Sprint 6C build up

As some AOs are aware, I have recently acquired a Sprint 1.7 but also want to build a version of the Sprint 6C. I have now bought a second Sprint - less engine and gearbox which will form the basis of the 6C. I will post pics on this thread, of the build as and when. Thanks to the Alfisti so far who have already offered support and advice - I'm sure I will need much more in the months to come....
My version will have the Alfa V6 from a 164/166?? mounted complete with suspension and gearbox, transversly rather than a longitudinal V6 and transaxle.
Philip

Sounds excellent mate

Thinking of the low weight of the sprint and it's propensity to torque steer, mightn't a quaife diff like the recent Q2's be part of your plans?? They make it for all models of the v6 I think (155 definitely so 164/166 will be a go).

I'm currently saving up..... quite a list i'm getting (powerflex bushes, slightly lowered on Bilstein's and now the diff becomes available for it.)

Who needs food anyway???

Interesting project

The front track of the 164 is about 1515mm and the rear track of the Sprint is about 1359 - going to be fun to get that all in but should be possible to flare the rear out without losing the look of the standard car.

All the best with the Sprint 6c project Philip

yes Good Luck with it.
you will have quite a unique Alfa when its done.

Originally Posted by James76

Sounds excellent mate

Thinking of the low weight of the sprint and it's propensity to torque steer, mightn't a quaife diff like the recent Q2's be part of your plans?? They make it for all models of the v6 I think (155 definitely so 164/166 will be a go).

I'm currently saving up..... quite a list i'm getting (powerflex bushes, slightly lowered on Bilstein's and now the diff becomes available for it.)

Who needs food anyway???

Once mid engined and not doing steering doubt if will need a slippy diff unless going for a monster engine / rally special as weight transfer is onto the wheels rather than away from it under accleration so traction should be pretty good anyway.

Can you use a 5 stud front hub to get wheels to match easily ?

Sounds like a really good project, hope never to see it in 'unfinished' on e-bay !
KR James

Hi Folks
Thanks for comments and support. In response, No plans for trick diff or monster rally special - just a good road car with flared wheel arches as per 6C. Not sure about changing front hubs to 5 stud - thought of trying to get same pattern front and rears,15" dia with 4 and 5 hole fixing but not sure which models to look at - but that is a long way off. Still assessing my base Sprint.
Philip

Making progress but on domestic items! I needed to get the Sprint under cover and with 3 cars in the garage and my wife "Not wanting the house to look like a scrapyard" I had a problem....
However asking around in the locality has resulted in a space in a large shed being secured and so the morning has been spent tidying it and making it reasonably secure - Ho Hum now to get it moved......

Progress continues as I have now got my Sprint under cover. Also I've been seeing what needs doing to the shell and it is not tooooo bad!
Some patching needed around a couple of wheel arch corners and as usual the scuttle at the base of the windscreen. But as can be seen, the top half looks quite tidy.
I have also found details of a New Zealand Sprint that has a 164 V6 installed for racing on the Alfa BB - so this has given further ideas and inspiration!
Philip

and so it begins ...

nice big shed you got there

interesting, I have considering doing something similar myself for a while now (I go through these phases - i think it must be some kind of crisis). I have most of damaged 147 GTA in my workshop. Originally I was going to mod my GTV6 to a 3.2 but have decided to keep it original.

Then I thought a 6C sprint would be fun. I was planning on using a longitudal install maybe modding a GTV / 75 transaxle to suit.

I cant remember if the original 6C was longitudal or transverse now, I have a feeling it was possibly longitudal - i don't think Alfa had done a transverse install of it at that point in time.

Look forward to seeing how you go anyway.

Originally Posted by alza2000

Then I thought a 6C sprint would be fun. I was planning on using a longitudal install maybe modding a GTV / 75 transaxle to suit.

I cant remember if the original 6C was longitudal or transverse now, I have a feeling it was possibly longitudal - i don't think Alfa had done a transverse install of it at that point in time.

As far as I can make out, the 6C had a longitudinal engine installation, but would not have used the GTV/75 transaxle as this has the gear cluster in front of the final drive rather than overhanging it like an Alfasud unit. There seems to be plenty of information regarding the Giacattolo prototype which used a German ZF transaxle (GT40, Pantera etc.), but no clear information on what Alfa themselves used in the 6C. The only suitable in-house transaxle would have been a left-over T33 unit, or possibly a heavily overworked 'Sud gearbox. I wouldn't be surprised if they did use a ZF, I don't think there is any shame in using an non-Italian transmission, even in-house Lamborghini units used Porsche synchronisers

Designing and building a mid-engined anything from scratch is a lengthy process and will inevitably cost an arm and a leg. Been there, done it, and there wasn't even a t-shirt at the end I really, really like the idea of a 6C, and I hope that Phillip succeeds in building it.

To be honest, I think there is mileage in building a mid-engined Sprint with a boxer unit, as used in the experimental mid-engine 'Suds and (together with the front engine) the Wainer Bimotore

Lauren

Quick Update
- I now have a 164 - V6, 3.0, 24 valve manual gearbox - in nice running order! Photo to follow.

Well this is the engine and gearbox - its not too much wider??? Well with some quick measurements and comparison with my Sprint I'm sure it will fit.
But there will be a pause whilst I work on my original std Sprint, to get it ready for an MoT and better respray!

Did you get the whole car or just the engine ?
Whats the plan - if you got the whole car bit of work with an angle grinder and you have suspension engine mountings etc. etc.still attached to inner wings /bulkheads or a good template for your cage.
Even if it is a bit wider the swage on the sprint gives a nice pick up for some quattro style wide arches.
Great engine choice.
KR James

Originally Posted by James&Nick

Did you get the whole car or just the engine ?
Whats the plan - if you got the whole car bit of work with an angle grinder and you have suspension engine mountings etc. etc.still attached to inner wings /bulkheads or a good template for your cage.
Even if it is a bit wider the swage on the sprint gives a nice pick up for some quattro style wide arches.
Great engine choice.
KR James

Hi James
Yes - I have the whole car and you've got the plan - I'll drop the sub frame with the engine/box and struts, then remove the front end, cut off the strut towers, lower side rails and front bulkhead. That gets put into the sprint complete. Then the sub frame with engine/box and struts gets put back. Then its sorting the gearbox linkage - which I believe is via cables? plumbing and wiring using as much from the 164 as possible - but do I keep the air-con.......?
...........oh decisions decisions!!!

air con as well cool in more ways than one

Well, as it seems that Air con is to be fitted, if possible, I now have a pair of 156? Alfa front seats with electric rake adjustment! as there will be no rear seats, the seat back will not need to tilt forwards.....such luxuries!!
However, thinking further, I am wondering how to solve a problem about braking? By using the 164 front complete, those brakes may be too powerful as the weight transfer will be off them onto the Sprint fronts. Also what to do about a handbrake??
I wondered therefore if I may be able to use the rear brake discs and calipers from the 164 instead, presumably they will also have a handbrake system. I've not done any checking/measuring at this stage but what are other peoples thoughts??

Since the weight of the engine is now over the rear instead of the front wouldnt this mean that you need fairly big brakes on the rear - maybe 164 non vented discs? Are you thinking to go for an adjustable pedal box - could be difficult to balance the brakes otherwise

A couple of pics as to what could be