Alfa GT 3.2 it's rough, it's cheap but god the Busso's sweet

[Notanotherturbo]

I sold my E39 Alpina 3.2 last week after 3 years and have been scouring the classifieds all week for a 'do ur upper'. I like a useable rolling project as a daily (wifes car fulfills practical duties so it can be anything). It doesn't get much use as I use a van for work so economy isn't really an issue. I was looking at the Alfa GTs but to be honest not the 3.2. The 1.9 diesels make a good daily, they are very economical and go really well with a remap. But while I was looking I found this car. Bought by the previous owner to use as a track car, which made some sense as the body has a few issues but car has only done 63k miles and runs sweet. They then got offered something that suited them better and just wanted this gone. Was very happy with what I paid, although currently I can't find another one for sale anywhere to compare prices! They are pretty rare full stop, under 350 taxed or SORN compared to 318 147 GTAs and 280 156 GTAs. Personally I think they are undervalued as urguably they are prettier than either, drive very similarly, lacking only the better seats of the GTAs, yet are only around 60% of the price.

So onto the car, took an hours drive to have a look. Body wise most of the issues were in the advert so I new what to expect. Bumpers are scuffed front and back and it's through the paint in places. Drivers side door has surface rust on the bottom edge and will need addressing, other than that just one or too little marks that should come out with a detail. Wheels need a refurb but aren't to bad but I'll refurb them when the back tyres need changing which won't be too long. Interior is excellent with just some wear on the bolster drivers side so easily addressed. Everything seems to work but the aircon isn't cold.

The worst thing is the front suspension. I had expected this to be honest as every buying guide says what a hard life it has. It bangs and crashes terribly over bumps but the car still steers well and is ok as long as the road stays smooth. Luckily the parts to completely rebuild the front suspension only come to a couple of hundred quid for top and bottom arms and drop links.

Saved the best until last. The engine. Now I've read endless stories of what a great engine the Busso is , and while I didn't disbelieve it I must admit I did think people were exaggerating about how great it was. I've had plenty of V6s, from Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen etc but I have to say the Busso knocks spots off them for smoothness, the way it revs and the sound. I'm a convert . I'll try and come back to this thread as bits and pieces get done. Should happen pretty quickly. Suspension parts are ordered already and my paint man is preparing a quote. I gave the engine bay a spruce up this morning but going to leave the rest of the cosmetic stuff and interior until after it's had paint.









Before



After

[Notanotherturbo]

Wheels wise I might try and find some 17" teledials, I think they only look small because everything has wheels that are too big nowadays . It does have some rust underneath where it hasn't been jacked up properly in the past, I'll have a proper look when I get it up on a ramp next week.

[Notanotherturbo]

MarkwG said:

Lovely machine - looks like you might be missing the cover for the front cylinder bank? [url] Won't affect how it runs, though

Mine doesn't have that cover, not sure why, maybe only the GTAs have them? Certain years?

[Notanotherturbo]

51mes said:

I've had a 156 GTA back in the day (2002 - RE02ELC - no longer with us) and now have a stunning green/tan 3.0 916 GTV v6 just to get the busso back in my life. It's the best V6 ever by far.. There's a history of the engine in this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdD2RzZAglQ

All the modern Busso's (156,166,GT and GTV) I've seen have that lower cover - so it's definitely missing.

The best upgrade if you haven't got it already is the Q2 or Quaife LSD - completely changes the car when you accelerate hard - torque steer is a thing of the past.

Yours looks lovely, always liked the GT - Enjoy it...

I've read that, seems a very popular upgrade, best done with the clutch. Definitely one for the future if the car turns out to be a keeper .

[Notanotherturbo]

So a year of grief but finally it is finished. All suspension parts replaced and or uprated, all rust issues resolved and partial repaint, new wheels and tyres, cambelt and engine detail.

Final Spec

Engine - 65k miles, panel filter and stainless exhaust.
6 Speed gearbox with Q2 LSD
KW V1 Coilovers
Refurbed Brembo calipers and 330mm discs
Ducati Corse 18" wheels refurbed in anthracite with 225/40 18 Michelin PS4s

Many thanks to Autolusso in Bournemouth for all their help, they were excellent, helping source parts and taking pity on me with the series of issues with the car. Drive lovely now.

[Notanotherturbo]

Court_S said:

That looks fab now; the wheels really, really suit it.

Any more details on the issues along the way (just being nosey)? Are you pleased with how it’s turned out?

2 broken gearboxes, clutch, engine immobiliser, lots of hidden rust, lots of suspension parts, wrong calipers fitted, wrong cam cover fitted, leaky backbox, key fob issue. Probably forgotten some. I'm please with how it looks and drives and I feel I'd recoup a lot more than I paid now but confidence has been knocked somewhat as you can imagine.

[Notanotherturbo]

AJB88 said:

Looks excellent, I do really fancy giving a Busso a try.

Couldn't recommend it highly enough, I've had loads of 6 cylinder cars over the years and the Busso is 100% the best one I've had. Noise is fantastic, low down torque is strong, revs well.

[Notanotherturbo]

croyde said:

Great looking car. Are they based on the 156?

I ended up with one a couple of months ago. A 2.0 TS. 2001 with only 23k on the clock, it looks like new inside and out as the very elderly owner garaged it and only did a few hundred miles a year.

I had to fit a new alternator and battery, and a new cambelt is next.

The handling of the car is superb and seems far superior to my old 3 series E36 but.....

As you mentioned earlier before you upgraded the suspension, the drive was crashy on poor surfaces (most London streets).

I think I've read this in reviews when they were new. Maybe why they handle so well when on good tarmac and at speed.

My e36 was fine on bad roads, larger OE profile tyres helped and was great on the smooth stuff but nowhere near as précise as the Alfa.

Anyway your car looks absolutely brilliant. Enjoy.

They are a weird amalgam of 147 (at the front) and 156 Station wagon (at the rear). Have to say grip and cornering is fantastic with the Q2 diff and the PS4s would put many a modern hot hatch to shame.