategies are of course firing out fault codes so we see some with all 300+ codes just deleted so the ECU cant report them. This in turn disables all the limp home strategies designed to take control and get you home in the event of component failure.

Sadly, this is the reality of modern tuning... Take care out there!

Further reading:

If this has wet your appetite to know more about how your Volvo's ME9 management strategy in the PCM works, you may well enjoy my series of 3 blogs about a quite similar system.

Blog 1 of 4. Understanding Ford Ecoboost Torque Control

(There are more located in our main technical info section with Stus other 70+ magazine articles)

A customers Volvo T5 in for an MSD Bespoke calibration making 420PS and 575Nm!

A customers Volvo C30 in for our MSD 320 calibration

Purchasing Options:

This OBD calibration can be purchased via any one of our professional Installers:

Owners looking to have their vehicle tuned can have it done by us here in Blackpool, or via any of our approved calibration installers across our Evolution Chips network.

Click the image above to visit our approved installer map.