03-01-2008, 11:39 AM
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In the Spiders' nest...
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Nutley/NJ & Middletown/OH, USA
Posts: 4,878
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Papa Sr
...Jake at IAP was telling me ... that the only real way to improve the tranny is to lighten the gears, cuz alfa made them waaaaay too heavy for this little car. ...
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Joe,
You should do a search on lightened gears, and you will see some very knowledgeable people weighing in on the debate about doing it or not. (There's a thread started by bianchi1 that I remember.) A couple of points, just to get you started. There is very little that can be and is removed to lighten the gears. Some knowledgeable people say that you cannot tell the difference between a gearbox rebuilt with standard gears and one with lightened gears, and that just the rebuild is all that is needed. Some will say that going to this extreme is what racers do to reduce every ounce of weight. Others disagree and say that it really does improve the shifting and you can tell the difference. All agree that there is no harm in lightening the gears, and that if it is going to be done, to do it when the tranny is going to be rebuilt. Certainly no one suggests opening a gearbox that is in good working order to do this.
From personal experience, I can tell you that I have always wanted to do this to my gearbox. However, I drove one of my Spiders 4+ hours to an Alfa outfit that specializes in this type of work. They test drove my car for a few good miles, and then refused to open my transmission to do this, as it was in good working order. I give them a lot of credit for this, as they support a lot of customers who are into performance and racing. When the time comes, they will get my business.
Best regards,
__________________
Enrique
Spider 74, 84 & 87
164 93L & 95Q
Milano 88 Verde
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03-01-2008, 01:12 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: clearwater FL
Posts: 1,396
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Thanks, Enrique! I appreciate your candid perspective, and now I have a good excuse not to drill holes into my gears. I can understand racers wanting to obsess over miniscule factors, etc. But I am not a racer....have too much respect for machinery for that....LOL!!!
Jake was trying to help, I dont really blame him, but, I guess one must weigh every opinion one gets. But, as you suggest, drilling holes may be a last resort. Inabout a half hour, I will drain my oil and add a clean GL5 80-90. But I am guessing it will have to come out next month, or so.
Lightening gears does seem like extreme. And expensive, Im guessing, as it has to be done right. (Why is it that alfa has so much troubles with their trans??) My sunbird has 152,000 miles, never had a problem with it. Oh well.........
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03-01-2008, 03:16 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: clearwater FL
Posts: 1,396
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Car on jack stands....oil done draining now. Gonna go to the store and buy some oil now. Some special oil, too. Ill tell yous about it maybe Monday when I try it out, this new special oil, thats special, and new (rubbing hands, sinister like, grinning, sinister chuckle)........
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04-10-2008, 07:04 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: MD
Posts: 4
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So, Joe, what did you use and what was the result?
Tom
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04-10-2008, 07:21 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 429
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Having read all this technical stuff several times before and coming away more confused than ever, I just bought a 5 gal bucket of Shell Spirax 80X90 as called for in the manual. I have a "crunchy" 2nd gear and no idea who put what in the box previously. I will be draining the box shortly and report back on the results/change if any.
Robert Hill
Last edited by vf31rhill; 04-10-2008 at 07:25 PM.
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04-10-2008, 08:57 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 351
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Joe should know that whale oil is illegal to acquire.
__________________
ARDEN
1993 Spider
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