Supercharged Alfas...........
Discussion
I've had a thread on the subject going on over in the engine forum, and thought I'd share the main conclusions here.... this is with regards to after market fitting of a supercharger or turbo to a 2.0 TS engine.
- kits do exist, but none are deemed to be very reliable.
- it's an expensive job.....£3-4k
- The increased compression could make pinking worse and siginificantly reduce engine life/reliability.
- Go and buy a V6.
So far it seems that if you want a more powerful Alfa, buy a 3.0 V6 and live with the weight.
In some ways I'm still tempted as a 2.0l TS Spider generating 200+bhp with a nice fruity exhuast fitted might be a nice project...for novelties sake it might even be worth the £3.5k it would cost me. Reliabiltiy wise I'm intrigued....after all Toyota MR2's that are 10 years old come in a 2.0l turbo version that generates that sort of power, and Fensport pop them into standard MR2's for about £1500.00, so why not with an Alfa Spider 2000cc unit?
Also I note that in Italy you can buy a turbo charged 2.0l TS, so Alfa must feel that the engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts, or of anyone who has done this ( supercharging ). As I understand it the unit off a Mercedes CLK 230 Kompressor might fit in.
Cheers & please be gentle, I'm just interested in what can/ has been done with the 2.0l Alfa engine.
Tim
- kits do exist, but none are deemed to be very reliable.
- it's an expensive job.....£3-4k
- The increased compression could make pinking worse and siginificantly reduce engine life/reliability.
- Go and buy a V6.
So far it seems that if you want a more powerful Alfa, buy a 3.0 V6 and live with the weight.
In some ways I'm still tempted as a 2.0l TS Spider generating 200+bhp with a nice fruity exhuast fitted might be a nice project...for novelties sake it might even be worth the £3.5k it would cost me. Reliabiltiy wise I'm intrigued....after all Toyota MR2's that are 10 years old come in a 2.0l turbo version that generates that sort of power, and Fensport pop them into standard MR2's for about £1500.00, so why not with an Alfa Spider 2000cc unit?
Also I note that in Italy you can buy a turbo charged 2.0l TS, so Alfa must feel that the engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts, or of anyone who has done this ( supercharging ). As I understand it the unit off a Mercedes CLK 230 Kompressor might fit in.
Cheers & please be gentle, I'm just interested in what can/ has been done with the 2.0l Alfa engine.
Tim
Edited by timmy33 on Monday 16th April 13:27
bob1179 said:
Did you check out AutoDelta? I'm sure they turbocharge and tweak Alfas.
Spiders are cracking cars though. Have you had a go in a V6? The engine makes the sweetest noise.
Spiders are cracking cars though. Have you had a go in a V6? The engine makes the sweetest noise.
Hey Bob,
Yes I checked them, they do the job for £3k ish, but got a negative view from someone, maybe someone else thinks they're okay?
Not been in a V6 yet....I've heard they sound superb!
timmy33 said:
bob1179 said:
Did you check out AutoDelta? I'm sure they turbocharge and tweak Alfas.
Spiders are cracking cars though. Have you had a go in a V6? The engine makes the sweetest noise.
Spiders are cracking cars though. Have you had a go in a V6? The engine makes the sweetest noise.
Hey Bob,
Yes I checked them, they do the job for £3k ish, but got a negative view from someone, maybe someone else thinks they're okay?
Not been in a V6 yet....I've heard they sound superb!
I don't know agreat deal about the 2.0 TS engine other than making sure you keep it serviced regularly and change the cam belt. I shouldn't think there would be too much hassle slapping a turbo on as long it is done properly.
Go and test a V6. You'll be hooked!
By the way, when did you get the Alfa?
There was a guy on the 145 forum who was DIYing a supercharger kit to his QV. It may have been a rotrex (?) unit. I'm not sure if he ever finished it but I imagine he would be a good source of knowledge. Goes by the name of AJ on http://forum.alfa145.com
bob1179 said:
By the way, when did you get the Alfa?
Oh about two months back my MR2 exploded in the garage, so I needed a car...quickly, the Alfa was just down the road so I though "okay I'll have that for a few months then get a Chim" but I'm absolutely loving the Alfa.....
And I know there are faster cheaper cars out there, esp Jap cars, or even the Fiat Coupe Turbo.... but the Spider just looks, and feels so much like a classic gents sports car, esp with the roof off, christ the thing loosens knicker elastic at 50 paces.
Edited by timmy33 on Monday 16th April 13:59
> Also I note that in Italy you can buy a turbo charged 2.0l TS, so Alfa must feel that the
> engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
> engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
Edited by tux99 on Tuesday 17th April 00:31
tux99 said:
> Also I note that in Italy you can buy a turbo charged 2.0l TS, so Alfa must feel that the
> engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
The ex-Lancia 2.0 litre unit to which you refer must be the the Integrale engine which was used in the 155 Q4. This car can be bought very cheaply in Italy BTW - far less than an equivalent Integrale on which it is based. This engine has FIAT origins anyway. > engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
Edited by tux99 on Tuesday 17th April 00:31
The 2.0 V6 is a scaled down 3.0 V6 with a turbo. I think that it sounds much nicer than the 3.0 unit as it is more akin to the sound of tearing calico at around 6,500! The 2.0 V6 was introduced to get round round Italian tax laws which penalise 2.0+ engines quite heavily.
Incidentally you can find these engines quite cheaply in Italy and arrange for a local transplant - it should make for an interesting little motor holiday!
AntMat said:
tux99 said:
> Also I note that in Italy you can buy a turbo charged 2.0l TS, so Alfa must feel that the
> engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
The ex-Lancia 2.0 litre unit to which you refer must be the the Integrale engine which was used in the 155 Q4. This car can be bought very cheaply in Italy BTW - far less than an equivalent Integrale on which it is based. This engine has FIAT origins anyway. > engine can infact take the additional pressure of forced induction?
the turbo engine sold in italy you are talking about is actually a 2 litre v6 turbo, and it's derived from an old Lancia engine (was in the Thema), nothing to do with the Twin Spark.
Edited by tux99 on Tuesday 17th April 00:31
The 2.0 V6 is a scaled down 3.0 V6 with a turbo. I think that it sounds much nicer than the 3.0 unit as it is more akin to the sound of tearing calico at around 6,500! The 2.0 V6 was introduced to get round round Italian tax laws which penalise 2.0+ engines quite heavily.
Incidentally you can find these engines quite cheaply in Italy and arrange for a local transplant - it should make for an interesting little motor holiday!
my missus is Italian. Still got lots of contacts in Milan. I wonder if the unit from a donor intergrale woul dgo straight in, what an interesting project! I could then mothball my current 2.0l unit ( recon on 25k ) in case of a disaster with the turbo engine.
Edited by timmy33 on Tuesday 17th April 09:54
You would probably have a problem with the box which is specific to the 'Grale and the Q4. That said it should be very easy to use your existing box. I would want to be thinking about gear and diff ratios as the power curve will be different but a good Alfista fettler should be able to give you an idea. Personally I'd go for the V6 2.0T engine and box!
AntMat said:
You would probably have a problem with the box which is specific to the 'Grale and the Q4. That said it should be very easy to use your existing box. I would want to be thinking about gear and diff ratios as the power curve will be different but a good Alfista fettler should be able to give you an idea. Personally I'd go for the V6 2.0T engine and box!
I was quite suprised that the 2.5 V6 wouldn't go into a Spider.
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