147 GTA upgrade advice!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ABYSS

That's ok Shiny. It was just an courtesy offer just in case you wannt order it now

Sorry been off topic too much on the brake hose.

Back to the topic, I think we can't go wrong to start from Q2 diff and follow by suspenion mod. I also found that the ride height of 147GTA is alot higher than 156GTA. Therefore suspension mod might be even more effective on 147.

Agree about the ride height - lowered mine quite substantially - very positive effect on initial turn in and roll (looks great too!) - if you lower it though, you will probably find the need to change the undertray (I gained close to 3cm with the very inexpensive fiberglass tray by Redpoint).

The Q2 was actually the next upgrade I was going to make if I kept the GTA - they don't sell the Q2 here in Japan so importing and getting it installed at a good price was not as easy as in Europe, but by almost all on this forum who have had it installed, it seems like a truly amazing, inexpensive upgrade with next to no downsides.,,

Charlie, you might not change your car if you had the Q2...

Originally Posted by ABYSS

Charlie, you might not change your car if you had the Q2...

My friend, lack of performance or satisfaction had nothing to do with it, and I had actually already sourced a place to do the Q2 conversion if I kept her. I changed my car for the following reasons:

1) Jan 08 was three years and at that point the warranty would run out. Also, the three year inspection in Japan is expensive, and would have cost 200,000 yen.

2) Because of the way I drove my GTA (Hard and fast!), it was time to replace both the clutch and timing belt assembly (another 400,000 yen)

3) My tax accountant said it would be advantageous to change cars at the end of 07 allowing me to claim the full cost of the GTA for my 07 return and the new car for 08 and 09.

The question then became, do I want to put 600,000 yen (close to 4000 Euros) into a car with 50,000km on it and no warranty or get something else.

Initially I was looking for another low mileage 147 GTA Selespeed (hopefully in white), so that I could keep all my upgrades (and the big smile on my face ), but there were hardly any Selepseeds available.

I really fell in love with the clutchless manual - since the new GTAs are still years away, I then turned to alternatives (new GTR or new Evo were at the top of the list). But then the wife got involved and said I should get an "elegant" car... Since she loves BMWs I thought the Alpina with Switchtronic was a good compromise. I can drive it for 1-2 years max, give it to her, then return to the Alfa fold when the new GTAs finally come out (or to Maserati if the GTAs are not to my liking).

Am preparing another thread on my impressions on the Alpina - but the short story is that it is utterly fantastic for what it was designed to do (i.e. to be an elegant and slightly softer version of the M3 with much more low down torque and a much higher top speed), but to tell the truth, it just isn't my cup of tea....

GTA - the only way to fly!

Fair enough. Hope you come back to Alfa soon. 159/149 GTA perhaps!!!

Originally Posted by ABYSS

Fair enough. Hope you come back to Alfa soon. 159/149 GTA perhaps!!!

If they promise to stuff the Maser-sourced V8 under the hood I will put down my deposit now!

You were quick off the mark there Abyss! Gave them a call earlier to get an idea on availability before ordering online (need an excuse to stick some rbf600 in that I've had on stand by for a while). Was told they'd be made up by Goodridge, should receive next week, saved a few quid on carriage by calling and got them in red

I'll measure them up when they come through, pretty sure they'll be the same size as the 156's (& GT?)

Originally Posted by GTACharlie

If they promise to stuff the Maser-sourced V8 under the hood I will put down my deposit now!

One word.... ok three numbers... 169

If the whispers are to be believed, V8, rwd, 'grown up', fresh styling compared to the Brera/159 by the time the GTA versions come out..

Originally Posted by Caldo Bollente

One word.... ok three numbers... 169

If the whispers are to be believed, V8, rwd, 'grown up', fresh styling compared to the Brera/159 by the time the GTA versions come out..

Sounds nice (but seeing is believing...),

My strawberry flavoured lines have arrived

Large to Small connector = 44.5 cm
Large to Large connector = 38.5 cm

Got novitec on my gta they did have a goodridge sticker which i threw away

Originally Posted by Caldo Bollente

My strawberry flavoured lines have arrived

Large to Small connector = 44.5 cm
Large to Large connector = 38.5 cm

Nice one. Did you get it from Merlin motorsport? I just sent an email to check the status of my order. Hopefully it will come soon.

I like it comes with the rubber grommet without need to cut the original.

Yes, sent out friday just gone and got them next day, expect yours were too.

The fittings are handy, even contemplating doing this one myself... will conclude in me taking it to a garage though no doubt, be a whole lot quicker that way.

Job done!

The difference was immediately apparent, more solid and direct feel through the pedal, less springy, think the fresh fluid helped here too, needed it.

CB,

Hmmmm.......interesting, I notice the Autodelta coilovers and the Whiteline ARB.

I have just bought the coilovers and am curious about the ARB. How do you rate them separately and together, assuming you did not fit them at the same time. Did fitting them have much affect on insurance??

Thanks,

Edward.

Nice !!!!!

I still haven't got mine hopefully is on its way.

Abyss,

Are you talking about the ARB, aren't they made in Australia?

No, I'm talking about the Goodridge hoses I ordered from Merlin.

Anyway it is handy for us that Whiteline is made in Oz.

http://user.chol.com/~mancar/freechal/IMG_5509.JPG
This is Autodelta's brake line they are selling.
There's no packaging, and it was just in the envelop.

Comparing to the Goodridge, it doesn't have any black rubber application that I can mount to the shocks... So I'm thinking to get Goodridge one and save Autodelta as spare..

But the problem is, my car is '03 147 GTA with 305mm discs..
And Merlin Motorsport has the line that says 2004 and later..
I asked them if they would fit for my car, but they can't confirm it either..

Brake Hose Kits from Goodridge | Goodridge Brake Line Kit for Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

I've asked to John(Caldo Bollente) and he kindly answered my PM..
But I'm still not 100% sure, if this Goodridge line on Merlin's page would fit for my '03....

Hi mancar, did you get my last pm? Should be able to swap the rubber grommets that are on there at the moment.

Also, without taking the wheel off, you could turn the steering out and try using a camera with flash, reaching behind the wheel pointed at the caliper to see if the connector is the same. If it is and in the same position, why lines were part of the 330 upgrade is a mystery to me.

Originally Posted by edward

CB,

Hmmmm.......interesting, I notice the Autodelta coilovers and the Whiteline ARB.

I have just bought the coilovers and am curious about the ARB. How do you rate them separately and together, assuming you did not fit them at the same time. Did fitting them have much affect on insurance??

Thanks,

Edward.

Well spotted. Got the coilovers first, main reason was to stop grounding out, always had to slow right down if the road wasn't perfectly flat, with them I can tackle undulations without squirming, bar speed humps of course and humpback bridges... best not to fly too fast over those The only downside is that bumps or dips on the motorway at speed can be felt more, though the handling more than makes up for that, do transform the car.

Insurance, not sure, have it lumped together with exhaust, do recall them wanting to know if it's lowered, maybe makes more of a difference.

The ARB is the 20mm, actually got an 18mm on order from Oz as they don't stock them in the UK, should receive it in a few weeks, was tempted to order the 156 18mm, though have a feeling the 147 one fits the 156 but not the other way round.

Found it too stiff over uneven surfaces, subtracts from the independent suspension, real shame because the damping's set up nicely, firm (16) on the front for the steering, soft (6) comfortable rear and the balance in corners is spot on... if the majority of the roads weren't so **** around here

You can have it if you want (for a reasonable price)

Can I ask if anyone can supply me details where I can get a Q2 diff in the Uk, and how it exactly affects the car? I'm new to the Alfa and just weighing up what Mods I need, was thinking of putting some eibach springs, preferably the pro kit, as they are relatively well priced and think the car would look even meaner slightly lowered!

Originally Posted by Bookfair1974

Can I ask if anyone can supply me details where I can get a Q2 diff in the Uk, and how it exactly affects the car? I'm new to the Alfa and just weighing up what Mods I need, was thinking of putting some eibach springs, preferably the pro kit, as they are relatively well priced and think the car would look even meaner slightly lowered!

Q2 can be bought from EB Spares. Can't rate it highly enough
Front end grip is great and can apply the power down far earlier than in standard form.
I would get that first before any other mod, then decide if you need to go further.

Q2 diff for 6 speed manual cars