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Thread: New Car Day this Saturday

  1. #61
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Many cars are not running at 'optimum'. Clean filters, good lubricants and decent state of tune make a big difference. How many owners have the EGR cleaned for instance?
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  2. #62
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    So...
    Got the Brera Terracleaned yesterday.

    To use a hifi analogy, first thing I noticed is the "noise floor" had dropped?
    After the initial deep growl at startup the car seems quieter: that is...until you rev it.
    Engine notes deeper, louder and it's growl sounds more powerful, noticably so.

    Driving the thing; something that bothered me has been fixed just from getting the engine cleaned, and this alone is worth the cost of the clean.
    At about 1000 rpm in first there was a hesitation and a judder before stepping up to 2nd. Progression through the revs is now smooth and rock solid now and the hesitation is gone.
    Apparently this was a common issue with earlier pre 08 2.2 Brera's, so was a bit disappointed when my 08 plate facelift car seemed to have the same issue.
    All gone after the Terraclean, seems it was the engine being a choked that was causing it, now sorted.

    Car feels a lot more sprightly too, a lot more "shove" throughout the rev range and theres now a diesel torque style kick in the back when accellerating that wasn't really there before.
    Driving feels more precise, revs stop and start in a way they didn't before and it drives a lot smoother, feels more powerful.
    Goes down the road more than quick enough, point the car, press the pedal and it just...Goes.

    Helluva lot of fun to drive, the improvement coming from a peachy engine working at it's best I guess.
    Along with feeding it higher octane petrol, the Terracleaning has maybe given the car back more of it's "Alfa-ness".
    The performance more matches it's looks now, which was the hope going into it so job's a good'un.
    Thanks for the reccy Marco.

    Wonder what a remap might bring to the table?
    Probably not a huge increase in bhp, what I have is more than plenty, but if I can improve the driving experience in a similar way the Terracleaning has done, I'm all for it.
    Some research required...
    Nice one, Gaz! Those are *exactly* the benefits you should've obtained. Pleased you also noticed the reduction in "noise floor" (engine quietness), even without me prompting you, which shows it wasn't imagined

    That was one of the main advantages I gained, too. Also keep a check on your fuel consumption now, in comparison with what if was before (if you got a chance to measure it in the short time you've had the car), as you should be getting more MPG.

    Now... Yes, yes and YES - get a remap done!! *BUT* don't get a tuning box, as generally they're pretty shit and don't properly max out the individual parameters necessary to tune your specific engine.

    So, what you want it to scour the 'net and find a genuine engine tuning expert, who will manipulate the right software to max out your car's engine parameters, simply using said software and his knowledge and experience - and then, WOW, watch your car go!!

    Still waiting on that phone call, to tell you what else to do, which will put a big smile on your face, but you're a bugger for arranging times to call and then nowt happens...

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  3. #63
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

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    Very little to be had from a retune to this engine - about 10hp and a little more torque. Shame, but that's usually the case with normally aspirated engines.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  4. #64
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

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    Might be surprised, Ali, depending on who's doing the work and how familiar they are with Breras, and whether they could eke out that bit more 'zip'

    If Gaz lived around here, I'd send him to the guy who does the Brabster, as he's absolutely top-notch. Another thing Gaz should look into are K&N filters, and see if any are available for his car (oil and air filters). The air filters in particular not only help give the engine more 'growl', but can also increase HP. Plus, they should never need replaced.

    Oh, and Gary, keep up with using your BP Ultimate. It also certainly helps build up your Nectar points!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  5. #65
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Well no, it's just not there to be had. Very easy with a turbo engine, all you do is mess with boost pressure and fooling the engine into thinking it's cold so it injects more fuel, as well as EGR and DPF deletes on diesels - all these can produce a great deal more power like you have with yours, but none of these options are there for a normally aspirated engine.

    I did a lot of research on this when I had my V6 Alfas.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  6. #66
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Ok, fair do's... I bow to your Alfa experience in these matters

    Hopefully the K&Ns are a goer, though!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  7. #67
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Oh aye, should give a wee bit more.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

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