As above, new 116 owner in the fraternity.
The car in question is a Gary Pearce's old car, a 1985 Red GTV. I've never owned a 116 before and this car looks like it should make a great daily drive to replace my super.
Anyone here DD one, any things I should be looking to do in the short/near future to make things better/more reliable?
In regards to getting it home, I am once again doing the Melbourne to Gold Coast road trip. The plan so far being fly down tomorrow morning, pick up the car, meet up with some alfa guys for coffee (anyone want to join?), then drive to Sydney. 9 Hours on the Hume solo should be a ball of fun! ::) Then a friend is flying down to Sydney on Saturday and we'll leave early Sunday morning to do the final leg to the Gold Coast.
I'll try and keep you all updated with the trials and tribulations of the trip, hopefully the weather holds up!
Andrew
I forgot to add.
I can throw some parts in the car for anyone wanting some stuff brought up from Melbourne if it's not too far out of my way (or too big!)
Speaking from experience - check the driveshaft rubber donuts are sound. Tell tale sign is rattling from the transmission tunnel, especially at idle.
Oooo what parts are available:-)?
Regarding the donuts, at idle but at also roughly 2900-3500rpm aswell!
Can always add relays to the lights/wipers, would recommend going through it's electric system!
As someone who has daily driven a GTV, my thoughts:
1: relay your ignition switch
2: clean all grounds
3: relay your starter
4: relay your headlights
These are all quite cheap, especially if you do the work yourself.
Yes, your donuts are important but you usually get some warning well before they go. Electrical gremlins leave you stranded suddenly. It's expensive, but a TS transaxle revolutionises these cars. Much better ratios, stronger synchros (less grinding) plus a LSD.
I also find heat can be an issue if you live in QLD/WA/SA etc. Air-con goes a long way but will struggle unless you also tint the windows and improve the floor insulation. These cars love the cold weather!
I also went the way of a TS engine but a well sorted nord can work if you are used to that. The FI is very nice on cold mornings...
well if you have a problem within 50kms of newcastle
happy to help ill send you my mobile
Thanks for the offers and tips fellas!
Old cars in summer suck - I ran a Citroen GS over 2 summers - never been in such a hot car!
105's in comparison are nice, but I assume the 116 will be a tad hotter due to the glasshouse.
I'll look into installing relays, reliability is paramount.
Thanks again guys.
Andrew
Welcome! All great suggestions so far I'd also suggest an alternator upgrade to 80 amps makes a big improvement on stock. goodluck!
Alfapride, do you need to do any other mods to upgrade to the 80 amp alternator, or is it a straight swap? I might look at that.
Hi there I recall the auto elec adding another earth and positive wire as original wiring isn't strong enough gauge if done correctly you can blend it nicely into the loom it's easy to do if you know how the auto elec fitting the alternator would do it as part of the job id recommend the relay upgrades already mentioned too
Also I'd recommend new cooling fans the originals suck a lot of current and don't draw much air new ones are lighter more quiet and more efficient I purchased two 10 inch fans on eBay for 40 dollars each and very pleased with the outcome.
Cheers Alfapride. The relays are on my definite to do list, as she struggles to keep the headlights, wipers, demister and stereo all going at once! When its dark and rainy, I tend to drive in silence...
I'm pretty happy with my existing fan - comes on when its supposed to, and the engine to date has never run too hot, even when stuck in accident traffic for an hour recently. Just replaced thermostat, water pump and rad hoses too. Will see how she handles summer, which will be the real test I suppose.
If your Gtv has the two fan system your auto elec can wire them in parallel to work together at same time the second fan was for your air con however I don't know many Gtv with working air con so good to put that unused fan to good use.
How'd the trip go so far? Sounds like there was a side trip to Brunswick involved...
Quote from: Alfapride on August 27, 2015, 10:43:28 PM
Welcome! All great suggestions so far I'd also suggest an alternator upgrade to 80 amps makes a big improvement on stock. goodluck!
I used 164 alternator on my giulietta