What thoughts come to your mind when you think about Italian sports cars of the 80s? Fast, beautiful, most likely red and not very reliable. Even if the last statement is truth, it can be forgiven for beauty and speed. Alfa Romeo — a legend of motorsport, a close relative of Maserati and Ferrari, does it really need tuning, especially if it was produced in 1986 and now it can be counted as a youngtimer? Why not!
Scandinavians again are building eye-stopper for time-attack. Looks like Norwegians are going to save rare and interesting cars which will be preserved for our descendents.
Red Alfa Romeo GTV 1986 was a white stock road car until its owner joined time-attack series. Since that moment, the life of the car has changed dramatically. The body remained virtually untouched — typical angular design is highlighted with removed bumpers shot and rear window acting as an air intake. In the side windows are also made intakes that definitely are not cooling cooling spare wheel — there is a radiator located in the rear, and then what's going on under the hood?
Under the hood is placed traditional for AlfaRomeo V6, but this 24-valve 3.2 litered engine was taken from Alfa 147 GTA. To put this engine longitudinally, it was necessary to modify the native oil pan from GTV. Heads and camshafts remain stock and turbo Comp Turbo CT3B 62–67 was added with handmade manifolds. The block was reworked — pistons for 8.5:1 compression ratio, H-shaped connecting rods, sport cylinder head gasket — all this tools had increased the reliability for the turbo. Autronic SM4 is managing all data fot the motor which produces 617 horsepowers now and almost 950 Nm of torque.
Transmission is at the same place, where it was put in the factory — near the rear axle. Sequential gearbox with straight cut gears from Sellholm Tuning and Drenth, the differential housing was taken from Volvo S90 and LSD is produced by Sellholm Tuning. The gearbox is managed by straight rod attached to the shifter
Suspension and brakes — are assemblied from many different parts. The main aim for this car is grip on the track and now it is a dizzying mix of different parts — Alcon and XYZ calipers, struts with arms on the basis of homemade items and parts from Volvo V70 \ S80.
Interior is traditionally minimalistic — wires and pipelines are laid in accordance with the regulations, safety cage that supports the old weakening body, driving seat and a three-spoke steering wheel OMP. By the way, power steering came from a small Opel Corsa. The pilot gets the information from the LED gear indicator, very useful for sequential gearboxes and from the Racepak IQ3 dashboard. What else? Tilton pedal box and the housing for the co-driver seat.
In general, in spite of its venerable age the car is very fast and shows outstanding results.
Tech specs:
Engine: Alfa Romeo 3.2L 24V, Comp Turbo CT3B 62–67, Autronic SM4 engine management system
Transmission: Sequential straight-cut gearbox from Sellholm Tuning,
Suspension: Adjustable Intrax coilovers on all four corners, custom made roll bars, custom arms, modified DeDion rear suspension
Brakes: Front 4-piston Alcon callipers on 330mm discs, Rear 6-piston XYZ callipers on 330mm discs, hydraulic handbrake, Tilton pedalbox
Wheels/Tyres: 17×9-inch OZ Racing wheels, Michelin racing slicks 24/610–17 S8C
Photo: speedhunters.com
