Johnmor
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 11:10 AM |
|
|
Alfa Engines
When I tried to defend the Alfa engine I was realy comparing it to the Pinto or early Ford DOHC, if faced with the choice of a Zetec or Toyota then it
becomes more difficult. One thing we should consider, is the cost of tuning an engine to aquire the desired power and response. As previously
mentioned Alfas rust, big time , so the mechanical parts become very cheap. Eg 1991 Alfa 164 2.0l 8v Twin spark £100 .(entire car) That provides 150
Bhp as it comes, with reliability of mass production, Fuel injection, and standard parts.
How much would it cost to develop 150bhp from a DOHC?
As we said gearbox and transmission is a problem but if the conversion to a Type 9 or T5 is carried out at even £500, then that has to be balanced
against the cost of tuning a DOHC.
The front whell drive Alfas have shoter sumps than the rear whell drive and are now far more common. That may aleviate some of the sump depth
problem.
The 16v engine has reliability issues , the clearence from valve to piston is so low that small end wear can result in contact, so i would avoid that
particular version.
I have to hold my hands up and say I bought a pre built chassis (dam he noticed), I have always messed with engines, and expierence has taught me
that if get engine selection, tuning or maintenence wrong then I will be left at the side of the road.
If I get chassis construction wrong getting stranded or wet may be the least of my problems.
I am at the moment try to fit an Alfa V6 in my chassis and trying to mate the engine to a type 9 so I reserve the right retract everything I have
said in a month or two.
|
|
|
|
|
owelly
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 03:44 PM |
|
|
My Alfa V6 is in and running. 
It sounds marvellous but I still need to fit the chimneys!!
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
|
|
|
Johnmor
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 06:40 PM |
|
|
V6
Thats great news.
How did you get on with the clutch, which friction plate did you use?
That is going to be a seriously quick machine!!!!
|
|
|
JB
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 07:54 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by alfaman
JB
Its interesting to know that the later alfa 16v twin spark engines went back to alloy blocks
are these the engines used in alfa 156,s and 147,s and do you reckon they mate onto the front wheel drive fiat/lancia gearboxes
(integrale,thema,tipo,croma etc.)?
I am unsure of the exact details, but a guy I knew with a 16V Fiat engine in his Minor mentioned it to me. I have contacts in Austrailia who will also
probally know.
I would expect the block to bolt upto any of the Fiat gearboxes.
More research is required!
John
|
|
|
Bob C
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 09:18 PM |
|
|
I used a 1750 version of this engine (from the 1750 berlinetta saloon) in a home made lotus elan (of all things). I thought the engine was great at
the time - certainly very different from the cast iron boat anchors from BL, ford & vauxhall. The construction was a novelty, wet liner cylinders
slipped into a big aluminium bucket with 'o' ring seals round the bottom. The sump was a big finned al casting with a labyrinth of baffles
cast in the inside. The cylinder head was hemisheric & you could see right through from intake out of exhaust during top overlap. Cam pulleys were
full vernier & the exhaust valves sodium filled(!). The box that came with that car was one of the first 5speeds available to joe public with a
step-up 5th.
OK it leaked oil & I could never get the valve shims right & you had to pull the camshafts right off to adjust 'em & once I got the
intake cam a tooth out & bent 4 valves...
but it went alright & sounded good!
Bob
|
|
|
dnmalc
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 09:53 PM |
|
|
What have I started??
Yes the Alpha will strtch my talents but given that I am already building the chassis, scuttle panels and bones from scratch the Alpha may mean
another year on the build. Given my lack of experience with any alpha compared with a reasonable knowledge of fords and the fact that £500 spent on
the pinto in the garage (ie cam, 45s, exhaust and vernier pulley) will give me 150 bhp with only an engine build I think the answer is clear.
|
|
|
Johnmor
|
| posted on 15/1/06 at 11:12 PM |
|
|
Alfa Engines
I have to agree with everything you say, If you have little or no expieence with alfa or Fiat/lancia engines then Ford is the way to go,as you say,
its what you know.
The best way to look at these engines is as an alternative , not better or worse but different ( diversity training yeugh##)
The best way to stir up opinion is to slag of somebody elses pride and joy, thats why I check this site every night,
Alfas are still the dogs bol##cks though!!!!
|
|
|
