Another what is this and please help

[Farace]

Gerry, the stock Spica airbox is a very efficient design. Alfa knew what they were doing when they designed it. (In general, unlike other cars that benefit greatly from aftermarket parts, Alfas come from the factory with very efficient intake and exhaust as well as having the engine tuned for peak performance while retaining good low-speed driveability.) All you really need to do is replace the mounting straps on top. The stock ones are thick laminated canvas with metal ends and are stiff enough and the right length to keep the airbox from stressing other components.

There are no stupid questions. You'll no doubt get up to speed quickly on the Alfa way of doing things, and once you get into some depth, you may end up quite charmed by the mechanical design.

[Alfapaulic]

Gerry, Even with the proper intake hoses the air cleaner inlet and the grille fresh air opening do not line up. It is close enough to provide some fresh air though.

Paul

[afflora]

Yes I noticed that and started looking a little harder and the hoses underneath the airbox are home-made and are not of equal length. Thats the reason for the misalignment. I will take them off and replace and repaint the airbox at the same time

Gerry McGahan
77 Spider

[Touringspider]

Gerry:

If you don't want to deal with the snorkel on the airbox, you can try what I did. Get the nosepiece to an earlier airbox (or a complete earlier airbox) and swap it out for the snorkel equipped one. Then, for the flexible hose that was mentioned earlier, go to NAPA or equivalent and get some black flexible heater duct (the reinforced cardboard kind that goes under the dash). Attach one end to the nose of the airbox and the other to the intake on the front crossmember. Because this flexible duct is accordion pleated, you can shape it in a nice "S" bend. Looks clean and you should have no trouble finding the right diameter. Plus, it is completely reversible if you ever want to go back to stock.

The original plastic hoses for the earlier airboxes are very difficult to find these days.

Arno Leskinen
AROC National Concours Chair
102
115
116

[gprocket]

Gerry:

For what it's worth, I gave my 16 year old my Mercedes so he would keep his hands off my Alfa! Also, I kinda liked 2 tons between my son and anything opposing my son...

- Rich D.