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4C spider owner from Netherlands (plus Giulietta QV and 156 GTA)

6K views 46 replies 15 participants last post by  ArjanB 
#1 · (Edited)
Would like to introduce myself here, as my 4C spider has just arrived.
Originally a German Jahreswagen (dealerstock) built in 2017, sold to previous owner in Germany in 2018 who had to sell it last year.
Deman autogarage in Brussels bought and took it to Belgium, sales guy drove it for a while to increase mileage (only when car has driven more than 6000km it can be imported as a used car from one country to another) and in December 2022 I bought it, so I am effectively the second owner.
Had it transported to Netherlands last week, so it is now in my garage.

It has all the nice goodies: leather dashboard (quite rare option in Europe but was a must-have for me), race pack incl race suspension, full-leather seats (black w red stitching), 18/19" rims, rear parking sensors, carbon mirrors, the original carbon keyring, and the beautiful rosso competizione paint.
And the "spider" eyes headlights as on the introduction coupe version (bi-led in carbon, €3500 option!) really cool as most spider versions have the more mainstream Ferrari-alike headlights. I like these "spider" lights now more than the normal ones, but frankly it did take a while to get used to (since 2015)...




(note the Jaguar E-type on the back)

On the picture you also see my Giulietta QV in grigio magnesio opaco, which has same aluminum TBi engine and TCT gearbox, and is my 'daily driver' (albeit that I go to work by bicycle).
It has improved air intake BMC DIA airbox, 3" downpipe, race-kat and Ragazzon exhaust, Eibach suspension and remap done to engine ECU and TCU to reduce shifttimes, power is up to slightly over 300pk currently.

loading for transport (and when driving home, just as easy to also put the Giulietta on the truck):




My other 'hobby' car is a Alfa 156 GTA, with the famous Busso V6 engine in its strongest form as 3.2.
Also has adapted intake, exhaust, suspension, etc etc delivering almost 270pk.

Rationally I should be selling the GTA now I have the 4C, but can't get myself doing so - this car is so nice, good, and different: naturally aspirated, enormously eager to throttle, super direct steering, and the sound!!









plans with the 4C
After technical check for import I am planning some mods (as I did with my other cars):
  • install spacers (delivered with the car) done
  • install Novitec exhaust (idem) done
  • ECU remap done
  • GMS alignment blocks, and a proper alignment
  • GMS rear uniballs arms done
  • red seat belts (had those installed on my Giulietta as well, really nice looking upgrade)
  • have the brake calipers painted yellow (currently black) done
  • adapt seat tilt / elevation adjustment done
  • adapt steering wheel angle (for visibility of dashboard) done
  • apply coating on bodywork (or ppf, but quite expensive so maybe later...)
  • PU lower engine mount (probably later)
  • TCU water protection shield
Car also came with Novitec coilover set, not sure what I'll do with those - want to first experience the 4C as-is, and then decide whether to install, or sell.

I'll post progress on upgrades here, luckily most info on these upgrades I found here on the forum - big thanks!!
 
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#2 ·
I'd say "welcome", but I see you're an old timer on this forum.
So congratulations on getting your car. It looks beautiful, and you're obviously an Alfa fanatic. So it's landed in good hands.
Looking forward to reading more about your experiences with the car, and your build.

Enjoy!
 
#3 ·
I'd say "welcome", but I see you're an old timer on this forum.
Just checked and apparently I joined forum on July 27, 2018.
I paid and transported my 4C on January 27, 2023 - so it took me exactly 4,5 years to transfer from reader to owner. On the day precise!
What a coincidence, should be a good sign I hope.
 
#7 · (Edited)
The GTA is from 2003, second year they were on the market. All in all quite a rare car, only 1174 SW (sportwagon) w manual transmission built:

156 GTA 3.2: 2625
156 GTA 3.2 SELESPEED: 348
156 SW GTA 3.2: 1174
156 SW GTA 3.2 SELESPEED: 504

147 3P. GTA 3.2: 4025
147 3P 3.2 SELESPEED GTA: 1004
 
#9 ·
#11 ·
Oeps, goed om te weten, stomme redenen om iemand er uit te zetten.
Ja, met een 4C (en ook met mijn andere Alfa's) wil ik natuurlijk wel goed gas geven tijdens dit soort ritten, voort sukkelen in het verkeer kan dagelijks al... We'll see
 
#12 ·
some nice goodies on its way from @GMS : uniball rear suspension arms, and front camber/caster blocks.
Although I have hardly driven my 4C (only short test drive), the tramlining was very noticeable. And one thing I learned over the years upgrading and improving my cars: you shouldn't wait too long, and waste time enjoying the car, by thinking about upgrades, especially when they are advised so heavily by others who experienced the car for a longer time already (like here on forum): have them done and enjoy the better car.




Appointment for installing the rear arms is made for mid-April, together with ECU remap, PU insert in lower gearbox mount and BMC filter install :D
Planning to do the front camber/caster plates myself.

So before mid-April, I will have some time driving the OEM rear setup, and expect to be able to feel difference between original and uniballs.
But first: wait for the appointment to officially import the car, (pay the required taxes...) and get license plates, planned to be all arranged mid-March.
 
#13 ·
some nice goodies on its way from @GMS : uniball rear suspension arms, and front camber/caster blocks.
Although I have hardly driven my 4C (only short test drive), the tramlining was very noticeable. And one thing I learned over the years upgrading and improving my cars: you shouldn't wait too long, and waste time enjoying the car, by thinking about upgrades, especially when they are advised so heavily by others who experienced the car for a longer time already (like here on forum): have them done and enjoy the better car.




Appointment for installing the rear arms is made for mid-April, together with ECU remap, PU insert in lower gearbox mount and BMC filter install :D
Planning to do the front camber/caster plates myself.

So before mid-April, I will have some time driving the OEM rear setup, and expect to be able to feel difference between original and uniballs.
But first: wait for the appointment to officially import the car, (pay the required taxes...) and get license plates, planned to be all arranged mid-March.
I got my upgrades to. Installing them next week.
Triangle Symmetry Rectangle Symbol Circle
 
#14 ·
Would like to introduce myself here, as my 4C spider has just arrived.
Originally a German Jahreswagen (dealerstock) built in 2017, sold to previous owner in Germany in 2018 who had to sell it last year.
Deman autogarage in Brussels bought and took it to Belgium, sales guy drove it for a while to increase mileage (only when car has driven more than 6000km it can be imported as a used car from one country to another) and in December 2022 I bought it, so I am effectively the second owner.
Had it transported to Netherlands last week, so it is now in my garage.

It has all the nice goodies: leather dashboard (option in Europe but was a must-have for me), sport suspension, leather seats (black w red stitching), 18/19" rims, rear parking sensors, carbon lights, carbon mirrors, in rosso competizione.
And it has the original 4C "spider" eyes, really cool as most spider versions have the 'regular' lights. Like these "spider" lights now more than the regular ones, but took a while to get used to (since 2015)...




(note the Jaguar E-type on the back)

On the picture you also see my Giulietta QV in grigio magnesio opaco, which has same aluminum TBi engine and TCT gearbox, and is my 'daily driver' (albeit that I go to work by bicycle).
It has improved air intake BMC DIA airbox, 3" downpipe, race-kat and Ragazzon exhaust, Eibach suspension and remap done to engine ECU and TCU to reduce shifttimes, power is up to slightly over 300pk currently.

loading for transport (and when driving home, just as easy to also put the Giulietta on the truck):




My other 'hobby' car is a Alfa 156 GTA, with the famous Busso V6 engine in its strongest form as 3.2.
Also has adapted intake, exhaust, suspension, etc etc delivering almost 270pk.

Rationally I should be selling the GTA now I have the 4C, but can't get myself doing so - this car is so nice, good, and different: naturally aspirated, enormously eager to throttle, super direct steering, and the sound!!









plans with the 4C
After technical check for import I am planning some mods (as I did with my other cars):
  • install spacers (delivered with the car)
  • install Novitec exhaust (idem)
  • ECU and TCU remap
  • GMS alignment blocks, and a proper alignment
  • GMS rear uniballs arms (probably later, so i can feel the difference)
  • red seat belts (had those installed on my Giulietta as well, really nice looking upgrade)
  • have the brake calipers painted yellow (currently black)
  • adapt seat tilt / elevation adjustment (I am 1,96m tall which is 6'5 feet, can't really see well through the frontscreen nor top of dash...)
  • adapt steering wheel angle (for visibility of dashboard)
  • apply coating on bodywork (or ppf, but quite expensive so maybe later...)
  • PU lower engine mount (probably later)
Car also came with Novitec coilover set, not sure what I'll do with those - want to first experience the 4C as-is, and then decide whether to install, or sell.

I'll post progress on upgrades here, luckily most info on these upgrades I found here on the forum - big thanks!!
Would like to introduce myself here, as my 4C spider has just arrived.
Originally a German Jahreswagen (dealerstock) built in 2017, sold to previous owner in Germany in 2018 who had to sell it last year.
Deman autogarage in Brussels bought and took it to Belgium, sales guy drove it for a while to increase mileage (only when car has driven more than 6000km it can be imported as a used car from one country to another) and in December 2022 I bought it, so I am effectively the second owner.
Had it transported to Netherlands last week, so it is now in my garage.

It has all the nice goodies: leather dashboard (option in Europe but was a must-have for me), sport suspension, leather seats (black w red stitching), 18/19" rims, rear parking sensors, carbon lights, carbon mirrors, in rosso competizione.
And it has the original 4C "spider" eyes, really cool as most spider versions have the 'regular' lights. Like these "spider" lights now more than the regular ones, but took a while to get used to (since 2015)...




(note the Jaguar E-type on the back)

On the picture you also see my Giulietta QV in grigio magnesio opaco, which has same aluminum TBi engine and TCT gearbox, and is my 'daily driver' (albeit that I go to work by bicycle).
It has improved air intake BMC DIA airbox, 3" downpipe, race-kat and Ragazzon exhaust, Eibach suspension and remap done to engine ECU and TCU to reduce shifttimes, power is up to slightly over 300pk currently.

loading for transport (and when driving home, just as easy to also put the Giulietta on the truck):




My other 'hobby' car is a Alfa 156 GTA, with the famous Busso V6 engine in its strongest form as 3.2.
Also has adapted intake, exhaust, suspension, etc etc delivering almost 270pk.

Rationally I should be selling the GTA now I have the 4C, but can't get myself doing so - this car is so nice, good, and different: naturally aspirated, enormously eager to throttle, super direct steering, and the sound!!









plans with the 4C
After technical check for import I am planning some mods (as I did with my other cars):
  • install spacers (delivered with the car)
  • install Novitec exhaust (idem)
  • ECU and TCU remap
  • GMS alignment blocks, and a proper alignment
  • GMS rear uniballs arms (probably later, so i can feel the difference)
  • red seat belts (had those installed on my Giulietta as well, really nice looking upgrade)
  • have the brake calipers painted yellow (currently black)
  • adapt seat tilt / elevation adjustment (I am 1,96m tall which is 6'5 feet, can't really see well through the frontscreen nor top of dash...)
  • adapt steering wheel angle (for visibility of dashboard)
  • apply coating on bodywork (or ppf, but quite expensive so maybe later...)
  • PU lower engine mount (probably later)
Car also came with Novitec coilover set, not sure what I'll do with those - want to first experience the 4C as-is, and then decide whether to install, or sell.

I'll post progress on upgrades here, luckily most info on these upgrades I found here on the forum - big thanks!!
thanks for sharing your passion!
 
#15 · (Edited)
Today technical inspection for importing my 4C into Netherlands. Piece of cake, as all the papers were complete.
Just also paid the required taxes to get it registered, so license plate can be requested which will take a few days. Then again pay taxes (to drive it on the road) and start enjoying it!


I had a one-day license plate which allows you to only drive the car from and to the inspection. However as the sun was out, I decided to take a small but nice detour and for the first time drive my 4C on roads I am so familiar with. What a blast, what a car, what a feeling. Wow!!!





close to the airport - and as it happens, a plane came flying over it. Nice




The GMS camber/caster plates are not yet installed so I am driving OEM setup, and I found the car to drive and behave very well, hardly any tramlining even on uneven roads. Much better than during initial test drive in Belgium where it jumped from left to right, so the alignment the garage did, had effect (despite being out of factory specs, let alone on advised specs like 0 toe). So things will get even better!
I did notice that, when giving it a nice amount of throttle when exiting a curve, the 4C pushed itself into understeer so more camber and caster at front is welcome. But the understeer (and consequent oversteer haha) may also be caused by low temperatures, it's around freezing here, so tyres have difficult times reaching good operating temperatures.

So happy with it!!
 
#19 ·
Did some work on my Spider today: adapted the drivers seat elevation (front high - middle middle - rear lowest position) which makes great improvement.

Also I found that my car, despite being sold in 2017, doesn't have the TMC / TCU shield to protect it from water. Probably built in 2016 then, before those became standard.
Added to my to do list.

Is there an easy way to find exact production date, is it somewhere mentioned on the car?
 
#21 ·
Congratulations on getting your Spider - it seems that this one has found a very enthusiastic owner :)
Have fun getting to know your little Italian work of art.
Cheers,
Alf.
 
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#22 ·
Had my first long ride last weekend, around 600km (400 miles) in the beautiful Belgian Ardennes.

I was completely exhausted when arriving back at home, like if I have been out for a day with my motorbike – the noise inside the 4C is insane, driving seems like wrestling with the steering wheel, constantly following bumps in the road and demanding attention as well as quite some muscle power. And because it rained whole day long, I had to be cautious on steering as well as throttle input, as roads turned out to be slippery.

Did I enjoy it: YES. What a drive it was!
But the 4C and I need some more kilometers to get to know each other better and become better friends.
Plan of action: order better ear plugs, plan time to install the camber correction kit and subsequent alignment to advised specs. I now drove it 'pure' as it came out of the factory and it was meant to be, now it's time to improve it ;-)

Oh and yes, the 4C is still, 10 years after introduction, a real eye-catcher and in the center of attention of the other petrol heads that participated in the tour. They all loved it!





 
#23 · (Edited)
Installed some upgrades over past few weeks:
had the brake calipers painted, from black to yellow. Works really great on a red car


installed H&R spacers 15mm front and 20mm rear, came with the car but were removed.
Didn't feel much effect to tramlining, 15mm at front is quite a lot (wheel almost coming out of the wheel arch - afraid this may lead to a lot of stone chips?) whereas 20mm at the rear could even be more, judging from the look of it. But will leave it for now



installed the Novitec exhaust that came with the car, replacing the race exhaust, with 100mm real carbon tips.
Tone is a bit deeper and richer, more 'melodious' if you like than the just raw sounding race exhaust. But still very loud, so wearing ear plugs when driving ;-)

out with the old, in with the new:

 
#24 ·
Installed some upgrades over past few weeks:
had the brake calipers painted, from black to yellow. Works really great on a red car


installed H&R spacers 15mm front and 20mm rear, came with the car but were removed.
Didn't feel much effect to tramlining, 15mm at front is quite a lot (wheel almost coming out of the wheel arch - afraid this may lead to a lot of stone chips?) whereas 20mm at the rear could even be more, judging from the look of it. But will leave it for now



installed the Novitec exhaust that came with the car, replacing the race exhaust, with 100mm real carbon tips.
Tone is a bit deeper and richer, more 'musical' if you like than the just raw sounding race exhaust. But still very loud, so wearing ear plugs when driving ;-)

out with the old, in with the new:

These work a treat to prevent stone chips on the doors.
4CHIPgard - MC2P — InoKinetic
Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Automotive tail & brake light Vehicle
 
#31 · (Edited)
upgrade time again: the 4C went to the specialists H&S Corse for some fine modifications: installation of the GMS rear uniball control arms, BMS air filter inlay, and ECU remap.
I also booked it in for the powerflex black PU lower engine mount, but the part didn't arrive in time...so remains open on the to-do list.

Anyway: ECU remap. More than happy with the increase, and also surprising to see that the car already performed much better than what could be expected - and H&S has a conservative rolling road. They made multiple runs, did not face strong increases in IAT, and in the end settled at 307hp and 405Nm. Hoppa, a proper increase!
My biggest request was more power in the top-end and that was achieved: it revs much more freely - where the engine used to peak at 5800 r/min it now continues to pull until 6500 before it runs out of power, and already as of 4500 r/min it delivers more power than before at its max. Also torque is higher and delivered in a more flat curve than before.
For reference: an other 4C they did, made 420Nm (not sure why it generated more torque) but slightly less hp; my Giulietta QV needed stage-2 adjustments (BMC DIA airbox, larger intercooler, 3"downpipe and midsection, race-catalyst positioned in middle of the car) to generate a comparable 305hp (and much more torque: 450, downtuned to 400 to save the clutch).

So would be right to conclude it's the very short exhaust setup of the 4C that allows the engine to generate much more power compared to the Giulietta with the same engine.




What was also adapted in the ECU remap is a revised coolant strategy, instead of running at 92 degrees (to allow for cleaner emissions) it now runs at a bit lower temps which means the engine is less prone for heating when one start to request max performance. Also adaptations are programmed on EGT, this is not actually measured by the ECU and instead a calculation logic is used to calculate EGT. When it reaches a certain value, the mixture is made considerably richer; as standard this threshold is set too low (800 degr) meaning too early loss of power which is now at higher temp to allow for higher power several pulls after eachother. Note the knocking sensors are still active, so should detonation occur then still the ECU will retard to avoid any damage.
I requested to not adapt the throttle response, as I like it as it is (wild, aggressive), nor did I ask for a different mapping between N and D (throttle response nor max power); I know squadra does adapt these. But why would one like to limit max power in N mode in a car like this?

The BMC air filter inlay also does what I hoped it would do: I can much better hear the turbo spooling and whistling.
Love it, maybe because I have a spider but the turbo wasn't that audible as many reviews claimed it to be; now it is!
Unfortunately due to traffic (and boring highway) I couldn't yet test the GMS rear control arms. Also due to the extra power, the car now really screams for a proper alignment (way too much understeer), once done I hope I can also test and notice the effect of the uniball arms.

edit: oh yes, I decided to not do the TCU remap.
It would only slightly reduce shifting times (this contrary to my Giulietta where the gain was significant; 4C already has reduced shift times vs Giulietta and doesn't automatically change gears when approaching max rev in Dynamic mode), and most of the time it takes to shift a gear is used by engaging the clutch which is not impacted by the actual time it takes to engage the next gear. And the max torque limiters are managed by the ECU, so no problem here; the TCU torque limiters do not actually limit the torque and/or impact performance.
Contrary to what some tuners claim, the TCT gearbox cannot be adjusted for having higher pressure on the clutch plates to allow for more torque (this contrary to DSG gearbox used in VW-Audi); only way to exceed 400Nm safely for the clutch plates is by using reinforced clutch plates like scara73 offers. H&S corse will soon install these in a Giulietta QV of their own, and learn how that behaves.

Very happy with the upgrades!
 
#32 ·
upgrade time again: the 4C went to the specialists H&S Corse for some fine modifications: installation of the GMS rear uniball control arms, BMS air filter inlay, and ECU remap.
I also booked it in for the powerflex black PU lower engine mount, but the part didn't arrive in time...so remains open on the to-do list.

Anyway: ECU remap. More than happy with the increase, and also surprising to see that the car already performed much better than what could be expected - and H&S has a conservative rolling road. They made multiple runs, did not face strong increases in IAT, and in the end settled at 307hp and 405Nm. Hoppa, a proper increase!
My biggest request was more power in the top-end and that was achieved: it revs much more freely - where the engine used to peak at 5800 r/min it now continues to pull until 6500 before it runs out of power, and already as of 4500 r/min it delivers more power than before at its max. Also torque is higher and delivered in a more flat curve than before.
For reference: an other 4C they did, made 420Nm (not sure why it generated more torque) but slightly less hp; my Giulietta QV needed stage-2 adjustments (BMC DIA airbox, larger intercooler, 3"downpipe and midsection, race-catalyst positioned in middle of the car) to generate a comparable 305hp (and much more torque: 450, downtuned to 400 to save the clutch).

So would be right to conclude it's the very short exhaust setup of the 4C that allows the engine to generate much more power compared to the Giulietta with the same engine.




The BMC air filter inlay also does what I hoped it would do: I can much better hear the turbo spooling and whistling.
Love it, maybe because I have a spider but the turbo wasn't that audible as many reviews claimed it to be; now it is!
Unfortunately due to traffic (and boring highway) I couldn't yet test the GMS rear control arms. Also due to the extra power, the car now really screams for a proper alignment (way too much understeer), once done I hope I can also test and notice the effect of the uniball arms.

But for now very happy with the upgrades!
They realy stepped up their game with the 4C. Contacted them 3 years ago for some works on my 4C..... Good to know! Really good remap results btw!


H&S Corse <alfa155stw@gmail.com>




Aan:

Do 19/03/2020 16:16

Beste Andre

Dank voor je mail

Wij weten geen dealers in Belgie.
In Nederland rijden zeer weinig 4c's
Wij hebben nog niet echt ervaring met deze modellen.

Hartelijke groeten,
Hilbert Flokstra
H&S Corse
 
#33 ·
@tibby in the meantime H&S corse has modified a few 4C and many QVs (with same engine) so the experience is there when it comes to ECU and TCU remap and some maintenance as well.
Nice to also take a look at their instagram page: H&S CORSE | hs-corse.nl (@hscorse) • Instagram photos and videos

(note I updated my post above, to in more detail explain what was changed in ECU mapping)
 
#34 ·
some pictures of the @GMS rear uniball arms being installed:







Apparently it was quite a job still, especially to remove one of the bolts, but it's done; have the OEM-rear arms now sitting at home next to the OEM airfilter (filter and housing are apparently the ones as also used in the Fiat Bravo and Grande Punto, not same as used in Giulietta QV which one may expect as it has same engine).

Tomorrow alignment, then I can properly test it (now feels a bit unstable at left-hand highspeed turns)

...and a picture whilst on the rolling road:
 
#35 ·
some pictures of the @GMS rear uniball arms being installed:







Apparently it was quite a job still, especially to remove one of the bolts, but it's done; have the OEM-rear arms now sitting at home next to the OEM airfilter (filter and housing are apparently the ones as also used in the Fiat Bravo and Grande Punto, not same as used in Giulietta QV which one may expect as it has same engine).

Tomorrow alignment, then I can properly test it (now feels a bit unstable at left-hand highspeed turns)

...and a picture whilst on the rolling road:
Looks like you found an all in one shop.....Maybe getting my 4C also H&S 'ed (y)
They delivering some nice work on your 4C!
 
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#36 · (Edited)
So went for the alignment which was planned for today.
Unfortunately the tire workshop couldn't do complete it - adjusting toe was manageable for them, but camber and caster not as they could not reach the arm connection bolts to add the shims. Either they'd had to take off the wheels, add shims, install wheels and laser-alignment plates again, measure, and repeat - which would be very time consuming, or they suggested to remove the underbody protection however uncertain bolts could be reached then, and for both options they didn't plan / have the time available.
They are a good tire shop, do very good alignment, but setting up a 4C was next level for them and they were not feeling comfortable doing.

So only toe was adjusted, but...wow what a difference that made!
Original toe setting was way out of specs front and rear, now front toe was set at 0° and rear at 0°35' (total) according to GMS specs and this alone already transformed the car!
Tramlining almost gone, what remains is very direct and immediate turn-in, and also gone is the heavy steering I used to have. The car feels much more nimble, agile also at the rear - I even managed to get power-oversteer instead of pushing the car into understeer at corner exit. Maybe this was also due to the tarmac getting warmed up under a little bit of spring sunshine and temps (a little bit) rising, but still this was a very nice and ejoyable test drive!

So what next? Still planning to find another specialist to add some camber and caster to reach GMS-advised alignment specs, maybe also change toe at front into a little bit of toe-out (say 0°04') to bring back a little bit of the 4C-signature tramlining again (not sure) but as this already made a big step forward in steering, I am not in a hurry for this.


actueel = current (actual);
vooraf = initial
gespec. bereik = specified values (factory)
voor = front
achter = rear
links = left
rechts = right
 
#37 ·
So went for the alignment which was planned for today.
Unfortunately the tire workshop couldn't do complete it - adjusting toe was manageable for them, but camber and caster not as they could not reach the arm connection bolts to add the shims. Either they'd had to take off the wheels, add shims, install wheels and laser-alignment plates again, measure, and repeat - which would be very time consuming, or they suggested to remove the underbody protection however uncertain bolts could be reached then, and for both options they didn't plan / have the time available.
They are a good tire shop, do very good alignment, but setting up a 4C was next level for them and they were not feeling comfortable doing.

So only toe was adjusted, but...wow what a difference that made!
Original toe setting was way out of specs front and rear, now front toe was set at 0° and rear at 0°35' (total) according to GMS specs and this alone already transformed the car!
Tramlining almost gone, what remains is very direct and immediate turn-in, and also gone is the heavy steering I used to have. The car feels much more nimble, agile also at the rear - I even managed to get power-oversteer instead of pushing the car into understeer at corner exit. Maybe this was also due to the tarmac getting warmed up under a little bit of spring sunshine and temps (a little bit) rising, but still this was a very nice and ejoyable test drive!

So what next? Still planning to find another specialist to add some camber and caster to reach GMS-advised alignment specs, maybe also change toe at front into a little bit of toe-out (say 0°04') to bring back a little bit of the 4C-signature tramlining again (not sure) but as this already made a big step forward in steering, I am not in a hurry for this.


actueel = current (actual);
vooraf = initial
gespec. bereik = specified values (factory)
voor = front
achter = rear
links = left
rechts = right
You need to remove the bottomplate..... to adjust the camber/castor plates (hence the long work)

 
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#40 · (Edited)
ArjanB,

I really like your 4C color combination, looks so beautiful

If everything goes well I will be driving back my future 4C back to the SF Bay Area this weekend. I will definitely be using Stephan Lenoir’s reflash. I would also like to relocate the cat outside the engine bay, I think it’s going to be similar to “Just Call me Al’s” cat setup. Definitely DO NOT want to straight pipe it, too stinky.

you should install equal length front pipes in the GTA. the sound is incredible! My 156 stared life as 2.5 V6, now it has a 3.2 with Unicorse Japan equal length pipe, the sound is amazing, it unleashes the real busso orchestra.

by the way I like H&S because their 155s are super cool, I think almost all of their 155s are at just one notch below super touring level and have sequential boxes.
 
#41 ·
@75evo you seem very well aware of our local Alfa/Fiat tuning scene, nice!
You lived overhere?

My Giulietta QV has the cat moved away from downpipe, now in the middle of the car - that really helps in reducing backpressure so the turbo can spool up much more freely. Also the exhaust is 3" up to and including the cat and mid silencer - that also helps, but was quite an expensive mod together with different intake and bigger intercooler however both were needed to achieve 300pk.
For my 4C I didn't invest (yet?) in such mods, it achieves higher power with the standard downpipe incl cat than the Giulietta with same engine (probably due to the very short exhaust line compared to Giulietta), however it will be very helpful in avoiding heat buildup and resulting ignition retarding, so to maintain the power also after repeatedly using full power.
As for solely straight pipe: I'd guess the noise would drive you crazy, a cat does help in bringing the already excessive noise down a little bit (too little for my liking, I find the race exhaust too loud, both for myself as well as in attracting too much attention which I don't want when driving (too) fast).

EQ pipes: yes that really changes the sound of the busso again! I like how it sounds now, I also like the eq-length sound as in the old GTV model (116).
Unicorse is really great (and expensive)!
My GTA is lowered a bit, and eq-length downpipes further reduce ground clearance so probably not wise to do; it was a mod quite often done in UK but many reverted back as they damaged the pipes because of scraping on the ground.

By the way: drove the GTA on some really great roads in Eifel / Ardennes last weekend, 400km tour (organized, with roadbook), area close to the Nurburgring, some pics here:

 
#42 · (Edited)
Had the vacation of my life (well, at least in top-3): a full-week drive across the most beautiful roads, in the mountains and back roads, across Europe: Germany, Austria, Italia, Slovenia, Kroatia and back to Italy. Posted some nice pictures here: https://www.4c-forums.com/threads/3500km-ride-through-italy-and-kroatia.69595/
This so-called Giro d'Italia was organized by ClubAlfaRomeo.nl and a dozen of Alfa's participated, of which three 4C's and two Stelvio Q; for in this topic just one pic:


Last weekend, with a small group of Alifisti from ClubAlfaRomeo.nl, we participated at the Alfa Tribe Days 2023 at circuit Autodrome Linas-Montlhery, and then to Le Mans Classic.
Such a great event - will post pictures here in a separate topic: https://www.4c-forums.com/threads/alfa-tribe-days-2023-with-many-gtam-and-4c.69628/
This event by the way I attended with my 156 GTA, as that car is more classic, but many 4C's were attending as the event was also to celebrate 10 years 4C, next to 100 years quadrifoglio and 60 years autodelta.


Learnings from the long tour with the 4C: it is a great drivers car!
I really liked the firm seats, firm ride (sports suspension), power. I do think there is a little bit too much understeer in current alignment, needs some refinement still.
A big dislike is the enormous noise from exhaust, we drove mostly with earplugs but then still....sometimes very exhausting. However glorious in tunnels, especially with three 4C's chasing eachother full-throttle in a long tunnel...WAUW!

All the enthusiastic views of people - also in Italy, thumbs-up and attention you receive when driving 4C (and even more when we were with three 4C's driving together) was priceless. Add constant sun, wine, good company and you'll understand the Giro was a truly great holiday
 
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