Alfa Romeo Spider 3.7L 24V V6 Build

[street]

Reply.

Blazed through the whole thread, wow man what a project, very impressive!

How could I not subscribe.

Thanks 161 for going through it all! More on the way!

street

[161]

Blazed through the whole thread, wow man what a project, very impressive!

How could I not subscribe.

[street]

Update

Work continues on the rear diffuser. More specifically, the air flow fins.

First off, know that this is no cute tack-on panel. It's a fully working unit that ties into a complete belly pan under the car. All the way into the front splitter. These diffuser fins are needed to channel the air and promote less lift at speed. Thus, more downforce when combined with a belly pan.

Ok, let's get in.

I was not satisfied with the stock Ferrari fins and felt the shape was off. Knowing full well not to mess with what Ferrari spend enough hours in the wind tunnel designing these fins, they still needed tweaking aesthetically for the Spider.

More aggression was needed and after looking into a longer line, I realized I was going in the wrong direction. Here's where things started. Stock on the left and my first concept next to it. Not much change as you can see. But it was still not there. And after cutting four panels, I knew I had to go back to the think pad.



Then it hit me, just adjust the stock examples in two areas slightly. The problem with them? Too short. What they needed was a push of about 1.75 inches forward. So I cut them off to re-positioned them accordingly.



After pushing the fins forward, I mocked them into place for the initial spec check. I set the levels for the two inner fins to be a 1/4 inch more forward to promote more depth and drama.



Notice now how the fins mimic the exhaust tunnel more and the inner fins play off the position of the port itself without competing with it.



Hits here as well. Now follow the lines of the fins and you'll see why I adjusted the rear edges of the diffuser a few days ago.



All lined up perfectly. Look closely and you'll see the panels I fabricated not too long ago to coincide with the bumper sweep. These hidden panels contain the exterior air and throw it into the diffuser.



With the speck check passing it's test, I applied a thin layer of glass to hold the fins in place. Then sanded the joins smooth and even.



Now, what about the new caps? Here is the space that needed attention to complete the transition.



Simple. Fabricate end caps from 25 thou aluminum to mold off of. Then grind them back to align them into the exhaust line.



All four done and lines tweaked accordingly. Notice the subtle dictated angle change.



In for second spec check before finalizing end cap positions.



In for a closer inspection. Check.


[SIZE="4"]
All good from the other side.


Detail work all good from the other side. I love detail work like this. 99% of people wouldn't even look for subtleties this small. But I do.



Straight on spec check. Check.



With every line getting a passing mark, it was time to glass mat everything in solid with two layers.



Two layers of glass mat complete.



More checks.



End caps off mold in place and blended.



Drying time. Lights out.



street

[street]

Replys.

i keep repeating myself in this thread

another awesome update street

Another great update, cannot wait to see the finished product, will be great day indeed.

Thanks P78 and nellydragracer! What I want to instill in anyone into what I'm doing here, is that when I sign in, I don't show up to talk shit, write dumb shit or flab my gums about some "wish-list" shit.

Expect damage everytime!!

street

This build continues to choose the right path, love this car!

Thanks LronSign! I think quite a bit before I get into anything. In event that a mod does not pan out or look soft. I will do it over, till it's right. Count on it!

street

this porchmeo is awesome!! can't wait to see the end of this project, should be of epic proportions

Thanks The Riddler! But the only thing this car has in common with a 911, the the circular headlamps. My housings are more curved, my lamps are larger and the edges are frenched.

Aside from the once Ferrari F430 diffuser that has been seriously revamped, this Spider is 100% Alfa Romeo throughout the drivetrain to the body. Custom touches are mere tweaks from the original.

street

[The Riddler]

this porchmeo is awesome!! can't wait to see the end of this project, should be of epic proportions

[nellydragracer]

Another great update, cannot wait to see the finished product, will be great day indeed.

[LronSigh]

This build continues to choose the right path, love this car!

[P78]

i keep repeating myself in this thread

another awesome update street

[street]

Update

Details continue with the deletion of the triangle vent windows that resided in between the windshield and main door glass. I was replacing the old seals in that window when I realized just how much cleaner the car looked without them.

And the rest is history.

street



I them moved onto crafting a new line for the bottom of the rear diffuser. Prior, that line dipped below the rear bumper and was visually weighing down the rear end.

So after a bit of cutting, I began the glass and sanding stages until it was perfect.


Once I was satisfied with the line, I sprayed it in a satin black for a touch of contrast from the rest of the car and set it to dry.



In for spec checks and all was in line. What cannot be seen here, are two fins that I fabricated to pick up the slack and divert the air onto the diffuser.



The diffuser fins are next up and I should be onto that real soon. Here you can also see the exhaust tip mock I made that will get fabricated very soon as well.



street

[street]

Replys.

Looks good! Can't wait to see more.

Thanks SR! Stay tuned - working on tweaks and details.

street

VERY worthy brethren, simply Ooowesome!

Thanks the12for12! Respect.

street

wow! i just read the whole thread and i'm just amazed. reply for sub

Thanks bennorz for going through it all!

street

AMAZING Werk man!

Thanks Mike10562004!

street

[Mike10562004]

AMAZING Werk man!

[bennorz]

wow! i just read the whole thread and i'm just amazed. reply for sub

[the12for12]

VERY worthy brethren, simply Ooowesome!

[StatusRacing]

Looks good! Can't wait to see more.

[street]

Update

I've been super busy with work and travelling as of late and have had next to no time for the build. But I recently had a chance to complete a couple tasks off the main list. That came in the form of heat suppressing foil from Damplifier Pro. This stuff is the thickest and most potent heat barrier product there is - just over 8mm thick. The engine will kick out madd-heat and I don't want any of it entering the cabin.

I applied it all the way from the top of the firewall...



...to beyond the parcel shelf and ending on the trunk wall behind the carpet.



I then slotted in and mocked the carpet and re-installed the console for checks. The final work/fitting/clean-up will be done by my trimmer.



I also relocated the fuse box and routed the gauge and lights wiring. Missing are the lower dash pieces that are not shown.



Two of the seven colors shown on the gauges.





street