To Nos or not to Nos - that is the question

I'd say go for it, but I'd not just bolt it on to a standard car. I'd probably uprate suspension, brakes and do some minor engine mods like a remap, exhaust and induction, before I reached the NOS stage

But yeah, done corretly it's totally safe and won't have any ill effect on your engine.
It will make your jaw ache from all that grinning though

Originally Posted by Friggertool

Power...Power...Power...I want more Power!!!!!!....I'll get it by hook or by crook.

Have you considered a remap?

No one seems to be able to do it, can a remap be done on any modern engine, or does some investigative work need to have been done, i.e. can i just turn up at a place like red dot, and they will stick it on a rolling road and adjust the map until matters are improved?

The 159 1.8 "MPI" has the 1800 engine that derives from General Motors, used in the latest Astras, Zafira's. Its not been modified by Alfa Romeo.

Personally id accept its a 1.8 and never gonna be that quick. Getting the insurance will be a ball ache and the potential to **** your car with no comeback is huge.

Easier to just buy a 159 with a bigger engine IMO.

Originally Posted by euroboy

Personally id accept its a 1.8 and never gonna be that quick. Getting the insurance will be a ball ache and the potential to **** your car with no comeback is huge.

Easier to just buy a 159 with a bigger engine IMO.

Cant really argue with you that it would never really be that quick with run of the mill mods, but i dont think you have looked into the nitros issue, as it does make a huge difference to performance, easily beat off ur spider with 75bhp jets (equate to 215bhp...), there are more risks, more things to worry about, things you should and shouldnt do however. As you say it could make it a pain to insure although I Understand there are some highstreet names that are "nos friendly"

A more powerful 159 is at least £5K+ more, plus higher running costs, where as the NOS is in your pocket for £1k......

Originally Posted by Stevie28

but i dont think you have looked into the nitros issue, as it does make a huge difference to performance, easily beat off ur spider with 75bhp jets (equate to 215bhp...),
.

wow, well if it can beat a diesel Spider you better go for it

If after prolonged use you havent totally screwed your engine and associated components (driveshafts, gearbox etc) I will be quite frankly amazed, and of course Alfa will politely tell you to put the warranty where the sun doesnt shine.

Personally I wouldnt put anymore than 20% more power through any of the components on my car, dont forget everything is built down to a price. Your proposed 75bhp jets on the 1.8 would be a 50% increase in power -- something is going to break!

Just spend the money on some nice wheels or even better pay another month of your mortage off!

No I wouldn't. I would of bought a larger engined car in the first place.

Originally Posted by euroboy

wow, well if it can beat a diesel Spider you better go for it

If after prolonged use you havent totally screwed your engine and associated components (driveshafts, gearbox etc) I will be quite frankly amazed, and of course Alfa will politely tell you to put the warranty where the sun doesnt shine.

Personally I wouldnt put anymore than 20% more power through any of the components on my car, dont forget everything is built down to a price. Your proposed 75bhp jets on the 1.8 would be a 50% increase in power -- something is going to break!

Just spend the money on some nice wheels or even better pay another month of your mortage off!

If AutoDelta can bore out a GTA engine to 3.7 and supercharge it, giving 420bhp and still get away with using a standard gearbox and driveshafts, I think the 1.8 will be able to handle another 50bhp or so. In the end, its the torque that counts more than anything, and clutches make for great fuses.

Originally Posted by euroboy

Just spend the money on some nice wheels or even better pay another month of your mortage off!

I got some nice wheels, 18" horse shoes ...

Originally Posted by Pud237

If AutoDelta can bore out a GTA engine to 3.7 and supercharge it, giving 420bhp and still get away with using a standard gearbox and driveshafts, I think the 1.8 will be able to handle another 50bhp or so. In the end, its the torque that counts more than anything, and clutches make for great fuses.

On the plus side, if my engine does blow, I cant put something meaner in to replace!!

I made up my mind, lads i know half of you think im crazy, but lifes too short im gonna give it a shot.. watch this space for updates, but it might take a few weeks to sort out...

Im gonna take HSTdrivers advice, ive already got eibach sports dampers and springs, and stainless steel free flow exhaust, so i just need to get a remap, then in for the NOS......

The real question is after ive got the extra 75bhp on tap, do i leave the 1.8 badge on, will it be more fun that way??

I'd have said it would be easier to just buy a car with a bigger engine?

But I admire your determination, I'll be reading with interest as to how it goes, good luck

On from HST's points, How's about a set of 'H' section con' rods, that have undergone a variety of treatments to stress relieve the metal, and have outstanding strength whilst still weighing less than stock versions?
My 16v 'T' was designed to be tough, thank you Lancia, for allowing me the use of a stallion I could thrash, without problems, for fourteen years!

What does the 'T' stand for on your lancia derived engine?

Gents, a ray of light has been shone into my brain cavity, i have decided to leave the Nos, which would cost me somewhere between £1100 and £1300,

My real problem is im competitive and dont like to be beaten, but the 1.8 was a good bargain at the time i was looking (leathers, 18" alloys), its a brill car, but the speed element of my requirements has not been fulfilled. The car is great looking, suits the image i need for work down to the ground.

So to cut a long story short, i will look after my lovely 1.8, use her sensibly for work, travel, family, but like a man who feels the need to covertly visit a lady of the night, i will purchase a 3.0L GTV.

Ive spotted one for £3.5k 1998 38000 genuine miles 2 owners 1 for 8 years, what u reckon?

Steve

Originally Posted by Stevie28

So to cut a long story short, i will look after my lovely 1.8, use her sensibly for work, travel, family, but like a man who feels the need to covertly visit a lady of the night, i will purchase a 3.0L GTV.

Ive spotted one for £3.5k 1998 38000 genuine miles 2 owners 1 for 8 years, what u reckon?

Steve

I'd say get one with a higher mileage. Low milers are usually just used for short runs, and are usually not serviced as often as high milers in comparison to the wear and tear they take with lots of cold starts. Has the 38K car had a cambelt change?

But it might be a better way forward instead of going down the NOS route.

When those swan necked oil jets were doing their job spraying oil on the cylinder walls to help cool them, after a spot of second stage turbo boost,you just needed to keep that oil temperature gauge needle in view.

One of the 'Pokiest' four cylinders I've owned, designed to thrill!

Actually I've changed my mind, I think you should defo get the NOS. It'll be awesome, and you don't need two cars with two times road tax, two times insurance etc. It makes financial sense as well, as you'd be getting similar power to the 2.4 JTD for far less money, even including the NOS kit and refills.

Piston Melt here we come? Oil temperature gauge, for turbo boosts from 120 plus is a must, imho.:

Originally Posted by zulu ferret

Piston Melt here we come? Oil temperature gauge, for turbo boosts from 120 plus is a must, imho.:

As long as there's enough fuel as well as the NOS there should be no trouble. Afterall, the air the car takes in is 79% nitrogen anyway, and NOS is 66% nitrogen and 33% oxygen. Nothing harmful in there at all.

Originally Posted by Stevie28

No one seems to be able to do it, can a remap be done on any modern engine, or does some investigative work need to have been done, i.e. can i just turn up at a place like red dot, and they will stick it on a rolling road and adjust the map until matters are improved?

Mangoletsi offer a remap service

Originally Posted by Pud237

Actually I've changed my mind, I think you should defo get the NOS. It'll be awesome, and you don't need two cars with two times road tax, two times insurance etc. It makes financial sense as well, as you'd be getting similar power to the 2.4 JTD for far less money, even including the NOS kit and refills.

I know but i already doubled my insurance with dampers/springs, exhaust and air filter, what would nos do to me bill? Does anyone have an example of insurance, fully comp.....?

Also i quite like the thought of having a 'classic car' i can look after for a long while....?

If the 38k'r has been well serviced, do you think the engine will be more powerful than with something with average miles?

Originally Posted by Stevie28

If the 38k'r has been well serviced, do you think the engine will be more powerful than with something with average miles?

Hard to say really. I bet there wouldn't be much in it, 1-2bhp maybe. But there would be more variance from the factory. Best thing you can do is drive a few before you buy one.