i just got 1200 ,and im thinking turbo upgrade ,or intercooler on my 850 t5 auto
im geting my box done at viva , current set up is 3inch exhaust , hks bov, hks intake , hks boost contoller my delema is should i ,Upgrade the turbo ,or go with the intercooler..........

 

You might be able to do both.
I have seen that many people on Volvospeed have bought and front mount intercooler from e-bay for about $200.00 and mounted it.
They did the work themselves.
Then I would do the turbo as well.

 

Tech is right you could possibly do both.

A Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC) is possible and you can do it for $500. $200 is too low Tech, $500 is about right with the intercooler and piping needed and couplers and T-bolt clamps.

And how big of a turbo are we talking about? 16t, 18t, 19t, another brand of turbo?

And by Viva doing your box do you mean your sending your ECU to them to have RICA do an ECU upgrade?

If you have to decide between the two I would go FMIC. It is a better upgrade then just a bigger turbo.

 

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index...c=90607&hl=
There is the one for about $200.00

 

I guess, must be truly cheap parts.

$500 is a good price for a good FMIC setup and of course if you spend more you will most likely get even better.

Yeah you can buy a universial FMIC for $45 + $40 shipping which is damn cheap. But how well it is going to hold up to OEM boost pressures let alone upgraded boost pressures. Same goes for the $99 universial piping.

I know a few people have done this and have achieved decent gains, but would you risk it? I personally wouldn't. I would at least get a good FMIC.