Alfa GTV V6 1999
Discussion
george123 said:
I have a GTV V6!
Had it around 4 years and have spent far too much on it including a full respray last year so it's looking pretty good. Black with red style interior, I also removed the rear spoiler and front lip to get the pure GTV look. Had a black 147 GTA before this but prefer the GTV ! Enjoy yours !
Hey George,Had it around 4 years and have spent far too much on it including a full respray last year so it's looking pretty good. Black with red style interior, I also removed the rear spoiler and front lip to get the pure GTV look. Had a black 147 GTA before this but prefer the GTV ! Enjoy yours !
That sounds good to me! Have you done anything mechanically to it? Surely you have a pic to show off the new paint!
SamGTV said:
All the best with your project and 159! Pics???
The 159
The Spider (No 1)
Before
Its claim to fame is Wheeler Dealers turned it down as a project car when they were filming the Maserati 3200 piece, mmmm I wonder why.
Before starting any work (indicative state!)
I stripped the interior out as soon as I got it as it had been left for a number of years and as a result was pretty grotty, all cleaned up well though so can be reused.
I'm in the last stages of refurbing the rear suspension at the moment, had to take the rear subframe off as the worn suspension arms had damaged it annoyingly. Had that welded at work and then removed all the suspension bushes, the suspension arms were blasted and are now painted (came up really well). Should hopefully have new bushes installed by the end of January but just waiting on a couple of parts to come back into stock.
Once they're in I'll put it all back on the car and make some new brake pipes, I rebuilt and painted the rear brakes as soon as I got it.
I'll do the engine work (belts etc.) and have a look at the front suspension when time allows after this , found a couple of holes but surprisingly nothing major....yet. I've driven the car about 0.5 miles in total, seemed OK but for the price of one 159 tyre (car delivered to my house) I can't complain too much.
Our spares Spider is much the same but with a pretty poor bodyshell underneath.
As it sits currently
Edited by wal 45 on Thursday 5th January 19:49
wal 45 said:
The 159
The Spider (No 1)
Before
Its claim to fame is Wheeler Dealers turned it down as a project car when they were filming the Maserati 3200 piece, mmmm I wonder why.
Before starting any work (indicative state!)
I stripped the interior out as soon as I got it as it had been left for a number of years and as a result was pretty grotty, all cleaned up well though so can be reused.
I'm in the last stages of refurbing the rear suspension at the moment, had to take the rear subframe off as the worn suspension arms had damaged it annoyingly. Had that welded at work and then removed all the suspension bushes, the suspension arms were blasted and are now painted (came up really well). Should hopefully have new bushes installed by the end of January but just waiting on a couple of parts to come back into stock.
Once they're in I'll put it all back on the car and make some new brake pipes, I rebuilt and painted the rear brakes as soon as I got it.
I'll do the engine work (belts etc.) and have a look at the front suspension when time allows after this , found a couple of holes but surprisingly nothing major....yet. I've driven the car about 0.5 miles in total, seemed OK but for the price of one 159 tyre (car delivered to my house) I can't complain too much.
Our spares Spider is much the same but with a pretty poor bodyshell underneath.
As it sits currently
Wow, love the project car, that is fantastic. Good for you for getting stuck in. Wish I had the skills to do work on mine! So where in Hampshire are you? My folks are down near Basingstoke. The Spider (No 1)
Before
Its claim to fame is Wheeler Dealers turned it down as a project car when they were filming the Maserati 3200 piece, mmmm I wonder why.
Before starting any work (indicative state!)
I stripped the interior out as soon as I got it as it had been left for a number of years and as a result was pretty grotty, all cleaned up well though so can be reused.
I'm in the last stages of refurbing the rear suspension at the moment, had to take the rear subframe off as the worn suspension arms had damaged it annoyingly. Had that welded at work and then removed all the suspension bushes, the suspension arms were blasted and are now painted (came up really well). Should hopefully have new bushes installed by the end of January but just waiting on a couple of parts to come back into stock.
Once they're in I'll put it all back on the car and make some new brake pipes, I rebuilt and painted the rear brakes as soon as I got it.
I'll do the engine work (belts etc.) and have a look at the front suspension when time allows after this , found a couple of holes but surprisingly nothing major....yet. I've driven the car about 0.5 miles in total, seemed OK but for the price of one 159 tyre (car delivered to my house) I can't complain too much.
Our spares Spider is much the same but with a pretty poor bodyshell underneath.
As it sits currently
Edited by wal 45 on Thursday 5th January 19:49
SamGTV said:
Hey George,
That sounds good to me! Have you done anything mechanically to it? Surely you have a pic to show off the new paint!
There's a pic in my profile! That sounds good to me! Have you done anything mechanically to it? Surely you have a pic to show off the new paint!
A lot over 4 years ...!
Quaiffe diff and lighter flywheel
New discs and ds2500 pads on the front
New oil cooler (ts's don't have them I think)
Polybushed the rear suspension
New springs (back to original height as previous owner had lowered it )
Full S/steel exhaust
Rest has been regular servicing and oil change every year which is 4/5k miles for me. I think this is essential on all oldAlfas.
Here's One just after the respray
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/nwY44avy.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/OYs1BdUh" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/OYs1BdUh.jpg)
george123 said:
There's a pic in my profile!
A lot over 4 years ...!
Quaiffe diff and lighter flywheel
New discs and ds2500 pads on the front
New oil cooler (ts's don't have them I think)
Polybushed the rear suspension
New springs (back to original height as previous owner had lowered it )
Full S/steel exhaust
Rest has been regular servicing and oil change every year which is 4/5k miles for me.
Couldn't agree more with the servicing part, I've had mine a year and only done 1500 miles lol.A lot over 4 years ...!
Quaiffe diff and lighter flywheel
New discs and ds2500 pads on the front
New oil cooler (ts's don't have them I think)
Polybushed the rear suspension
New springs (back to original height as previous owner had lowered it )
Full S/steel exhaust
Rest has been regular servicing and oil change every year which is 4/5k miles for me.
What exhaust did you go for. I fancy getting a Wizard when funds allow. I've done the same as you bar the diff... which I will do as soon as everything else is perfect. Loved the flywheel mod!
SamGTV said:
Wow, love the project car, that is fantastic. Good for you for getting stuck in. Wish I had the skills to do work on mine! So where in Hampshire are you? My folks are down near Basingstoke.
Thanks Sam, wanted to have a resto Spider for a while and this one turned up at the right time. Financially it won't be worth it but it's pretty satisfying nonetheless. The guy I got it from has a red 3.0 V6 Spider amongst the graveyard of Italian vehicles at his place, wasn't up for sale unfortunately.I'm in Fareham so a bit further down the M3 than your parents. A really good Italian car meet at Alton started up last year (mainly Alfa GTV based), next one will probably be in March. If you have a look on the Alfa Owner forum "GTV/Spider" or "South Coast meets" section you'll find some detail. Get a really good turn out of cars including a few Cups.
A mate had a Cup for a while, certainly go well and handle nicely when set up properly. He too unfortunately sold at the wrong time although I thought £7K was strong money 3 years ago!!
This is my V6 bella, tucked up in the garage due to lack of use at the moment, hopefully staying a little warmer than outside!
Just had new rear pads which cured a squeaking under braking, so now have the unneeded set of front discs / pads which can be put on at some point in the future when necessary.
Exhaust is the Ragazzon centre section and unsilenced rear section. It's rather loud, but one hell of a sound
The GTV's presence in the garage means the Monaro is sat on the drive. We all know Australians love -5* but Bruce is a tough and uncomplicated old lump and he'll cope with it a bit better than Alfie me thinks.
The better half has recently acquired a 147, so we're currently 2 up on Alfas. When we moved and an estate car was needed obviously I desperately wanted a 159 but the budget wasn't there so I ended up with an incredibly sensible Volvo V70. At some point this needs to be upgraded however as to me the 159 is the best looking 'normal' car for decades.
(yes, the grass has been mown now
)
Alfa's are a strange addiction, I've been 'thinking of selling' the GTV for years, and yet...
Just had new rear pads which cured a squeaking under braking, so now have the unneeded set of front discs / pads which can be put on at some point in the future when necessary.
Exhaust is the Ragazzon centre section and unsilenced rear section. It's rather loud, but one hell of a sound
The GTV's presence in the garage means the Monaro is sat on the drive. We all know Australians love -5* but Bruce is a tough and uncomplicated old lump and he'll cope with it a bit better than Alfie me thinks.
The better half has recently acquired a 147, so we're currently 2 up on Alfas. When we moved and an estate car was needed obviously I desperately wanted a 159 but the budget wasn't there so I ended up with an incredibly sensible Volvo V70. At some point this needs to be upgraded however as to me the 159 is the best looking 'normal' car for decades.
(yes, the grass has been mown now
)Alfa's are a strange addiction, I've been 'thinking of selling' the GTV for years, and yet...
Not exactly the best recording you understand, but you get the idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWW4XWLOAX4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWW4XWLOAX4
SturdyHSV said:
Not exactly the best recording you understand, but you get the idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWW4XWLOAX4
Aaahhh...Youtube - that's what got me into the GTV V6 listening to cars with sports exhausts, especially Ragazzons! Mine went to MIJ as it already had the mid box removed when I bought it but if sounded a little raspy. I had the remaining system removed & the smallest exhaust box cat back system installed & it was the best £200 or so spent & certainly turned heads although didn't quite sound like the early baby Ferrari sound of SturdyHSVs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWW4XWLOAX4
Lovely looking car there, great colour! I acquired a silver V6 in July last year. Luckily it had been owned by an alfa nut - GTA clutch & fly, equal length downpipes full alfaholics exhaust, GTA cams and 330mm discs with 4 pot brembos & adjustable konis. Thinking of doing a refresh on the rear suspension soon.
But... those Zenders are awesome! I have seen a set and am very tempted but i wanted to ask a few things;
Are your wheels are 17s or 18s? Do do they go straight on? Have you lowered the suspension on your car or is that how they look on the standard set up? is there an offset change etc? (Im not too familiar with wheel setup)
Cheers!
But... those Zenders are awesome! I have seen a set and am very tempted but i wanted to ask a few things;
Are your wheels are 17s or 18s? Do do they go straight on? Have you lowered the suspension on your car or is that how they look on the standard set up? is there an offset change etc? (Im not too familiar with wheel setup)
Cheers!
SamGTV said:
There are a set of wheels I have always wanted to own...
Zender Siena's...
Now I love the standard 17inch teledials but my ultimate wheel on an Alfa of this type is the Zenders. They are very rare and expensive but I found a set that was not bent or cracked from a lovely chap in deepest darkest Europe. Fitted them with Toyo Proxes... not the best but good enough for the time being.
I personally love the look of them on my car and don't know of another in my colour with these wheels...
Zender Siena's...
Now I love the standard 17inch teledials but my ultimate wheel on an Alfa of this type is the Zenders. They are very rare and expensive but I found a set that was not bent or cracked from a lovely chap in deepest darkest Europe. Fitted them with Toyo Proxes... not the best but good enough for the time being.
I personally love the look of them on my car and don't know of another in my colour with these wheels...
george123 said:
I just got one made up locally, its loud enough ! I've heard the wizard one on a GTV at Autolusso south .... sounds pretty wild , could get a bit of a pain after a while. I'd definitely try and hear one before you take the plunge!
I had a decatted 147 Gta with the wizard exhaust and it was fantastic. Going down that route when funds allow. Sounded pretty epic...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldX2cfoNuu8
Edited by SamGTV on Friday 13th January 21:34
ST270 said:
They need 6mm spacers on the front to clear the Brembo calipers. The car looks great with 6mm spacers all round and I dont think it has done anything bad to the handling. Also it is perfectly safe as the wheel still sits on the hub.
My car came with Eibach springs and standard dampers... from memory it is a 25mm drop. I think it looks great, aesthetically it is my perfect GTV other than removing the electric aerial.
SamGTV said:
If you want to part with them I may be interested, but you will probably keep them I imagine.
My 2005 156JTDM 150 would look quite nice with a set on !!!
Currently on a set of 16" Selespeeds.
( Pic taken en route to Monaco last year for the Historic F1 Weekend )
Cheers,
I think that decides it for me then - the stance on your gtv looks bob on and to achieve the same on my silver i would need springs and to source some 18 Zenders... Maybe in the future, think i will just crack on with the polybushing for now and enjoy it!
I meant to mention that my car also came with a strut bar fitted under the bonnet, not sure how much difference it makes to the rigidity but couple with the lsd it changes direction v v well - might be something you want to look into with your suspension set up - not expensive either and matches the red cam cover!
https://www.gazzellaracing.com/product.php?product...
The Sienas I have are 18's, 17's are available but look a bit naff to me... Its 17 Teledials or 18 Sienas! Be carefully if you buy the Zenders because they are not the strongest.
They need 6mm spacers on the front to clear the Brembo calipers. The car looks great with 6mm spacers all round and I dont think it has done anything bad to the handling. Also it is perfectly safe as the wheel still sits on the hub.
My car came with Eibach springs and standard dampers... from memory it is a 25mm drop. I think it looks great, aesthetically it is my perfect GTV other than removing the electric aerial.
I think that decides it for me then - the stance on your gtv looks bob on and to achieve the same on my silver i would need springs and to source some 18 Zenders... Maybe in the future, think i will just crack on with the polybushing for now and enjoy it!
I meant to mention that my car also came with a strut bar fitted under the bonnet, not sure how much difference it makes to the rigidity but couple with the lsd it changes direction v v well - might be something you want to look into with your suspension set up - not expensive either and matches the red cam cover!
https://www.gazzellaracing.com/product.php?product...
SamGTV said:
ST270 said:
They need 6mm spacers on the front to clear the Brembo calipers. The car looks great with 6mm spacers all round and I dont think it has done anything bad to the handling. Also it is perfectly safe as the wheel still sits on the hub.
My car came with Eibach springs and standard dampers... from memory it is a 25mm drop. I think it looks great, aesthetically it is my perfect GTV other than removing the electric aerial.
Very quiet of late on here...
Dropped the car at SimplyAlfa to have a few bits done and a general assessment...
Off side rear wheel bearing
Brake compensator pipes replaced
Fresh brake fluid
Also getting a quote to have the jacking points under the car returned to how they should be. Signs of people jacking the car up not knowing what they're doing. Don't want it to get very rusty and have a fortune on my hands. This is quite common with these cars... if you ever look to buy one put it on the list of things to look for. Also spring pans are in good shape. In fact the entire car underneath is good with no rot. It's been well undersealed over its 161,000 miles.
Also getting them to fit this, a new header tank. No longer made by Alfa this is from EB Spares. It was really letting the engine bay down. Great service as usual from EB.
Getting car back on Thursday... it's so dirty at the moment!
Also have a new Autolusso silicon intake pipe to fit... but I can't find it... smart.
Have a very good condition slam panel to fit too to replace my current rusty one.
Other than some cosmetic tidying and routine servicing the car is amazing.
Next will upgrades... diff etc.
Cheers. Sam
Dropped the car at SimplyAlfa to have a few bits done and a general assessment...
Off side rear wheel bearing
Brake compensator pipes replaced
Fresh brake fluid
Also getting a quote to have the jacking points under the car returned to how they should be. Signs of people jacking the car up not knowing what they're doing. Don't want it to get very rusty and have a fortune on my hands. This is quite common with these cars... if you ever look to buy one put it on the list of things to look for. Also spring pans are in good shape. In fact the entire car underneath is good with no rot. It's been well undersealed over its 161,000 miles.
Also getting them to fit this, a new header tank. No longer made by Alfa this is from EB Spares. It was really letting the engine bay down. Great service as usual from EB.
Getting car back on Thursday... it's so dirty at the moment!
Also have a new Autolusso silicon intake pipe to fit... but I can't find it... smart.
Have a very good condition slam panel to fit too to replace my current rusty one.
Other than some cosmetic tidying and routine servicing the car is amazing.
Next will upgrades... diff etc.
Cheers. Sam
Got the car back from SimplyAlfa today after the above mentioned work was done. They also sorted a slightly poor fitment on the exhaust.
The old expansion tank...
Old intake pipe...
New Autolusso intake pipe and EB Spares expansion tank fitted...
Looks much better now! Engine bay needs a good clean and detail but will do that when the weather improves.
The slam panel is letting things down but not fitting the decent one I have until I have protected the underside against rust etc... again, no rush. Better weather job.
The car drives and sounds amazing so gave it a good run on the way back... it's now filthy but kinda cool.
Off now to get a second quote on sorting the sills underneath the car. In the past there have been muppets jacking in the wrong places.
The old expansion tank...
Old intake pipe...
New Autolusso intake pipe and EB Spares expansion tank fitted...
Looks much better now! Engine bay needs a good clean and detail but will do that when the weather improves.
The slam panel is letting things down but not fitting the decent one I have until I have protected the underside against rust etc... again, no rush. Better weather job.
The car drives and sounds amazing so gave it a good run on the way back... it's now filthy but kinda cool.
Off now to get a second quote on sorting the sills underneath the car. In the past there have been muppets jacking in the wrong places.
Loving the car mate, really does make me question my desire for another CooperS Mini for a weekend car.
On my third alfa now, though I think I bought mine in the wrong order, Had a 1.9jtdm 159 saloon, a 1.6 TS 147, and now a 1.6 Giulietta. Don't think I will buy another brand for the daily, as they have all been utterly reliable (bar the 147 which ate a clutch on its way to be traded in!)
On my third alfa now, though I think I bought mine in the wrong order, Had a 1.9jtdm 159 saloon, a 1.6 TS 147, and now a 1.6 Giulietta. Don't think I will buy another brand for the daily, as they have all been utterly reliable (bar the 147 which ate a clutch on its way to be traded in!)
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