1987 Alfa Spider "graduate" engine swap

Heffy

Newbie
Points
16
Location
USA San Diego
Car
1987 Alfa Spider
I have a chance to obtain an Alfa "Graduate", the engine is shot, trans? Body is great! What are the opinions for:
1. a good purchase price?

2. would you swap out the engine and trans for another brand, Ford, Nisson, etc. Nothing much bigger just newer 4 cyl two liter. If so what and why?

3. Rebuild the alfa engine and trans?

Appreciate your opinions. I understand the purists will go nutz but Wifey wants a dependable roadster to roll with our BMW MC friends. (I only go for 4 wheels!)

THX!
 
Hello and welcome to TC,

If this were my dilema then I would consider the following first before jumping straight in,
1. do I have the time, space and money for such a project?
2. are the parts I would need readily available (are there many Alfa specialists in the US?)
3. would my partner be OK playing second fiddle to the car for any length of time? (plenty have forgotten to ask this question and found out to their cost:lol:)
4. could I live with myself and the car if I changed the Alfa motor for a generic Jap one

If it were mine, I have to say I would spend the time to rebuild the original engine and transmission and get it back to how it would've come from the factory

I can't comment on the purchase price as I have no idea what a car like that would go for over here let alone in the US.

Anyway, good luck with your project and don't forget to keep us updated
 
Thanks for the input. The Alfa is my second project. My first project started out at $3500 and is now getting close to completion for $20,000 plus and still needs paint. The engine was the big $ item, the rest were all $3.00 to $150.00 increments. I could end up with an awfully expensive alfa!

The partner is in because of heated seats!

Since there are plenty of smaller engines/transmissions available. I am still wondering if there are any conversions out there?

TTFN!
 
If you are looking at engine transplants then look first to other Alfa engines that may be available, something like the 1.6/1.8/2.0 twin spark would look good and probably fit without too much trouble and also keep some sort of originality with it.
 
Good advice. I am looking for alternative drive trains to help me decide if I want to go forward with the Alfa or stay with the car I have. Both are very cool cars.
The Alfa, Possibly, gives me the ability to upgrade to a newer power plant, 2.0 is fine, and have parts available for a long time.

Thanks again for the input I hope there is someone out there who has re-fit an Alfa.
 
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