Topic: GM perfomance kit

[Pep]

Did you try a foreign autoparts store, the only thing is we need to be more specific, does anyone know what model Alpha romeo it's used in I can try here in New York.Or is the sensor designed specificly for GM.

[chuckdoc]

Ok, now crateengine called me and also is sending me the o-rings.  I will give all the extras to Joe so we will have a local stock.

Yes, I did not have the westers tune on the car when I took it in.

[lil goat]

I have searched the internet, and even the Alpha Romeo forum (actually brentil did the post) it is Bosch Part # 0 281 002 845, supposed to be used on Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTD. I think and Alpha Romeo dealer may be our best shot, not sure there are any in the states. I am sure there are other sources, I just haven't found them YET, Lyndon is also looking at doing a tune for a 4 BAR sensor, that would really push the boost up.

[2kwk4u]

I posted a reply in the other thread (in the "tuning" sub forum), goat.  I'll stop by an Alfa dealership here soon and see what I can find out about getting those sensors.  Do you know what model year 159 those are supposed to be from?  If you don't know, I'll either do some research on my own or assume 2008. 

[baconbits]

I found this don't know if it helps
Alfa Romeo Parts

 
 
International Auto Parts
By telephone (800-726-0555 or 804-973-0555)
By fax (804-973-2368)
By mail (PO Box 9036, Charlottesville, VA 22906)
 
Alfa Ricambi
6644 San Fernando Rd. Glendale CA 91201
FAX - 818 956 5160
Telephone - 800.225.2532
E-mail: Info@ARricambi.com
Centerline Alfa
Technical Assistance:
Fax: 303.447.0239
E-mail: 303.447.0257
centerline@centerlinealfa.com
Alfaholics

Phone:
  From within UK 0845 458 1570 (local call rate)
  From outside UK 0044 (0) 1398 351360
Fax +44 (0) 1398 351163
email mail@alfaholics.com
Oakford, Tiverton EX16 9HD, U.K.

Bacon
 

[lil goat]

I don't know the year, unfortunately. I have emailed International Auto Parts, they are only about an hour and a half from me. I would happily drive down and pick up parts for us all, if they can get them.
Going to the dealer will hopefully be a big help, maybe they can narrow down the year and even give us the Alfa part number. The search continues

[baconbits]

"Alfaholics"..

bacon

[Cheers]

Yes, but LilGoat is working a way to find the parts and Programmer will update a tune for it.  We'll scan chucks to send to Westers but will more than likely need another person who has a manual to send Programmer a scan.  I don't think Chuckdoc's will have the no lift shift feature since it is an automatic

We'll have to talk....

[Morfious]

Watching and waiting anxiously for new fun parts.

[2kwk4u]

Just spoke to my Bosch Car Service store a few minutes ago.  They don't stock the sensors, but they can order them.  My price (I don't have to pay the 19% VAT 'sales tax') is 90 Euro each.  With today's exchange rate, that $130 a pop.  So we have a source for the sensors, if need be for the next few months while I'm still living over here.  Now we have to find the right weatherpak connectors and terminals.  That shouldn't be TOO difficult...

Chances are, though, that someone will discover another source for the sensors that will be cheaper.  If not, I'm standing by...

[Critterman]

You da man!   

[Cheers]

Can't wait 2kwk4u      

[2kwk4u]

Can't wait 2kwk4u     

Oh, am I supposed to ORDER some??  To be honest, I'm probably going to go with the GM kit for my own car.  That way I can have a better tune, but hang on to my warranty until I'm ready to throw out the baby with the bathwater and get a bigger turbo.

I'm just here to assist if Lyndon or someone else needs me to get sensors for them.   

[DeepBlueGXP]

You mean you haven't yet.  How am I supposed to get mine

[2kwk4u]

I really do recommend you/we shop around a little more first, I'll be they can be had cheaper.

Before the flood gates open, I guess I need to clarify that I'm not willing to do this for EVERYBODY.  I don't have that kind of time or money to front.  Plus, I'm not sure how "legal" it would be for me to use my VAT forms to buy parts for other than my own use, or the base post office to ship them.  I'm sure there are rules somewhere in the Status Of Forces Agreements that prohibit me from doing ao.  Pretty much the same reason my wife had to put her business on hold for 3 years when we moved over here...

Nonetheless, I'm here to facilitate for a few if we don't find a better way.  If I need to, I'll get to the bottom of the legalities.

[DeepBlueGXP]

What would it take for us to buy directly from them and would that cost be the same? (shipping not included obviously)

[Deep-GXP]

I'd like to get in on this if it's possible

[snaponbob]

Just spoke to my Bosch Car Service store a few minutes ago.  They don't stock the sensors, but they can order them.  My price (I don't have to pay the 19% VAT 'sales tax') is 90 Euro each.  With today's exchange rate, that $130 a pop.  So we have a source for the sensors, if need be for the next few months while I'm still living over here.  Now we have to find the right weatherpak connectors and terminals.  That shouldn't be TOO difficult...

Chances are, though, that someone will discover another source for the sensors that will be cheaper.  If not, I'm standing by...

Not stateside !!!  Check your Yahoo e-mail please.

[2kwk4u]

Good question. 

Here's their website:

http://www.bosch-service.de/content/language1/html/bs.asp?pagenr=2&id=724096

Mind you, this is akin to a local PepBoys store.  I'm not sure the ins and outs of who pays what TAX on international orders.  VAT is 19%, so figure 107.10 Euro if you have to pay the German socialist economy tax.  If they're selling to a customer outside the country, they might not have to collect VAT. 

-------------------------------------------

I'm actually reading the not so fine (bold) print on a VAT form now... it's not good:  "The agent named below is designated as an official purchasing agent of the U.S. Forces.  This agent is authorized to receive the merchandise or services described below on behalf of the U.S. Forces.  The merchandise or services described below are for the benefit of authorized members of the U.S. Forces and their families, and are not to be used for resale or as a gift to unauthoirzed personnel and are not for use in any type of business enterprise..."

So basically, I can't legally use my VAT forms to buy these unless I'm using them for my own use.  If I put a VAT form in the system for the purchase of a dozen or so of the same $130 part, it would probably raise some eyebrows.

I can still - in good conscience - buy them WITHOUT using my VAT form, but that means the price is 107.10 Euro.  That means $155.22 per sensor with today's exchange rate.  I'm not as worried about using the APO (USPS).  I wouldn't be using it for personal gain, so I don't think I would run afoul of SOFA on that one.  I'm willing to work a "group buy" kind of thing if people will trust me enough to paypal the money in advance to my wife's acct. 

Maybe we'll establish a "drop dead date" for everyone to send the payments.  On that date, I would go to the place and put in an order.  I'd scan the reciept and post it here for everyone to see, and ship the parts to you all as soon as they arrived.  Not sure what to do about shipping costs, since different zip codes would be different.  We could sort that all out after the fact, I suppose.  If someone trusts me enough to paypal $300+ to me up front, I'll trust them enough to paypal me the $5 shipping after they get the part in the mail.

Might want to just do this deal with ONE person first, though... just to be CERTAIN we're getting the right sensors.

All in all, though, I'm still holding out hope that we find a less expensive domestic source... or at least a better way than the "system" I just came up with as I typed this. 

[DeepBlueGXP]

Hey, I'm retired military and we are all family  j/k  so when will you be vacationing back in the DC area?

[2kwk4u]

Not stateside !!!  Check your Yahoo e-mail please.

Got it.  Thanks for the tip.

All... working a different angle on this as well --  snaponbob found a distributor in Italy.  Will keep everyone posted as to what I find out.

[2kwk4u]

Hey, I'm retired military and we are all family  j/k  so when will you be vacationing back in the DC area?

I don't have any more TDY planned out there before I leave, but it could happen.  I'll be SURE to let everyone know if/when I'm headed out that way.  Sure would like to meet you guys.

[lil goat]

I tried the International Auto Supply, that supplies Alfa parts, they do only parts from 1957 -1994, not much help to us. If there is any source, I know Lyndon wants a set ASAP for anyone willing to help. He has a 2008 GXP, I am usually the test mule for the 2007 GXP 5 speed, and Spikey is the 2007 Auto test mule. I can easily Paypal money upfront if that is an issue. I have searched very hard and have found no US source, the price mentioned is actually a little less than I expected. The connector's are available on eBay, for under $10.

[snaponbob]

Hey, Goat, check your e-mail !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BSRL]

Just checking in here to see the latest on the GM Stage 2.  From my understanding you can't get just the sensors because the operating system is re-written to take advantage of the 3-bar sensors instead of 2.5 bars.  If this is the case, the sensors without the bars are useless as you will still be subject to the 255 kpa limit and go into limp mode past 22 psi. 

So having said that, the GM Stage 2 is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.  We can hopefully tune this and boost above 22 psi without going into limp mode and get some more power but the real gains will be from big wheeling or a bigger turbo upgrade.

Is this the consensus?