Twin-Spark conversions

[<JHertzman@xxxxxxx>]

My idle curiosity about the Twin-Spark had been prompted not by Spider
modification prospects but by Sport Sedan possibilities, having two rust-free
and otherwise undamaged examples with emissions-strangled engines. I have
always felt that the 115 Berlinas, Alfetta Berlinas, Sport Sedans, 90s, and
164s were much more to my taste (for which there is no accounting, etc) than
the somewhat idiosyncratic forms of the 75/Milano or Nuova Giulietta. I also
felt, on the basis of European reports, that the 75 Twin-Spark might be a very
pleasant alternative to the V-6 Milano. Thus, living in the USA with limited
options, I wondered about the possibility of assembling the essence of a Twin-
Spark 75 in the aesthetic drapery of a US-'legal' Sport Sedan.

After the recent eruption of Twin-Spark conversion postings on the digest I
discussed these matters with a Particularly Well-Informed Source (who shall
remain nameless in deference to his privacy). The PW-IS confirmed that the
crankshaft, rods, and pan/block interface are all identical to the Alfetta, so
at the lower end a full Twin-Spark engine installation in anything else would
present no more problems than an Alfetta engine would. All this is about a
north-south engine, as in the 75, which he says is a no-brainer; he says a
conversion from an east-west TS is out of the question. (Didn't say why and I
didn't ask.) Salvage-yard Twin Sparks, complete, have been offered here for
$2,500 in ostensibly good used condition. The parts to convert a single-spark
run around $3,000, plus labor, plus know-how, but you are left with no USA
source for manual, occasional parts, fiche, etc. To do it as a performance
conversion would add more- and more- and more. And, as the engine is 45mm
taller, it will not clear a stock Spider hood.

Peter Webb added a very comprehensive discussion of the options, the bottom
line being that adding a TS head to an existing single-spark engine is a lot
of work and a lot of money. The alternative of fitting a complete twin-spark
engine would also be considerable work and considerable money, and would leave
one with a nearest parts source far away at rebuild time. Nice toy if I can
afford it. And that is if I wanted (as I would) a basically stock 75 setup. If
I wanted to really exploit the added power potential I would need VERY deep
pockets.

Finally, Gregory asked, in AD7-014, "How come no after market manufactures
sell a twin spark head conversion for the 2.0 L that is easier to install and
doesn't require deep, deep pockets and a bunch of hard to find parts? That
would  probably be worth the cost in development, as it seems there are many
people (myself included) who would love to have one in their car." I assume he
was serious, but I suspect that he underestimates the cost and overestimates
the market. If he can do it, more power to him. 

John

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