Re: Alfas and mods

[David Bishop <dbisho1@domain.elided>]

Scott Johnson wrote:

> Date: Thu, 01 Apr 1999 09:45:28 -0500
> From: "Scott Johnson" <scott@domain.elided>
> Subject: Alfas and mods
>
> Modifying a street alfa is something of a Holy War around here. Many of
> the old timers and purists (myself included) believe that it was in
> Alfa's nature to provide you with maximum performance within the
> compromises of a street car. This is not a Chevy Lumina... most of the
> "easy" hotrodding (exhaust, intake, suspension) was done at the factory,
> and tinkering with that will just screw it up.
>
> That leaves you with the serious stuff... porting and polishing, custom
> cams, high compression pistons, custom suspension setups, etc. All of it
> is expensive, all of it requires serious disassembly of the car, and all
> of it will compromise its streetability.
>
> However, there is a subset of folk who think people like me are full of
> hooey. And if you plan on racing the car even casually, then cutting .5
> seconds off your time with a modification makes a very real difference.
>
> But, IMHO, getting to the grocery store .5 seconds ahead of me isn't
> that much of an accomplishment.
>
> My opinions only!
>
> Scott Johnson
> Alfa Spider FAQ Author

Scott,
I have to agree with you. I'm not rolling in dough, and keeping two Alfas well
maintained as (one could argue that both my 164 and Spider are) 'daily drivers' (as it
depends
upon the daily weather as to which one gets driven) precludes me tweaking either car.

Sure it would be nice to have a bit quicker 0-60 time, a bit stiffer and tighter
compliant ride, a nicer
exhaust note, etc. but the cost of specialized headers, exhausts, suspension tweaks and
so forth would
take funds away from standard maintenance, and other hobbies (F1 and sportscar
collectibles
and attending races), SO both cars are and will remain stock. The ONLY thing I've
changed
on either car is a gorgeous Nardi Classico mahogany steering wheel and a mahogany shift
knob
for the Spider.

I am very fortunate to be a couple of miles from Peter Krause and company, so I have
the
best possible scenario: two very nice and fun Alfas, top-notch maintenance, and not
seeing myself
at every stoplight  :)

Cheers,
David

'91 164 Base
'89 Spider Veloce
- --
an ex-Schumacher fan since 10/26/1997

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