Thinking about Solstice GXP

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:13 am

No concern not being able to fit enough tire for a little extra boost then. Guess that helps on those V8 conversions, too.

93forestpearl · Post by **93forestpearl** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:56 am

I'd definately get one before a honda S2K. Plus, GM will sell you a 1000hp Ecotec if you want.

I wouldn't mind a detuned ecotec in a Solstice putting down *only* 6-700hp. peace out Viper, Z06, and so on.

G-reg · Post by **G-reg** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:11 am

evolutionmovement wrote:..... Guess that helps on those V8 conversions, too.

Mallet http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm will give ya an LS2 and some other goodies for 5 bucks under 20K with a warranty. That of course does not include the cost of your Solstice. That's more Cobra than anything Ford's slatherd that hallowed name on in the last 30 years.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:57 am

The S2000 is a bit overrated. One of our customers (the only S2000 with a PPG synchro gearset in the world) has a supercharged one. revlimit at 9k, holy crap is that thing wild.

I've met Chuck Mallet. He's definately the type to shove an LS motor into a car designed for less than half that.

If I could get an LS2 Sky, I'd probably do it.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:36 pm

With the tall 6th I bet it could get better mileage with a V8 than a turbo 4. On paper anyway.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:08 pm

Good grief--that V 8 conversion for the Solstice is something!

Been quiet lately as I'm getting all the stuff needed to drop the 2 L into the Alfa Spider.

The dry weight given in the hand book is 840 kg, or 1848 lbs. Add oils and half a tank of gas and the curb weight is prolly 1950.

With the two twin-choke Webers and something extra for the bigger engine the weight should be about 2050 lbs. The engine is "built" with everything balanced, 10.4 cr and the head cleaned up for better flow.

With the street cams it will likely put out about 160 chp, for a lbs/hp of 12.8. That and outstanding handling- even on humpy-bumpy roads- will surprise a few folk.

The original driver's instruction book is the only one I've seen that gives three recommended tire pressures:

"On road up to 100mph. 22.5/24."

"On road over 100mph. 25.2/26.8"

"On race track. 28/29.2"

These were for late 1950s Pirelli Cinturatos and while I've posted the max, they are at lower pressures than being used these days.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:59 pm

Those Alfas are gorgeous.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:13 am

I'll try to post some pics on the weekend

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:19 pm

That's the coolest owners manual I've ever heard of.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:13 pm

Got a "Winter Pic" posted in www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=36462

Scroll down to last night's post.

aspect · Post by **aspect** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:57 pm

If you want a two-seat roadster why not score a 2nd gen miata and badass it up?

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:47 pm

Because miatas are gay

aspect · Post by **aspect** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:26 am

A solstace is way more of a girl's car than a 2g miata.

Throw some projectors and a hardtop on a black 2nd gen...sticky tires, black chunky wheels...flyin' miata turbo kit...mmmm.

All for less than the price of a solstace.

This is a first-gen, but you get the idea:

250whp on stock bottom end!

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:52 am

I dont think Im going to be getting either now so meh

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:02 pm

Old thread bumpage...

I just test-drove a Sky Redline Turbo today at a GM test drive event they were having at the Central Florida International Auto Show...

What a POS.

Of course, crappy GM interior, no surprises there. But I was at least allowed to hammer on it through 1st and some of 2nd. A LOT of turbo lag, I mean A LOT. The car didn't really start pulling until at least 4k rpm, and didn't smooth out till past 5k rpm.

Then... it didn't really pull all that hard. It did NOT feel like it had 260hp. It's really not something I would call fast.

I will credit it with having a halfway-decent burble from the exhaust, especially under coasting. But that's about it.

Thumbs down. Sorry GM. You screwed this one up too.

However, I drove the new CTS today too, and that car I am VERY impressed with. Interior is top-notch. I was literally trying to find an interior piece that would rattle or feel chintzy and I couldn't. And the new 3.6 with direct injection is a very smooth and powerful engine. So, thumbs up on the new CTS at least.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:51 pm

I'll do an update on the Alfa.

Got it sorted out in time for the Monte Shelton Rally for older sportscars in early August. It ran from Portland to the Oregon Coast on a Friday and Saturday. With all the awards and stuff over at Sunday noon.

56 entrants with the oldest a 1939 Bentley, and we seemed to spend some road time with a 1960 Porsche Super 90 Convertible, a 1962 Ferrari V 12 Coupe and a 1954 Lancia Aurelia---v. nice company

.

The back roads are fantastic as they go from nowhere to nowhere, very little local traffic and no cops.

With the 2 L, the Alfa was quicker than the Porsche and Lancia and as fast as the Ferrari.

Altogether, with extra days for touring around the coast put on 800 miles with no probs--on a 45-year old car.

The next outing was a tour with our Italian car club up into the wine country in September. The follow-up car was a two-year old Honda S2000, and this gets interesting.

Leaving a rest stop we were trapped behind a group of RVs and the 8 other cars in our club got a way ahead by the time we finally got past.

Two-lane windy road with descents down to short bridges and long climbs up the other side. With then little traffic I was moving right along- especially on the climbing turns with some of the pavement uneven.

We caught up to our group when it was time to fuel up. The s 2000 driver came over and asked if I had a "six" in the old Alfa, and I explained that it was a good street 4 cyl 2 L. His other comments included "one fast car" and "sweet ride", which made my day.

Afterwards I looked up the specs and the Honda puts out 162 lbs-ft of torque at 6500 rpm and the engine needs to be revved to 7500 to get the performance. The car weighs almost 3000 lbs.

The old Alfa weighs a little less than 2000 lbs and the engine is putting out about 140 torque at 4500 rpm. That and the compliant, but well controlled suspension makes for one hell of a ride on uneven pavement.

There is no doubt that on a smooth road and with the Honda driven at 8 thou. it would leave me behind but in a practical world the comments were good to my ears.

That trip amounted to six days and some 800 miles with no probs.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:53 pm

Nice. I've always been an Alfa fan (getting a little excited about them coming back).

The S2000 is pretty heavy. I can't wait to see what that engine will do in something that weighs a little less than half as much.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:25 am

One of the guys on the Alfa BB is installing the S2000 into a GTV coupe--maybe 2300 lbs.

www.alfabb.com under engine conversions

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:38 am

GTVs are my favorite affordable Alfas. My ultimate dream is one of the B.A.T. cars, but that will forever be just a dream.

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Thinking about Solstice GXP