[alfa] Re: alfa-digest V9 #1120 - Spider CA emissions

["George Schweikle" <schweikg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jonathon,

I bought a '91 Spider Veloce last year and, upon recommendation of a friend
who has a '91 with a chip, added one to my car. I bought a Squadra chip from
Holland, my friend had installed an Alfa Ricambi chip when his car was new,
and he had just bought a '94 CE spider for his wife. We drove all three cars
last fall, and both '91 Spiders with chips were definitely faster than the
stock '94. We originally thought that the Alfa Ricambi chip was no longer
available but, as of last fall, Ricambi has these in stock. I bought the
Squadra chip since they have graphs on their website illustrating horsepower
and torque increase. Alfa Ricambi couldn't identify who produced the chip they
sell.

The downside is cost and reduced fuel mileage. I lost approxamitely 2 MPG in
mostly town driving, and you are subject to exhange rate variations if you
order the Squadra chip at 245 euros. I think the Ricambi chip was around
$200.

http://www.squadra-tuning.com/

Regards,

George Schweikle
Lexington, KY
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: AlfaNeely@domain.elided
  To: jthames@domain.elided ; alfa-digest@domain.elided
  Cc: George Schweikle
  Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 9:44 AM
  Subject: Re: alfa-digest V9 #1120 - Spider CA emissions


  In a message dated 2/6/2004 6:14:23 AM Central Standard Time,
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:
    Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 18:15:31 -0800
    From: Jonathan Thames <jthames@domain.elided>
    Subject: [alfa] Spider CA emissions

    What all is part of the CA emissions on a '92 Spider? I got mine in CA,
but
    here in WA we don't need it, and I am wondering if it is
    performance-robbing.

    Jonathan
    '92 Spider
    Seattle

      To the best of my knowledge by 1992, there were no longer 49 state
versions plus a special version for California.  In my experience the 1990 and
newer Alfa Motronic spiders run just fine.  Both of my 91 spiders (actually
two running and a parts car) are totally stock, except for a glass pack or two
in the exhaust.  I have been the Hot Rod route on other Alfas and the only
thing I would change on either 91 is the seats.  The seats lack lumbar support
on long trips.
      The Motronic engine comes with 10 to 1 compression, an 11 mm lift intake
cam and the early style split exhaust manifolds.  There are chips available
for the Motronic computer.  If you have to make changes, you might play with
the chip.  I thought I had a bookmark for the recommended chip.  You need to
contact George Schweikle about that.
      Oh, yes, and open up the exhaust so you can hear the engine.  If it
sounds fast, it must be fast, right?  See the recent discussions on exhaust on
Alfa Digest.


  Ciao,
  Russ Neely
  Oklahoma City
  No smog checks in Oklahoma.
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