National Alfa Day 2025

[rsfruitbat]

Anyone planning on going?
£29 (near as dam it) each seems a lot to me.

Rsfruitbat

[Sud 145]

Not for me - I've got a local show that week with 700 cars for half the price.

[Spacenut]

I'm hoping to make it this year.

I have just added an engine oil cooler to the long list of changes since 2022 (the return journey basically killed my old engine). I'm slowly building confidence in readiness for a 180 mile round trip!

As an AROC member I do get a discount, but of course I have paid an annual subscription as well!
Are you going Fruity? Anyone else planning on going? I was hoping to park up with some Suds if possible!

Lauren

[Spacenut]

Still on course to make it to Bicester this year, but I have just looked at the ticket prices for non-AROC members and it is £27.95 per head and all tickets have to be ordered in advance because there are no facilities for paying "on the door".

I guess it was the same situation in 2022 when I was last there but this is the first time I have checked entry fees for a non-member. I guess the general public won't be much in evidence... and not a lot of interest here either, it would seem

I'm going to advise my friend to give this one a miss, but I will still be there, hopefully...

Lauren

[rsfruitbat]

Hi.
There was a small chance we might have gone but even that has disappeared now.
At least weather looks like it will be good.
Hope all goes well for those going.
Have fun Lauren

Rsfruitbat

[Spacenut]

There was a small chance we might have gone but even that has disappeared now.

Hi Fruity - nothing too serious I hope?

I will try and enjoy the experience, but I am still at the I-can't-believe-I-got-here-without-any-dramas phase. Even getting there is like making a successful moon landing - you still have to get back afterwards!

Still, I have given myself the best possible chance of success - new oil cooler, fresh 20W50 (fully synthetic, with added Zinc), new radiator fan controller, mapped electronic ignition... Well, we shall see

Lauren

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Lauren
Did all the mods work?
Did you get there and back ok?

Rsfruitbat

[Spacenut]

Yes!

Although as is so often the case, not without a certain amount of drama - the fuel starvation issue that affected me in 2022 came back, just after I joined the A34 on my return journey. I could see the erratic fuel delivery on the Nav computer display, with mpg fluctuating wildly between 9 and 6,335

Fortunately the issue cleared sufficiently for me to pick up the pace but it was still a bit nerve-racking!

I checked the stainless steel filter in the regulator today and that is clear of debris, so I will work my way up the line to see where the problem is occurring. I have a filter in the Facet fuel pump and a disposable pre-filter in front of the that (replacement on order). I also need to replace the tank pickup extension hose because it is not designed for full immersion and may be collapsing internally under suction. I will also check the tank vent, which has a roll-over valve and a two-way pressure vent, maybe it is blocked or stuck and creating a vacuum in the tank.

As for the other mods, that is a much happier story - my average oil pressure actually increased as the journey went on, and being fully synthetic oil didn't exceed 65psi at speed or drop below 25psi at idle. Engine temperature stayed rock solid at 83 degrees throughout, in spite of the driver getting cooked!

Mapped electronic ignition also appeared to work well.

The replacement pre-filter arrives mid-week, as does the full immersion hose. If the pump filter and venting check out then hopefully this will fix the issue once and for all, although I still have nagging worries about Ethanol doing unspeakable things to my fibreglass swirl pot (large concentrations can dissolve fibreglass resin and clog carburettor jets).

I will do a full show report soon as there was much to see - there was around 42 'Suds and Sprints in attendance, plus a separate display of at least a dozen 33s. Watch this space!

Lauren

[Spacenut]

Video from the event is already on Youtube, including some footage of yours truly at 20:08

https://youtu.be/aFkH8w5z938?si=v3l_nazQ-r3JJqaH

Hanger shots start at 31:19 - a really good turnout, particularly of 'Suds and Sprints.

Lauren

[rsfruitbat]

What facet fuel pump do you have Lauren?
I have had loads of prob!end as they don't like lifting fuel. They prefer to be gravity fed. I bought 2 of the same model and one works with my setup ad the other wont.
Rsfruitbat

[looloosud1984]

Hi Ade. I’ve got a Facet red top that i ran as my low pressure pump on the inj 16v. I located it near the rear suspension arms and never had a problem it occasionally pumped air under hard cornering mainly towards the end of a race as my fuel level would be getting low but it never packed up. The small facets I have had problems with if mounted at the front as you rightly say they don’t like pulling fuel.

[rsfruitbat]

I have a facet silver top as the lift pump to fill my swirl pot which is mounted in the football behind the drivers seat. Years ago I can mitsuba fuel pumps and found them a lot better.
Rsfruitbat

[Spacenut]

Hmm, interesting. I am using a Facet Red Top, but I have been advised to relocate my fuel flow transducer after the pump because it, and the pre-filter that has to go in front of it, may be creating further resistance. The pulsing from the pump will interfere with the flow measurements, which is why the manufacturer recommends fitting it between the fuel tank and the pump, but as this measurement is not critical (I just use it to calculate mpg), it is next on my hit list because all of the filters and the fuel tank pick-up were completely clear.

If the problem persists following sensor relocation it can only be carb contamination from fibreglass resin dissolved in Ethanol, and I don't want to think about that

Lauren