Real Fmic Installed.

[ROB @ VMS]

Looks like it came out decent enough but I still think I'd rather have an intercooler the maxium amount of exposed surface area over a short, thicker core.

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I agree doug, that is why i chose my setup. 21x8x3

[BlackT5]

I agree doug, that is why i chose my setup. 21x8x3

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I think Doug means that he'd rather have an Atech (drop-in) type IC for more surface area.

[ROB @ VMS]

Well surface area is good with the Atech intercooler , i had one on my Auto C70 but the airflow only is strong through the top part of it. The total surface does not get direct airflow.

[Zulu]

so the hot pipe (2.25) runs across (diagonally) the front of the condensor? 

ps.  thanks for the spacer idea!!!

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No, behind it...in between the AC condensor and Radiator.

Like this:

AC Condensor (front) - hot pipe (middle) - Radiator (Back)

[Zulu]

Looks like it came out decent enough but I still think I'd rather have an intercooler the maxium amount of exposed surface area over a short, thicker core.

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What're the dimensions of an Atech intercooler? 330 cubic inches of surface area is quite a bit (mine)...considering all of that is directly exposed to flowing air as opposed to an OEM drop-in (Atech) that is blocked by the grille, bumper, hood, etc. and (possibly) the ac condensor.

I agree doug, that is why i chose my setup. 21x8x3

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Ummm, you make no sense. Your setup as a FMIC is identical to mine, the only difference being mine is larger and has more surface area. If you're point is about pressure loss, you should make it.

Well surface area is good with the Atech intercooler , i had one on my Auto C70 but the airflow only is strong through the top part of it. The total surface does not get direct airflow.

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Good point, exactly what I'm saying about the OEM swap.

[ROB @ VMS]

My point was not so much about pressure loss but why go bigger than whats needed. Too big and you dont have direct flow over the whole intercooler. Pressure loss will not be that big a deal but can have a small effect.

[pennybridge pioneer]

i guess then the argument would be "direct" flow versus "any flow at all" and at what point more frontal area stops helping.

volvos give up tons of aerodynamic potential for a nose shape that, among other benefits, provides tons of space for HUGE intercoolers. might as well use it...

[EricF]

Regardless if cold air from outside is directly flowing into the front of the intercooler at a perpendicular angle, ambient temperature even directly behind the bumper will likely be significantly cooler than the air going through the intercooler.

Not to mention the possibilities for ducting fresh air to the parts that are not right behind the factory cutout in the front air dam.

If any of you are concerned that there won't be fresh air flowing over every part of the heat exchange, I would suggest that depth is more of a concern on our cars. There's a lot of frontal pressure, but the car was not designed to have a low pressure area behind the front air dam (which would help draw air through the intercooler). You could surely manipulate things to help pull air through, but especially if the splash pan is in place, the airflow through a 3" thick intercooler core probably won't be too spectacular.

Volvo used a thin and very tall/wide intercooler for a reason... Not because that's just what Volvo does, but that is what is best suited to the car.

The only reason I would even consider an FMIC like this is cost... Pretty affordable way to get a vast improvement over stock :)

[ROB @ VMS]

So you think that the Atech interocooler is as good as a Fmic in direct flow of the air? Volvo also has a reason for putting it between the Rad and the Ac condenser???

[Zulu]

So you think that the Atech interocooler is as good as a Fmic in direct flow of the air? Volvo also has a reason for putting it between the Rad and the Ac condenser???

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Get em! I'm agreeing with you omg, the world is going black.

[EricF]

So you think that the Atech interocooler is as good as a Fmic in direct flow of the air? Volvo also has a reason for putting it between the Rad and the Ac condenser???

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I do think the Atech is as good as a FMIC... Maybe better. Though behind the AC condensor, that's a tough thing to say I think both require a little modification to the setup to be real good.

I think direct flow becomes less important when you have that much heat exchange area. The air that isn't in direct airflow path is probably not too much warmer than that which is in direct path. Like what, maybe 20 degrees depending on outside temperature? That's generous, I'd probably guess more like 10 degrees F or so.

Heat soak would be dissipated a little more slowly without direct airflow of course, which could be a concern in a lot of situations, but still I feel that especially considering the layout of our Volvos (maybe less your C70 than our 850s), the Atech type would be preferable. Pressure drop is probably near non-existent, and increased lag is probably almost a figment of the imagination.

I haven't done testing with either of these though, so it is all theory. I think it would hold water though given some testing...

But I think the real bottom line is that either one will be a significant improvement over stock, especially if you do things to help them work (i.e. remove splash pan and possibly add some sheet metal to give the air coming out of the back of the intercooler a clear shot [laminar flow path] under the car and out of the engine bay-- for FMIC... or relocating AC condensor and horns and such in the case of the Atech, and possible hood louvers to help evacuate air behind it, etc.).

Anyway, since I don't have hard data and doubt anyone does, I think I've presented enough points for you guys to consider and think about, since that's all I can really do here :)

[Zulu]

I feel that Atech type setup is just good for someone not willing to, wanting to, or have the $ to modify the car for a FMIC. I'm not saying it's bad, but not as good. This issue has been trampled, so whatever, until we all come back with hard data, let's end this. I'll have temperature readings soon. FMIC looks hotter though :P

[ROB @ VMS]

The atech intercooler would work very well when the car was moving. THis is data i gathered. I was monitoring my IAT sensor. But as soon as you slowed down and came to a stop the temps would rocket up because it was so close to all of the heat. Then when you are ready to start back up the temps would be high and the car would be laggy for a second. Thats why when you go to the drag strip as soon as the car is parked in line it starts to heatsoak bad. With my new Front mount setup it is around 5-8% better in cooling the temps moving and when i come to a standstill temps dont rise like it did before.

[Guest DougK]

Putting in an Atech intercooler and leaving it between the condensor and radiator would be like going to iraq with blanks.

Just plain stupid.

Move it out front and work on flow and trust me it'll out perform a short wide "FMIC". You can continue to do what you think is best though.

[Zulu]

Putting in an Atech intercooler and leaving it between the condensor and radiator would be like going to iraq with blanks.

Just plain stupid.

Move it out front and work on flow and trust me it'll out perform a short wide "FMIC". You can continueto do what you think is  best though.

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Darn, you're stubbornl. Why don't you come back with data like I'm trying to instead of just talking? I've said I'd stop until I have data, why don't you.