Alfa Romeo 147 GTA project

[warsch]

I got fairly luck and bought a 147 GTA quite cheap from Sydney back in June. The car had rough paint on the roof, few dings and scratches here and there. And some mechanical stuff to look at. The seller was from another forum and did quite a good job of showing the car true condition, so I got exactly what I expected: a cheap GTA that needs some work.

I've been hooning it around since but it's the time for it to become my new track weapon. I was on the fence if I should keep it as a daily, but it chugs 98 octane like a thirsty elephant and provokes me to speed all the time. So, build time it is.





So the very first thing I did, was to steal GTA teledials with a fresh set of AD08R to put on my race 156.

[warsch]

We've got only only one AROCA circuit sprint left this year and it is on the last weekend of November. Thus I've made a list of mandatory things to get sorted by then. If that fails, I will attend in my old 156 racer, but hopefully I can get it done.

First I did scan the error codes and there are 3 ignition errors in cylinders 1, 2 and 3, which seems to be back bank. While all coils could fail at the same time, I suspect (and been advised by a mechanic too, who said that the engine sounds like there's some loss of compression) that incorrect timing can be to blame.

So first of all I need to check and adjust timing. Might need to ask said mechanic to help me, as he knows a way to adjust just 1 or cams (by gently knocking the pulley off, I assume). Removing the rocker cover warrants for new spark plugs and cover gaskets.

Another thing I noticed is that there's some odd sound on idle, which almost goes away when I depress the clutch. Again, I've told that could mean the throw out bearing is on its way.


Then there's race prep:

[Alfatango]

Looks like a great project! The added dead line of a track day coming always helps with keeping things moving.

[bazzbazz]

First I did scan the error codes and there are 3 ignition errors in cylinders 1, 2 and 3, which seems to be back bank. While all coils could fail at the same time, I suspect (and been advised by a mechanic too, who said that the engine sounds like there's some loss of compression) that incorrect timing can be to blame.

First of all, when was the cam belt & pump last changed, if you're going to be doing track work in this thing you need those to be in good condition. And more importantly, was it done correctly with the correct timing locks. There are so many places these days that are just marking the belt & pulleys and swapping the belt out instead of doing it properly. Every car I have seen that has been done this way always has the inlet camshaft on the rear bank out of time, some to the point you can't even get the cam lock on it.

So first of all I need to check and adjust timing. Might need to ask said mechanic to help me, as he knows a way to adjust just 1 or cams (by gently knocking the pulley off, I assume). Removing the rocker cover warrants for new spark plugs and cover gaskets.

If you're going to remove the camshaft covers and belt covers you've already done 90% of the work, so I would suggest you just get someone with the correct tools and locks to set the timing correctly rather than trying to just "knocking the pulley off" and adjusting one. Get it done properly to start with, otherwise you have no idea if it's a timing issue that's causing your problem, and you have peace of mind that your not going to lunch the motor.

Another thing I noticed is that there's some odd sound on idle, which almost goes away when I depress the clutch. Again, I've told that could mean the throw out bearing is on its way.

If it's a scraping sound then that's one of the usual symptoms of worn throw out bearing.

The best thing about a stock 147 GTA is that you don't have to do much to it to make it a fun track car. Just by lightening it by stripping it out & good shocks/springs and tyres you get it close to its power handling limits. Before trying to make it any faster a Q2 or similar diff upgrade is required, otherwise it's like trying to drive a Gorilla having a hissy fit, other may disagree. 

At any point you'll have a ball of fun with it, and I reckon it'll take some time for the grin to wear off after you have it on the track for the first time. 

[warsch]

First of all, when was the cam belt & pump last changed, if you're going to be doing track work in this thing you need those to be in good condition. And more importantly, was it done correctly with the correct timing locks. There are so many places these days that are just marking the belt & pulleys and swapping the belt out instead of doing it properly. Every car I have seen that has been done this way always has the inlet camshaft on the rear bank out of time, some to the point you can't even get the cam lock on it.

f you're going to remove the camshaft covers and belt covers you've already done 90% of the work, so I would suggest you just get someone with the correct tools and locks to set the timing correctly rather than trying to just "knocking the pulley off" and adjusting one. Get it done properly to start with, otherwise you have no idea if it's a timing issue that's causing your problem, and you have peace of mind that your not going to lunch the motor.

The seller claims the timing belt was done about 10k km ago or so by some Alfa specialist in Sydney. As for the rest - certainly the timing will be adjusted with proper cam locks by a person who knows what they are doing (so not me). Now if he can do that by removing the pulley or going all the way - we'll see when we get there.

If it's a scraping sound then that's one of the usual symptoms of worn throw out bearing.

It's not scraping though, more like slight thumping. Hard to explain.

The best thing about a stock 147 GTA is that you don't have to do much to it to make it a fun track car. Just by lightening it by stripping it out & good shocks/springs and tyres you get it close to its power handling limits. Before trying to make it any faster a Q2 or similar diff upgrade is required, otherwise it's like trying to drive a Gorilla having a hissy fit, other may disagree. 

I have quite a good idea how to get this platform to perform on track. My 156 has seen almost 60 track days. So did I, obviously. Q2 is supposedly in the car too, so that's a piece of mind too. Don't want the diff to go kaboom.

At any point you'll have a ball of fun with it, and I reckon it'll take some time for the grin to wear off after you have it on the track for the first time. 

Thanks! Yeah, it should be a bit quicker than a 2.0

[warsch]

Apart from sorting out the timing, there's the bare minimum track prep that I need to do:

- Penrite Racing brake fluid
- racing front brake pads - Circo M119
- coilovers (I've got a set of Titan SP3 so this is covered)
- oil change - Penrite Premium 10W-60
- Sparco bucket seat

The following isn't required as such, but since I got all of these parts, I'll install them:

- Hardrace pillow ball rear arms
- Strongflex poly bushes for rear trailing arms and rear hub
- Ultraracing rear lower brace
- High power racing front upper arm adjustable eccentric bushes
- Pretec solid lower front arm bushes with offset
- Ultraracing front lower brace
- Ultraracing front upper brace (this one is in already)

Then I've already got catless headers and 2.5 short final gear ratio gearbox. But those together with new clutch and throw out bearing is the next season thing.

[warsch]

[bazzbazz]

I've got a set of Titan SP3 so this is covered

Just out of curiously how much are the coil overs?

[Alfatango]

This is looking like a serious build/project.

[bazzbazz]

As for the rest - certainly the timing will be adjusted with proper cam locks by a person who knows what they are doing (so not me)

I think you're pretty handy with a set of spanners and know your way around a car by now. 

[warsch]

Just out of curiously how much are the coil overs?

I've got a special deal with Titans as early adopter and being their promo racer, so I paid $1400.
It's $1650 currently - https://titansuspension.com.au/products/alfa-romeo-156-932
Note the pictures there are of my car and taken by me too

If you're after the cheapest, that would be DGR which look absolutely identical and probably perform too just for $1250

[warsch]

This is looking like a serious build/project.

I really hope to make this one a solid build. Funny that all of the parts above were destined for a 156 but then I accidentally bought a GTA.

[warsch]

I think you're pretty handy with a set of spanners and know your way around a car by now. 

Suspension and brakes - absolutely, I've done that half a dozen times. But setting timing on a busso - I don't feel that confident and the price of an error is too high so I'll have someone overlooking and/or assisting me.

[warsch]

So first things first - I started by putting on fat wheels, Cause it's all about the looks, right?

But Koya wheels have narrow bolt wells, so I had to buy tuner bolts. Thus I figured, if I were to buy, I'd rather go stud conversion that would make changing wheels a breeze.

So I went online to demon tweeks and ordered to sets of 60 mm studs and a set of narrow tuner nut and a set of regular nuts for stock wheels.



But it turned out, that 60 mm is too long:



I reluctantly ordered a set of 50 mm studs and in the meantime put the other wheels back on



With the nuts with external hex, there weren't any problems

Finally, the shorter stud arrived and it's all now sorted:

[warsch]

Then onto the next step: coilovers.

The coilovers were still in my 156 JTS. I pulled them out and replaced them with a set of dead standard struts from a donor 147. Well, I thought that the difference should be negligible. Well, the bolt in just right. Though the ground clearance will make all the SUV jealous. The front seems about ok, but the rear is ridiculous. Now I have to get a set of 156 rear struts off my friend and install them. At least it's all free.





On a happy note, a replaced the rear struts in 50 minutes and front ones in 70 minutes. Getting real good with this platform.





At least I got the coilovers free, which cost me about 4-5 times more than this JTS car owes me. So $1400 vs $350