eznfrank
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| posted on 13/1/08 at 09:49 AM |
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Alfa 145 2.0 16v lump?
Has anyone used this type of engine in a Locost build before and/or are aware of any issues? Just bought a new car and the Alfa's too good to
scrap but i'd get peanuts if i sold it so looking to put it to good use.
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andrew.carwithen
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| posted on 13/1/08 at 01:12 PM |
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Is this the 2.0 TS (twin spark) engine? (same as fitted in my 156)
I know somebody on here has fitted an Alfa V6 (dunno if its the 2.5, 3.0 or 3.2 though) but I don't think anybody has used the 4-pot so
you'd be somewhat of a pioneer if you were to use it.
If you have the engine out of the vehicle then it'd be worth taking some dimensions (i.e height,width etc.) to see how it compares to popular
choice engines such as zetecs etc. This'll give you an idea if it'll physically fit.
You'd have to get an adaptor plate made to marry it up to a rwd gearbox bell housing such as the ford type 9.
Then there's the engine management to consider (i.e original or megasquirt etc.)
The engine itself is fairly complex when it comes to timing belts etc. As well as the cambelt, it also has a balanceshaft belt and a
'variator' (sits on end of one of camshafts and varies valve timing ) These MUST all be replaced every 36000 miles along with the
tensioners etc. (reckon on around £400-500 for an Alfa specialist to do) or around half that if you buy the special tools and do it yourself. If a
cambelt fails on one of these babies, not only does it mash up the valves, but it damages the big ends (this doesn't become apparent until a few
hundred miles later when a conrod will suddenly let go and disappear through the side of the crankcase!)
They also tend to burn oil (my Alfa owners book reckons a litre every 1000km is perfectly normal. Again if not checked regularly, and oil level is
allowed to fall below minimum engine is likely to go 'pop'
So, in short, provided the engine is maintained correctly and it fits etc. then you'll have an engine that produces 155bhp as standard and revs
to 7000 rpm.
I know my Alfa gives me a big grin factor whenever I drive it.
Are you a member of any of the Alfa forums? You'll probably make quite a bit of money if you were to break the rest of the car and advertise on
there.
HTH,
Andy
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Gaz 1977
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| posted on 13/1/08 at 02:17 PM |
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I had two alfas with that engine, both used a bit of oil, but that is the norm.
I sold my 145 cloverleaf with 145,000 on the clock and it still ran well, the rest of it fell apart.
great engine with a great sound.
Gaz.
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eznfrank
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| posted on 14/1/08 at 01:04 PM |
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Yeah, mine doesn't even use that much oil! It's on about 85K at the mo, and it's been well looked after, but the rest of the car is
a little untidy, all the running gear is fine though.
Few people have said these engines are a bit of a dud, I've only ever driven this one, but it's never given me too much bother.
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Schrodinger
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| posted on 14/1/08 at 08:51 PM |
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To use it with a rwd box you will need to fit a spigot bearing in the end of the crank and IIRC the Alfa engine doesn't have a hole for on and
this will need machining.
I used to have a 156 and loved the car but had to hand it back when I left as it was a company car 
Keith
Aviemore
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