Milk float. Even the jts engine is better. Its a bloody cheek they fitted a 1.8 twinspark into anything after 2002. Not because in its day the engine was poor its great but things move on.

 

I'd rather a 1.8 TS over a 2.0 JTS to be honest!

Either way if you are thinking of a V6, that is what you should get.

There aren't many for sale and a lot have not been looked after.

I've spent a fortune getting mine up to scratch.

Just make sure the cambelt has been done. A Q2 is preferable too.

 

I'm considering getting a GT and was surprised by the relative lack of performance (on paper at least) of the 1.8TS in the GT compared with my 1.8 156. Figures (from Parkers) are 0-60 10.3s (9.1 for 156) and top speed 124 (129 for 156). Not sure if down to gear ratios or additional 60kg weight, but it put me off considering the 1.8, much as I like the TS engine.

 

V6 it will be then :thumbs:

 

thought about a 1.9 Jtdm?

 

My 1.9 is for sale on ebay,2004 RED 81K...£2000. The Jtd is a good bet, very economical, Go for leather and a good mileage.

 

The v6 is the best engine but obviously cost is an issue. The 1.9jtd after that because of power and it's good reliability. The 1.8 TS may have less power but has far fewer problems than a JTS which after a few thousands miles doesn't make the 165hp it supposed to anyway and is quite unreliable in comparison. You could get a a JTS Selespeed which basically takes the most unreliable engine and connects it to alfas most unreliable box. The 1.8 TS is actually a tougher engine that it's larger 2.0 TS stable mate found in the 156. Eventually the 1.8 will be all that's left of the 4 pot petrols I'm sure many because it has the fewest problems of the 4pots. A shame really as the JTS should be a good engine but just isn't

IMO of course

 

The V6 & 1.8 will be like chalk and cheese.
If you want a V6 then the 1.8 will be absolutely useless to you.
Even the diesel's quicker, and that isn't quick.

 

The 1.9s can be made fairly rapid with only a few mods. It's never going to eat a V6 but they can be quite suprising.

 

Actually i think the jts is a step up from the twinspark Im mindfull of the injector issues but its damn sight more economical. Ok a 5 mpg improvement is not much but petrol is not going to plummet in price!

The jtd can be remapped a produce loads of power one of my customers has a genuine 190bhp after a remap from a well known tuning company. This is accompanied by over 40 mpg.

A v6 is great as a weekend fun car but fuel consumption at as low as 14mpg can start to become annoying.

 

Actually i think the jts is a step up from the twinspark Im mindfull of the injector issues but its damn sight more economical. Ok a 5 mpg improvement is not much but petrol is not going to plummet in price!.

Problem is it become less economical when the injectors play up and the loss of power that they suffer from it. The cam lobe wear is another issue you see a lot. It should be a step up as you say but I think time will tell with these alfa engine. Both engines if looked after can be great but I think the overall running cost of a JTS is higher due to those big bills.

 

The TS are not like they were from back in the day!!!! I has a 2.0 TS in a 164 and it was a GEM.....best engine I've had...actually prefer it to the 3.0 I had in someways...revved the same!

I would really look at the 1.9 JTDM.......great engine even without a remap.....and brill with a remap!!

 

You can't use the TS 8v in the 164 as a comparison as it's a completely different engine to the modular Fiat Group TS 16v engine.

 

I have the 1.8 TS in my GT. Very low mileage which has meant some 'fettling' costs but now revving great and v. responsive. It wont win any traffic lights sprints but it sounds good and is superb for the Isle of Man roads.

 

Most Alfa mechanics I speak to pull a face when talking about the twin spark JTS

 

My JTS is fine, no problems and I get about 35mpg on a run and 28 around town. IMO it handles better than the diesel and V6 due to its lighter weight.

ETA: There is no "twin spark JTS" engine.

 

Why would you say that......:lol: tomorrow morning you'll go to start it and ......... Doh

Nothing like jinxing yourself

 

Ach, I've been saying it for four years and nothing has happened yet...
Away with your witchcraftery!

 

The 1.8 is a nice little engine.

it isn't going to set the world alight with its performance but it is free revving and sounds good.

The JTS on the other hand I am not keen on. They are hardly any faster than the 1.8 and seem to suffer far more issues.

 

Maybe i was being harsh but im still of the opinion putting a twinspark engine in a late gt is a cheek.Just the same as the grande punto fitted with a modified uno engine.

 

Well sometimes progress doesn't nessesarily make things better.

The 16V TS engine isn't as good as the 8V TS engine and the JTS isn't as good as the 2.0 16V TS so they got progressively worse.

 

I disagree with your second assertion, the extra torque at lower revs is especially noticeable in my JTS, and the mpg is a bit better. I haven't driven an 8V so cannot comment on that.

 

I have only driven a couple of JTS cars but they both felt slower than my 2.0 TS 156. They do seem to pull a bit better at lower RPM (the TS is pretty bad due to the way the ECU is mapped) but at the top end they felt pretty flat.

They also suffer the same reliability issues as a 16V TS, plus a few others of their own such as coked up inlet valves, worn cams and usually even worse oil consumption.

 

I can only judge from those I have driven, a friend's 156 TS and my GT JTS. And I can only praise the reliability of my JTS, the only problems have been a replacement alternator (four years ago) and thermostat (last month).

 

If you can cope with a 0-60 of over 10 Seconds then I am sure a 1.8 TS is fine

 

I have tractor GT it goes well does 40 to the gallon is a bit noisy so I am happy enough with it. I also have 3 spiders a ph1, ph2 and ph 3 whilst the first 2 feel faster but they arnt they all drink a bit of oil but not a lot. The JTS feels the most refined economical and quickest. I have read about the problems but as yet not experienced them My previous 156 2.0 litre TS Selespeed was a great car but always leaked oil and burned it. I think most Alfas have problems but then again so do all the cars I work on.

Peter

 

I think the 2.0 JTS was pretty much a trial run of the new technology.

The early (pre-facelifted cars) were the worst but they got progressively better.

Of course when the JTS technology was fitted to the 2.2 GM block it was more reliable again, but still had a few running issues such as flat spots.

 

Yes, it's simply awful in the 2.2 with hesitation/flat spots.
The 2.0TS in my old GTV felt so much better, wish I'd never sold it.