athens7

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As to the domestic automobile business, rampant government over-regulation over the past 70 years has had more to do with its' destruction than any management or labor decision(s). CAFE, the lack of a coherent energy policy, protectionist legislation on imports, dealer franchise protection laws, are all examples of an unwillingness to make the hard decisions necessary to adapt to a changing marketplace, and in fact were knee-jerk reactions to immediate problems. The government, as well as the management and labor forces of the domestic auto manufacturers all suffer from the same fatal flaw: the unwillingness to sacrifice any current benefit in exchange for long term competitiveness (and therefore, growth and prosperity).

I owned a 1987 Alfa Spider Quadrifoglio for 3 years, a couple of cars ago. It ran exactly 1/2 the time! When it started, it was a fun tourer with a well balanced chassis (after the aftermarket frame reinforcement was installed, to combat the "flexible flyer" syndrome). The engine was no beast, but it was ok for the purpose. The shifter required a deliberate touch, as the synchros, especially 2nd gear, were crunchy right from the factory. Several Alfa styling features made their way onto the early Miatas-the door handles and the valve cover, to name 2. All in all, a really pleasant car to take on a sunny day cruise; just make sure you don't turn it off before you reach your destination! Mine was black with the red trimmed interior; it seems a pattern is developing...

50 years later, people are still (re)inventing the 7.

What a surprise, Jim Robertson's name next to FTD! The more things change, the more they remain the same. After setting the standard in Atlanta, Jim's now schooling those Texas guys. Way to go Jim!

And to think automakers are wasting all that time and money developing cylinder deactivation systems!

BGH seems to be the only source that opposes using Redline transmission fluid. Many people on Blatchat use the MTL GL-4 (70W80). John Esposito (Quantum Mechanics) says the T-9 was designed for semi-syn, but it's not generally available in the USA. If one doesn't want to buy Comma oil from the UK (I want to use fluids I can reasonably expect to find in my area), John says the best choice is Redline MT-90 GL-4 (75W90). My car came with Castrol 80W90, and I found it to be fine when hot, but stiff and balky when cold. I much prefer the MT-90 that's in the box now. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that GL-5 fluid is anathema to these transmissions, as it allows the synchros to wear out prematurely. Perhaps in colder climates the MTL would be good, but the original spec on the T-9 calls for 75W90 or equivalent, and perhaps using the lighter weight MTL contributes to the premature wear the folks at BGH worry about.

+1 on the sump guard-Raceline sumps are expensive, not to mention internal engine components! Mine came from Jeff Sloan at British Auto. I have several blemishes on it that would otherwise have been on the sump.

My motor ran 90-100 degrees Celsius when I got it. After replacing the thermostat with a 180 degree Farenheit unit, it runs right at 80 degrees Celsius, by the gauge. It is much happier at cooler temperatures, according to the dyno charts.

Mobil 1 5W30 (SVT Zetec).

Nice looking car! It's always good to find another one of the SVT cars-they are unique in several respects, making certain discussions/solutions like intake air flow and engine management tuning inapplicable to other cars. The more of these that are connected on forums like this, the more likely we will be to find and share useful info. Blatchat is virtually useless in regards to this drive train configuration, as the Zetec ST170 (as the SVT is known over there) is almost unheard of in a UK Seven application.

That Chapman guy was a rather clever fellow!