Alfa V6

[Nayf]

Make sure it has a Q2 or Quaife diff.
The ECU sits on top of the engine and can melt. Replacement ECUs are hard to find, and expensive. They can be repaired for about £300 or Autolusso has just made a bespoke replacement ECU for £2000+ (iirc)
The alternator can fail; engine out job
The clutch is around £700 with labour. It’s an engine out job, as is the clutch so you might as well have that replaced at the same time. That’s also £700. While it’s out, make sure the water pump is replaced with the GTV’s metal impeller, as the plastic ones can crack.

Budget for a suspension kit if it doesn’t already have one. Standard suspension has a tendency to float over mid-corner bumps. I went for Eibach ProStreet S coilovers and an anti roll bar, which makes the ride pretty uncompromising. But it has a massive upside, and the standard ride is pretty harsh anyway.

 

[conaero]

V6 pretty bomb proof and as the others say, cambelt and pumps. I have seen a few swallow a valve on higher mileage examples but it is still very rare. Diff snapping quite common too but upgrade to a Q2 stops this.

If you do need a head or a block there are loads about and not expensive.

 

[allandwf]

Make sure it has a Q2 or Quaife diff.
The ECU sits on top of the engine and can melt. Replacement ECUs are hard to find, and expensive. They can be repaired for about £300 or Autolusso has just made a bespoke replacement ECU for £2000+ (iirc)
The alternator can fail; engine out job
The clutch is around £700 with labour. It’s an engine out job, as is the clutch so you might as well have that replaced at the same time. That’s also £700. While it’s out, make sure the water pump is replaced with the GTV’s metal impeller, as the plastic ones can crack.

Budget for a suspension kit if it doesn’t already have one. Standard suspension has a tendency to float over mid-corner bumps. I went for Eibach ProStreet S coilovers and an anti roll bar, which makes the ride pretty uncompromising. But it has a massive upside, and the standard ride is pretty harsh anyway.

I'll disagree with some of that, depending on what car. I tracked some of mine and found the Q2 to not make that much difference, most of the talk I think comes from people justifying theirs. Mine were GTVs and Spiders. I lunched a couple of alternators , track day casualties, but they did not require engines out, but were awkward to get at. Clutch also, again a 3.0 GTV ,engine in but awkward , was a clutch and flywheel. Maybe the GTA is different, but those were my GTV experiences,

 

[rockits]

I'm teetering with parting with the GT V6 this year as just not using it and can't see me getting much chance this year. Previous owner bought it for 5k....had it for a year and spent 5k on it! Had new clutch, Q2 diff few other bits and bobs. I've had the wheels refurbd and made mid grey rather than silver. Need to clay, polish and wax it. Will be going for comfortably under 5k.

 

[zagatoes30]

The Busso V6 is one of the great engines that with proper maintenance will serve you well. Personally I think the old 12V units are the best, they have a low down grunt that is missing from the later 24V units. If you must go 24V the 3.2 is significantly better than the 3.0, the extra torque helps with the grunt and it revs it little heart out but it needs the Q2 or Quiafee diff to keep it all in control

As above keep the antifreeze levels high to reduce internal corrosion and change the belts regularly - other than that enjoy.

The problem you will have is the cars, early GTV are nice and surprisingly less prone to rust than the later cars. The rear suspension mounts wear and if left to long can damage the sub-frame so check for any unusual movement from the back. The GT is a great all rounder, surprisingly spacious for a coupe with an enormous boot but they are prone to rust, rear suspension turrets in particular. The gem if you can find one is the 166 3.2 Ti, I have been looking for one for years still without success.

 

[Oneball]

I'll disagree with some of that, depending on what car. I tracked some of mine and found the Q2 to not make that much difference, most of the talk I think comes from people justifying theirs. Mine were GTVs and Spiders. I lunched a couple of alternators , track day casualties, but they did not require engines out, but were awkward to get at. Clutch also, again a 3.0 GTV ,engine in but awkward , was a clutch and flywheel. Maybe the GTA is different, but those were my GTV experiences,

Not too sure about the Q2 or Quaife either. They’re ATBs and both very tame for a LSD, their benefits are marginal in some cars.

I’ve done back to back tests with a Quaife ATB and a plate type LSD in a Mini and the plate type was 4 seconds a lap quicker round the national circuit at Silverstone.

 

[SachaP]

I have just purchased a 2002 plate166 3.0 24 valve sportronic. Apologies I can't add anything useful to the debate, but I will say that the engine sounds phenomenal, and I haven't noticed anything particularly lacking in the low down grunt department. Like Zagatoes30, I reckon the 3.2 TI is the holy grail for someone looking for the best of both worlds (power as well as refinement) but owners appear to be holding on to them, as values will definitely increase.

 

[zagatoes30]

Agree that a proper LSD is better than an ATB type but I have always found that the 24v engines always have a tendency torque steer the front end, the Q2 or Quaife seem to bring this back under control unless you are being a real brute with the throttle, they also help in pulling out of corners. Never used one on a track so the differences there may be more marginal but personally I would always fit one.

 

[Matt82]

We've had a 156 2.5v6 for about ten years, it's done 150k miles and has been used as a bit of a workhorse whilst renovating our house, towing trailers full of rubble etc. The engine still sounds sweet and goes well and has never been apart. However the rest of the car now appears to be falling to bits!

 

[Oneball]

We've had a 156 2.5v6 for about ten years, it's done 150k miles and has been used as a bit of a workhorse whilst renovating our house, towing trailers full of rubble etc. The engine still sounds sweet and goes well and has never been apart. However the rest of the car now appears to be falling to bits!

I did about 80k miles in 2 years in my 147 only thing that went wrong was a cracked heat shield.

Agree that a proper LSD is better than an ATB type but I have always found that the 24v engines always have a tendency torque steer the front end, the Q2 or Quaife seem to bring this back under control unless you are being a real brute with the throttle, they also help in pulling out of corners. Never used one on a track so the differences there may be more marginal but personally I would always fit one.

One is a definite consideration, didn’t say but an ATB was around 6-8 sec a lap quicker than an open diff. They do have an advantage in that they aren’t noticeable in the way a plate type is.

 

[Guest 1678]

Oil, oil, oil - the oil pumps will fail. You will hear a clicking sound - stop and call the recovery service. Just had one fail on me at 80k and required a full rebuild. Trust your oil pressure warning on the dash if you get a low pressure warning.

Main ECU can get dry internal connections and throw up strange warnings. Various specialists can offer a replacement programmable ECU, but you are talking £1200

Further issues is the lack of spare blocks, so any rebuild will require a scrapped engine. I know pistons, conrods and bearings are available.

Water pumps should all now be replaced with metal impeller versions.

Cam belts are normally 4 year intervals, but I always replaced them at 2 years. Budget about £500.

 

[dickyb]

Not too sure about the Q2 or Quaife either. They’re ATBs and both very tame for a LSD, their benefits are marginal in some cars.

I’ve done back to back tests with a Quaife ATB and a plate type LSD in a Mini and the plate type was 4 seconds a lap quicker round the national circuit at Silverstone.

The reason for fitting the Q2 to the 3.2 V6 is not just for handling, it is considered an essential upgrade because the original diffs tend to explode and blow a hole in the gearbox casing - its not a case of if it will happen, its when...

I have a Q2 on my car and you can pretty well go around corners at whatever speed you like, it seems to hang on brilliantly.

 

[Oneball]

The reason for fitting the Q2 to the 3.2 V6 is not just for handling, it is considered an essential upgrade because the original diffs tend to explode and blow a hole in the gearbox casing - its not a case of if it will happen, its when...

I have a Q2 on my car and you can pretty well go around corners at whatever speed you like, it seems to hang on brilliantly.

I did read the somewhere thanks. Box out and diff change is a weekend job so wouldn’t be too worried about it.

What Alfa have you got?

 

[dickyb]

I'm a serial Alfa owner but currently holding down a tuned 147 Ducati Corse as my daily driver

 

[Oneball]

I was just pondering replacing the H1 with another Ducati. This was my last one.

 

[Nayf]

The reason for fitting the Q2 to the 3.2 V6 is not just for handling, it is considered an essential upgrade because the original diffs tend to explode and blow a hole in the gearbox casing - its not a case of if it will happen, its when...

I have a Q2 on my car and you can pretty well go around corners at whatever speed you like, it seems to hang on brilliantly.

This. I've seen some tales of woe...

 

[Nayf]

I'll disagree with some of that, depending on what car. I tracked some of mine and found the Q2 to not make that much difference, most of the talk I think comes from people justifying theirs. Mine were GTVs and Spiders. I lunched a couple of alternators , track day casualties, but they did not require engines out, but were awkward to get at. Clutch also, again a 3.0 GTV ,engine in but awkward , was a clutch and flywheel. Maybe the GTA is different, but those were my GTV experiences,

I've a 147 GTA - the engine bay's pretty tight. Might be different with the GTV though.

 

[Oneball]

I've a 147 GTA - the engine bay's pretty tight. Might be different with the GTV though.

What’s your opinion of a 147GTA vs a 916 Spider?

 

[Nayf]

What’s your opinion of a 147GTA vs a 916 Spider?

There's more of a thump to the way the GTA goes about its business. Out of the box they have similar foibles – the engine dominates both of them; the ride comfort, the handling, the suspension. Put it this way, on a B-road, my 166 TS was happier over the bumps and could more than keep up with the 147, and the same is true with the GTVs (I've not driven the Italian market turbo or a JTS, nor one with the 3.2 engine). That's important because if you were going the Spider route I'd suggest the Twin Spark – less scuttle shake, lighter nose for roadster-style fun and games. Still sounds good, too.
The 916 Spider in V6 isn't a bad car, it's just that if you want to do more than cruise – which is fine enough – then it'll be a bit dynamically limited compared with the tauter body shell of the 147.

I'd say a Q2/Quaife is necessary for a GTV, especially if you like to hustle it in the corners – there's a rather wonderful shot of me demonstrating the difference between a TS GTV and a V6 GTV without a diff in the big Alfa feature we did last year. Both at the same speed (not especially high; think it was 30mph on a 110 degree left hander. On the second photo you can see the precise second where my breakfast came back to say hello.

 

[Oneball]

Thanks Nayf my mum had one of the first 2.0TS Spiders in the country, in blue rather than the vomit green they seemed to give out as demos.