Alfa Romeo

GTAm · June 22, 2008

Autodelta J4 2.2 C

Autodelta is a tuner of Alfas just like Hartge for BMW and Brabus for Merc. Here's their latest creation for the entry level 2.2 four cylinder 159. Supercharging takes the power up from 185bhp to 245.

Devinda_Z · June 22, 2008

that is just achingly beautiful ....and the best part is that this , for all intents and purposes ,is an everyday run-about!

image 2 bears much similarity to the 156 GTA doesn't it?

...now if only someone would bring a few of these to SL....

GTAm · June 23, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
that is just achingly beautiful ....and the best part is that this , for all intents and purposes ,is an everyday run-about!
image 2 bears much similarity to the 156 GTA doesn't it?

Yep the perfect executive express? The envy of the whole office for sure. The rear of the 159 is very similar to the 156. Actually some argue that the older car' rear was better executed. Just knit pickers.....

BTW Autodelta's V6 engined cars get the full 352bhp treatment.

GTAm · June 23, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
...now if only someone would bring a few of these to SL....

It would lift my mood up for sure But I doubt it makes any economic sense to become a car importer in this economic climate. Disaster is looming large. And a tough brand like Alfa will be the hardest. Looks like its gonna be more Cherrys and Marutis heading this way...

Devinda_Z · June 23, 2008

GTAm said:
Yep the perfect executive express? The envy of the whole office for sure. The rear of the 159 is very similar to the 156. Actually some argue that the older car' rear was better executed. Just knit pickers.....
BTW Autodelta's V6 engined cars get the full 352bhp treatment.

...i did a search and realized much to my suprise that a post 2000 GTA could be had for wall under 10,000 sterling!

did any Alfa's of that era come with an AWD (Q4?) system of were even those 300+ horses being put down from the front?

...........& i'm inclined to join that lot in just feeling as though the 156 seems someone more crisp ~ but no complaints about 159 either

thats would be as silly as complaining that ones new girl friend looks like the old girl friend , who incidentally was Catherine Zeta Jones or something to that effect

GTAm · June 23, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
...i did a search and realized much to my suprise that a post 2000 GTA could be had for wall under 10,000 sterling!
did any Alfa's of that era come with an AWD (Q4?) system of were even those 300+ horses being put down from the front?

Yep. 156 GTA is a very flawed car due to very poor ground clearence. Scrapes the bottom a lot. So Sri Lanka is a no no The 147GTA is said to be better and is reflected in the prices. 156/147GTA had only 250bhp. Which is said to be the max that can properly be put down thru the front with toadys tech. Ford is planning 280 with the new Focus RS

Only the Cross wagon was 4wd which was a kind of a jacked up Sport wagon. Hardly a performance car and not very Alfa. Before the 159/Brera/Spider Q4, there's was the 155 Q4 with the Integrale running gear.

Is it possible to upload an Audio file? The engine sounds great!

Devinda_Z · June 23, 2008

GTAm said:
there's was the 155 Q4 with the Integrale running gear.
Is it possible to upload an Audio file? The engine sounds great!

What? i'm rather ashamed at my ignorance

but please tell me we have a specimen in the island????!!

hmmm well you could always email me the audio file...

GTAm · June 24, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
What? i'm rather ashamed at my ignorance
but please tell me we have a specimen in the island????!!

I think they did not come in RHD that's why they're hardly talked about.

Oh I forgot there was also a 164 Q4,

From www.casrfromitaly.net

155

"The range was topped by the 2.5 V6 (163bhp) which used a heavily revised version of the 3.0 V6 used in the 164, and the Q4, which used a much modified Lancia Delta integrale drivetrain, including the 2.0 16v turbo engine (190bhp) and permanent four wheel drive system. This latter incorporated three differentials, a normal one at the front, a epicyclic one in the centre (including a Ferguson viscous coupling) and a torsen self-locking one at the rear. In normal driving the split was 47% torque to the front, 53% to the rear. Both these 'top' models were also available with an electronically adjustable suspension. This system had two positions, 'automatic' and 'sport' and changed the characteristics of the dampers."

164

"Late 1992 saw the V6 gain an extra 12 valves and two camshafts. The new 3.0i V6 24v produced 211bhp or 232bhp in the sportier Quadrifoglio version. A year later Alfa Romeo introduced a four-wheel drive version, the Q4. Fitted with a new six-speed gearbox and an electronically controlled viscous coupling with variable torque splitting, this was the ultimate 164 in terms of drivability. Leather seats and sideskirts were standard."

The 164 seems to have been big in Japan - http://www.alfa164q4.com/index.shtml

Devinda_Z · June 24, 2008

GTAm said:
I think they did not come in RHD that's why they're hardly talked about.
The 164 seems to have been big in Japan - http://www.alfa164q4.com/index.shtml

had a feeling

i went nuts and googled away to glory last night and even found all the workshop manuals for the 155 Q4 !

There were a couple in Japan - some Wide Bodied cars as well, but like any Euro car in Japan , they were LHD

Whats the highest spec/quickest 155 available in SL?

GTAm said:
155
"The range was topped by the 2.5 V6 (163bhp) which used a heavily revised version of the 3.0 V6 used in the 164, and the Q4, which used a much modified Lancia Delta integrale drivetrain, including the 2.0 16v turbo engine (190bhp) and permanent four wheel drive system. This latter incorporated three differentials, a normal one at the front, a epicyclic one in the centre (including a Ferguson viscous coupling) and a torsen self-locking one at the rear. In normal driving the split was 47% torque to the front, 53% to the rear. Both these 'top' models were also available with an electronically adjustable suspension. This system had two positions, 'automatic' and 'sport' and changed the characteristics of the dampers."

Edited June 24, 2008 by Devinda_Z

GTAm · June 24, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
Whats the highest spec/quickest 155 available in SL?

2.0 TS 155bhp. My bro owns one and I drive it occassionally. It's a widebody and got Zender body kit with Zender alloys, and a sports exhaust. Rattles like a cart and terrible ground clearence, but when you thrash it, it feels like a race car!

Interesting fact: The widebody car came with the FPT(Fiat) Twin Spark that also powered the 156, 147 and GT. However the TS found in the pre-facelift cars and the 164TS is the classic Alfa twin cam that is chain driven. This engine originated in the early 1950's in the Giulietta. Race proven with umpteen victories and bullet proof. As it's chain driven it does away the snapping belt problems that gave Alfas a bad name. It's been named one of the greatest engines of all time.

Added to all this it produced the same out put and it was 30 kilos lighter being all alloy. The bottom end of the later FPT TS is cast iron . The only reason it was replaced was because it did not meet emission targets. Well you can't expect an engine to go on forever can you?

Another mistake Fiat management made with Alfa .

Devinda_Z · June 24, 2008

GTAm said:
2.0 TS 155bhp. My bro owns one and I drive it occassionally. It's a widebody and got Zender body kit with Zender alloys, and a sports exhaust.

The Blue car?

GTAm said:
Interesting fact: The widebody car came with the FPT(Fiat) Twin Spark that also powered the 156, 147 and GT. However the TS found in the pre-facelift cars and the 164TS is the classic Alfa twin cam that is chain driven. This engine originated in the early 1950's in the Giulietta. Race proven with umpteen victories and bullet proof. As it's chain driven it does away the snapping belt problems that gave Alfas a bad name. It's been named one of the greatest engines of all time.
Added to all this it produced the same out put and it was 30 kilos lighter being all alloy. The bottom end of the later FPT TS is cast iron . The only reason it was replaced was because it did not meet emission targets. Well you can't expect an engine to go on forever can you?

Another mistake Fiat management made with Alfa .

...its almost like the Italians were in such a hurry to go for lunch or a fashion show that they just didn't think some of these management decisions through!

GTAm · June 25, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
The Blue car?

Black.

GTAm · June 25, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
...its almost like the Italians were in such a hurry to go for lunch or a fashion show that they just didn't think some of these management decisions through!

Have some vino, chase a few ragazze around, ignore the accountants and plan a race season.....etc etc. Thankfully those dark days seem to be over.

Devinda_Z · June 26, 2008

what do you make of Luca De Meo's announcement of Alfa's plans to launch a new Evolution version of the 8C Competizione for its centinary?

GTAm · June 27, 2008

Devinda_Z said:
what do you make of Luca De Meo's announcement of Alfa's plans to launch a new Evolution version of the 8C Competizione for its centinary?

Great! They are talking of a GTA version of the 8C. Which means a further weight loss. At last they are going back to Alfa roots. The previous two GTAs - 156 and 147 were simply not true GTAs. They just shoe-horned a stroked V6 in and stiffened suspension. Not good enough for the GTA badge. They should've been badged Ti or something like that.

As you probably know 'A' stands for "Allegiretta" (not sure of spelling - I always get this wrong ) or LIGHTENED. First seen in the Giulia GT it had an alloy body and some even lighter engne parts which made it very much lighter than the regular GT. Of course it did have more power with the twin spark alloy head.

The GTA and GTAm (maggiorata - enlarged - GTA was 1600 and 1300 and GTAm was 1750 and 2000) simply dominated the European Touring Car Championship and a whole load of other motorsport victories around the world. Actually the GTA is said to have achieved over 200 victories in its debut year ! Some record wouldn't you agree? The 1985cc 2000 GTAm won the 1971 and '72 ETCC being faster against 2394cc Capri 2300GT, 2986cc BMW 2800CS and even a 5300cc V8 Camaro which were in a different class. Hence my nickname and avater It was after this that BMW came up with the CSL and won the championship in 1973 upto 79!

More great news from De Meo, says the new 149 - replacement of 147 will be launched next year on a brand new platform. Still unclear if it will be Rwd though..... some say fwd and 4wd like Audi. Others say rwd, which I really wish. The next 159 and larger 169 will be rwd for sure.

Now here's the most exciting news - there'll be a rwd sports car, which will revive the Giulia/Giulietta name. There'll be a Lancia Fulvia CC based on the same platform and a mid engined Abarth possibly using a Lotus Elise chassis

GTAm · July 23, 2008

Was thinking/day dreaming that if there was no Chinthanaya and the economy was ok I might have been able to afford a new Mito and might have specced the black one with those multi-spoke wheels to replace my 156!

Then of course I read the newspapers and woke up!!

Pericles · July 23, 2008

GTAm said:
Was thinking/day dreaming that if there was no Chinthanaya and the economy was ok I might have been able to afford a new Mito and might have specced the black one with those multi-spoke wheels to replace my 156!

Then of course I read the newspapers and woke up!!

I assume you haven't seen Top Gear Season 11 Episode 5?

GTAm · July 24, 2008

Pericles said:
I assume you haven't seen Top Gear Season 11 Episode 5?

Which part?

Pericles · July 24, 2008

GTAm said:
Which part?

They spoke on the Mito. I believe the quote was "That is a minger"

The Don · July 24, 2008

Pericles said:
They spoke on the Mito. I believe the quote was "That is a minger"

I think its those head lights that ruin the front of the car ! They look out of shape and out of place !

GTAm · July 25, 2008

Ah that. Yes but they have not seen it in the metal in that programme. Those who have say that it looks great. For example if you read this months' Top Gear magazine, Paul Horell who reviews it says it's very good looking and attracts attention whereever he parked. The 147 was initially conroversial as well. But the looks grew on everyone.

GTAm · July 29, 2008

The title says a lot

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/st...ories/01/1.html

Pb2k · August 29, 2008

it's been a while..sorry for not being able to answer sooner. i just arrived from Biarritz

I added a 405 Mi16 phase II 2.0 to my carcollection :

it's a great machine, it's got all the options and seems to be in a very good condition. It's nice not to have to worry about corrosion this time.

I had the Bertone's suspension fixed, it was a small nightmare to have it done properly. It comes down to some small maintenance now.

How's your project progressing ?

GTAm · August 29, 2008

Hi there buddy. Great to see the Mi 16. You were talking about it when we met in SL I recall. How is it to drive?

My babe is getting into shape slowly. Everything happens in slow motion over here .

Going to check her out tomorrow. Will post some pics......

Pb2k · August 29, 2008

it's fantastic Dayan, it feels very familiar to my previous mi16 but this one is obviously more sophisticated. i think it's a wonderful experience to have both GTJ and Mi16 at the same time, it's as different as it can get but both really enjoyable. they are absolutely my dreamcars.

i think the GTJ has the edge, as it's 18 years older. When i stationary rev the Alfa's 2.0 engine it also seems far stronger because the mi16 is just a high rev with a digital fuel management. they are both dohc but the comparison ends just there. properly adjusted Weber carbs are beautiful

as you might notice from the above picture the Alfa GTV's here are a pest they seem to be everywhere (I live uptown)

the GTJ really turns everyones's heads. the Mi16 only turns heads of enthusiasts blessed are the designer classics (and their owners)

Edited August 29, 2008 by Pb2k