What's wrong with this (unblown) 164?

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

In the running discussion of the twin-spark 164 Zamani had written (in 
AD7-656)
" If you can turbocharge a 164 2.0 TS that would be cool! You would have a 
230bhp boat that is very nimble." I, perhaps tactlessly, compared the 230bhp 
figure to the two existing stock two-liter 164 turbos, the 201 CV turbo V6 
and the 171 CV 1995cc (Fiat-based) turbo four of 1988.

Zamani replied, in AD7-660, "The 230bhp figure is hypothetical. And I was 
also referring to specificaly the Alfa 1995cc motor. It's definitely possible 
for one to buy a new 164 TS and have it put out 230 bhp with a turbo. My 
friends GTV6 3.0  has 237bhp. You won't find that in Fusi or whatever. 
Because he modified his car 8-)" 

8-) indeed. 79bhp/liter (or more) in an unblown GTV6 is attainable, and 115 
bhp/liter (or more) in a blown four is attainable; they both come back to the 
old question-and-answer: Q: How much power can I get? A: How much money do 
you have?
And, ultimately, B: How many miles/engine do you want?

Not true that "You won't find that in Fusi or whatever". P.683, the 33 
Stradale was producing 230 CV (263 SAE hp) out of 1995 cc unblown in 1967. At 
8,800 rpm.

Coincidentally, just yesterday I received in the mail a "For Sale" offer of 
an Alfa 75 1.8 Turbo Evoluzione, perfect condition, never run in any races, 
with the engine being upgraded from the present 260 hp to 390 hp for running 
in the Super Turismo European Championship, for just $80,000 US. (Will 
forward seller's name, address, and phone # to any interested parties). That 
is just 219 hp/liter, so Zamani's TS should be good for about 440. A bit 
better than Chiti could do.

That 75 could be a good deal, if you don't mind having the driving wheels at 
the wrong end-

Enjoy yours. When I came in about 75 hp/liter, four cylinders, four plugs, 
eight valves, four venturis (and four Cinturatos, four drums, etc) in a 1900 
pound package complete with wind-up windows and a heater seemed pretty nice. 
Progress seduces, and we have a lot more car, with exactly eighty-seven 
switches for mirrors, seats, roof, back-window-lock-out and everything else. 
Many of the amenities are nice, but it is also cupholderville without the 
cup-holders, pretty remote from what attracted me to Alfas so long ago. It is 
hard to go back, but there is an elusive equilibrium which, for me, does not 
lie in the direction of more.

Cordially, 

John H.
Raleigh, N.C.

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