Feature Cars
Feature Car: Coupe de Grace
By by: George Achorn
Feb 19, 2001, 10:24

Elegance and power don't always go hand in hand. Many auto enthusiasts out there get the bug to upgrade their cars, both from a performance perspective and from a stylistic one. However, bumping up the power often also leads to large wings, loud chrome exhausts or racing stripes and decals that adorn every possible space in a visual form of boasting that shows where all the money was spent. Fortunately, this is not the case with Kai Huang's C70 Coupe.

The car you see before you is a work in progress, and a highly attractive one at that. Kai started with this silver 1998 C70 coupe outfitted with high-pressure turbo motor, 5-speed manual transmission and a gray leather interior. While that might be enough for many drivers out there, Kai has a thirst for power that could only be satiated one way…UPGRADE!

With his mission clear, Kai set forth to modify the car. While an effort would be made to upgrade the car's physical appearance and entertainment system, a clear emphasis on performance has been the main drive.

Engine

Not satisfied to simply upgrade the ECU with one of the many upgrades available in the aftermarket as many owners of newer Volvos have chosen to do, Kai set forth in his own direction.

The stock turbo was upgraded to a T3/T4 ceramic ball bearing turbo with AAM custom fitting, Super S Trim compressor and .48 A/R Stage III Turbine. A Blitz blow-off valve was also installed.

An extrude honed exhaust manifold was installed with 10mm connecting studs, as was a hand ported and polished inlet manifold. All told, over 20 hours were spent on porting, polishing and headwork.

Camshafts were removed and replaced with those from a '98 B5254FS M4.4 and the engine received a 5 angle (3-2 angle) valve job. Cunningham connecting rods, Ross pistons and a big bore throttle body were installed and the crankshaft was polished. The engine was blueprinted and balanced.

The engine piping received a Swain Tech White Lightening thermal barrier ceramic coating to further prep it for the added power levels and increased heat. To help regulate spark, 8.5mm Magnacor Wires were also installed.



The battery was relocated to the trunk, allowing for more room in the engine bay and helping front to rear weight distribution. With the added room, a custom cold air intake was installed and the IC pipe was rerouted.

Exhaust is now routed through the extrude honed exhaust manifold through a 3" mandrel bent downpipe and through a 3-inch Random Technology racing catalytic converter or a 3" straight pipe for track use. At the rear, exhaust passes through a Dynomax Ultra Flow muffler at the mid section and a Blitz NUR Spec muffler with 4.5" tip that, while large, is still quite subtle. An A'PEXi muffler silencer keeps exhaust tone down and Kai's secret safe.

A custom tuned ECU has been tuned to provide the motor with 10-22psi of boost, endowing the car with prodigious amounts of grunt. An A'PEXi AVC-R boost controller piggybackes the ECU to assist with more flexible and variable boost control.

With all this power on tap, Kai found it completely necessary to install a 6 pot semi-race clutch. Kai plans further upgrades here, including a lightened flywheel, possibly a limited slip differential and, should he "win the lottery" a custom transmission.

When asked about the power, Kai just smiles. He hasn't gotten entirely through the break-in period since he had the motor work done, so he's been reluctant to have the car dyno'ed until he gets a few more miles on the car.

However, from the more conservative "break-in" driving, he did learn that the clutch upgrade was necessary. Further, he believes the car will produce a healthy 340 horsepower at the wheels running 18 psi when all is said and done.



Suspension

With all the power that Kai now has on hand, coupled to the not-exactly-featherweight chassis of the C70, an upgraded suspension was most definitely needed.

Bilstein shocks and struts, combined with H&R Sport springs have beefed it up without compromising ride quality and lowered the coupe without slamming it. To this setup, Kai has added ipd sway bars and a silver colormatched OMP strut tower brace.

The car now rolls on 18X8.5" Volk Racing Volk III rims with 225/40/18 Bridgestone S-03 tires for added grip.

Brakes

Bringing the C70 down from its unnaturally lofty speeds is a highly capable Brembo system with 4-piston calipers at the front fitted with ferodo pads and 320mm cross-drilled rotors. AT the rear, PBR Axxis pads and drilled rotors are fitted to the stock calipers that have been painted with Folia-Tec glossy black paint to match the 4-pot Brembos up front. Steel brake lines have been fitted to the car for improved pedal feel and quicker response and ATE DOT 4 fluid replaced the factory fluid.

Exterior

From the outside, Kai kept the car very subtle. European front corner lenses were installed without the amber side reflectors of the American units. At the front, an MS Design grill from ipd, painted in matching silver, offers a slightly more aggressive look, though a "Volvo" badge from the trunk lid of an S60 gives it an almost factory look.

Night driving is easier with upgraded Carmate Gigalux 85/110W H7 bulbs in the headlights. At the foglights, Kai replaced the stock bulbs with PIAA super white foglight bulbs. With the sun high in the sky, passengers benefit from a subtle 35% tint.

Interior

A Momo DTM shift knob, Momo pedals and a custom mounted AVC-R mounted replacing the original coin holder all upgrade the interior, but the real emphasis inside the car is the sound system.

An Alpine MDA-W977J head unit replaces the factory unit and a CHA-S624 6-disc CD Changer by Alpine has been mated to it. The system also features a Brax X2400, Dynaudio X260 and X360 crossovers.

For further evolution of the system, Kai plans on having some fiberglass work done in order to install a JL Audio 10-inch W7 sub with a precision power amp PCX2200 to help drive it.

While Volvo's own sound systems have been rated amongst the best in the industry by the likes of JD Powers, Kai is willing to bet that his particular setup is just be a bit better.



Conclusion

A coup de grace is defined as a death blow or a shot to kill the mortally wounded. Thus, the Coupe de Grace title we've bestowed the car with is completely fitting. The unknowing BMW or Acura owner doesn't know just how much trouble they're in when they come up against Kai, and the lack of stickers bestows no hint of what is to come. However, should they come up against this C70, they may wish for a mortal wound rather than be shown up by a Volvo.

Kai's Volvo pushes the envelope for performance of Volvo's I-5 motor, yet it doesn't scream its presence as it enters the scene. Its potent yet refined nature is quite fitting of the performance and luxury that the word "Volvo" represents.

For more discussion on this story, click on the link to our discussion forums to the left.	For more photos of the car in this story, click on the link to our gallery at the right.

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