Autodelta 3.7 147GTA

[MattyB_]

Owned my GTA for over a year now, when I bought it I was lucky to find (what is believed to be) the only one in the country with every option box ticked. Most importantly, the Nuvelo White Pearlescent paint, which was an expensive option. 18's, 330mm Brembo's, Xenon's, Connect+ SatNav etc etc.

Just to finish it off, I had it converted by Autodelta with their "Stage1" 3.7 kit - with optional big valve head. Should be good for 320bhp. Also fitted with AD's coilovers, and a Q2 diff to try and keep the power under control (it does its best, bless it)

It was violently expensive, and I've had the "You should have bought a GolfGTi/Megane/Leon/Focus and rempapped it for £600" - but none look as good as this, and no gummy old turbo 4pot sounds or responds like this does. Unjustifiable motoring expenditure at its best.




Images are too big, so clicky:

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[MattyB_]

Thanks all

R5GTTgaz said:

There is something very alluring about that car, do many Autodelta conversions come up for sale?

Not really - there's not that many around for a start...at £6k (at least, plus other bits) its not a common upgrade.

Plus most people go with the Supercharger. More power (30bhp) and its cheaper (about £800 less). Personally I'm not keen on FI on the Alfa's, the noise drowns out the lovely V6 for a start...
I do know that Autodelta have a lovely Supercharged GTA for sale at the moment - loads of extras (big brakes, coilovers, exhaust, diff) and its less than 500 miles since conversion. He did want £20k for it though

[MattyB_]

bobthemonkey said:

How do they get the extra 1/2 litre? Longer throw crank, rebored block, or a mixture of the two?

TBH, I have no idea I just dropped it off, handed over the money and drove it out again....!

Ecurie, I am indeed, under the same user name

[MattyB_]

Bored, so I thought I'd update this with a few bits and peices that I've added since.

Firstly, rusty old backbox came off and was replaced by a shiny, unsilenced Supersprint system - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMhYqTbP4oE
I even recently decatted it, which sounded ok when not under load - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvujkT5GR3E
But sounded *terrible* inside the cabin, and not much better in a drive-by - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhuGVAQawDo

So that's coming off at the weekend, when it goes in for a service. Other than that, I've also:

- Replaced the Autodelta coilovers with KW V2's (big improvement in ride comfort)
- Ditched the CRAP Toyo T1-R's for far superior Michelin PS2's.

Last weekend I put some 12mm spacers on the rear in order to fill the arches better as a test fit:



However I can't fit 12mm spacers at the front due to clearance, and it's obviously causing more understeer. Although it looks better, a minor change in appearance for a large change in driving habits isn't worth it.

Lastly, I got the in-laws machine polisher on it, and 5 hours later, it came up with a nice shine:



Thats about it. Next up, depending on finances and job situations, it's either equal-length front pipes and remap, or chop it in for a T350

[MattyB_]

I don't have a spare £20k knocking around for the T350 and the GTA Plus, this thing costs me a fortune as it is, TVR and Alfa ownership is a bankruptcy waiting to happen!

Jakg said:

I feel sorry for your front tyres.

Don't feel sorry for the tyres, feel sorry for my wallet!

russy01 said:

very jealous, this is what i wanted to do, however i couldnt justify the pennys, oh i wish i did.........

As I'm sure I've mentioned plenty of times, the gains in performance and enjoyment aren't worth the cost. Spend your £8k on an Elise instead

[MattyB_]

swanny71 said:

MattyB_ said:

I don't have a spare £20k knocking around for the T350 and the GTA Plus, this thing costs me a fortune as it is, TVR and Alfa ownership is a bankruptcy waiting to happen!

It's do-able (just) if you don't have kids, holiday's, nice clothes etc. etc.

I've got enough equity in the house - use that for the TVR and I'll just live in the Alfa

[MattyB_]

This is now provisionally for sale. It's not been advertised but I'm putting the feelers out. If interested, mail me.
matt (at) clublupo.co.uk

[MattyB_]

Crusoe said:

What have you got your eye on next Matty, back to something light and lotus like?

Probably. I need a daily hack, so I'll get something cheap and buy a second car. It'll either be a cheap S1 Elise (I'd love another S160) and spend the change on trackdays, or a T350/Tamora (but I can't afford to track those!). The latter one largely depends on what my finances are like come Winter.

To be entirely honest, I'm still enjoying the Alfa so if it doesn't sell, it's no biggie.

caymanred said:

did you ever think of the quad autodelta exhaust set up? used to go on the site alot

plus richard hammond drove one (well tried to hypnotised) and it sounded the nuts when he pulled away!!

Main reason is the look, they stick out too far and at a strange angle. The Superspint I have fitted is far better quality (although twice the price) and in all honesty I prefer the noise of the SS - its more rumbly to the AD's raspy.