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The Mikey Duk (MD) Factor
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 3:55 am
by MD
Well it's time to drop the shorts and show you what I got. It's a 164 conversion. Took me about 4 years from plan to floor pan but the pain was worth it. You know it's ok for you guys in the States or perhaps Europe to poke about with these cars because the parts should be readily available being high volume markets.
Try doing it in the land of OZ and you run up the proverbial dry gully all the time. However, even though it is a bit tough sometimes, we sail on 'cause we just love these little bastards. In Australia, Alfa Romeo is one of the smallest represented marques and yet it has the highest club membership of any make on a quota basis ! This is despite the company pulling out of the country for a number of years. That's real brand loyalty for ya.
I got heaps of detail photos but the posting seems to limit them to these few so check out additonal posts to follow.
Anyhow, enjoy the pics and I'll get back to sorting out another BMW in the mountains..

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:04 am
by MALDI
It's beautiful. Congratulations!
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:03 pm
by MD
Thanks Maldi. Here's some more for ya..
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:16 pm
by MD
..more on the theme..
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:42 pm
by MD
Ultimately, I gotta come clean.
I only did it so I could get some hot birds to perve on my good thing..

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 2:51 pm
by matt
Geez MD thats one sorted car! I think you've given Grand Turismo a new meaning with those photos from all over the country, covered alot of k's there and what a great car do do it in. Nice one
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:58 pm
by Maurizio
This is a provision to move the exhaust pipes from going under the front cross member and getting flatted all the time to being next to the firewall to prevent that and have a 45 instead of a 90 bend

have you got more pics of the headers or are you still brewing on that one....
I like the idea, downside is that the inside of the car will become very hot.
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:43 am
by MD
Maurizio
I made this provision for my exhausts as I originally had intended to supercharge the V6. I also made a pretty exotic cold air intake sytem to go with that. Note that in the engine bay you cannot see an air cleaner? That's because it lives inside the right hand side front mudguard.
Well, once I got it all cookin' on the road ( and bear in mind this is a road car) I found that the balance between power, and handling was about right for my purposes so I then decided not to go with the supercharger as it was just going to be over the top.
So to answer your question, the provision is there if I ever want to use it but I am currently not doing so. The heat issue is correct but it is possible (and would be necessary) to also install heat shields and insulation of the pipes. The upside is that you never have to worry about flat engine pipes.
I have given myself a challenge to invent a new type of driveshaft for this vehicle and I have a few plans in mind already. If and when that eventuates, I will think about putting on a hair drier on the donk. Until then I am taking it easy on those friggin doughnuts.
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:50 am
by Mezevenf
Very nice indeed.
Thats one hell of a gearshift boot.
Go the aussie alfas!
Also, I think the guys in the USA have a harder time with Alfa related business. Alfa havent existed in the USA for a long time now.
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:02 am
by MD
One other unique thing about my rig is the way we sorted out the electronic speedo problem having a Veglia Speedo head and a Jaeger sender in the twin spark transaxle that is now fitted to the car. Like all of you who develop a problem when you do the same, my speedo was reading and reporting on various phases of the moon and giving me tide reports instead of speed readings.
The solution was to use a commercial VDO ratio converter coupled to a home made interface . The bulk of the credit for this set up must go to a good friend, Daniel Kirk.
The grey box under the floor pan houses all the electronic gismos that are needed but this is only because I have no back seat and I didn't want it in the cabin where it would normally live.
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:46 pm
by pancho
well done MD, we may need to compare notes some day. my 24v engine is being built now but awaiting some parts - BARRY !!!!
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 12:16 am
by Billy
MD,
Great job and wonderful beauty !
It seems that you and I have the same idea on how those beautiful GTV6 should be treated.
All in details !
Be sure that I'm already looking for other pictures of your "baby"
Billy
P.S. My tires are now fine and turn perfectly balanced. Once again, Thanks !
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 12:49 am
by MD
Thank you Bill.
Like all projects, they seem like they are a fluid thing constantly improving. Some of the photos of the car on the forum are already out of date with minor improvements here and there but anyway you look at it, these cars are just made for tinkering and enhancing.
The best part about it is that if you do, you wind up owning not just a good car but a great car. Unlike spending your time on some other buzz boxes that you see people do all the time.
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:16 am
by Barry
Mr C,parts are packed and ready to ship once I get yer rings and stuff..
That`l be 4 Haltechs thank you very much
Mike,without clanging your nuts here,what does your car weigh at the moment??
Be honest,with my fat arse in the giulietta,Im up at 1400kg!!!!!! Nearly had a codenza!!
Talking of which.........Nah,Ill start another thread....
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:38 pm
by fortom
Really nice wheels MD, the 3 liter conversion is looking like the way to go.
Need to start looking for a cheap 164.
Barry, want a cheap holiday in N.Z????
Come and build me a nice engine , free board etc.... castles, boeries and biltong on the house mate....
