[DualCarbSpider]

So, I spotted this sweet looking build the other day and I was overwhelmed after realizing that there is so much I just don't understand regarding some of the modifications that were made and I believe you guys can help me by briefly explaining some of the mods that were done.

I own a mk3 Spider and don't know if the engine is the same but being Alfa Romeo and the 2liter DOHC, I suspect they must be pretty similar.

Some pics:

​

Thanks in advance for your input

 

[conedriver]

The car is one of the car builds by Alfaholics in England. Car Builds | Classic Alfa Romeo spare parts and accessories They call this an "Alfaholics GTA-R", and have built several copies. You can probably find particulars of the modifications on their website. They also built a track day Spider.

So, I spotted this sweet looking build the other day and I was overwhelmed after realizing that there is so much I just don't understand regarding some of the modifications that were made and I believe you guys can help me by briefly explaining some of the mods that were done.

I own a mk3 Spider and don't know if the engine is the same but being Alfa Romeo and the 2liter DOHC, I suspect they must be pretty similar.

Some pics:



Thanks in advance for your input

 

[jacques94086]

It's pretty. It's also pretty expensive.
It depends on what are your goals.
Want a track car or a street car....?
A properly tuned stock vehicle will give you lots of satisfaction and reliability.
With a few minor tweaks, tires and suspension mods will not break the bank.
If you are a spirited driver with a bankroll .......I would look for a 105 or a 115 coupe.

 

[gigem75]

Add money and stir

 

[alfaparticle]

Add money and stir

Are you telling us that your motors cost less than that one? What is your hourly rate for that nice port work?

 

[gigem75]

I had thought about saying one can get close to that by spending a lot of time researching and doing as many here do. There is really only one rule that never can be broken. Never, ever, absolutely do NOT add up that stack of receipts in that folder!!

 

[raff_gta]

I had thought about saying one can get close to that by spending a lot of time researching and doing as many here do. There is really only one rule that never can be broken. Never, ever, absolutely do NOT add up that stack of receipts in that folder!!

Couldnt agree more!!

 

[jantar]

I thought there was a second rule that can't be broken, never let wifey have a look at the stack of receipts?

jantar

 

[180OUT]

Never, ever, absolutely do NOT add up that stack of receipts in that folder!!

[/QUOTE]

Sign on the wall of a speed shop in the 50's:

"SPEED COSTS MONEY. HOW FAST CAN YOU SPEND?"

 

[conedriver]

Yes. The same as: "SPEED COSTS MONEY. HOW FAST CAN YOU AFFORD TO GO?"

This is still valid today!. My theory is to spend just enough money each year to compensate as my driving skills decline from advancing age...

Sign on the wall of a speed shop in the 50's:

"SPEED COSTS MONEY. HOW FAST CAN YOU SPEND?"

 

[papajam]

I know it as "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"

 

[101/105guy]

Or you can follow some and spend money that makes the car worse or has no effect.

 

[alfaparticle]

I know it as "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"

Agreed, but within that you can throw money at it and buy a motor that looks like the one in the original post or you can do most of the work yourself and get similar performance for a lot less money. Mike - Gigem75 has shown what can be done if you are smart, careful and dedicated. You still have to buy cams, carburetors and maybe ignition and exhaust parts but you don't have to spend a small fortune to get 150 - 170 HP from a 2L Alfa.

 

[DualCarbSpider]

I know this thread died young but what kind of mods and budget are we speaking of to reach that 150bhp figures?

 

[Gordon Raymond]

Build reciepts

I had thought about saying one can get close to that by spending a lot of time researching and doing as many here do. There is really only one rule that never can be broken. Never, ever, absolutely do NOT add up that stack of receipts in that folder!!

This REALLY made me laugh! Drove my Ausca Giulia 1600 Veloce spider about 50 highway miles in traffic with my spare single plug Ausca "test engine" in the car about 20 minutes ago. I DID get back home. The engine had about 1.5 hr dyno time, and 6 street miles on it when I did this. NOTHING odd happened! AMAZING. Then I was thinking that in FIFTY years of ownership, I never totaled up the Ausca reciepts, though I do know what the restoration of the "test-engine" cost me.
Then I read your above post. How perfect!

 

[DPeterson3]

My 102 restoration receipt file is three folders and a little over 6" thick. The Montreal is just a single folder, and about 3" thick, but I'm not done with it yet.

Gordon... The shortest amount of time I got on an Alfa engine rebuild was in 75 or 76, when I did a thorough overhaul on my 1600 Sprint GT engine. I dropped it into the car after working hours on a Saturday, filled up the sump with oil and the radiator with water, and fired it up. Ran great and I shut it off. The car was at my BAP/Geon store in Pasadena, Tx, and it was a typical February, meaning mid-50's. I went home for the weekend.

It dropped to 19F that Sunday night, a record low for that coastal part of Texas.

When I got to work on Monday, I took it as a bad sign that there were aluminum chunks three feet from the car, even though the hood was closed.

Had holes in the head you could stick your thumb into, and a crack down the side of the block from front to back.

I hung the head on the wall above an antifreeze display.

A corollary to "speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?" Is....

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.

 

[Gordon Raymond]

Do you add up the reciepts Don? I'm always surprised when I see how much Weber restorations, oil pump builds, distributor restorations cost my customers. I think "Well, I didn't think that took that long!" I felt better when Mike Pierce at Pierce manifolds tells me it takes 10 hours to do correct Weber restorations, and other builders send me components for rework, telling me there is no way they can do it as fast, or as nicely as I.
When you work on your own projects, you end up with those 3" thick folders of reciepts, and since you know your sub-contractors, the total cost IS BEST IGNORED, as you KNOW the job is done right, and cost is not important unless you built it intending to sell it.
I've had my Ausca spider 50 years now, and don't care how much I've invested in it over those 50 years.
2 Pictures. First, my helper, Pickle, my parrot, guards the 275GTB under cover while I photo 2, the Ausca spider after todays run.

 

[alfaparticle]

I know this thread died young but what kind of mods and budget are we speaking of to reach that 150bhp figures?

I posted about my 170 HP motor here: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/spider-1966-up/304825-79-spider-dyno.html

You would not have to use racing pistons like did. The Head preparation, the cams and a pair of Webers are the biggest factors.

 

[DualCarbSpider]

Thank you for staying on topic alfaparticle, will definitely check that out!

 

[DPeterson3]

OFF TOPIC ALERT. COVER YOUR EYES.

Nah, I don't add them up. I eventually will for the Montreal, as i intend to sell it and a potential buyer might want to know.

Slightly back on topic...

I've never really had any interest in buying an engine rebuild from anyone else. If it's a high performance build there's not likely to be a warranty anyway. If you're rich and want to hurry along the growth of your stable, then it makes sense to hire things out.

Some things, such as boring cylinders or full head rebuild requires tools I don't have, but I've done the work when I did.

The Alfaholics engine (getting closer to thread) is likely to be something someone could duplicate, with enough experience (see previous off-topic post) even using specialist sub contractors for various things.

Remember, the most important part of a good engine build is the paint job.