need sugestions to increase performance

boxer33 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:57 AM

hey

i own a series 3, 33 clover, with koni shocks, front vent discs with VT commodore calipers, also MSD ignition.

i was wondering what things i can spend money on to increase performance.
we have a family car so the 33 is my personal car for driving pleasure

any tips or ideas will be appreciated

pics of my 33 can be found at the link below

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/boxe...new-forum.html

alfasprinter · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 01:58 AM

light weight if you can handle the lack of comfort, sounds like your brakes and suspension r pretty sorted, and engine mods are expensive and un nessesary for a road car imho. and as Colin Chapman once said, "more power makes you faster in a straight line, but less weight makes you faster everywhere"

nice car btw dont see many in green

Cheers
Richard

boxer33 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 05:03 AM

i thought riping stuff out for performance was more a track thing? so what sort of things can i do 2 engine / running gear........thing that might be DIY

also just out of interest......is it hard 2 modify a alfa 2.0L engine for the 33?
i know most 2.0L are built rear wheel drive but how hard is it 2 get converted? just for interest. lol or are there any straight or close 2 straight change overs that are larger then 1.7L?

lmao i only want 2 find out about increasing performance & now im talking about full engine conversions lol

hughqv · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfasprinter

as Colin Chapman once said, "more power makes you faster in a straight line, but less weight makes you faster everywhere"

77SudTi · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxer33

i thought riping stuff out for performance was more a track thing? so what sort of things can i do 2 engine / running gear........thing that might be DIY

also just out of interest......is it hard 2 modify a alfa 2.0L engine for the 33?
i know most 2.0L are built rear wheel drive but how hard is it 2 get converted? just for interest. lol or are there any straight or close 2 straight change overs that are larger then 1.7L?

lmao i only want 2 find out about increasing performance & now im talking about full engine conversions lol

Serpent33 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 02:59 AM

Well neither does it take a genius to decide on a bigger piston size or a longer stroke. For engine capacity it's alway the max you can go without compromising rod ratio which affects revibility. Alfa has decided on 1712 and I'm happy with it.

77SudTi · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 04:07 AM

Yeah well said...also larger capacity has its limitations as the cylinder side wall thickness suffers and could lead to cracking, although AHM have tried and tested 2L configuration, not sure if they increase sidewall strength. In 1.7L 8V and more so 16V form things are pretty good...to go faster concentrate on 3 things; Cams, Exhaust and Suspension...the bleeding obvious

I just wonder where Alfa Romeo would be today if the Fiat take-over in the 80's didn't see the demise of the boxer engine. Apparently, depending on the source you hear it from, Alfa had plans for 2L units when they stopped boxer production...imagine that today, they'd eat WRX's for breakfast...and sound sooo much better not to mention look better doing it!!

Cheers! J

Serpent33 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Well if you study into it, the con-rod is a few mm loneger for 16v engines and the piston wrist pin is located higher. Thats why Alfa made the redline higher for 16v. It's engineered. It's all about rod ratio. The Mercedes 190 racers prefer the 2.3 over 2.5 because it revs better. My believe is still keep the stroke conservative.

Well if Fiat hadn't bought them over the outcome is still crappy cars. Because all great car manufacturers suffer the same horrible fate. More buyers care about cup holders than engineering dynamics. Look, Porsche have to end up making mini-vans just to cater to the buyers market....

I have been a nut over the boxer engined Alfa because it was remarkable during it's time of birth, putting many mordern technology even of today to shame. When was that? 1971?

It's never an exotic Alfa nor anywhere near collectors status over the other 105 series. But this car wouldn't put any less smile on your face than any other Alfas. I'm sure there are ways to explain it but I like to keep it as "magic".

KrisBG · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 04:15 PM

It's offtopic, but i wanted to ask you - what springs you've got on the car ? It's pretty nice one, congrats!

Serpent33 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 03:05 AM

OK for my suggestions is shed the 17 inches. They look pretty heavy and I am sure loads of drag. I guaratee acceleration times improvement if they are 15's. Wear down the shocks in a couple of months and you'll soon find scrapping here and there from the tyres. at least 500 gms can be taken off the 16v flywheel. There are some chip replacement you can hunt for. I have tried BBR chip and they work pretty well for the 16V. Only rear exhaust need fiddling as the centre pipe is good stratght through. Rest of engine modification is very taxing and you can search for it in other threads. Good luck.