I am making the first mod to the Alfa. While still in the process of a tuneup (I contracted COVID so it has been held up), I wanted to take a look at the airbox to check for restrictions. It took removing the inner fender, battery and fuse box, and under tray to gain access to the whole thing. I have never seen a crazier setup. I videoed it but showing stillshots here to try to explain it.
The intake source in the fender and behind the air vent next to the fog light. This is only about and inch wide and maybe 2.5-3” across.
That feeds into this crazy box through a super restricted inlet here.
This is the box. The y-pipe spits into 2 chambers.
The 2 chambers are connected through a perforated divider in the center.
That then dumps into a 3rd chamber that is cylindrical and holds the air filter.
As if there haven’t been enough restrictors, this little gem is inserted into the cylindrical filter so the MAF pulls from the airbox through this like a crazy straw.
I’m keeping the cylindrical filter box, tossing the inner trumpet, and replacing everything before that with a 3” diameter silicone hose that will go straight from the filter box to the vent in the bumper/fender. Shaving a good 10-15 lbs in the process.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
given a choice, and $ independent, I would much rather have the Porsche. and I know how fast, etc. the Vette is. I just can see myself in the more subdued German unit!
Porsche dealer is only about 5 minutes from my house. Maybe I should swing by? Wonder if the wife would be willing to drive one of those?
That intake does look like a Rube Goldberg contraption. But Alfa must have had a reason for it. car companies are not in the habit of adding wait, cost and complexity for something nobody will even see if they don't have a good reason for it.
I took a nice drive down to Porsche Colorado Springs to check out a 2022 718 Cayman S, manual trannie, only about 5k miles. It was very nicely equipped, which I would have thought most are, until I looked at a very basic example on their lot (manual seats, no leather dash, etc.). The GT Silver over red leather was sharp.
We went on a great test drive, and I was able to familiarize myself with the transmission pretty quickly. That was the highlight of the drive…really enjoyed rowing gears again. The Corvette is obviously faster, but that never was the reason for my purchase of it. And the Corvette is also a bit more comfortable and quieter. But as you may expect, the Cayman was more engaging, and plenty quick enough for my needs.
I came away from that thinking a Cayman would be the way to go, with this one very likely being the one. Unfortunately, the trade offer on the Corvette was at least a few thousand less than I hoped/expected. Silly me, thinking buying a C8 at MSRP a year ago was a good deal! Having said that, their offer was reasonable, but gave me enough pause to continue on with the search.
The dealership experience was top notch. The salesperson took me around their showroom first to look at all the examples they had (I should have taken more pics), and then had the Cayman washed up, under a cover that he dramatically pulled off the vehicle.
I sincerely meant to take my time with this process.
Well, whodathunkit! The sun did rise tomorrow!
I can't help but feel partially responsible... Guess I picked a bad day to put off buying a 911.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
From the Porsche dealership, I drove back up to Denver (enjoying the Corvette very much by the way) and picked up my wife from our home before heading over to the independent dealer to check out the 911.
Having been so taken with the Cayman, I honestly was using this more of an opportunity to get another quote on the Corvette for comparison.
Obviously I was very taken by seeing the 911 in person. The Lava Orange was a pleasant surprise and a fun alternative to the more classic colors often seen on Porsches. In the short time I’ve been researching, I narrowed my target to a 2017 or newer with low miles (20k’s or lower). As everyone knows, pricing on 911’s is a bit crazy, but this one did stand out as somewhat of a value, particularly for a 4S.
I was apprehensive about an independent dealer versus a Porsche shop, but the vehicle presented well, and as chance would have it, the previous owner was there taking final delivery of his replacement. Apparently he wanted an SUV and settled on a BMW X5 M, in a color remarkably similar to the Porsche. He purchased the 911 two years ago as a CPO, having it delivered from New Hampshire. He’s taken meticulous care of it for those two years ago, this being his third 911.
So I still was going to sleep on it and check out the base Cayman up in Fort Collins tomorrow, but I found myself struggling to leave. And my wife was very encouraging. They had come back with a similar trade on the Corvette as the Porsche dealership…after some back and forth on whether we should just leave and think about it, she simply asked if they’d do another $4k on the trade, which they ended up agreeing to.
So then we took the 911 out for a test drive and decided to pull the trigger.
As for the car itself, I was initially a little surprised how raw it was compared to the Corvette. This I expected from the Cayman, but it took a little mental adjustment to appreciate how connected the 911 felt. Definitely rougher over some bad roads on the test drive, but I quickly came to appreciate how it drove, and in particular, how much smaller it felt than the Vette.
So it’s a 2017 911 Carrera 4S with 23k miles. Again, I took for granted that all 911’s would be well equipped, but this one is nicely optioned. Highlights include:
PDK (which did give me some pause since I enjoyed the manual in the Cayman, but I can get over it ) Heated and ventilated seats 20” RS Spyder Design wheels Front axle lift system (I really appreciate this in the Corvette) Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (not sure how this differs from the standard lights, but hey, I have it) Glass sunroof Bose Leather interior Carbon Fiber interior trim package Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) Sport package (Sport mirror, rear-axle steering, sport chrono, sport exhaust, sport steering wheel)
You could always pick up an EV from the rental companies. We’re starting to get rid of our Kona EVs. We brought one down from Burlington the other day. 262 miles range when we started. 32 miles range after 145 miles.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I am making the first mod to the Alfa. While still in the process of a tuneup (I contracted COVID so it has been held up), I wanted to take a look at the airbox to check for restrictions. It took removing the inner fender, battery and fuse box, and under tray to gain access to the whole thing. I have never seen a crazier setup. I videoed it but showing stillshots here to try to explain it.
Oh, never mind. Just looked up what these go for. Even though the used prices have about the biggest gap I have ever seen, I couldn’t even stomach the cheapest. I’ll stick with my Viper dream instead.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I showed it to my wife and suggested it as a replacement for her car. She didn't say no, just that it looks kinda low. I told her it is not as bad as a Corvette (made that up probably!) and we should go sit in one someday. That sounds like fun.
Oh, never mind. Just looked up what these go for. Even though the used prices have about the biggest gap I have ever seen, I couldn’t even stomach the cheapest. I’ll stick with my Viper dream instead.
Since we're talking Porsches, I don't think I posted this here, but I love the color on this GT4 I spotted the other day.
When we were at the rooftop parking garage to watch the eclipse, an identical one was there GT4, same color. The guy and his wife were on their way from WI to VA, for him to get track time. She said she never normally goes with him, but she wanted to see the eclipse.
given a choice, and $ independent, I would much rather have the Porsche. and I know how fast, etc. the Vette is. I just can see myself in the more subdued German unit!
Porsche dealer is only about 5 minutes from my house. Maybe I should swing by? Wonder if the wife would be willing to drive one of those?
Well friends…Porsche fever is contagious. What started out as a half-joke this morning turned into the wife and I keeping our Saturday morning appointment at the Porsche dealer that had the base Cayman. She’s actually been keen on a Cayman for a while now, and this one hit her notes, being a base one with a manual.
They have to finish the CPO process, but this will be joining the 911 in the garage next week.
"And my wife was very encouraging." You should marry that woman!
Alas, the lovely, well equipped and from all appearances very well-kept Chalk Grey 911 has left the building. He who hesitates is....Laurasdada.
Road trip today, passed a nearly identical M240, same color. But it was a fixed head coupe! His loss.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Well, breld, didn't see that coming. Should have but didn't. You married well.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Remember that Army slogan, "The brelds buy more cars by 9am than most people do all...decade?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Comments
I’ve become obsessed with EV deals…..
https://insideevs.com/features/410039/best-electric-car-deals-this-month/?_gl=1*tcdu4v*_ga*SWdyRjJuN0NkUHExM2FIVWRnblU3bWZTeDVHT3VmRFhUdml2UFoxcEJtVmJXUXluTGxjSjlTODk1cDdVcWJENQ..*_ga_S1VTQEHNME*MTcyNzQ4Nzg2OC4xNC4wLjE3Mjc0ODc4NzYuMC4wLjA.
I sincerely meant to take my time with this process.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
We already knew when you posted the first pic
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'd have to go back a decade (or more) for my last 8 punches...
Still, a beautiful car, and a nice upgrade from the Corvette.
(you can retire the jorts and the white New Balances; replace them with designer aviator shades and a black Members Only jacket)
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I am making the first mod to the Alfa. While still in the process of a tuneup (I contracted COVID so it has been held up), I wanted to take a look at the airbox to check for restrictions. It took removing the inner fender, battery and fuse box, and under tray to gain access to the whole thing. I have never seen a crazier setup. I videoed it but showing stillshots here to try to explain it.
The intake source in the fender and behind the air vent next to the fog light. This is only about and inch wide and maybe 2.5-3” across.
That feeds into this crazy box through a super restricted inlet here.
This is the box. The y-pipe spits into 2 chambers.
The 2 chambers are connected through a perforated divider in the center.
That then dumps into a 3rd chamber that is cylindrical and holds the air filter.
As if there haven’t been enough restrictors, this little gem is inserted into the cylindrical filter so the MAF pulls from the airbox through this like a crazy straw.
I’m keeping the cylindrical filter box, tossing the inner trumpet, and replacing everything before that with a 3” diameter silicone hose that will go straight from the filter box to the vent in the bumper/fender. Shaving a good 10-15 lbs in the process.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The corvette! I couldn’t recall what it was replacing.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
given a choice, and $ independent, I would much rather have the Porsche. and I know how fast, etc. the Vette is. I just can see myself in the more subdued German unit!
Porsche dealer is only about 5 minutes from my house. Maybe I should swing by? Wonder if the wife would be willing to drive one of those?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
LOL.
Okay, we need deets. All of them.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
I took a nice drive down to Porsche Colorado Springs to check out a 2022 718 Cayman S, manual trannie, only about 5k miles. It was very nicely equipped, which I would have thought most are, until I looked at a very basic example on their lot (manual seats, no leather dash, etc.). The GT Silver over red leather was sharp.
We went on a great test drive, and I was able to familiarize myself with the transmission pretty quickly. That was the highlight of the drive…really enjoyed rowing gears again. The Corvette is obviously faster, but that never was the reason for my purchase of it. And the Corvette is also a bit more comfortable and quieter. But as you may expect, the Cayman was more engaging, and plenty quick enough for my needs.
I came away from that thinking a Cayman would be the way to go, with this one very likely being the one. Unfortunately, the trade offer on the Corvette was at least a few thousand less than I hoped/expected. Silly me, thinking buying a C8 at MSRP a year ago was a good deal! Having said that, their offer was reasonable, but gave me enough pause to continue on with the search.
The dealership experience was top notch. The salesperson took me around their showroom first to look at all the examples they had (I should have taken more pics), and then had the Cayman washed up, under a cover that he dramatically pulled off the vehicle.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
I can't help but feel partially responsible...
Guess I picked a bad day to put off buying a 911.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Having been so taken with the Cayman, I honestly was using this more of an opportunity to get another quote on the Corvette for comparison.
Obviously I was very taken by seeing the 911 in person. The Lava Orange was a pleasant surprise and a fun alternative to the more classic colors often seen on Porsches. In the short time I’ve been researching, I narrowed my target to a 2017 or newer with low miles (20k’s or lower). As everyone knows, pricing on 911’s is a bit crazy, but this one did stand out as somewhat of a value, particularly for a 4S.
I was apprehensive about an independent dealer versus a Porsche shop, but the vehicle presented well, and as chance would have it, the previous owner was there taking final delivery of his replacement. Apparently he wanted an SUV and settled on a BMW X5 M, in a color remarkably similar to the Porsche. He purchased the 911 two years ago as a CPO, having it delivered from New Hampshire. He’s taken meticulous care of it for those two years ago, this being his third 911.
So I still was going to sleep on it and check out the base Cayman up in Fort Collins tomorrow, but I found myself struggling to leave. And my wife was very encouraging. They had come back with a similar trade on the Corvette as the Porsche dealership…after some back and forth on whether we should just leave and think about it, she simply asked if they’d do another $4k on the trade, which they ended up agreeing to.
So then we took the 911 out for a test drive and decided to pull the trigger.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So it’s a 2017 911 Carrera 4S with 23k miles. Again, I took for granted that all 911’s would be well equipped, but this one is nicely optioned. Highlights include:
PDK (which did give me some pause since I enjoyed the manual in the Cayman, but I can get over it
Heated and ventilated seats
20” RS Spyder Design wheels
Front axle lift system (I really appreciate this in the Corvette)
Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (not sure how this differs from the standard lights, but hey, I have it)
Glass sunroof
Bose
Leather interior
Carbon Fiber interior trim package
Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)
Sport package (Sport mirror, rear-axle steering, sport chrono, sport exhaust, sport steering wheel)
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
So. Uh. I’d like right of first refusal on this one.
Also congrats, @breld! This is an extremely cool car.
Is @laurasdada next?
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@breld - beautiful 911. I give it 12 months, tops😎
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I think @breld said it was Lava Orange
The man, the myth, the legend.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
I’ll take the under.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
@breld
Gorgeous and the color is perfect. Nice story on how it came to be.
Enjoy it!!!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Then I want 2nd dibs when the sale to you falls through. It is my color, after all.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Oh, never mind. Just looked up what these go for. Even though the used prices have about the biggest gap I have ever seen, I couldn’t even stomach the cheapest. I’ll stick with my Viper dream instead.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
@breld
Gorgeous car! Enjoy! Bravo! Bravo!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Since we're talking Porsches, I don't think I posted this here, but I love the color on this GT4 I spotted the other day.
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Ha, that’s why I asked for deets. The PDK might save me from myself here…
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
They have to finish the CPO process, but this will be joining the 911 in the garage next week.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
You should marry that woman!
Alas, the lovely, well equipped and from all appearances very well-kept Chalk Grey 911 has left the building.
He who hesitates is....Laurasdada.
Road trip today, passed a nearly identical M240, same color. But it was a fixed head coupe! His loss.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I honestly had no recollection of you getting a Q8 or a genesis. Very hard to keep up.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You married well.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
@stickguy I think @breld has a 7 car garage, now
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Wonder if the Porsches will room together?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige