The Super Spider V6 Retrofit!
Still Alfa, Still Italian, But Only in America
The Evolution of My Spider
I purchased my then new 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce in February 1982. I had always wanted a red Italian sports car and this car fit the bill. From that time to the present this Spider has steadily evolved from its first engine modifications to its flared rear-end, accommodating Dunlop P245s to, what master Alfa Romeo Technician Nick Muto has dubbed, the “V6 Super Spider.”This 1981 Spider is a “purist’s nightmare.” Its evolution includes aftermarket rear spoiler, front air-dam, Carello lens covers w/ recessed headlamps, 1974 grill, modified front bumper, welded Porsche Turbo flares, Epsilon 3 piece wheels w/ Dunlop P245 tires.
Daily Driver
Though it has always been kept in great condition, it was and still is my daily driver. My evolving project has provided me with years of reliability and enjoyment. It has been a work vehicle, as well as a recreational vehicle. When it could no longer pass emissions testing, I had a dilemma… that is until I found Nick at Alfa Tech.
 |
Nick the Master Tech
For years I searched for
someone who could and would
do an aesthetically pleasing V6
conversion to my Spider. In
October 2001, I came upon an
unusual fuzzy black & white
picture of a 1974 Spider in our
chapter’s magazine – what
made it unusual was that there
were 6 curved air intake horns
going into what appeared to be
a V6 engine – the caption read:
“Nick Muto’s beautiful V6
conversion” – nothing more –
no elaboration. That’s what
I’ve been looking for –
someone with the ability and the enthusiasm to make my dream a reality!
After a bit of searching, I found Nick Muto’s shop in La Habra, California. I telephoned him and talked about his car. I asked him if I could test it. He said, “sure… just come down and check it out.” I went down to his shop the next day. The ’74 Spider was parked in front of his office. Looking at it, it was impossible to detect that there was a V6 under the hood. He took me for a ride, then, he let me drive – WOW! – this car was responsive. First gear chirped the tires, second gear chirped the tires and I wasn’t even trying to… This larger V6 had noticeably more torque than I was used to. I was sold! I asked Nick if he would consider doing another conversion -- mine. He thought about it for a second and said he would, but there was a catch. His shop is very busy. He would only be able to work on my project during his off hours. He said that it would probably take several months – I agreed. We agreed on a price and I told him that I would bring my car in as soon as he could begin.
A Perfect Candidate for a V6 retrofit!
A few weeks later I had my Spider placed on a flatbed tow-truck and delivered to Nick’s shop. When the car arrived, Nick was surprised to see a Spider flared so wide in the rear. He said that this car was definitely in need of a V6. Over the next few months, I periodically stopped by the shop to see the progress. First he pulled out my old modified 4-cylinder engine and transmission. He gutted the entire engine compartment and over the next few weeks, he performed a significant amount of cutting and welding to accommodate the Milano 2.5 liter engine and the Maserati ZF transmission comfortably. He didn’t just hack it up. This is where Nick’s creativity and workmanship truly shine. After making all of the metal modifications, he gave the engine compartment a textured black matte finish, which sets the engine in an aesthetically dramatic backdrop.
 |
Nick’s Craftsmanship
On the interior of the car,
under the console, cutting
and welding is also
necessary to add space for
the larger transmission
bell housing and to allow
the gearshift to properly
locate. The gearshift of the
ZF is in a more typical
position much closer to
the tip of the parking
brake grip. Once closed
up, everything fits nicely.
Nick rearranged the
console so that the
gearshift and boot are in
the area where the ashtray
originally was located and he fashioned a black textured panel to accommodate the
switches where the ashtray used to be.
