Spider BMC CDA Air Filter and Re-map

HI,

I'm looking at getting my spider re-mapped and installing a BMC CDA intake kit.

So far I've done my research and there's a few options for me which I hope you can share you opinions on:

1. Autodelta (I've just come back from their workshop): Very well known and good quality. They do a re-map for £200. I'd like the cams done as well, but a bit too expensive for me. Anyone else had the Autodelta re-map done?

+ BMC will supply me with a intake CDA kit for £194

= £394 but I'll have to install the filter myself. (I'm quite handy with mechanics but mostly on my sports bike, but should be ok).

2. Angel Tuning do a re-map and BMC CDA install all for £455 (all in). How good are the Angel re-maps?

3. Red Dot - still to speak to them, but i'll see if they'll do the re-map and filter. If not, I'll just get the re-map done. Anyone had a re-map from them?

So, currently between option 1 and 2. There's only 50 quid between them so it's really down to the quality of the re-map which I'm guessing there's nothing in it really regarding noticeable power...?

Does anyone have any pics of their BMC CDA install on their spider or GTV? I would really appreciate any pics if I'm going to install it myself. I believe that Angel tuning site the air intake behind the bumper on the right hand side (thanks Hunter)

Any opinions appreciated..

Thanks

Hi chap. IMO the BMC is not worth the money.Also it looks scrappy under the bonnet.If you have a resinator box fitted remove it and put in a straight bit of pipe, and replace the filter with a direct replacement type (see attached pics).As for the re-map Angel do a good map gives more torque than bhp, but i am sure they are all pretty much the same

Moved to Tuning Lounge

The CDA only maybe adds +5bhp but a deeper induction roar . The remap around +12/15bhp.
I use Angel and have done for a few years and they never let me down (they either come to the house or work), but both Redot and Autodelta have decent reviews on here.
Cams I know nowt about, so can't comment.
AFAIK there aren't too many modified Spiders/GTV on here.

Perhaps this weekend I'll wheel the girl out of her winter bed and take a few piccies if nobody else has contributed some more.... The CDA actually 'looks' odd because it frees up so much space. My installation doesn't look scrappy, just looks like there should be more crammed in around it (if that makes sense )

Welcome to AO once again AS

I had the angel remap on my gtv and i found a massive difference especially in second and third gear. I think cda looks good and i love the noise from it

Great, thanks for the comments guys. I’ve sorted myself out with some OZ Ultraleggeras (V.02) 18 x 8s to replace the 16” pepper pots (never liked them). I’ve heard that there’s much less wheel spin with the 18” too, which is a bonus.

While the wheel shop’s fitting them they said they’d fit the CDA for me for £170 (10 quid less than Angel, nice).

Last engine mod I’m doing is the re-map which I’m leaning toward Angel now.

Hunter, would be great to see the pics so I can show the fitters. I don’t expect they’ve fitted a CDA to an Alfa spider before...

Your cars a 97. Angel won't touch it mate...I have a friend who was told this by Nigel. Also their website states the same.

They only do the 98 onwards cars. I'd use another tuner. Either celtic (but I'm not sure if they do 97 cars) or red dot.

Although you have to travel to watford for red dot. I know for a fact they can do them. Plus if you are a club member here then you will also get a 10% discount on remaps.

I don't think that the CDA is worth the money either in terms of perfomance increase. But the sound is nice.

OA

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Your cars a 97. Angel won't touch it mate...I have a friend who was told this by Nigel. Also their website states the same.

They only do the 98 onwards cars. I'd use another tuner. Either celtic (but I'm not sure if they do 97 cars) or red dot.

Ah yes, I missed that point.... Try Redot,Celtic or Autodelta.

Hi, Watford's kinda up the road from me, so I'll see what RedDot can do. Thanks guys. I'll get some pics up eventually. Currently trying to sort out stereo now..

Just consider a club membership too buddy.

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Your cars a 97. Angel won't touch it mate...I have a friend who was told this by Nigel. Also their website states the same.

They only do the 98 onwards cars. I'd use another tuner. Either celtic (but I'm not sure if they do 97 cars) or red dot.

Celtic can't do them either AFAIK, its cause they can't be flashed via the ODB port. ECU has to be removed and plugged into a computer/reader thingy. Augusto had this in mind for me when I was set to buy a vintage 156 V6 fitted with a 3.0 from a GTV near Swindon, and take it over to Watford for mapping the same day. Its the same situation with the 150bhp T.S. engines fitted to early GTV and Spider..

One other option worth thinking about is a Squadra chip.

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Although you have to travel to watford for red dot. I know for a fact they can do them. Plus if you are a club member here then you will also get a 10% discount on remaps.

I don't think that the CDA is worth the money either in terms of perfomance increase. But the sound is nice.

OA

Aye, join the club and get the discount, get some upgraded brakes there while you're at it, the Tarox pads and discs I have on my V6 (very similar to Red Dot's I hear) are a lot better at stopping than the standard discs and DS2500 pads I have on my JTD.

Disagree about the CDA though, I think properly fitted they do make quite a difference in reducing inlet manifold temperatures, extra benefit could probably be gained by wrapping the pipe from filter -> TB with insulating material.

My dad had a CDA airbox on his spider, and to be honest we couldn't tell any difference except for the noise.

For a 1997 car you need a Squadra chip. Its an easy DIY fit, though you need to find out whether your car has the M2.10.3 or M2.10.4 version of engine management system fitted. As your car is a 1997 I would have thought it was the M2.10.3

.: Squadra Tuning :.

Originally Posted by symonh2000

My dad had a CDA airbox on his spider, and to be honest we couldn't tell any difference except for the noise.

Fitting a CDA made a big difference on my JTD, really reduced turbo lag and boost felt noticeably stronger. It was already mapped when the CDA was fitted, then it was mapped again afterwards for a bit more power

My 3.2 V6 came with a CDA fitted, it does sound lovely but totally different to how it sounds in my JTD. Its not as loud as a K&N induction kit, which is a good thing!

It would make more of a difference on a Jtd sucking in all that air! Woooooosh!

Hi, thanks for the comments.

I've found a GTV which is being broken and I'm hoping the red brakes are still available. I've started another thread "spider brakes" if anyone is interested.....

I shall have a look at Squadra and also see if Red Dot will do a re-map. Autodelta told me they would need to take the chip out and flash it. So they are an option too.

Cheers, AS

Just gave roddot a call and i think I'm going with them for the re-map. They seem to be the only ones who tailor the map for Spider older than '99. Autodelta, Squadra just do standard maps and Angel won't do my car. Still, will be nice to see the actual increase in power using the rolling road etc.

Reddot seemed very helpful on the phone.

Excellent. Get yourself a membership before you go... join the club as a premio member (£25) and save that 10%!!

Alfa Romeo Forum - Aoclub

OA

Originally Posted by activeservo

Autodelta told me they would need to take the chip out and flash it.

Yes, thats exactly what Red Dot will do as well, but instead of flashing it with a pre-written map they will write one for you based on the pre-rolling road performance of your car. I think they like to keep the power line as smooth as possible, and the torque curve as high and flat as possible for a better all round driver, but if you want something else (ultimate peak power at expense of lower down torque, mapping for higher octante fuel) they can do that for you as well.

Most mobile remappers don't tend to work on cars that can't be mapped through the diagnostics port.

Yeah, I asked the guy if he has the chip reader to falsh it and he said they do.

Now I have to decide what map I'd like.....god knows. It's a weekend car so power would be better than torque, but then i'm in london, so trips round london with more torque could be fun....I guess it'll be the all-rounder. I'll see what they say. cheers

Sound like it will be a good session. Can't wait to see the results.