The desire to tune and improve has now hit me....

Had my 156 GTA for 4 months now and already I want to tackle the handling, stopping and go but I have zero pennies

Well the brakes certainly need attention - they are getting more and more badly warped, so when I come back from Ireland at the end of the month, I will need to upgrade the brakes - I 'll see what Jamie Porter charges for the work if I get the kit from Alfa. If I recall I saw someone on here commenting it was around £500 or so?

On the handling side, I really want to improve this, but can't afford the coilovers, BUT, as the brakes are to be done, it may be a cost saving to do them at the same time???

Then there's the mid range -there are some flat spots in the car's driving (there are some hesitations that coudl do with ironing out!)- how will a remap improve this? Who does the best one? I guess a CDA kit would also be useful to extract the best from a remap?

Finally the exhaust - I love the engine sound, but it really could do with a touch more meatiness in the exhaust, so, Ragazzon + silenced centre section, or CSC +silenced centre section, or Supersprint rear box and a.n.other make of silenced centre section.

All in I guess that's a bill of probably £3k????

I so wish I had some spare cash

Per

Per,

I am right there with ya - though I am facing a cambelt change and have knocking from the suspension which I have been told means new Anti Roll Bars. Theres a large bite out of a grand.

As a first pass at better handling and less dough than a coilover solution I am thinking about replacing the standard dampers with Koni FSDs. These run about £400 inc vat for the GTA plus fitting and alignment coming in at hopefully £200-£250.

If you want more info check out http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd.jsp

or search here, there are a few folks either taken or considering this option.

I have also been told £600 for the 330mm brakes.

Gary

I had overlooked the cam belt change as well Mine's 4 years old now, but only has a shade under 20k on the clock, so cam belt also required soon!!

Interesting about the Koni FSD's - certainly one to consider!

Problem is I have just spend the past 3 months penny pinching to cut my over draft down to liveable levels, so I am not sure I can justify increasing my overdraft again by £2k or so

And my annual bonus (due soon!) is all spoken for on the credit card bills!!!!

Per

£400 gets you the eibach setup (shocks/springs) excellent combo imo.

on a 20k car everything should be pretty tight so I wouldnt waste money on bushes/wishbones etc.

no benefit in doing the brakes/suspension at the same time bar having the wheels off

Eibach sound tempting.

I disagree though on the other comment - if I get someone to change my brakes for 330's, then when the suspension gets done, they'll have to comme off again. Better to get the suspension and brakes doen in one go and there has to be some cost saving!

Cheers

Per

the brakes dont have to come off to do the suspension mate.

Pablo,

How do you find the Eibach set up when compared to stock?

Is it a harsher ride on rough surfaces? Is the car much lower?

Cheers,

Gary

its come down a nice amount. just about perfect in fact, any lower and ramps would be a problem.

ride is (now) great. definately a lot better than stock.