Hi, I'm New!

[bcrdukes]

Hey folks,

Not sure what the majority age group is but let's just say, I was born into an era where SPICA and carbs were unheard of up until I started reading about Alfas. I went down to San Francisco and found myself a 1978 Spider with SPICA. I know for a fact that the current and previous owner did not rebuild this but did replace the fuel pump.

I gave the owner a deposit of $100 but I'm willing to take a hit if this doesn't work out. I live in Vancouver, BC up in Canada so all it takes is a phone call to let the seller know "Hey, I don't think this is going to work out. Keep the deposit. Sorry." I have a 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo (which is pushing over 350rwhp at the moment) and have always worked on EFI cars. I know nothing about this SPICA phenomenon and I'm actually afraid of it which is making me not want this Spider. When I went to see it, it seemed to be okay. It turned on fine but I did not pay attention to the oil/fuel lights whether they came on or not. I've made an appointment with the seller to pick it up this Saturday for $2400. Again, I know nothing about Alfa's especially the SPICA which is seriously scaring me. There is a small to no Alfa community to my knowledge in Vancouver, Canada. Any help and/or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!

[italiansedanman]

As an Australian Alfist, I can say nothing in experience with SPICA MFI, but after being on this forum for over three years I've seen that it can be sorted with relative ease. I'd never choose SPICA over Webers, but there are many, many knowledgeable people contributing to this site who know (seem to) SPICA inside-out so its a fine place to get acquainted with it.

By comparison with the EFI of your Toyota though, you'll find it high maintenance.

[Roadtrip]

People tend to get scared of things they don't understand. The Spica fuel injection system is really quite simple although to look at it is looks pretty formidable. It's very very similar to a diesel injection system (which is it's original application). With the advent of the internet, help is only a keystroke away. Also, the Master Jedi of Spica, Wes Ingram, lives just north of Seattle and has a long-running business that caters to the Spica fuel injection system. www.wesingram.com

I'll disagree with italiansedan man. The Spica system does not require high maintenance. Once in-tune, it will stay that way and the only regular maintenance required is changing the oil filter in the injection pump and fuel filters. Very simple and straightforward. The problem with a lot of Spica systems is that they are "tinkered" with rather than following the tech order and tuning them "by-the-book." Dealing with the Spica system is well-doable by someone with some mechanical aptitude and the discipline to read and follow directions. I have quite of bit of technical info that I email to Spica owners upon request. Lots of help available on the BB. Be not afraid. Again, welcome to BB.


Check out the following threads for new owners:

Pre-Purchase Inspection of a SPICA Injected Alfa

SPICA FI Pump Maintenance

Advice for New Owners

Supplier List

[Nicola]

The group of Vancouver Alfisti may be small, but they are friendly and I'm sure you will find them helpful. There are a few that are quite active with their postings on the board here.
Don't be afraid of SPICA - if set up correctly it's a very good fuel delivery system, and ... Wes Ingram and Herb Sanborn are just south of you, between Burlington and Anacortes, down in Washington! They are a valuable, authoritative and helpful resource if you need to get your system sorted out. Try Wes' e-mail (wing nwlink dot com) or give them a call at 360-707-5701.
Enjoy the ride!!!

[alfa123ca]

Well actualy there are at least four 2600 Spiders up and running around Vancouver, one undergoing restoration, a couple sitting around in Garage's waiting for restoration, countless other Alfa's. Contact me offline as I live in White Rock and could give you some further info regarding Club meetings and other Owners, Mechcanics etc.
John
604-308-2370
63 2600 Spider

[Peter]

Welcome to the board. Don't let SPICA scare you. Although I have no first hand experience, there are many on this board who seem very happy with a well taken care of SPICA

[Subtle]

Welcome to the BB

Our Italian Car Club meets for dinner on the second Monday of each month.

At Adega --a Portuguese place on Main Street, near Terminal.

[Chsmadden]

Hey, welcome to the BB!
I can't say much about SPICA except they run perfect when tuned right. But never, NEVER run a SPICA pump dry. Gasoline is the coolant and lubricant for the pump, so when you run it out of gas, it's the equivalent of running a chainsaw on straight gas(no oil). I know this from experience, I now have a GTV with Webers(runs decent) and a seized injection pump in a cabinet somewhere.

[CN36]

Welcome to the BB and to the Alfa Romeo community of the Greater Vancouver area. I had several SPICA injected cars over the years and I have never had any problems with them. On your way home, you may want to pick up the Wes Ingram's SPICA manual. Given that you are able to maintain your 350 horsepower MR2, you should not have any problem with a SPICA injected Spider.
However, $2,400 is not a lot of money nowadays, so don't expect a perfect Spider in every way. If that Spider runs fine during your test drive, then it should make it to Vancouver. I would carry a spare fuel filter for the gas tank.
I would check to make sure that the headgasket is not leaking because that could slow your drive home.

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcrdukes Hey folks, Not sure what the majority age group is but let's just say, I was born into an era where SPICA and carbs were unheard of up until I started reading about Alfas. I went down to San Francisco and found myself a 1978 Spider with SPICA. I know for a fact that the current and previous owner did not rebuild this but did replace the fuel pump. I gave the owner a deposit of $100 but I'm willing to take a hit if this doesn't work out. I live in Vancouver, BC up in Canada so all it takes is a phone call to let the seller know "Hey, I don't think this is going to work out. Keep the deposit. Sorry." I have a 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo (which is pushing over 350rwhp at the moment) and have always worked on EFI cars. I know nothing about this SPICA phenomenon and I'm actually afraid of it which is making me not want this Spider. When I went to see it, it seemed to be okay. It turned on fine but I did not pay attention to the oil/fuel lights whether they came on or not. I've made an appointment with the seller to pick it up this Saturday for $2400. Again, I know nothing about Alfa's especially the SPICA which is seriously scaring me. There is a small to no Alfa community to my knowledge in Vancouver, Canada. Any help and/or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!

[italiansedanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtrip I'll disagree with italiansedan man. The Spica system does not require high maintenance. Once in-tune, it will stay that way and the only regular maintenance required is changing the oil filter in the injection pump and fuel filters.

[bcrdukes]

Hey folks,

Thanks for all the tips and advice! Much appreciated!

I picked up the car yesterday in Clayton, CA and drove it down to Newark, CA. Thing runs beautifully! I'm going to head down the I-880, I-580 and then down the I-5 towards Los Angeles. I'll update once I'm down there.

[bcrdukes]

Just an update:

I made it down to Los Angeles going down the I-5. I encountered a few problems on the way:

1. The fuel light would blink every now and then and when it did, felt like the motor misfired or a better description would be that there was no fuel for a mere second.

2. Oil pressure was low at times. I think this may have had to do with the elevation.

3. Overheating - I think this was again, due to the elevation and it was stinkin' hot down the I-5, I suffered a pretty bad heat stroke multiple times. The drive down to LA took a while but in the end, I made it. On the way down, the water temp. gauge would stay between 212 and 260 with the overflow tank guzzling and boiling where some of it jumped onto the windshield.

Any leads on these issues would be awesome. Thanks!

[Subtle]

Get back to Vancouver ASAP

[lowmileage]

...................... but,