1985 GTV6 24v

Hi all. It's been getting on for a year since my last post so I thought I'd update you with a progress report.

The story so far - I bought a 1985 GTV6 2.5 in May last year with the intention of preparing it for fast road and trackday work. Obviously, loads needed to be done to convert it from a 160 bhp road car to a 300 bhp circuit warrior. And loads more is still needed to be done before it's finally ready for use!

After asking for help in this very forum, several members pointed me in the direction of Alex Jupe Motorsport in Newtown, Hampshire and the road to financial ruin....To them, I'd like to say a big "thank you".

Alex sourced a suitable, working car to use as a base and was entrusted with tackling the tasks.

Over the past few months the car has had a lot of welding carried out to eliminate as far as possible the rusted areas (as ever with an older Alfa, the paint was holding the body panels together!).

When the welding finally stopped and the smoke had cleared, all of the interior & exterior trim, running gear & chassis components were stripped off. It was due to be trailored (last Friday) to the Midlands to be dipped in chemicals that would strip the paint completely and remove any final traces of rust. I've been told it could be 4 - 6 weeks before the car can head back south.

In theory, I'll will at that point be the proud owner of a 1985 GTV6 bare metal shell - now that's what I call progress! When the car is back in Alex's care, it'll undergo a complete re-spray in a yet-to-be-decided colour.

Alex will then be fitting a full roll cage and fixed-back bucket seats with full harnesses in the front; the rear seat will be binned altogether. An RS Racing suspension kit, a "quickshift" for the transaxle gearbox from a 75 3.0 V6, bigger brakes and, of course, the new engine are also to be fitted.

It was my original plan to fit a GTA 3.2 24v engine from the 147 & 156 models and modify that, however Alex tells me the less-powerful 164 3.0 24v makes for an easier fit inside the GTV's engine bay. The final spec is still being worked on, though I believe it will include throttle bodies, a non-catalyst sports exhaust, lightened powertrain wherever possible and a full re-map. I'd like to end up with 300 bhp & 230 lbs/ft torque and Alex thinks this spec should just about achive those figures.

I'm really hoping the car will be ready before the end of this trackday season.

Should any of you take pity on this poor soul and feel the overwhelming urge to make a donation to my "Get The GTV6 Running Quicker" charitable fund, please contact Alex and make a pledge. No amount is too small, though bigger numbers are much better!

Yours (from the tent 'cos the house has been sold to fund this),

Paul.

Yours (from the tent 'cos the house has been sold to fund this),

Paul.

Hi paul


i know how you fill. im putting a ts 75 engine in my 73 spider. ive got most of the bit's and im doing the work myself. hoping for about 180ish BHP.should be fun.when it's finished.

good luck with the car.it will be loads of fun,that's for sure

john

Wow, what a project. Can you post pics as you go along?

Johnboy - 180 bhp in your '73 Spider? That does sound like a load of fun! Willl you be using it on trackdays as well? Together with modern rubber, that'll be more than enough power to "surprise" many modern top-end hot hatches as well as the occasional Boxster or Elise! Are you going to be fitting the gearbox with lsd from the 75 TS? I don't know enough about Spiders - will the TS's transaxle even fit the Spider? Good luck with the project; I hope all goes well for you!

Pud237 - You want photographic evidence, do you? I'm still trying to work out how to post them here - for some reason I keep getting a message that the individual photo files are too large. I'll persevere.

I'm getting really frustrated now. Today the sun's out, the air's cold and I know the roads nearby will be quiet; perfect weather for some RWD fun - if only the GTV were ready!

Nice project

If you sign up to photobucket and post a link to the images you should be able to post your pictures without resizing them. Alternatively there are some programs free to download that will reduce the size of your pics.

Good luck with the rebuild!

Thanks, Fluffyduff. I've just done some photo re-sizing so hopefully they will appear in my gallery later today.

Originally Posted by pjgid

Johnboy - 180 bhp in your '73 Spider? That does sound like a load of fun! Willl you be using it on trackdays as well? Together with modern rubber, that'll be more than enough power to "surprise" many modern top-end hot hatches as well as the occasional Boxster or Elise! Are you going to be fitting the gearbox with lsd from the 75 TS? I don't know enough about Spiders - will the TS's transaxle even fit the Spider? Good luck with the project; I hope all goes well for you!

!

Hi pjgid
yeah i like it will be.i bought the engine from andy page. he races in the alfa championship.loved hes garage.alfa heaven load's of toy's.
as for the lsd.one day but im on a small budget.ive found a place called autosprint in birmingham. 01675 464857. they do very cheap cams from about £85-£92 bargain.i will be giving them a call.as they do ballencing and lightening aswell.there in practical performanca car every month or conplete engine's to what ever spec you want. hope this helps you abit
p.s. yes i will be track daying it. she will be my weekend toy.sadly the 33 will have to go or maybe the GTV.as it's not that quick.compaired to the 33. but it does look good!!

all the best john

A friend of my dads has done multiple 24v engines into GTV6s.
In-fact he is in the process of doing one for my dad at the moment. But with a twist, its now a 3.7L.

If you like, I could send you his email address, incase there is anything you would like to ask him, regarding the installation and process.
Both myself and my father had a GTV6, but ours were both 3L (Made in SA)

Hi Matt. The 3.7 GTV6 sounds very interesting - it's what mine'll be in a few more years when the funds allow! Just let me get over the shock of building this one first....

No worries, and gluck with the rebuild.
Keep us posted with photos.
Im keen to see how long it takes you, and costs involved, as Im keen to get one started myself. I would do quite a bit of the work myself tho, which would help save some cash.
here is a pic of my old baby: clicky
Note that the black grill on the bonnet had fallen off just before I took that pic So you are staring into an ugly hole.

Originally Posted by Wiki

South African models were first assembled at Automaker's Rosslyn plant, located outside Pretoria. These early, 1973 models, were manufactured alongside Datsuns. From 1974 South African Alfetta's were manufactured at Alfa Romeo's own Brits plant. South Africa was one of two markets to have a turbocharged GTV6, with a Garrett turbocharger and a NACA intake. An estimated 750 were assembled before all production ceased in 1986. The South African market also introduced the 3.0 L GTV-6, predating the international debut of the factory's 3.0 L engine in 1987. Approximately 200 were built in South Africa for racing homologation. To this day, the GTV-6 remains the quintessential Alfa Romeo for South Africans.

Matt, if you're interested, there are now a few photos in my gallery.

Hopefully, I've worked out how to include pictures!