Sprint 6C build up

Alfasixnut · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 05:43 AM

I became fascinated by the Sprint 6C when I saw a brochure wth pictures on e-bay last year.
I bought a very
rusty Sprint "For Spares" and decided that was to be the basis of my 6C project (Pic 1)
I then acquired a Alfa 164 V6 3.0 litre 24 Valve engine and gearbox (pic 2)
and 164 front end(pic 3)
I stripped the Sprint (pic 4)
And cut out the back (pic 5)

Alfasixnut · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 06:04 AM

I then installed the two sides from the 164 front end into the widened Sprint rear (pic 1)
Located the engine, on its subframe into the rear, and welded the subframe into place with suitable reinforcements all round (pic 2)
Used the 164 front crossmember to reinforce the front (pic 3)
....and reused the Sprint rear(reversed) at the rear! (Pic 4)
The 164 gear change rods were extended and fitted with a U/J (from the 164 steering col) to link with the reversed 164 gear box selector and part of the Sprint bonnet is used as a (crude so far) front engine cover (pic 5)
The Steering rack has been stripped and locked. The Aircon pump and steering pump have been removed from the engine. The alternator has been repositioned. The 164 radiator is now installed at the front of the Sprint and I am now looking at fuel tank options.
So a lot of work has been completed but lots still needs to be done.......Watch this space!

twoliterlover · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 06:57 AM

My dear friend and fellow Alfanut. I only wish you were living in Seattle. I envy your abilities although I am slightly bemused with your project. But you are doing something about your dream because you can. Some of us can only dream about our idealized projects and modifications. I'd just love to watch your project. Please continue your photos as you proceed. What happened to the 6 engine? Did it have carburetors? Love to have a set.

Alfanatiker · #4 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 07:51 AM

!!!! ;D

I too have a Sprint and a spare V6 engine... hmmm

Alfasixnut · #5 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 08:14 PM

Hi Jay
I too am a long time Alfa lover but only recently returned to the fold!
I used to drag race a straight six 2600 with triple 40DCOE carbs in a frogeye Sprite Competition Altered. The V6 has fuel injection and so never had carbs - but I love those chrome intake runners!

Alfasixnut · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 09:44 AM

Just a quick update as I have been adding some more reinforcement, linking the 164 inner wings to the Sprint door pillars. I've also tidyed up the rear "boot" area. The next job is to sort out the handbrake/rear brake system.... but I have a cunning plan!!

77SudTi · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 03:27 PM

the idea is good in concept, I really dont want to criticise at all, but the re-inforcements you have made seem weak to me. I hope there will be a lot more structure go in under all this sheet metal. I know for a fact that the areas you have welded to on the B-pillar are not very strong and are deisgned to carry interior panels not whole engine sub assemblies...Im sorry, but sheet metal in these areas may not totally cut it for strength...I used to work in a modified vehicle workshop where we did testing on this kind of thing and I'm sorry to say something like that would fail unless there were stronger members in there as well.

Alfasixnut · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 10:30 AM

Your comments are very valid 77SudTi. I am steadily working my way around the 164 structure to anchor it to the Sprint shell - Front, Rear and Sides!

alfa75 88 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 02:01 PM

Very cool project, anxious to see how it turns out.

lenus · #10 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 03:42 AM

So how long till we get to see it running?

Alfasixnut · #11 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 08:50 AM

Thanks for your messages - I will be working fairly slowly on this project in the near future, as I need to work on my other - other Sprint (See Pic) to get it up and running and sold to fund the 6C. As always with this sort of job, you can get a lot done but then there are Lots of small jobs that take forever to get sorted......But the support from other Alfisti is a real bonus.

argtv6 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 05:39 PM

Yeah i'm sure it it will start, run and probably look good.But can Alfa tradition and spirit be propagated in such a short cut method? This case seems to be a handling pandora's box in my long distance opinion. Any properly running Alfa V6 is quite a wild beast to throttle!

Alfasixnut · #13 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 05:06 PM

Hi argtv6
I hope you are right! well - with the first three points, but I hope that I am respecting Alfa tradition and spirit, in as much as they did commission Autodelta to create the rear engined V6 powered Sprint originally with a view to going into production. But they also had little money at the time!
Regarding the handling - I'm not trying for quick lap times, just a challenging project, built to a tight budget, using as much original Alfa as possible, to create an interesting road car. As I drag raced for twenty years I have a reasonable control and respect for wild beasts.......

giacottolo · #14 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 11:42 PM

should be as manageable as a sprint with a cast iron v8 out back...renault clio v6 with rear/mid engine is still a pretty skittish car after 3 or so makeovers,but addictive fun anyway.looking forward to see what happens with this one.

PSk · #15 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 12:06 AM

Needs full roll cage, and an engineer to help with chassis design before going any further IMO.

IMO also it needs a bulkhead behind the front seats to take the chassis and engine loads. That engine is going to try it's best to twist that chassis and you need to feed loads correctly into the chassis rails, hence a bulkhead.

Best of luck. Glad you're a do'er

.
Pete