Looking good there Ferrarist I'd love to get mine done faster than I am but I work a 60 hour week and I'm also dependent on the weather as I'm doing most of the work outside, and at my age that's about all I can cope with

Seeing your car moving certainly does make me want to get my arse in gear though, I've got a week off in November so I'll get a fair bit done then (I'm going to put a gazeebo over the car so the weather won't stop me )

Anyway, well done on your progress

A quick search shows up something like this. http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/180745378...=pla&crdt=0

It may be worth it for now and the future.

Good thought Magooagain

I'm using this at the momment, keeps the back end dry where I'm working at least.



I have got plans to build a car port at the front as soon as funds allow

Still it hasn't rained this week so I've got a fair bit done

Where's the update then?

Another couple of days and I'll have enough to put on , nearly finished myself off getting that f***kin engine and box back in the workshop though

Just stay focussed Alan, you know it'll be a triumph ( although as a former Vitesse owner I hope for your sake it won't be!)

Will do mate and No a 20VT Vitesse doesn't bear thinking about

Anyway, got to go and fix the cold start on the Doblo before I can carry on, catch up soon.

Happy with your progress and just to share my experience about subframe braces.
IMO it's really important to "brace" lower front part of the subframe with some rigid and stable part of the chassis.


Your car's balance will be around 47\53 - 40\60 front to rear(it's just my guess based on my Alfa156 balance), and there will be absolutely no reason for you to use front brembos for rear calipers.
First your brake master cylinder wont be able to create pressure needed for 2 set's of brembo calipers, brake pedal will be very soft and will travel a lot comparing with OE setup.
Smaller alfa 145's hubs with still vented and smaller discs will be better solution, you still be able to use same coilovers, ABS sensors, with smaller calipers.
Bear in mind that there 2 types of 145's hubs, if you go that route i'll explain you more if needed.

Thanks for the advice Ferrarist, I had intended using dual master cylinders with a balance bar and I wasn't going to bother with abs as it will only be a track car.

I'll let you know which route I take though, so I may use smaller rear calipers yet.

I agree with the bracing of the original part of the front subframe, I will be adding this when I finish the rest of the subframe off.

The engine photo to the garage made me chuckle slightly, I was thinking you should have done a bunch of still shots and made it into an animation

Oh, and the offer of an extra pair of hands is still there if you need it

Great progress MrT

That would have been a good thing to do, although there would have been quite a few pictures, it took me nearly a hour The extra pair of hands would be a help, perhaps you could pop over one weekend when I've got to levitate the engine in the frame to sort the mountings out

Thanks for the thumbs up Mr CC, progress has been a bit slow but I'm enjoying the process

Great efforts going on there Mr T.
I had a quick re read of your projit as i was wondering if you are going for an engine rebuild/upgrade.
Whats your plan for the engine ?

Thanks magooagain

Engine's going to stay as it is for now, it's quite nicely spec'd anyway putting out a very easy 315bhp and 340 with the boost up a tad higher.

With that power and a light car, it should still be fairly quick and I want to concentrate on the handling and brakes first and then maybe up the power, I think the chassis should always out perform the engine anyway

This is my joy of buiding unique projects, it's unkown territory building something that hasn't been done before so to see your efforts with R&D leading to adapted parts is a joy to follow and I have my fingers crossed we'll see this at Brooklands

I love updates to this project, really cant wait to see the end results!
Fantastic work

Ditto, fantastic work Mr T.

Thanks for the encouragement guy's, most appreciated .

Alexis, when are you up for a bit of engine lifting?

I can do this Saturday, in return, you can weld my downpipe?

I'm glad you put up the photo to preempt any innuendo on that statement. Still loads of scope for comments on filling your crack.

Nice work btw Mr T.

This Saturday's a bit soon for the lift I need, but you're welcome to pop over and I'll weld the down pipe for you.

And just to make it clear Mr mattB, there will not be any "crack filling" going on I can assure you

Hello stranger, glad to see you're still on top form

MrT, you have a PM

Doesn't look that different from last time

Isn't the wheel going to rub on part of the frame when the suspension compresses?

Let me know when you still need a hand with supporting the engine too.

Don't dry sump it......it doesnt worth the risk IMO......

Doesn't look any different!!! there may only be an hours worth of welding, but there's about 20 hours of thinking and measuring

And dont worry, the wheel won't rub on anything, it's just the angle of the camera

I'll certainly let you know when I need a hand and thanks again

That would be a very long way away, so no danger if it happening at this time

You not tempted to just stick a couple of trolley wheels to the front of your subframe frame and maybe a wheelie bar out the back

That would certainly be a youtube hit Nobby

keep the updates coming mate it always a good read