Conaero's Spider Rebuild

[conaero]

Busy week for me to with Grand Tourismo issues faulty trim and clicking drive shafts oh and a body control module goosing itself too.

Clicking drive shafts is worn inner splines, I had mine replaced. They say its the thread lock they used to seal them in dries out. The correct repair is to completely replace the drive shafts but I guess you already know this.

Trim, let me guess, pealing glove box and other bits????

Not very good is it?

 

[conaero]

Matt.

Welcome to stay here if you wish as long as you don't want to bring the engine in the house!

Ill have to decline your kind offer, where I go, the engine must go

 

[philw696]

Ill have to decline your kind offer, where I go, the engine must go

That's a shame Matt as Peter does a really good bacon and egg bap.

 

[philw696]

In my short experience so far best build quality is the Gransport MC Victory that interior is a work of art.

 

[conaero]

Well didn't manage to find a front oil seal so I'll have to wait. Looks like Thursday morning will be the day.

Flushed and cleaned the gearbox up yesterday, it's hanging off the engine crake in the driveway.

Today, I'll be doing the jobs that need doing before I fit the engine.

Change one inner driveshaft gaiter and fit and bleed the new master cylinder. Then I have to drill out all the seized studs on the exhaust, really not looking forward to that one!

 

[conaero]

Engine back safe and sound it was a bit of a chore as this time the gearbox was attached.

A massive thank you to Duncan and AlfaNet Services, his prices are unbelievable!

Ill clean it up at the weekend and maybe a dusting of paint here and there, then reassemble the ancillaries and sling the thing back in!

Pat (MaserSod) poped over in his posh Lotus (Alfa 4C) and took me for a blast, its very nimble, thanks Pat.

 

[Andyk]

Did you get a ride in the 4C Matt....

 

[conaero]

Did you get a ride in the 4C Matt....

Certainly did. A promise of a drive next time too if I bring the GS down for a play.

 

[Andyk]

What was it like Matt.....I would imagine Lotus like...

 

[conaero]

Mixed if I am honest.

Positives:
Stunning
Body looks well constructed
Descent exhaust note
Very good handling
Good power
Good seats
Economical
Paddle shift lightening quick

Negatives:
Constant whistle from the turbo behind your head
Lacked a V engine character
Interior lightweight or cheap depending upon how you look at it
Headlights look odd
Driving position looks awkward with offset pedals
An hour in the cabin would be enough

All in all a cracking little car for a weekend blast and getting attention in but for me, I would miss that Maserati comfort, think I am just getting old.

 

[BennyD]

What do you mean, getting old? You've already got there!

 

[Maser Sod]

I'd mostly agree with Matt's assessment. The cabin noise is a bit much, in particular, but it does do a great job in masking the cr4p stereo.

The headlights are marmite - they look odd/sh1te/cheap when off, but I reckon they look pretty darn cool when they are on.

Here's a picture of Duncan taking Matt's V6 for a walk:

 

[BennyD]

That's a hefty lump. And the engine's not so svelte either!

Those manifolds don't look very free-flowing either.

 

[Andyk]

Mixed if I am honest.

Positives:
Stunning
Body looks well constructed
Descent exhaust note
Very good handling
Good power
Good seats
Economical
Paddle shift lightening quick

Negatives:
Constant whistle from the turbo behind your head
Lacked a V engine character
Interior lightweight or cheap depending upon how you look at it
Headlights look odd
Driving position looks awkward with offset pedals
An hour in the cabin would be enough

All in all a cracking little car for a weekend blast and getting attention in but for me, I would miss that Maserati comfort, think I am just getting old.

Sounds like they have built a Lotus Elise.......Apart from the headlights...

 

[conaero]

Don't get me wrong it's a great car I think you would need it for a day to bond.

It's just not my type of car. I never liked the Elise and again a great car.

Suppose I am a bit old school, give me 4 seats, leather and a dirty great uneconomical V8!

 

[Maser Sod]

Definitely chalk and cheese.

I used to love commuting to Newbury every day in the GranSport. It was fast, comfortable and garnered plenty of admiring looks.

The 4C definitely isn't a car to commute in. Rather, it's something to blast around in on a weekend.

I wouldn't have bought it though if it were any more than 45K.

 

[conaero]

I would say £45k is a fair price for it too. As discussed, if you were to throw the extra £10k at the LE spec one then it gets in to used Stradale territory and thats a no brainer.

 

[Contigo]

Definitely chalk and cheese.

I used to love commuting to Newbury every day in the GranSport.

Did you work there?

 

[Maser Sod]

Did you work there?

Yeah, did a stint at Vodafone helping them launch 4G.

 

[conaero]

Small update as its been a week.

Engine is now stashed back in the garage, time is an issue now as I am so busy at work.

One thing did get done, I managed to find a company in Southampton who are re chroming my intake flutes for £100 to a show standard. Its a bit frivolous, but you can't have rusty flutes on what is essentially a new engine.

If I can get tomorrow off, I am going to clean the engine and give it a good going over with a rotary wire brush, then I have to reassemble all the ancillaries, wiring, and brackets. Gearbox is already fitted and has been cleaned so thats one less job.

Have 2 sheared manifold down pipe studs so that will take up a load of time I recon.