Latest Snotter - Alfa 145 1800 TSpark
Discussion
So, as some on here will know, I am fond of a snotter/project/something a bit fun to tinker with. And after 9months of E36 tourer ownership, insurance and fuel costs combined with a change in work circumstance have lead me to swap for something smaller phsyically, and cheaper on fuel/insurance.
After selling the BMW alarmingly quickly, I wound up needing transport fast, and this was on the bay locally (5miles away) and seemed a fair price:
[trumpets play fanfare] Presenting ALFA-SNOT [/trumpets end]
Will try and get some more pictures of the exterior and interior at a later date.
Initial findings are that it's remarkably tight to drive, having done an alledged 93,000 miles (lots of old MOTS and service stamps to support this). Nippy around town, and very responsive steering.
Taxed until end of 2011, tested until march 2012.
Areas of concern/showing visable wear:
> brakes, they're legal and adequate for normal use. BUT Lincolnshires A & B roads, and local tracks would suggest that more could be had if some EBCs or decent factors discs and pads were added.
> clutch. It's worn, possibly on it's arse. No slip, but definitely tired. Factors £80 for 2year guaranteed clutch, and have mates in mechy trade who will fit for beer tokens.
> gearbox, has slight notchyness between 1st and 2nd on both upchange, and downchange, but I can't say it bothers me enough to worry about as second hand boxes are cheap enough.
> idle was all over. Saturday stripped all induction system and cleaned, along with all 8 spark plugs out, electrical cleaner, wire brushed, and back in. Much better
> Massive K&N filter fitted. Saturday sourced original air box and collected it. Only issue is that to get it in, need wing/arch liner off. :facepalm: That's next Saturday gone then.
Pictures below show this Saturdays findings:
Huge "K&N" filter
The gap it came out of, complete with battered edges from rough-arse previous owners
General Engine-Bay state
MAF plug that's been properly mangled
Thanks for reading, comments welcomed. I appreciate it's not to everyones taste, nor is it everyones idea of cheap motoring. BUT so far since collecting Tuesday evening, it's done over 250miles, faultlessly, and achieved somewhere between 30mpg and 40mpg.
Also from speaking to a couple of motor-factors, parts are cheap enough to get hold of.
Plan is tidy up the rough edges, run until MOT, then assess finances/job/whether it passes easily enough before making it more driver focussed.
N.B. Seating position is a little high, especially as I am 6ft7 tall. Anyone know if rails can be adapted to make them sit lower?
After selling the BMW alarmingly quickly, I wound up needing transport fast, and this was on the bay locally (5miles away) and seemed a fair price:
[trumpets play fanfare] Presenting ALFA-SNOT [/trumpets end]
Will try and get some more pictures of the exterior and interior at a later date.
Initial findings are that it's remarkably tight to drive, having done an alledged 93,000 miles (lots of old MOTS and service stamps to support this). Nippy around town, and very responsive steering.
Taxed until end of 2011, tested until march 2012.
Areas of concern/showing visable wear:
> brakes, they're legal and adequate for normal use. BUT Lincolnshires A & B roads, and local tracks would suggest that more could be had if some EBCs or decent factors discs and pads were added.
> clutch. It's worn, possibly on it's arse. No slip, but definitely tired. Factors £80 for 2year guaranteed clutch, and have mates in mechy trade who will fit for beer tokens.
> gearbox, has slight notchyness between 1st and 2nd on both upchange, and downchange, but I can't say it bothers me enough to worry about as second hand boxes are cheap enough.
> idle was all over. Saturday stripped all induction system and cleaned, along with all 8 spark plugs out, electrical cleaner, wire brushed, and back in. Much better
> Massive K&N filter fitted. Saturday sourced original air box and collected it. Only issue is that to get it in, need wing/arch liner off. :facepalm: That's next Saturday gone then.
Pictures below show this Saturdays findings:
Huge "K&N" filter
The gap it came out of, complete with battered edges from rough-arse previous owners
General Engine-Bay state
MAF plug that's been properly mangled
Thanks for reading, comments welcomed. I appreciate it's not to everyones taste, nor is it everyones idea of cheap motoring. BUT so far since collecting Tuesday evening, it's done over 250miles, faultlessly, and achieved somewhere between 30mpg and 40mpg.
Also from speaking to a couple of motor-factors, parts are cheap enough to get hold of.
Plan is tidy up the rough edges, run until MOT, then assess finances/job/whether it passes easily enough before making it more driver focussed.
N.B. Seating position is a little high, especially as I am 6ft7 tall. Anyone know if rails can be adapted to make them sit lower?
Great choice. These are really under-rated cars. I had a 145 2.0 cloverleaf and loved it to bits. They sound fantastic for a four cylinder. You're right about the high seating position though, I'm unaware of a solution.
One thing to watch out for in the winter is that the handbrake freezes on when it's below zero. I had to park mine for days on end one winter as the rear wheels were locked in position and wouldn't release until it thawed. This also happened on my Fiat barchetta or the same era so perhaps it's an Italian thing...
Enjoy!
One thing to watch out for in the winter is that the handbrake freezes on when it's below zero. I had to park mine for days on end one winter as the rear wheels were locked in position and wouldn't release until it thawed. This also happened on my Fiat barchetta or the same era so perhaps it's an Italian thing...
Enjoy!
already aware of handbrake, someone else commented about it, happened today 
As for being under-rated, couldn't agree more. This is only 1800cc but someone has tacked "cloverleaf" wheels and skirts etc on it.
The 4pot is brilliant, courtesy of the filter, it's a bit rough at sub 2000rpm speeds, but once up the rev-range becomes a proper little thrash-friendly w
e. 
As for being under-rated, couldn't agree more. This is only 1800cc but someone has tacked "cloverleaf" wheels and skirts etc on it.
The 4pot is brilliant, courtesy of the filter, it's a bit rough at sub 2000rpm speeds, but once up the rev-range becomes a proper little thrash-friendly w
e. 
Mini-Update for anyone interested:
This morning was the first properly cold morning around here, thus I had much worry about Alfa-Snot coping. Seems I worried for nothing.
Fired up first time, and within a mile of home, was toasty inside
Jerky wipers are on the hit-list, suspect battery isn't long for this world either as it doesn't seem to cope well with plenty of load.
All being well, tomorrow will be a multi-meter day and re-fit the standard airbox. Weather prevailing.
This morning was the first properly cold morning around here, thus I had much worry about Alfa-Snot coping. Seems I worried for nothing.
Fired up first time, and within a mile of home, was toasty inside
Jerky wipers are on the hit-list, suspect battery isn't long for this world either as it doesn't seem to cope well with plenty of load.
All being well, tomorrow will be a multi-meter day and re-fit the standard airbox. Weather prevailing.
Great car that fella, I owned a QV for almost a year and loved it but I had done a few things to her...while the clutch is out...get the flywheel lightened as its one of the best mods you can do to these 
There is a mod for the seat also...get yourself over to the 145 forum...very useful and there's a guide for the seat mod
There is a mod for the seat also...get yourself over to the 145 forum...very useful and there's a guide for the seat mod
Seat mod is my first priority.
I'll be honest, I bought it blind as a "snotter" but I'm really tempted to make it more driver focussed.
It crunches a bit when under high load between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 1st. Told this is likely to be the box?
Worth changing when do the clutch. The engine/box mounts feel worn too
Planning better rubber and some Eibach springs if I keep it.
_____________________
ETA: which 145 forum, there is many and been recommended a few.
This one
I'll be honest, I bought it blind as a "snotter" but I'm really tempted to make it more driver focussed.
It crunches a bit when under high load between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 1st. Told this is likely to be the box?
Worth changing when do the clutch. The engine/box mounts feel worn too
Planning better rubber and some Eibach springs if I keep it.
_____________________
ETA: which 145 forum, there is many and been recommended a few.
This one
Edited by mgmrw on Friday 2nd December 10:08
mgmrw said:
spot on, shall join this afternoon.
Just wished to be sure.
More I drive mine, the more 2 things become apparent:
1) the seat needs a lowering fix
2) the gearbox/clutch/mounts situation needs remedying if I am to enjoy the car
Well depending where you are I know of a really good indie who would be able to do the work for you at the cheapest price...and they are the cheapest around...even cheaper than Autolusso!Just wished to be sure.
More I drive mine, the more 2 things become apparent:
1) the seat needs a lowering fix
2) the gearbox/clutch/mounts situation needs remedying if I am to enjoy the car
The clutch is easy enough to do but with the gearbox, its usually 3rd gear that crunches so you might find that it's something simple for you
Edited by GTASmallville on Friday 2nd December 15:43
GTASmallville said:
Well depending where you are I know of a really good indie who would be able to do the work for you at the cheapest price...and they are the cheapest around...even cheaper than Autolusso!
North Lincolnshire, Shorpe to be precise.Gearbox/Clutch/Mounts, I suppose any backstreet can do...... Guy my parents have used for last 15years is usually spot-on, and does dads XK8, used to do my 200SX, and mums Ford Explorer.
mgmrw said:
North Lincolnshire, Shorpe to be precise.
Gearbox/Clutch/Mounts, I suppose any backstreet can do...... Guy my parents have used for last 15years is usually spot-on, and does dads XK8, used to do my 200SX, and mums Ford Explorer.
Ah that's groovy...sign up to that 145 forum and they will find out why its playing up horpe to be precise.Gearbox/Clutch/Mounts, I suppose any backstreet can do...... Guy my parents have used for last 15years is usually spot-on, and does dads XK8, used to do my 200SX, and mums Ford Explorer.
mgmrw said:
This morning was the first properly cold morning around here, thus I had much worry about Alfa-Snot coping. Seems I worried for nothing.
Fired up first time, and within a mile of home, was toasty inside
Same for me this morning, first times it's been properly freezing (there was ice on the cover!) since my ownership and much to my surprise, she started first time and with the heaters on full blast all was as normal after about 5 minutes!Fired up first time, and within a mile of home, was toasty inside
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