any tips?

Getting back to the topic!
I have been a turbo owner for nearly 2 yeras now and recently went out in an ATMO. I was shocked at the lack of power compared to the turbo, but the low end grunt on the ATMO is nice coming out of the corners.
I curse my turbo for all the electrical problems around it and well see the appeal of an ATMO for the DIY motorist, but having been in one now, personally i much prefer the turbo. The boost really does make all the difference!
The tuning costs on the ATMO are far more expensive for less gain compared to the turbo.
I think if i was after an every day car covering a lot of miles the choice is hard. The turbo has better fuel consumption, but higher maintenance costs and the ATMO is the opposite.
Like everyone has said, drive them both (but drive a few of them) and make your own decision, its all personal choice.
Check this forum for common problems though.

If you check this forum for common problems you will have a lot of reading to do !!! I think what I mean is that you should only buy an Alpine with open eyes. They are complex and can be techy but if you have the skills to look after them you will certainly get a lot of help on the forum as I have. One of my friends is Porsche mad and derides my Alpine (although he smiled a lot when he drove it ) but he has come home on the back of an AA truck twice this year so far and I haven't once. I would not want a car with poor fuel consumption now if I intended to use it a lot (says a man with 3 of V8 gas guzzlers) and I think that is a significant factor.

Check the forum for common problems and you'll save yourself a load of grief and money This site is a mine of info ,check out any potential purchases with the Guru's here first

What is up with all you guys? The best power and refinement comes from the A610. Ok, they cost more and are have even more techy electrics than the GTA turbo but they handle better, are much stronger and start off with 250bhp that can easily and cheaply go up to 280 or so ART keep telling me! You also get ABS, aircon etc. Any Alpine will present some challenges in terms of getting it and keeping it reliable ( I should know!) but it is not as bad as a TVR and much more civilised.

You may get 250 with the A610 but its a heavy beast and all those luxuries just take away from the raw driving experience!

So David, is the 286bhp ceiling still going to be there even with the prog ECU? I thought it promised 300bhp potential with the cams etc?
286bhp would probably be quite nice actually.....the brakes will need upgrading by then anyway (you managed to sort out a monster disc kit for the rears yet Stephen?)

You could hit circa 300bhp with more boost/proper mapping combined with the better exhaust your have, as all the cars that ran around 285 still had factory type exhaust systems which we all know restrict alot of top end power.

Its the point of diminishing returns though were lots more boost doesnt equal more power at that level.

The thing with exhaust size/restriction, its more or less irrelevant what capacity engine you have. Bigger engines get more low end torque, but pumping losses are pumping losses and you can only push so much pressure through a tiny hole.

So a bit of porting may help then?

No, not really. You have to start with the biggest restrictions first. The engine has 6 39mm inlet valves and the exhaust ports are roughly the same size, but the manifolds go directly from this size into a pipe the equivalent size of one valve.

Anything before the manifold is not causing a restriction.

You may get 250 with the A610 but its a heavy beast and all those luxuries just take away from the raw driving experience!

Whilst it is true that the A610 got much heavier (My Volvo estate weighes only 30lbs more) it is still very rapid and nimble. It also feels much better planted and does not give me the sort of lift off heart failure I have experienced in GTAs near the limit. Anyway, I like the toys.

Regarding the atmo v turbo debate....

I was recently told that atmos give out a sudden magical exhaust roar at about 140 - it just comes from nowhere - and is pure delight (if not a little scary).

The stuff of myth and legend...or a common phenomena ? Who else has experienced this ?

p.s. please don't go out and try this now - I'm sure the excuse 'I was searching for the magical exhaust roar' wouldn't wash with your average traffic cop

Regarding the atmo v turbo debate....

I was recently told that atmos give out a sudden magical exhaust roar at about 140 - it just comes from nowhere - and is pure delight (if not a little scary).

The stuff of myth and legend...or a common phenomena ? Who else has experienced this ?

p.s. please don't go out and try this now - I'm sure the excuse 'I was searching for the magical exhaust roar' wouldn't wash with your average traffic cop

Yes, at 140, the engine breathes alot better as the pistons make there way out of the exhaust pipe along with the valves and crankshaft

thanks all for the information - also does anyone know which year the rear seats could be folded?
cheers
dave

Pretty sure its 1988..

My 1988 GTA turbo has folding rear seats, very handy

[Alpineandy]

No, not really. You have to start with the biggest restrictions first. The engine has 6 39mm inlet valves and the exhaust ports are roughly the same size, but the manifolds go directly from this size into a pipe the equivalent size of one valve.

Anything before the manifold is not causing a restriction.

Hi David, Are you saying the exhaust manifold is the restricting factor?

In theory at least, over 300Hp should be easily enough achieved. I am in the process of building a reasonable 2975cc motor for my GTA Turbo, and admit I will be a little dissapointed if I don't make 300.

Yes, but in theory you can think of it this way. The 2975 engine makes 160/170bhp normally aspirated with normal manifolds, but if we stick the turbo manifolds and turbo in the way, lower the compression, retard the ignition for boost your looking more likely 140-150bhp before we add boost...

If we double air flow through an engine (adding another 14.7psi of atmospheric pressure), the best we can hope for on that engine is twice the horsepower, so the best case scenario at 1 bar of boost would be 280-300bhp.

Problem is, the design of the turbo system, and poor intercooling and heat in the engine bay, isnt the best case scenario