Pedigree

[George McNabb Pond <gmcnp@ix.netcom.com>]

Rich Wagner makes some very valid points with respect to the difficulty
which shade tree engineers encounter in trying to improve (rather than
merely change) a vehicle developed by factory engineers.  This is
especially true in the case of Alfa, since the whole reason we like
these cars is that they are (generally) far more developed than most
american cars.  Tuned intake systems and exhaust systems are common (but
not universal), and suspensions are generally (again not always) the
product of extensive development.  There are exceptions to every rule,
such as the suspensions on the iron 2000s and the unlamented Alfa 6.  In
general, however, one should not blithely assume that he or she can do
better than the Factory.

But I do not agree that this is always the case.  Some aftermarket parts
are better than at least what Alfa sent over here (USA).  The Ward and
Dean suspension that Rich mentioned in his post is one such product.
This kit is the result of serious engineering smarts by an extremely
talented engineer who later became a famous race car designer and who
just happened to get his sums right.   But this is the exception, not
the rule.  Suspension and other parts from many other well known
aftermarket suppliers display little or no real engineering and instead
are the result of nothing but rule of thumb.  I agree with Rich that
such products are generally a poor choice.

But there is another source of parts for many of our cars.  Rich:  do
you really think it is unsound to replace the turd shaped intake and
exhaust manifolds developed by Bosch for Alfa's first L-Jet spiders
(1982 and 83) with the obviously Alfa designed later components?  Near
the end, the spider's exhaust manifold was approaching the purity of the
pre-75 design.  I think not.  Similarly, owners of any Alfa with a V-6
would be foolish to replace failed head gaskets with the original
"bikini" design now that Alfa has developed the newer metal design a la
BMW and Mercedes.  What about a bigger motor and LSD for a GTV-6?  If
you use Alfa parts, I think you can make a better car (especially in
cases where Alfa itself has produced a similar product for other markets
like South Africa, which got a carbed 3 L GTV-6).  If you stuff a 327
into it, I think you have bastardized it (but I still want a ride!).

One person's (hopefully constructive) view.

George Pond