[rickyh]

I got my 147 GTA back in May and the previous owner had done a brilliant job of really looking after the car and nothing really needed doing. As an owner of some quite sporty cars, I was really surprised, although I had read a lot about the Busso engine, as to just how fantastic it was. Having owned many V6 cars, Golf VR6, V6 4Motion and the R32, the Busso engine seems so much more responsive and smoother, whilst subtly ripping your face off.

Having always wanted an Alfa I thought the GTA would be a great place to start but to get the chassis to perform to the same level as the engine has been a lengthy, but enjoyable, process and I now have a car that can live with most cars out there.

GTA already had the Q2 fitted, so I just wanted to start simply and add some Eibach ARB's but these were impossible to get and I only got those last week. So instead, I upgraded the suspension and put on KW Variant 3's, which I was experienced with as I have them on another car, which didn't make an immediate difference but after some effort dialing them in, they are now spot-on! I next added front/rear strut carbon braces and upgraded the brake lines. Having finally fitted the ARB's, the car now has more or less no body roll and drives beautifully.

Have added other extra's but mainly new exhaust only because the one that was on it had rusted through and opted for a Supersprint system although I would have liked a Tubi but couldn't talk them into making me one.

My 3200 is great, the CSL is a real out-and-out race car now but the Alfa puts this great big, ridiculous smile on my face every time I start it, even more so now when I drive it and now it can actually live with the CSL in the bends.

I am sure you have all heard this many times but as an Alfa newbie and like a kid in a sweet shop I just had to share...

 

[GhostyDog]

I'm on my way out of GTA ownership after 3 and a half years of upgrading, fettling and generally continuing to develop the car after Alfa gave up. Stock GTAs are wonderful but fundamentally flawed cars, with some careful modifications though they CAN be made magnificent. Just look at Dan Chan and Nigel's GTA both fettled to 3.8 by autolusso.

If I was sticking with Alfa in the short term that would have been my next move but life gets in the way and things have to change so out with the Alfa and in with a ratty old Rover I'm sure the GTA will be missed.

 

[masonGTA]

but the Alfa puts this great big, ridiculous smile on my face every time I start it, even more so now when I drive it

:thumbs: Couldn't agree more. The sound is also a big factor, I personally think its one of the best sounding engines.

( But my all time favourite car sound is the M3CSL - Runs and hides )

 

[Dan Chan]

^^^^

+1

apart from the bit about the M3 CSL :tut: on an alfa forum... you should know better!

 

[gotcha]

So instead, I upgraded the suspension and put on KW Variant 3's, which I was experienced with as I have them on another car, which didn't make an immediate difference but after some effort dialing them in, they are now spot-on!

Just to compare, what compression and rebound setting are you using on the v3? I started with KW recommended setting when I installed them, but for my road usage over some time I loosened front compression 1 click and rebound 2 clicks. I am keeping the rear setting on the recommended setting.
What setting works for you??

 

[gtaadict]

Hi just wondered if you had any pics of the car yet

 

[Guest]

^^^^

+1

apart from the bit about the M3 CSL :tut: on an alfa forum... you should know better!

They really do sound astonishingly good though.

 

[Pud237]

They really do sound astonishingly good though.

Does it sound much different to the regular throttle-bodied BMW straight sixes? I don't think mine sounds all that good.

 

[NineOneSix]

It's tweaked more then your M3 though Dan, it's my fav BMW

 

[Pud237]

The engine revs higher and it makes more power but its still the same layout, straight six with individual throttle bodies, so I imagine it would sound the same. Sort of how a 2.5 V6 sounds very very similar to a GTA.

 

[bacon]

Std M3 sounds like a heat shield rattling.... CSL sounds :wow::inlove:
:lol:

All the best with your GTA rickyh and show us some pics when u get chance :thumbs:

 

[masonGTA]

Does it sound much different to the regular throttle-bodied BMW straight sixes? I don't think mine sounds all that good.

For some reason, the E46 M3 has this unique sound. and the CSL version is just personified. Sorry guys, I know this is a Alfa forum, but they really do sound amazing

 

[NineOneSix]

Airbox may also be different and the exhaust layout might be slightly different also, just touches to make a big difference etc.

 

[NineOneSix]

‪BMW M3 - CSL Airbox Conversion Sound Check‬‏ - YouTube



BIG difference in the airbox design

 

[Guest]

Almost, if not double the price of a GTA when new.

Stands to reason that the CSL should be better in every department but ironically IMO its not, 2 door coupe for start. I'd never fit all the childrens paraphernalia in one of those, I can in my GTA though.

 

[NineOneSix]

The CSL is track orientated though, the GTA is not hence the cardboard boot :lol: chuck ya golf clubs in there and hear them hit the road :lol:

 

[Pud237]

‪BMW M3 - CSL Airbox Conversion Sound Check‬‏ - YouTube



BIG difference in the airbox design

Sounds deeper with the carbon on it, still reckon my CDA'd V6 sounded about a million times better than that.

 

[Dan Chan]

Tongue was firmly in cheek fellas! they do sound very good, and the supersprint CSL exhaust is just mental!

 

[rickyh]

Hi just wondered if you had any pics of the car yet

I am getting around to taking some photos - just got a couple of other things to do!

Just to compare, what compression and rebound setting are you using on the v3? I started with KW recommended setting when I installed them, but for my road usage over some time I loosened front compression 1 click and rebound 2 clicks. I am keeping the rear setting on the recommended setting.
What setting works for you??

I was using 2 clicks rebound and 2 clicks compression on the front. Factory on the back. Now I fitted the ARB's, I am now using 3 clicks rebound and 2 clicks compression on the front and 1 rebound and compression on the rear. Not sure whether I am happy yet as I have only driven 20miles since putting the ARB's on.

Sounds deeper with the carbon on it, still reckon my CDA'd V6 sounded about a million times better than that.

The CSL has a different intake system to the standard M3 - this is what makes all of the noise and gives some of the extra power. With the standard exhaust it still sounds raspy in high revs but with a Tubi or Supersprint exhaust is sounds really cool.

Also, the difference with the CSL noise is that its a a fairly 'fake' noise if I can say that, in that its not the engine, its the air intake system maikng the noise. The GTA is all engine noise - way cooler!