Spider tailpipes, the final word

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Group:

Many a thread on this Digest has been built around exhaust fumes in the 
cockpit of 105/115 Spiders (with similar threads for 
Alfetta's/GTV6's).  Much confusion was added when the distinction between 
gas fumes (as in unburned fuel) and exhaust fumes (as from a tailpipe) was 
blurred and the two eventually became interchangeable.

My concern has always been with the exhaust fumes from my '74 Spider, which 
had an aftermarket Monza rear exhaust installed by a previous owner.  This 
piece has a 3" diameter straight tip extending a few inches from the rear 
valence, similar to Ansa, Supersprint, Stebro, et al.  Driving with the top 
up, and with windows down, the cockpit was sometimes unbearable for long 
drives, and the rear of the car also became discolored from the fumes 
trapped (presumably) by the stagnant air mass created by Dr. Kamm's tail.

This Saturday I installed an OEM rear exhaust (Cisam brand), with the 
proper 2" diameter downturned chrome tip.  Not to my surprise, the problem 
has been solved, as the exhaust is properly dumped into the (again, 
presumably) fast-moving stream of air that flows from under the rear 
valence.  I've driven the Spider about 150 miles in the past couple of 
days, again unbearable with the top up, but only because the weather here 
in SW Florida has been so beautiful.  I smelled not the slightest hint of 
exhaust, and for the real test I took my wife for a drive, and she 
concurred.  I also cleaned and waxed the rear of the car beforehand, and so 
far, the stainless bumper is still stainless and the license plate is still 
clean and shiny.

Alfa changed to a straight tip, I think on the '84 or '85 Spiders, and that 
continued to the end of production.  One might guess that the 
rubber-spoilered Spider has a different airflow pattern, but what about the 
last of the 105/115 Spiders, with a tail much closer to the Spica 
cars'?  In both cases, exhaust emissions are grossly cleaner than a Spica 
car could ever hope to have, so that should also be a factor.  Whatever the 
case, my '74 Spider has been cured, and all it took was the OEM 
tailpipe.  As far as the sound differences between the Monza and OEM, the 
OEM seems just the tiniest bit louder.

I've still got the Monza rear section in the garage.  It's solid, but of 
course has a complete coat of surface rust, and the part of the tip that 
extends past the valence has OK chrome.  If you're in the Tampa area and 
want it, it's free and up for grabs.  I won't ship it, so we'll have to 
meet somewhere, and Saturday it will be trashed if no one inquires.  It 
needs a new hanger and gasket, each available for just a few $.  (It would 
look awfully nice on that $15K restoration project '74 Spider for sale in 
Safety Harbor!)


Regards,

Dean W. Cains
dwc@domain.elided

'74 Spider Veloce
Lutz, FL

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided