This paper presents a computational study highlighting the efficiency and usefulness of a finite element/sparse linear solver interface. Such an interface creates an abstraction layer that handles the passing of data and control parameters between a finite element client application and a solution services library. We present results which quantify the overhead cost in using a solver interface in a three dimensional, coupled chemical-thermal-hydrodynamic simulation code running on an MPP platform. Additionally, we comment on the development time savings for large-scale MPP applications.