[Ellis]

Hi all, i imagine this has been discussed before, i have access to a fairly cheap early 80's twin cam alfa motor and 5 speed box. i love the look and performance of these motors. Was wondering if anyone on site has installed one in a GT.
It looks like it would be a very tight fit, in length and width, guessing would have to possibly move radiator forward and maybe cut into firewall on drivers side? Id appreciate any knowledge in regards to doing this.

Cheers Ellis

 

[kwschumm]

Cool engines but, IIRC, those engines have a really wide sump pan. Doubt it would fit without major crossmember and front suspension redesign. It would be a lot easier to install a 2.4 Opel engine for roughly similar stock hp.

 

[gt alex]

Hi, Any pictures? I looked at a 18rg toyota motor and box but decided it was just too wide. There isn't much room in the gt. What would fowl on the drives side, can the whole motor and box be moved to the side a touch or tilted a fraction?

 

[RallyBob]

The Alfa Twin cam is not only wide, it’s also quite tall as I recall. Gonna be a really tight fit in a GT.

Seems like a lot of work for 125 hp.

For comparison a stock 2.2 Opel CIH is 115 PS, and a stock 2.4 CIH is 126 PS, with substantially higher torque.

Admittedly the Alfa looks and sounds better however…😁

 

[DrinkMan]

The Alfa is quite tall and very wide at the sump which is in the front.

RallyBob is right - it looks and sounds great:

 

[RallyBob]

RallyBob is right - it looks and sounds great:

A good friend of mine had a 1978 Alfetta GTV with an aftermarket Jaffco turbo kit in the mid 1980’s. Even with a turbo, it sounded wonderful…probably from the straight-thru exhaust and gutted muffler.

Would very easily shred giubo joints, but what a blast with 270 hp.

 

[Ellis]

Great pics of motor, yeah very high, maybe i could modify the sump somewhat?? i havnt bought the motor, wanted more info re if its feasible first. ive got 2lt efi opel in at moment, does ok but can be a hard starter in cold and lacklustre performance - not bad but not great. Always liked the italian motors. I might see if i can get some decent measurements of donk and gearbox then remove mine first, make a mock up. Thanks for your inputs, much appreciated.

 

[gt alex]

Dry sump springs to mind

 

[opelbits]

Tight, tight fit. Exhaust comes out the drivers side (left side for us and the germans) and will create a lot of problems with the foot well and frame. Shifter will be much farther back, too.
A good rebuild on an Alfa 4 will be north of 5-6k.
Plus, if the rest of the exhaust isn't done well, it really affects the power.

Honestly, if it's a known good motor for cheap, I'd go find a spyder that needs a motor...that would be fun!

 

[gt alex]

Tight, tight fit. Exhaust comes out the drivers side (left side for us and the germans) and will create a lot of problems with the foot well and frame. Shifter will be much farther back, too.
A good rebuild on an Alfa 4 will be north of 5-6k.
Plus, if the rest of the exhaust isn't done well, it really affects the power.

Honestly, if it's a known good motor for cheap, I'd go find a spyder that needs a motor...that would be fun!

Mine being RHD the heat was unbearable with the heat coming through near the clutch foot with the stock engine. But even with the exhaust on the other side my plan is to run the headers under the sump then follow the "standard" path. Not unlike what's done on FWD rice burners. At least the heat will be below my feet not in the transmission tunnel

 

[Ellis]

Mine being RHD the heat was unbearable with the heat coming through near the clutch foot with the stock engine. But even with the exhaust on the other side my plan is to run the headers under the sump then follow the "standard" path. Not unlike what's done on FWD rice burners. At least the heat will be below my feet not in the transmission tunnel

Did you convert to rh drive or done already, was my aim originally but put in the too hard basket.

 

[gt alex]

Yes and yes. I bought it as RHD but it was so bad I redid it. It didn't come with the standard column and the pedals had been cut from the firewall and screwed with self tapers on the right side. the brake master cyl and push rod was moved over but was dangerous. The rack used for the steering was way short and mounted on the wrong plan just to name some problems.
So I decided to fit a Gemini front end It took some careful measurements but it fitted quite well, main challenges were removing and making new mounting brackets for the cross member to the unmodified body, mounting the rear of the lower control arm to the engine cross member and mounting shocks from the lower control arm up through the spring to get away from the shock on the upper wishbone which was too tall. Also fitted Gemini peddles.
I am happy with the handing (no sway bar) but I am going to give it all a tidy up now by fitting a better column and re make the engine cross member because I never liked the way the engineer got me to do it at the time.
Plus side is all factory Gemini geometry and easy approval.

 

[Ellis]

Yes and yes. I bought it as RHD but it was so bad I redid it. It didn't come with the standard column and the pedals had been cut from the firewall and screwed with self tapers on the right side. the brake master cyl and push rod was moved over but was dangerous. The rack used for the steering was way short and mounted on the wrong plan just to name some problems.
So I decided to fit a Gemini front end It took some careful measurements but it fitted quite well, main challenges were removing and making new mounting brackets for the cross member to the unmodified body, mounting the rear of the lower control arm to the engine cross member and mounting shocks from the lower control arm up through the spring to get away from the shock on the upper wishbone which was too tall. Also fitted Gemini peddles.
I am happy with the handing (no sway bar) but I am going to give it all a tidy up now by fitting a better column and re make the engine cross member because I never liked the way the engineer got me to do it at the time.
Plus side is all factory Gemini geometry and easy approval.

Gemini, good thinking, makes it a bit easier. My original intention was to get a half wrecked one and do the swap around, but ended up with one in very good nick, looked at amount of work to do the job - was not worth it for me. I dont have a problem with the Left hand driving now, only hassle if want to overtake, cant get clear view around vehicle in front. Would still like to see and drive in a RHD GT but. As per the post id like to make a bit more responsive power from the 2lt. Its ok - fuel efficient but could be better. Doesnt have a cold start injector so can be a bitch to start when cold.
All the best

 

[gt alex]

Gemini, good thinking, makes it a bit easier. My original intention was to get a half wrecked one and do the swap around, but ended up with one in very good nick, looked at amount of work to do the job - was not worth it for me. I dont have a problem with the Left hand driving now, only hassle if want to overtake, cant get clear view around vehicle in front. Would still like to see and drive in a RHD GT but. As per the post id like to make a bit more responsive power from the 2lt. Its ok - fuel efficient but could be better. Doesnt have a cold start injector so can be a bitch to start when cold.
All the best

If I were you with what you have I think the easy path to power would be a blower turbo or simpler a supercharger. They are many used supercharges around these days at good prices. thicker head gasket and retarded timing about I deg for each psi of boost and use a intercooler even if only 6psi. If you want to chat you can call me on 0408 752 070 during the day always happy to talk cars.

 

[Nitromancer]

I would expect hood mods are required to fit, a typical issue with any twin cam motor.

 

[G.v.Mainberg]

The possibly lower cost for the engine will be eaten up 5 times by the trouble of modifying everything else. Only go for it if you absolutely WANT this engine. If not, then invest in a little bit more money, get a nice 2.4 CIH, and have it installed in a weekend.

Dieter

 

[RallyBob]

Dry sump springs to mind

A perfect way to add $4000 to the cost of that cheap engine. Lol.

 

[Knorm65]

There is a GT in California somewhere with this engine in it. I followed the owner on Instagram I think, but I can’t find it.

 

[bolbers]

I recall seeing a GT on craigslist out of LA (IIRC) in early 2019 with some sort of Alfa twin-cam. That was when I was scouring the interwebs looking for one

 

[Knorm65]

I recall seeing a GT on craigslist out of LA (IIRC) in early 2019 with some sort of Alfa twin-cam. That was when I was scouring the interwebs looking for one

That would be the one. They had replaced all the opel badges on the car with Alfa ones too.


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