kevin wrote:Deonne, when you say engine build , is it going to be completly stripped. If so get it ballanced. Check with ak components now whats in stock. You can use 164 headgaskets but you must just open the right bank stud no 6 as it does not fit 100 percent. Take pics as im sure its got the original copper rings type gasket with normal outer.
What size torsion bars have you got as some 3.0 came with 28mm. If it has then its handling will be superb for our roads. Standard bars were 24mm.
Redo all your front suspension bushed. Be surprised how that improves handling .Do not use polyurethane on upper control as they always come out and are crap. Use standard Alfa ones. But you can use the polyurethane on castor arm as its merely compression and not rotational. No need to do 105 ball joint conversion as you want to keep close to original.
Good luck.
Hi Kevin ; the motor will be completely rebuilt from scratch. The Gent doing the work has a bunch of 2.5 experience and has done a few of the local 3.0L Cape Alfa Club cars , George did the gearbox for me some time back as I broke a tooth of the pinion , due to standing for a long time the pinion corroded. He has a very good name down here ; I trust his work without doubt.
We are not expecting much wear on the bottom end , she is not blowing oil into the airbox at all , just classic valve / guide wear symptoms , and a genuine 128k kilometres under the belt. Also ; I have been changing oil out every 4-5000 k's with a new filter every time. I will speak with him about balancing , George will have a handle on local engineering capabilities. So basically the bottom end will get rings / bearings / seals and a balance job then. Top end will get a good clean up , new guides and I have asked for a little blue printing / minor porting. While the motor's out , complete new drive line parts , including all bushes and suspension work to renew as required. The engine bay will hopefully also be completely stripped , cleaned up and resprayed while everything is out !!!
I have a set of machined polymer bushes in the front lower arms and oversize inner front wheel bearings , the bearings are from a Cressida , 32002 If my memory serves me. Slightly smaller ID , larger OD and a bit wider. This was done by the previous owner , I changed the bushes from teflon to polymer when I got the car because the teflon was too soft and did not handle being close the the exhaust down pipes. Heat seemed to affect the teflon badly , the suspension seemed to stiffen up substantially on the move ; weird feeling !
May decide to do your bearing conversion at some time. Definately 28mm torsion bars , I will try the koni sports before changing the front end any more. I do get a little more body roll than I would like though , maybe bigger A/R Bars will stiffen things up nicely without going overboard !!!
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What do you guys do with the rear springs for race use , would you recommend going slightly stiffer at the back ?
Thanks for the help !