Superchargers, EFI, & Twin Sparks

[alfacybersite <acs@domain.elided>]

In #1033 Joe Elliot asks: "As for Biba's recent obsession with
supercharged TS motors, why doesn't
anyone ever put a 1.8 turbo motor in their Spider's instead of TS 2.0's?
How hard would it be to bolt the turbo hardware from a 1.8T onto a 2.0
from a Bosch Spider??  Just curious"

**********

First, Joe, I personally don't think turbos are sexy and superchargers
are. Possibly, just possibly, there might be a few out there who don't
think that's a good enough reason.

However...in #1034 Zamani Zambri brings up what many might consider a
better reason, although what he says, does apply to turbos. So before I
download his post, let me add that given the opportunity, I personally
want more Instantaneous power off the line. No, I'm not a green light
racer, just want considerable more oomph, for instance, when
accelerating Up an on ramp without pausing (remember I have an Alfetta
GT) losing considerable rpm, eventually shifting into 2nd, then trying
to gain oomph again as I anemically motor up the on ramp onto 75 mph
traffic. Yes, yes, I've hung onto every word about gear lighting, but
still there IS going to be at least some pause. Even with a small turbo,
which in turn will have minimum maximum (got that?) boost, though will
spool up more quickly. Still one will need to continue humping the seat
to get faster acceleration as one (attempts to) merge between SUV's and
tanker trucks without the instantaneous boost.

But I digress, Zamani says: "I see all this talks about superchargers
and turbochargers. But what
about the EFI system? You need a good EFI system to manage the fuel,
and ignition on boost. Stock Bosch/Spica/Carbs won't cut it. You need
something where you can map the fuel and ignition.

"I suggest Autronic SMC, the basic kit is cheaper than the SDS EFI.
Logging is a cool feature, Autotune is good too.

"I just had my car SMOG tested, almost no reading, very clean."

The last sentence sums it up. In my unknowledgeable way, what I'm
proposing is programmable 'power'. The 1.8 Euro turbo would not be
programmable without an EFI (have not a clue what a SMC is). And
assuming it didn't pass smog in the US before, it's certainly not going
to do so now.

An owner of a 101 Giulia, 105 GTV, 116 Alfetta GT, for instance, might
certainly be interested, but the owners of '75 to '94 Spiders would /
could certainly benefit from the smogability (whilst increasing HP)
aspect alone.

Just to prove I have no shame in asking really stupid questions: Zamani,
does one need to keep a laptop 'on' all the time while driving their
car, or does one download the 'necessary' program for that given time
onto a chip - then be able to change it, at will, by rehooking up the
laptop and downloading another program? Did you change the program a bit
before having your car SMOG tested, or would you prefer not to talk
about it?

The Twin Sparks engine equation in all of this is not imperative. Trick
head, though. Unfortunately I have to admit the turbo vs supercharger
aspect is also somewhat of a personal choice. However, while Zamani
doesn't phrase it quite like this, if you're planning on installing an
item which ends in '...charger' you're going to require a programmable
EFI (or?).

Zamani, either send photos and detailed info, or allow me to include a
link where you have this all incorporated. Your readers want to know.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

This PS is really solely for Joe Elliot. I'll admit this post is overly
long as is and what I am about to include is both very personal and
Really None Of My Business...

Joe, you love cars, at this point in time and hopefully for ever, Alfas.
Anyone who can fire up their car at 1:30 in the a.m. to test what
they've just done, put their tools away, clean up with Lava (I prefer
Tide and a stiff brush), sleep 3 hours, then drive 300 miles back to
school...has IT.

IT meaning, you have the car bug. Being a card carrying Old Fart, allow
me to pontificate (as us OF's are prone to do). You're in engineering?
Mechanical engineering? Your folks aren't wildly rich, but have deep
enough pockets to send you to a good school and occasionally are allowed
to be talked out of money for 'important' GTV6 parts? Then you have a
brother, James, waiting in the wings who apparently will be following in
your footsteps?

First, please pass on my sincere commiseration's to your parents. That
said, being born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth, I'm
going to surmise two things: You're heterosexual and you Certainly Don't
feel you were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth.

Oh, but you were and how I envy you. You will never realize what a
secure feeling it is to know you will never go hungry in your parents
lifetime - please trust me on this one.

The heterosexual part of this equation (but just like super vs turbo,
one's preference is fairly optional and doesn't change things all that
much, but for now I'm assuming the former) you, if you haven't already,
meet a young woman who will knock your socks off. She will either be (a)
adored by your parents, (b) hated by your parents. Count on at least one
divorce no matter which version she is - might take decades to figure
out which.

Now me: I've been to four universities / colleges, never got a degree,
was once an 'office engineer' for the Corps of Engineers, went from
there to being an art director / graphic designer for around 35 years.
It was great, but still...I always loved cars and had this fantasy about
living in a warehouse and doing nothing but working on them. It took me
until 1993 to realize this 'dream'. Okay, the dream also includes I'm illegally
here, wake up to the garbage trucks at 5:00 a.m., don't have even a
semblance of a life, but you know?...wouldn't change it for anything
(except to, of course, also win a huge lottery).

Joe, if you're still awake, I'm going to include a copy of a 9 / 66 Car &
Driver editorial. It will seem Very quaint. Enjoy the ads. Please put
the article into your
current and future perspectives. (No doubt, long download).

It will of course be 'erased' by the Digest's 'stuff'. Should anyone
else care to
read it, please email.

O.F.
Irwindale, CA USA

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