New on forum, but long time visitor.

Paulo Mendes · Jun 27, 2002

New on forum, but long time visitor.

Hi,
I’m Paulo Mendes from Portugal.
I’ve finally decided to participate in this Forum with others Alfa 147 Fans like me.
I also own an Alfa 147 and I Love Tuning.
My 147 is the 1.6TS (120bhp), as almost a Year now and +- 18000Km.

I’ve done the following mods on my car:

> Exterior:
>> Bumper: I’ve cut the plastic grill from the front bumper and placed a black steel grill.
>> Side lights: Painted with black transparent OMP spray.

> Suspension and chassis:
>> Springs: (3.5 H&R), but I’m waiting for new 4.5 Novitec springs.
>> Shock Absorbers: (Yellow Koni Sport)
>> Bars: I’ve buy OMP but it doesn’t match, I’m waiting for a new bar, maybe Sparco.

> Engine:
>> Air Filter: BMC CDA
>> CCV Bypass: With a small air filter.

> Future mods
>> Brakes: Painted in red, I already have the paint, but I didn’t have the time.
>> Muffler: Full muffler from Supersprint.

I also have created long time ago, a Site dedicated to the Alfa 147, I think that some members already know:
http://planeta.clix.pt/alfa147/

I have one question for those who have change the air filter on your 147 …
Some rare times (not always), when the car is almost stopped and I press the accelerator on 1º or 2º speed, the car doesn’t answer for 1 or 2 secs, and after that it give a “kick in the back” and accelerate very fast!!!
Does anyone have that problem?

PS:
I'm sorry for my bad English.

Mel Bonkers · Jun 27, 2002

Hi Paulo,

That's an impressive list of modifications you've had on your 147. But I believe with all those modifications the car produces more then 120 bhp, doesn't it? And do you still recognise your car, due to all the modifications

Greetz,

Mel

Paulo Mendes · Jun 27, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr />...all those modifications the car produces more then 120 bhp, doesn't it? And do you still recognise your car, due to all the modifications

Guest · Jun 27, 2002

Hi Paulo,

Welcome !
I've a question :

What's "CCV Bypass With a small air filter" ?
Dont' know this mod !
What does it bring ?

Johnny.

PS : Novitec Springs are great ! For your bar, Novitec one is Great too !

Paulo Mendes · Jun 27, 2002

It's not a great great significant mod ... but it's more one mod.
That small pipe before the MAF after de admission, that it’s connected to the admission pipe, I’ve disconnected from the admission pipe and put a small filter in the end of the small pipe and a new pipe in the admission (without the hole).
The small pipe it’s for the pollution gazes that are burn again in the admission instead going to de air.
In my opinion, putting hot pollution gazes again in the admission, doesn’t gives more power to the motor !!!
That’s why I’ve close that circulation of gazes, but because we cannot close that small pipe, I’ve put a small filter in the end.

Here’s a photo of that modification on a car (NOT MY CAR).

PS:
Import a Novitec bar to my country is costs 2x the price of one from other brand!

Guest · Jun 27, 2002

Paulo
With some many mods done to your car you have for sure lost your warranty?

G-147 · Jun 27, 2002

Hi Paulo... I remmember your site... I think it was the first i saw and consisted of a huuuuuuge gallery... Nice stuff!!!

Impressive and unique mods you have there... wanna send me some pics so i can put them on my site... the ones above didnt work!!

Cheers,
George
(gsorial@yahoo.com)

Guest · Jun 28, 2002

Thank's Paulo for explanations and pics.
Don't know if it brings something but it looks very good !

Novitec products are generally Great but two time the price, that's too expensive of course....... :-(((

Johnny.

Paulo Mendes · Jun 28, 2002

I’ve made some mods in the Alfa Stand were I’ve buy my car.
But later I was Very Very Very Sorry for doing that!
The car stays in the Alfa Garage almost two weeks, to put the suspension, one bar and an air filter.
They charge me 4 times more the price of any garage here in my country!
They have “broke” my first bar trying to fit in my 147 (it was for 156, I think!), them they import a new bar, and believe or not, they’ve “broke” their bar too !!!
Then finally after 3 months of waiting for them to solve my problem, they have returned me the money of the first bar!
And many many mores problems that I could stay here a week telling everything, it sims more like a movie to me!

bodhi - With mods on air filter and suspension you don’t lost the warranty, the only thing that may happen is that you cannot complain later of some noises and little thinks like that.

G-147 – You can save my pics or copy the links of the address (URL), but I will try to take new ones and then post here again.

This weekend I’m going to buy new rubber pipes to remove the original line of the admission and try to put the pipes in behind of the battery, without many curves.

Guest · Jun 28, 2002

Hi Paulo,

What a bad experience with accesorries installation !
In my case, 2 hours for the suspension and 15 minutes for the bar.
For information, the 156 and the 147 one are the same.

Keep us informed about your pipe modifications.
i've the project replacing original pipes by carbon or polished aluminium ones but I'm searching without succes the furniture to do so (70 mm carbon or aluminium tubes + rubberwith this internal diameter).
If somebody has an idea where to found this........

Johnny.

Paulo Mendes · Jun 28, 2002

Its very difficult to find and expensive too.
The only kits I know is for Japanese cars, like Honda, etc…
The new rubber pipe I’m going to buy I think that will do the job, it’s hard but its possible to make curves.
In carbon I think only Novitec, Madeno Racing, Autodelta, etc...

G-147 · Jun 28, 2002

can i be stupid and ask:

1. WHats the bar??
2. What pipes are you talking about???

Paulo Mendes · Jun 28, 2002

The bar I’m talking is the Strut brace, here a photo of one:

The pipes are the admission pipes, which are connected to the air filter (BMC CDA) in green color.

That’s the way it is now, +- original pipeline with BMC CDA.
1º photo, original line…

2º photo, original line…

… and that’s the how I want to put the new pipes. (not a perfect image!)

PS:
Some photos may not open today, try tomorrow.

jomor · Jul 1, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Paulo Mendes:
The bar I’m talking is the Strut brace, here a photo of one:

<hr /></blockquote>Hi Paulo,
What happens to your left-front side if someone crashes on your right one, with this bar fitted ?

Paulo Mendes · Jul 1, 2002

(The Strut brace picture is not from my car)

jomor, I don’t understand the question, the strut brace is for the suspension not crashes.
When you pass over a bump, instead of one tire / suspension moves, they (2 tires) moves
at the same time.
The Strut brace are good for curves, the car body doesn’t turn much.

jomor · Jul 1, 2002

My English is not so good, i know the strut brace makes the body more solid but that is the problem on crashes. If you crash from the left side, the right side gets also damaged.
Besides did you really notice any diference? 'cause the 147 body is solid enough already.

Paulo Mendes · Jul 1, 2002

Yes maybe, but I don’t think in crashes, thinking too much on crash, more probably of crashing!

I don’t have the Strut brace yet, as I had said in the top of the post …
“>> Bars: I’ve buy OMP but it doesn’t match, I’m waiting for a new bar, maybe Sparco.”

jomor · Jul 1, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Paulo Mendes:
 thinking too much on crash, more probably of crashing!
<hr /></blockquote>I totaly agree with that, i m a positive thinker, i just want to know the good and the bad things in any mod (its a matter of money also, if you have plenty you dont worry much about harming your car

)

Paulo Mendes · Jul 1, 2002

I don’t have much money (and I’m from Portugal one of the lowers salary in Europe).
Here we have very bad roads, I think it’s very dangerous to be a fast driver with roads like this.
One of the problems of the Alfa147 in my point of view it’s the springs, they are very soft.
I prefer to bet in security that’s why I’ve change my suspension in first place, before any other mods.
Now it lost a little of comfort, but it wins in security.
When it’s possible, I will save some money to start some mods in engine, with real horsepower. J
Before the real money, I pass the free time doing some small mods, like putting “metal pedals” instead of the rubber, painting brakes, changing admission pipe line until its perfect.

By the way, anyone know I to do an EGR OFF ???

I’ve already have CCV Bypass, but I don’t know were the pipe (or if its possible) to do EGR OFF.

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)

jomor · Jul 1, 2002

Sorry Paulo but i have to disagree with you on the safety part.
The car IS safe.

As posted on an other topic, my 147 saved my life on Sunday, hitting a huge bump on a turn with 180km/h.

180! Can you realise the speed?

Factory suspension.

I know it seems soft, (and ugly maybe) but it is safe.

If you dont care about the looks but only for behaviour
try changing the shocks before the springs, bad roads need
suspension distance, just a friendly adv
Not to mention the tyres!
Cheers

Paulo Mendes · Jul 1, 2002

Yes I know what you mean, because I’ve already had the same experience like you have, but I was driving 210Km/h with original suspensions.
In a counter curve, I was behind a Tuned Citroen Saxo Cup (that gives +-245Km/h), the backside of my car suddenly jumps, I try to stabilize and jump again until I drop velocity and drive slowly.
The car is the more safety car I even drove until now, even with original suspension and 17’’ wheels.
But for everything there are limits!
Since that time, I never try to the limits, until I change the suspension…
…then I’ve make a small test drive between my car an Engine Tuned Fiat Punto HGT, but with is original suspension … in strait line I don’t have a change, but every time there was a curve, I passover him.
I Love my car, but not everything is perfect … but it’s getting to the perfection. LOL

Paulo Mendes · Jul 2, 2002

Yuppie.
My Novitec springs are finally arrived.
I’m waiting now for the strut brace, to put everything in place quickly as possible.

Paulo Mendes · Aug 6, 2002

Guest · Aug 6, 2002

Paul,

I got your pm,but I can't log in and retrieve it! (i got the email notification).I am having problems with cookies so I'm having to sign in every post).

The wheels are about what you say 3.5+ below the arch,any more than that and they will rub with the suspension loaded.The strut brace is there to help eradicate understeer but also (and the reason i put in on) to hold the geometry together,which I had aligned for a neutral track on a laser level

Paulo Mendes · Aug 7, 2002

OK, Thx.
Do you have any recent photo with the springs installed and the strut brace?

Paulo Mendes · Aug 7, 2002

New on forum, but long time visitor.

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