Classic Alfa Forums

Hi Guys,

I need to get a like for like performance comparison so I will get a plot from the same rolling road for that when the new engine is in the car.
In the mean time plotting the new engine performance figures from the test-bed onto the old engine performance figures chart from the rolling road is like this:
Blue = torque
Red = bhp at the flywheel

Brgds,
Simon

I should think you are very pleased with that figure.

Hi Keith,
I think the car is going to be very capable. Steel flywheel and racing clutch being fitted next. Then the refurbished gearbox with bespoke ratios, selected final drive and gripper LSD.
Maniflow full exhaust system and Tyres will be Yokohama AO52. No excuses for the driver now!

Brgds,
Simon

Wow !!
Fingers crossed for the season, I hope to get along to see some of your races.
Cheers for keeping us all up to date.

Hi Keith,
Always good to see you. The next race is Castle Combe on 6/7July. We are having a shake down on a track day on Friday 5th July.

This is one of the dyno runs to 7500:

https://youtu.be/dlMAkPxZr9g

It was fascinating to see that it ran like a pig at first. At idle it was popping and banging until the std idle jets were changed.

It idles well now and runs nicely under load from about 3200 rpm upwards.

This is the artistic shot of the recipe posing quite a few questions that are to remain with the engine builder:
This is TDC.

Hi Guys
My last race at Brands was pretty miserable as the cars behind me on the grid all passed me one by one.
The car was down on power and popping and banging.
The engine is out and stripped. The reason it was down on power was because the cam timing was out. The crankshaft pulley had loosened and the pulley key only had 1/3 width left. The key way on the crankshaft is also damaged.

Not to worry Simon, the new engine looks top notch. Have they used the dyno to give it some running time ?

The vid is the first time I’ve seen a dyno in use, always been rollers for mine.

I’ll be entering the ctcrc Cadwell meeting in September, so I’ll see you there if not before. I’m a bit envious as a Golf gti is probably the only car I’d swap my Alfa for, looking forward to seeing it in action.

Hi Tim,
That’s great you will be going to Cadwell.
I look forward to seeing you there.

They ran the engine under a light load at about 3500rpm for 15min first.
Then they loaded the engine up in 500rpm intervals from 3000rpm up to 7500rpm.
They changed the main jets a couple of times to get the fuel ratio spot on.
They also spent a lot of time changing the ignition using the Bluetooth 123ign.
They then repeated the process up to 8000rpm.
This is all done on mineral oil to run the engine in. The engine is ready to race now.

The offcoming engine is being refurbished and upgraded to go in Duncan’s red golf. I am sure it will have similar performance to mine or more.

All the best,
Simon

Getting fresh air to the Golf carbs at the rear of the engine bay is a challenge so JMR have been busy modifying the bulkhead. I am sure it will sound better as well as breath better!
Brgds,
Simon

Castle Combe 6th/7th July:

https://youtu.be/tvu9xFI5cB4

Brgds,
Simon

That mod looks good Simon.
I bet you can't wait to get her on the track again.

Hi Keith,
My Golf back this week, Malcolm’s golf will have the engine brought back to similar spec and Duncan is having an engine built now to a slightly higher spec.
So three capable machines for 2020!
Brgds
Simon

New engine in the car ready for testing this Friday.

https://youtu.be/anaZu0YAQX4

Practice went well!

https://youtu.be/zz5zGrJTNaA

Brgds
Simon

First Race was a washout due to a brake issue. Its a shame because it was my best grid position ever:

https://youtu.be/qcOT1OdwDB8

Second race was from the back of the grid but shows the potential of the car to stick with the front runners:

https://youtu.be/w0O5pz1y7_U

Next jobs:
Brake system upgrade
Overhauled gearbox, new gripper LSD, new clutch to be fitted (i was using the old one in this race)

Brgds,

Simon

Great positional nous to stay out of trouble and carve up the field.
Kudos Simon

Excellent second race Simon, she is a real flyer.
What was the problem with the brakes on the first race?
Could you put up your planned races for this season please.
Cheers.

Impressive. Some serious grunt there, where did you finish in the second race?

Hi Guys,

I finished fifth at the end of the second race. Details here:
Last two race meetings are:
Donnington Park 24th Aug
Cadwell Park 7th Sept

In general the guys are very good and make space if you are bearing down on them. The old hands even signal which side to pass.
There are half a dozen quick cars with very good drivers at the front of the pack so I will be very pleased if I can get my first ever podium finish.

All the best,
Simon

Thanks Simon,
I will put those dates on my calendar.

Hi Guys,

Had a good time at Donington and great to see a good mix of Alfas.
My Golf is capable of mixing it with the front runners now but I have to up my driving game and not make any silly mistakes if I want to get a podium.
Here are my videos warts and all:

https://youtu.be/CraeMWtNUYw

https://youtu.be/J-HgxYwY3ag

https://youtu.be/_CjKAf5uU-k

All the best,

Simon

Well done Simon, some hairy moments , and I can now see why Steve Primett was peed' off with the Jag, but for a big , heavy car it can sure haul ass.
Always enjoy your clips, thanks for sharing.

That's going really well Simon - strong in all areas and definitely giving the established front runners plenty to think about! Well done!

Thanks for the comments guys. Looking forward to Cadwell a week this Saturday. It’s just a Pre83 grid so less traffic to get through in the latter stages.

Really enjoyed the clips Simon - thanks for sharing.
I'm guessing the Red Morris Minor won't be on your Christmas card list?
A few times I found myself telling you to just go through the gaps you'd opened up with a few of the drivers.
My race craft would be non existent though!

Hi Mufasa,
The car has put me in a different group and I need to learn fast. Improve race craft and adopt some mechanical sympathy.
I end up shouting at myself watching the videos!
You can see where I dropped the pace at times for no apparent reason. I felt for the red moggie. He kept his line which is perfect.

Practising at Cadwell today with the fastest lap being a 1:45.67 this should come down a tad tomorrow but it will keep me in the mix with the front runners.
First mission is to qualify well, then get in front off the line.
Then stay calm and drive as well as possible!

Brgds
Simon

Have you got your times handy Simon for qualifying and race for tomorrow?
I plan to come up and across.

Hi Keith,

Qualifying 09:25
Race 4 13:00
Race 11 16:40
As you come in to Cadwell we are in the grass paddock on the left.
See you tomorrow.

Brgds
Simon

Cheers Simon, see you all tomorrow.
Don't think I will be there for qualifying.

I hope not Simon, isn’t this the latest timetable..... https://classictouringcars.com/wp-conte ... ue-TWO.pdf