Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Trackday Project
Our time with this particular GT 3.2 V6 (definitely one of our absolute favourite models around these parts) goes as far back as 2014 when we actually used it for a while as a daily driver. We then sold it on and kept in contact with the owner, watching him utilising each of those 240 dulcet-toned horses around Snetterton a couple of times.
Now it’s time for it to enter it’s next stage. We’re developing it as a much more performance-orientated beast; a more focussed fast road and track, A-to-B weapon. As you know, we rate the GT 3.2 as an incredible gran turismo (clue’s in the name, right?) but in order to get the most out of it around a circuit a few areas will need refining. Luckily for us, the Q2 limited slip differential is already in place, so that’s a big tick in the box. Slightly less importantly, but no less likely to put a smile on our infantile faces, we’d also previously installed a Scorpione exhaust system.
Currently on the to-do list while it’s on our ramps are:
New radiator
New cam belt
New water pump
New stabilizer bush
Front brake hoses
A short shifter to tighten up the gear changes
After this, the basis will be sound and we’ll be able to really get going with our plans for this car. Watch this space, and keep an eye out for us around Murray’s if you’re at Snetterton in the new year.
Update 20/03/20
Just before motorsport (along with most other aspects of life) came to a grinding halt, we managed to sneak the project GT 3.2 out for its first shakedown around Snetterton earlier this week.
It seems a lot of other people had the same idea as us, as we shared the paddock with a whole host of pretty serious looking race and competition-prepared pedigrees.
Amongst who was Paul Webster in his Alfa Romeo Championship 147 3.2 GTA. A good friend to us here at italicar - we’ve been proud to sponsor his Championship-winning 156 V6 in past seasons, so it was great to be out on track with him…even if it was only occasionally that we caught a glimpse of his rear bumper!
The GT itself, though, performed admirably. This session was used essentially as a fault-finding mission for us to unearth any niggles to be ironed out before undergoing any intricate development. Luckily, few surfaced. The V6 Busso was on its most melodious song in the cool conditions and even though the GT’s diet has yet to begun, we were surprised by its speed on the straights and out of the corners. In fact, there was little out on track that could blow it away power-wise and, as we said, there was some serious metal on show.
We weren’t expecting this to be the finished article (by any stretch of the imagination!) so we stuck with its fairly lacklustre Cooper road tyres. For the purpose of this testing exercise, we didn’t think we’d really need much more. But after one attempt at Coram, boy did we wish we’d have given that some more thought.
Grip was practically non existent, particularly in the greasier conditions of the morning laps. But, that’s an easy gain - we’ll simply treat it to some proper rubber next time around.
In terms of other areas for improvement, weight saving is another obvious one. At the moment it remains in its full road-guise, so stripping the interior out will revolutionise its behaviour in the bends.
Some decent performance oriented suspension is also definitely needed to maximise its sizeable potential. What feels nice and squishy on the B-roads feels seasick inducing on the track.
But first signs are definitely promising. That engine is just bloody incredible, and with the Q2 diff’ helping deliver its power on the exits, this thing already felt seriously quick. We’ve got some bits and pieces on the shopping list ready to get it closer to the full track-prepared GT 3.2 we’re envisoning - but we’re already seriously enjoying it in these early stages!
Update 19/08/2020
Not a lot has changed mechanically since the last outing, but we’ve fitted a straight-through exhaust system to it (your volume needs to be up when watching the video below!) and we tested some new tyres on it. By tested, I mean destroyed after one session. But, on the upside, she managed to keep all 510bhp of an Aston Martin Vantage at bay!