Alfa Brera race car?
Discussion
Since selling the wifes fantastic SV6 I've had this niggle that maybe I should have kept it and geared it more toward track or race use. The stance to me looks perfect and I can't see many places where i'd need to do serious mods or metal work to get it to perform.
Things I think I should do:
Strip it and consider a full weld in cage.
Adjust and widen track all round for wider wheel base and cornering ability.
New and larger brakes on front and get existing front calipers and discs modded for fitting at the rear.
Bit of aero work (front splitter and rear wing, maybe an undertray). Rear wing really is a must i reckon due to the heavy nose.
Bucket seats and harnesses.
Fuel and brake lines.
Track rubber. Existing Prodrive wheels are fine.
Engine work (TBs?? and a manifold to match the existing prodrive system). Possibly supercharger if its reliable enough.
The problem lies here though, the fact I cannot find anywhere an example of an existing brera race car. This would at least give me a base to work on. The vision in my head looks ace, just need some realisation. To me the car looks like the perfect car for the Touring Car Championship but nowhere have i seen one.
Eddie
Things I think I should do:
Strip it and consider a full weld in cage.
Adjust and widen track all round for wider wheel base and cornering ability.
New and larger brakes on front and get existing front calipers and discs modded for fitting at the rear.
Bit of aero work (front splitter and rear wing, maybe an undertray). Rear wing really is a must i reckon due to the heavy nose.
Bucket seats and harnesses.
Fuel and brake lines.
Track rubber. Existing Prodrive wheels are fine.
Engine work (TBs?? and a manifold to match the existing prodrive system). Possibly supercharger if its reliable enough.
The problem lies here though, the fact I cannot find anywhere an example of an existing brera race car. This would at least give me a base to work on. The vision in my head looks ace, just need some realisation. To me the car looks like the perfect car for the Touring Car Championship but nowhere have i seen one.
Eddie
Edited by ecain63 on Saturday 22 September 10:02
ecain63 said:
Yeah, they are defo heavy cars. I think not short of 1800kg with all that leather and its fat arse. Was just an idea and wasnt really bothered about its wieght. Its not like im going to be entering any race series in it, just fancied something different.
Why spend a load of cash (it is a load I looked into caging cars for race use) on car that wont be ideal and will be pain in the neck to sort out?I can see you obviously like the idea of a racing brera, nice in theory, just cant help feeling youd get more bang for your buck saving money on altering the car (plus making sure the seats are road legal ect) and getting something, well better on track!
Seems like youd be better off buying a 2nd hand car thats been raced in the Alfa Romeo championship 156,147 ect.
Given youd be getting 15kish from the Brera plus the 6k youd spend getting the stuff done why not get a 2nd hand Caterham or the like?
Edited by Fantuzzi on Wednesday 26th September 00:15
No idea mate.
You could ring these guys up: http://alfaracer.com/ They may know someone.
If you could get the weight down to 1100kg (ex driver & fuel), put a big blower on it and keep the 4wd I think it could be a quick car. You probably need to fibre glass the doors, wings, bonnet & boot + plexiglass. Flatten the floor and it should go well given it's low drag shape.
If you do intend to race it there are some dos and don'ts depending on what you want to do. For example, widening the track will instantly make it ineligible for a great deal of series. As will blowing an engine not blown from factory. Happy to help if you are interested.
I would be interested in how you get on with this, keep me posted!
You could ring these guys up: http://alfaracer.com/ They may know someone.
If you could get the weight down to 1100kg (ex driver & fuel), put a big blower on it and keep the 4wd I think it could be a quick car. You probably need to fibre glass the doors, wings, bonnet & boot + plexiglass. Flatten the floor and it should go well given it's low drag shape.
If you do intend to race it there are some dos and don'ts depending on what you want to do. For example, widening the track will instantly make it ineligible for a great deal of series. As will blowing an engine not blown from factory. Happy to help if you are interested.
I would be interested in how you get on with this, keep me posted!
ecain63 said:
Wow! That's a thread revival and a half!
Nope, never did anything with the Brera. The advice was that it was pointless due to many factors.
I agree with that assessment, but if one were to be dead set on it, i do imagine a supercharger on an AWD stripped out brera could be lots of fun on track, even if its never going to win any class races.Nope, never did anything with the Brera. The advice was that it was pointless due to many factors.
I wander how light you could get the Brera to make it a fast good handling 4WD car, Id imagine it would be good in the wet at least. I read somewhere when Alfa/Abarth were replacing the 156 in group N/touring cars etc that the wrote off the 159 as a replacement because it was so unsuitable for racing. One thing that doesnt help it is the engine is quite a long way forward and theres lots of other heavy stuff stuck in the cars nose and the subframe hangs too low down and scrapes on anything with racing suspension. However it does have something going for it, the platform is very stong/stiff and they are incredibly stable and well handling at high speeds.
Edited by davebem on Friday 13th October 14:24
If you compare these to the Scirocco, that does quite well int he VW Cup against the Golfs. https://youtu.be/LbT4nEpIPa4
Scirocco kerb weight: 1,298 kg
Golf kerb weight: 1,322 kg
Brera kerb weight: 1,430 kg
159 kerb weight: 1,385 kg
As a base platform and "ultimate performance" the Scirocco would be a better bet. This matters on a race track when 1/10ths are key. For a track day it wont matter a jot and will be the best looking car out there.
Motorsport costs money. Spend it on somthing you love, hence my stupid choice of a race car (except when it rains).
Oh, and FWD & 4WD set up well can be just as fun, safer and often faster than RWD.
Scirocco kerb weight: 1,298 kg
Golf kerb weight: 1,322 kg
Brera kerb weight: 1,430 kg
159 kerb weight: 1,385 kg
As a base platform and "ultimate performance" the Scirocco would be a better bet. This matters on a race track when 1/10ths are key. For a track day it wont matter a jot and will be the best looking car out there.
Motorsport costs money. Spend it on somthing you love, hence my stupid choice of a race car (except when it rains).
Oh, and FWD & 4WD set up well can be just as fun, safer and often faster than RWD.
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