Re: Interchanging Spica injection parts

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

Hi John:

The intake system from an '80/'81 Spider is grossly different from those on 
the earlier Spica cars.  The '80/'81 system was referred to as the 
'monofarfalla', because it had but one throttle butterfly.  The earlier 
systems had 4 throttles ('quattrofarfalle'?), one for each cylinder.  So, 
there isn't any interchangeability there for individual pieces, although 
putting the entire 4 throttle intake system on a later car is considered an 
upgrade.

As for the Spica pumps, all years look similar, but there are 
differences.  The 3-D cam, which controls the fuel mixture at various rpm's 
and throttle positions, changed on an almost yearly basis.  The most 
desirable pumps are the T255 and T255/1 models from the '72-'74 
cars.  Enthusiasts think less and less of each successive year's 
pumps.  Again, the '80/'81 parts are at the bottom of the heap.  Other 
details, such as the specs for the TA's changed slightly between years, as 
did the atmospheric capsules.  Wes Ingram's Spica manual has much more 
detail, if that's what you need.  Of course, other parts of the cars 
changed along with the Spica, such as cams, exhaust, etc., so it's best to 
look at the drive-train as a system when swapping around parts.  Some 
combinations will necessarily work better than others.

If you need a pump for a '75 Spider, there have to be some out there, 
although condition of a used pump can be highly variable.  Wes sells them 
rebuilt, but you'll see them on eBay often, too.  The used pumps come from 
those non-cognoscenti carburetor-users.  Only truly enlightened souls drive 
their Alfa's with Spica injection.

Regards,

Dean


At 05:22 PM 11/8/2002, you wrote:

> Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 13:07:25 -0500
> From: "John Barbera" <j_barbera@domain.elided>
> Subject: Interchanging Spica injection parts
>
> Fellow Digesti-
>
> I'm trying to determine whether or not the Spica injection components
> from my '80 parts car will work on a '75 spider.  I know that some of the
> components changed in '80-'81, but I'm not familiar with the Spica system
> (my running spider is an '84 Bosch-injected model), and therefore the
> feasiblity/desireability of such a swap is a mystery to me.
>
> Can anyone tell me which of these components will work on the earlier
> model, and what the ramifications might be?  Any advice is, as always,
> greatly appreciated.
>
> - -John Barbera
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