Re: alfa-digest V7 #354 - SPICA

[Biba <biba@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Okay, I promise to make this my last (at least regarding Spica versus
Weber). A properly set up Spica unit is in many ways superior to a
carburetored Alfa. If one is concerned about originality, even idling,
and being a good citizen, by all means stick to Spica (not that you
wouldn't anyway).

Somewhere growing up I had two strong influences. One being European
cars, especially Italian, and the other being the American hotrodders
attitude. That attitude revolves around making a car your own personal
statement. I personally hate to see cars modified beyond belief in the
(often) mistaken belief it's cool, but also feel decisions made in
production and to pass various government regulations aren't always in
the best interest of someone who has this sort of hot-rod mentality.

The Spica unit solves a problem whereas carbs don't (at least not
legally). I will, however, argue strongly  about the reliability of the
Spica unit versus Webers. I own Wes Ingram's as well as several other
manuals on the Spica. I've also been fortunate enough to see Wes's
presentation as to what goes into a rebuild. I, for one, am in awe of
what he does and the odds he overcomes to rebuild them.

I can buy a pair of new Webers for about the same money a Spica rebuild
costs. I don't have to go to great lengths to remove the old unit and
ship it to Wes, then wait. The Webers, once properly jetted, are dead
reliable. They could, if necessary, be disassembled by the side of the
road and put back - although it's doubtful you'd ever need to do so.

Except for a little polishing and a few other minor items, my '75
Alfetta GT is very close to the way it was originally designed by Alfa
(with considerable help from Giugiaro). I forgot to mention I also have
European bumpers. YOUR version was put together to satisfy the needs of
the American market. All of you Spica enthusiasts DO still have the
original type exhaust, air pump, air cleaner, wheels/tires, bumpers, and
suspension - including the settings, don't you?

I regret there were no replies regarding EFI. There is this owner of an
independent Jaguar shop in Pasadena who is building a hot-rod using the
V-12 Jag engine. I forget which brand he's using, but he has stripped
off the hodge-podge of tubes from the top and installed an EFI custom
made unit. It wasn't sorted out when I last saw it, but it should be
awesome when it is. If I understand EFI's correctly, he will be able to
have several programs, one of which would make the vehicle smoggable
should that be necessary.

And the unit is absolutely beautiful with the 12 air horns sticking up
just waiting to suck in air and small children - should they get too
close.

Biba
Irwindale CA

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