Alfa Romeo V6 Engine
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The Alfa Romeo V6 engine (also called the Busso V6) is a 60°
V6 engine A V6 engine is a six- cylinder piston engine where the cylinders and cylinder blocks share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. The first V6 engines were designed and produced independently by Marmon Motor Car Company, ...
made by
Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. () is an Italian carmaker known for its sports-oriented vehicles, strong auto racing heritage, and iconic design. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, it is a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe and one of 14 brands of mu ...
from 1979 to 2005. It was developed in the early 1970s by Giuseppe Busso, and first used on the Alfa 6 with a
displacement Displacement may refer to: Physical sciences Mathematics and physics *Displacement (geometry), is the difference between the final and initial position of a point trajectory (for instance, the center of mass of a moving object). The actual path ...
of and a
SOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combus ...
12-valve
cylinder head In a piston engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders, forming the roof of the combustion chamber. In sidevalve engines the head is a simple plate of metal containing the spark plugs and possibly heat dissipation fins. In more modern ...
. Later versions ranged from and had
DOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combus ...
24-valve
valvetrain A valvetrain is a mechanical system that controls the operation of the intake and exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine. The intake valves control the flow of air/fuel mixture (or air alone for direct-injected engines) into the combu ...
s. The original design had short
pushrod A valvetrain is a mechanical system that controls the operation of the intake and exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine. The intake valves control the flow of air/fuel mixture (or air alone for direct-injected engines) into the combu ...
s for the
exhaust valve A poppet valve (also sometimes called mushroom valve) is a valve typically used to control the timing and quantity of petrol (gas) or vapour flow into or out of an engine, but with many other applications. It consists of a hole or open-ended ch ...
s in a design similar to earlier
Lancia Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. () is an Italian car manufacturer and a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe, which is the European subsidiary of Stellantis. The present legal entity of Lancia was formed in January 2007 when its corporate parent reorganise ...
Fulvia engines. The first DOHC version was in the 1993 Alfa Romeo 164, with an
aluminium alloy An aluminium alloy ( UK/IUPAC) or aluminum alloy ( NA; see spelling differences) is an alloy in which aluminium (Al) is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, nickel and zinc. There ...
engine block In an internal combustion engine, the engine block is the structure that contains the cylinders and other components. The engine block in an early automotive engine consisted of just the cylinder block, to which a separate crankcase was attach ...
and head with
sodium Sodium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Na (from Neo-Latin ) and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal. Sodium is an alkali metal, being in group 1 element, group 1 of the peri ...
filled exhaust valves. The Alfa Romeo V6 has been used in kit cars like the Ultima GTR, Hawk HF Series, and
DAX The DAX (''Deutscher Aktienindex'' (German stock index); ) is a stock market index consisting of the 40 major German blue chip companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is a total return index. Prices are taken from the Xetra t ...
, as well as the Gillet Vertigo sports car and the Lancia Aurelia B20GT Outlaw. In August 2011 EVO magazine wrote that "the original Alfa Romeo V6 was the most glorious-sounding six-cylinder road engine ever," and has been called the "Violin of Arese" or "Alfa's Violin". The Alfa Romeo V6 engine has also been used in
ice resurfacer An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device for cleaning and smoothing the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by American inventor and engineer Frank Zamboni in 1949 in Paramount, C ...
made by engo Ltd. in Italy.ICE PROFI
Engo 270 SX , ICE PROFI
accessdate: 26. October 2019


12V, two valve


2.0

A version was introduced in 1983. Both carburetted and fuel-injected versions were available from the start.ELABORARE
Motore Alfa Romeo V6 — ELABORARE
accessdate: 14. September 2018
Applications: * 1983–1986 Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 * 1984–1987
Alfa Romeo 90 The Alfa Romeo 90 (Type 162A) is an executive car produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1984 and 1987. History Designed by Bertone and introduced at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, the 90 was pitched between the Alfa Romeo Giul ...


2.0 Turbo

A
turbocharged In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (also known as a turbo or a turbosupercharger) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake air, forcing more air into the ...
version, derived from the 3.0 L 12v, first with total digital management, was introduced in 1991 in the Alfa Romeo 164 with .Boitier Rouge
Alfa Romeo 164 : la meilleure des « Tipo 4 » ? , Boitier Rouge
accessdate: 14. September 2018
The engine has a bore and stroke of . It was mainly intended for domestic market, due to Italian law at the time taxing cars with engines with larger displacement than two liters at a higher rate. Applications: * 1991–1992 Alfa Romeo 164 * 1992–1997 Alfa Romeo 164 Super * 1994–2000 Alfa Romeo GTV * 1998–2000
Alfa Romeo Spider The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a two-seater, front-engined, rear-drive roadster (automobile), roadster manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct generations, or "series", each with modifications rangin ...
* 1996–2000 Alfa Romeo 166 Super


2.5

The original engine displaced and produced . It was a 2-valve-per-cylinder design with a single belt-driven
camshaft A camshaft is a shaft that contains a row of pointed cams in order to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion. Camshafts are used in piston engines (to operate the intake and exhaust valves), mechanically controlled ignition syst ...
per
cylinder bank The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized. Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categoriz ...
and six carburettors. The engine has a bore and stroke of . The Bosch L-Jetronic
fuel injection Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of a fuel injector. This article focuses on fuel injection in reciprocating piston and Wankel rotary engines. All c ...
was added for the 1983 Alfa 6, which produced the same . The 2-valve engine ended its life in the Alfa 155, where there were two series for this engine, the developing . Differences between them were small and only on
torque In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational analogue of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). The symbol for torque is typically \boldsymbol\tau, the lowercase Greek letter ''tau''. Wh ...
and power delivery producing exactly the same horsepower. Applications: * 1979–1986 Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 * 1980–1986
Alfa Romeo GTV6 The Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Type 116) is a front-engine, five-passenger saloon and fastback coupé manufactured and marketed by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1972 to 1987 with a total of over 400,000 units produced during its production run. ...
(Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 2.5) * 1984–1987
Alfa Romeo 90 The Alfa Romeo 90 (Type 162A) is an executive car produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1984 and 1987. History Designed by Bertone and introduced at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, the 90 was pitched between the Alfa Romeo Giul ...
* 1985–1991 Alfa Romeo 75/Milano * 1992–1997
Alfa Romeo 155 The Alfa Romeo 155 (Type 167) is a compact executive car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1992 and 1998. It was unveiled in January 1992 at Barcelona, with the first public launch in March 1992, at the Geneva Motor S ...
* 1993–1996 Fiat Croma * 1987–1989 Rayton Fissore Magnum V6 *1982
AC 3000ME The AC 3000ME is a Mid-engine design, mid-engined sports car originally sold by AC Cars. The two-door coupé debuted at the 1973 London Motor Show. Sales did not begin until 1979 and lasted until 1984. Rights to the 3000ME and tooling were trans ...
MkII PrototypeThis AC 3000 ME MkII Prototype Is The British Lancia Stratos You Never Knew You Wanted • Petrolicious
This AC 3000 ME MkII Prototype Is The British Lancia Stratos You Never Knew You Wanted • Petrolicious
accessdate: 26. January 2020


2.8 Gleich

In 1982, the German Alfa Romeo dealer and tuner Gleich offered a 2.8 conversion of the GTV6 2.5 engine. Dieter Gleich was sure that engine displacement enlargement is still the best and, for the life of the engine, the healthiest way of tuning. The engine capacity was increased to nearly 2.8 liters by using new bushings and custom-built forged Mahle pistons while the
compression ratio The compression ratio is the ratio between the maximum and minimum volume during the compression stage of the power cycle in a piston or Wankel engine. A fundamental specification for such engines, it can be measured in two different ways. Th ...
was raised from 9.5 to 10.5:1. The 2.5 liter was rebored to . Total displacement was . Power produced were at 6,300 rpm and torque at 4200 rpm.Classic Cars
Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.8 specificaties en info — Classic Cars
accessdate: 14. September 2018
The magazine "Sport driver" tested a 2.8 Gleich powered GTV6 in June 1982:
"After engaging the first gear and a somewhat careless step on the gas pedal you get a touched feel to the epiphany GTV6 shot, accompanied by the typical Alfa Romeo exhaust sound. It was a pleasure. The fact was the sprint from 0 to is not further under the seven-second limited by a tricky-to-be-shifted five-speed gearbox. The really vehement propulsion waned only when the speedometer mark has left behind. Another eye-opening experience awaits when you realize that the lightning speed to 7000 rpm rotating in any gear pinion even in fifth gear still from 1500 rpm is completely smooth."
Applications: * 1982 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 2.8 Gleich


3.0 SA (Autodelta)

The original 2.5 engine as used in the Alfa 6 was bored and stroked by Autodelta, the former Alfa Romeo racing department to match the racing rules for South African and Australian championships. Bore was increased from to and a new
crankshaft A crankshaft is a mechanical component used in a reciprocating engine, piston engine to convert the reciprocating motion into rotational motion. The crankshaft is a rotating Shaft (mechanical engineering), shaft containing one or more crankpins, ...
stroked to . The total displacement was and it's a totally different engine from the later that powered the 75/Milano models. It was, too, a 2-valve-per-cylinder design with a single belt-driven camshaft per cylinder bank and six carburettors. Special camshafts and carbs were used giving a power figure of at 5800 rpm. Torque was at 4300 rpm, while compression ratio was 9:1. Only 174 complete GTV6 3.0 SA cars were produced in 1984, plus 68 more in 1985. The last ones built were fitted with
electronic fuel injection Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of a fuel injector. This article focuses on fuel injection in reciprocating piston and Wankel rotary engines. All co ...
. The 3.0 GTV6 was sold in South Africa in 1983–1985, predating the release of the 3.0 L displacement to the rest of the world.CAR magazine
CLASSIC BUY: Alfa Romeo GTV6 (1982–1985) — CAR magazine
accessdate: 14. September 2018
This engine was an Autodelta hand made conversion based on Alfa Sei 2.5 carbureted engines enlarged to bore and
stroke Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...
of .topCar magazine online
Alfa 3.0 GTV6 , topCar magazine online
accessdate: 14. September 2018
Applications: * 1984–1985 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 3.0 SA


3.0

Pulled by the racing success of the 3.0 SA engine and looking for more power to boost 75/Milano sales in countries like USA, Alfa Romeo introduced a production version of the 3.0 engine. Bore was , as the 3.0 SA, but stroke was increased to . The total displacement was . As the previous engines, it was a 2-valve-per-cylinder design with a single belt-driven camshaft per cylinder bank. The main difference with the racing 3.0 SA was the use of modern L-Jetronic fuel injection system by Bosch. Power figures vary from to at 5800 rpm, with compression ratio 9:1. This engine was modified for
transverse Transverse may refer to: *Transverse engine, an engine in which the crankshaft is oriented side-to-side relative to the wheels of the vehicle *Transverse flute, a flute that is held horizontally * Transverse force (or ''Euler force''), the tangen ...
placement in the 164 and fitted with a high-performance camshaft and low-restriction exhaust, producing in standard form, when a catalyzer was added in 1991, with the Cloverleaf version producing . The same engine was fitted to the SZ and RZ — ES30 Zagato, but even more finely tuned with wilder cams and high compression pistons to a further .Fast Classics
Alfa Romeo S.Z. , Fast Classics
accessdate: 26. October 2019
Applications: * 1987–1991 Alfa Romeo 75/Milano * 1988–1997 Alfa Romeo 164 * 1989–1991 Alfa Romeo SZ * 1992–1994 Alfa Romeo RZ * 1992–1994 Lancia Thema * 1993–2000
Alfa Romeo Spider The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a two-seater, front-engined, rear-drive roadster (automobile), roadster manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct generations, or "series", each with modifications rangin ...
* 1994 Alfa Romeo GTV


24V, four valve


2.5 24V

A four-valve version was introduced in 1997 with the Alfa Romeo 156. The engine now produced . In 2001, the V6 was uprated to .Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press
New Alfa 156 and Alfa 156 GTA — Press Releases — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press
accessdate: 14. September 2018
The 166 used a slightly detuned version to make more low rev torque. This engine version was awarded as the
International Engine of the Year The International Engine of the Year was an annual competition for automotive industry internal combustion engines and electric motors, judged by a panel of automobile journalists from around the world. It is organised by UKi Media & Events' Autom ...
in 2000. The engine has a bore and stroke of , the same as the two-valve. Applications: * 1996–2005
Alfa Romeo 156 The Alfa Romeo 156 (Type 932) is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show#1997, 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155. The 156 ...
* 1996–2007 Alfa Romeo 166


3.0 24V

The engine was upgraded to dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder in 1993. Due to this and other refinements, this engine produced for the regular 1993 Alfa Romeo 164, with and in the 164 QV with its engine producing on the Q4 model which in its final production run in 1996, it got reduced to but with increased torque.Quattroruote.it
Listino ALFA ROMEO 164 (1987–1998) — prezzi, caratteristiche tecniche e accessori — Quattroruote.it
accessdate: 14. September 2018
The final run of 3.0 V6 engines in the GTV, Spider and 166 range, produced in the Euro 3-compliant version. The engine has a bore and stroke of , the same as the two-valve. Applications: * 1991 Alfa Romeo Proteo concept car * 1993–1997 Alfa Romeo 164 * 1994–2000 Lancia Kappa * 1996–2003 Alfa Romeo GTV * 2000–2003
Alfa Romeo Spider The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a two-seater, front-engined, rear-drive roadster (automobile), roadster manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct generations, or "series", each with modifications rangin ...
* 1996–2007 Alfa Romeo 166 * 2001–2008
Lancia Thesis The Lancia Thesis (Type 841) is a full-size car produced by Italian automaker Lancia between 2001 and 2009. It was available with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines ranging between 2.0 and 3.2 litres in both straight-5 or V6 configurati ...
* 1998–present Gillet Vertigo (Vertigo also used a 3.6 L and 3.9 L version)


3.2 24V

In 2002 Alfa Romeo introduced the 156 and 147 GTA with a version of the V6 with and of torque. Later this engine was also used in the Alfa Romeo 166, GTV, Spider and Alfa Romeo GT in a slightly detuned form .Fiche technique Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 V6 240 BLACK LINE 2007
Fiche technique Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 V6 240 BLACK LINE 2007
accessdate: 14. September 2018
The engine has a bore and stroke . In Lancia this engine produced .Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press
NEW ENGINES FOR THE LANCIA THESIS — Press Releases — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press
, accessdate: 14. September 2018
Applications: * 2002–2005 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA * 2002–2005 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA * 2002–2004 Alfa Romeo GTV * 2002–2004
Alfa Romeo Spider The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a two-seater, front-engined, rear-drive roadster (automobile), roadster manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct generations, or "series", each with modifications rangin ...
* 2003–2007 Alfa Romeo 166 * 2003–2010 Alfa Romeo GT * 2003–2009
Lancia Thesis The Lancia Thesis (Type 841) is a full-size car produced by Italian automaker Lancia between 2001 and 2009. It was available with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines ranging between 2.0 and 3.2 litres in both straight-5 or V6 configurati ...


3.5 24V

In December 2002, at the Bologna Motor Show, Alfa Romeo displayed a 156 GTAm prototype, built by N-Technology, with 3458cc. The power was increased to 300 PS at 6,800rpm. The engine had a bore and stroke of 97 mm x 78 mm. This version never came to production, and it was based on N-Technology's experience racing the 156 GTA SuperTuring. Application: * 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm N.Technology


2.5 DTM

Alfa Romeo raced, in early 1990s, a 2.5-litre engine based on Busso's 60º V6. The engine was substantially revised and had a difference bore and stroke from the 2.5 standard engine, respectively, 93 mm x 61.3 mm, and making 420 bhp (313 kW) at 11,800 rpm with a torque of 294 Nm. Alfa Romeo, during the 1993–1996 era of DTM/ITC, racked up an incredible thirty-eight victories of a total of eighty-nine starts. The V6-engined machine also qualified on pole nineteen times and set the fastest lap in forty-two races. Application: * Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI. Later, Alfa Romeo also raced a development of the Peugeot, Renault, Volvo 90° V6 engine, with 490 PS at 11,900 rpm, in the 1996 DTM Championship.YouTube
Limone Racconta: La verità sul motore Alfa 155 V6 Ti + 156 e Fulvia Concept — Davide Cironi (SUBS) — YouTube
accessdate: 26 July 2018


Other 24V displacements

Alfa Romeo worked on other displacements, specifically a 2.8L (2846cc), with 88 mm bore (same as the 2.5 liter engine) and a 78 mm stroke (same as the 3.2 liter engine). According to Alfa Romeo engineers, there were considerable gains, especially in torque. However, this engine never made it into series production. Some private workshops work on these engines to obtain larger displacements (and power outputs), with diameters of 101 mm (3.75L) or even 103 mm (3.9L).


Engine applications — Table


Production end

The V6 production ended in 2005 at Alfa Romeo Arese Plant; a stock of five thousand were built, to be used in Lancia Thesis, Alfa 166 and Alfa GT models. The engine was replaced in the 159 and Brera by a new 3.2 L V6 unit combining a General Motors-designed engine block with Alfa Romeo cylinder heads and induction. British
automotive engineering Automotive engineering, along with aerospace engineering and naval architecture, is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of Mechanical engineering, mechanical, Electrical engineering, electrical, Electronic engineering, electro ...
company
Cosworth Cosworth is a British automotive engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in high-performance internal combustion engines, powertrain, and electronics for auto racing, automobile racing (motorsport) and mainstream Automotiv ...
was keen to buy assembly lines of the Alfa Romeo V6 engine, but the Italian company did not want to sell it. The last version of 3.2 L engine was Euro4 compliant, so it would have been possible to produce it a couple of years more. The engine's designer Giuseppe Busso died within a couple of days after the last engine was produced in Arese.AutoEdizione.com
Alfisti commemorate Giuseppe Busso in Arese , AutoEdizione.com
, accessdate: 14. September 2018
Since 2015, Fiat Powertrain manufactures the all-new 690T, Ferrari-derived 90° V6
twin-turbo Twin-turbo is a type of turbo layout in which two turbochargers are used to compress the intake fuel/air mixture (or intake air, in the case of a direct-injection engine). The most common layout features two identical or mirrored turbochargers in ...
engine for the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia GTA/GTA-m models.


See also

*
Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine The Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine is an all-alloy inline-four engine series produced by Alfa Romeo from 1954 to 1994. In Italian it is known as the "bialbero" ("twin-shaft"), and has also been nicknamed the "Nord" (North) engine in reference to its b ...
*
Alfa Romeo Twin Spark engine Alfa Romeo Twin Spark (TS) technology was used for the first time in the Alfa Romeo Grand Prix car in 1914. In the early 1960s it was used in their race cars ( GTA, TZ) to enable it to achieve a higher power output from its engines. And in the e ...


Notes


Further reading

* ''The Alfa Romeo V6 Engine High-Performance Manual'', Jim Kartalamakis, Veloce Publishing, . {{Alfa Romeo V6 Gasoline engines by model V6 engines