Alfa Romeo BUSSO V6 - What makes it GREAT? - ICONIC ENGINES #15

[@d4a]

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[@jaake6091]

Can we get and Audi r8 v10 video? I just cant wrap my head around the fact that it is v10 with 90 degree angle between cylinders which gives it uneven firing sequence but still is a realy good engine.

[@donnied8127]

I can see you used quite a few images from Autodelta UK. Jano was probably the first one to increase v6 12v to 3.5L and did that for SZ, that was also converted to RHD for a customer. Later, he did 3.5L 12v for another customer with Alfa 75 producing in excess of 260Bhp. Later days, he has done a number of 156/147 GTAs to 3.7l, or supercharged, or both even both, producing over 410bhp. There is also one supercharged SZ belonging to my mate that Autodelta engineered mid 00s. PS Great video !!!

[@hoilst265]

Ford Barra. Straight Six Symphony.

[@donnied8127]

@@hoilst265 I would actually rate Ferrari Dino v6 slightly better on a sound department than Busso, but having had AR Busso in a few cars would be a treason from my side. :D

[@EdgyNumber1]

D4A. Here's an unusual one, GM/Opel 54° V6, (X/Y/Z)32SE unit, as found on the Vectra and Omega. Apart from vehicle packaging, what would be other advantages to this unit configuration?

[@gugozen]

When Busso died, a lot of people with busso-engined cars went to his funeral , and as the coffin exit the church they started together the engine, to let him give the last greeting to his creator.

[@padillaxA]

I'm a passionate auto enthusiast of all fasets. Hearing this hit me in the feels. The admiration of an inanimate engine and showing tribute to its creator post animate The emotions and symbolism in deep rooted car culture is fantastic and humbling!

[@MrAxel1666]

Io, quel giorno, ero presente con la Mia GTV 3.0 V6. In Italia, i motori, sono sacri e i loro creatori sono Divinità 😉

[@nicodetoffol6945]

@@MrAxel1666 sono divinità solo per gli appassionati però....e forse poi neanche tanto da loro.... visto la grande esterofilia che dilaga

[@MrAxel1666]

@@nicodetoffol6945 non ho detto i motori italiani, ma solo I Motori. Era per intendere che nella terra dello stivale amiamo i motori , tutti.

[@Nanorisk]

@@MrAxel1666 thanks KZbin for adding comment translation, I salute you.

[@victorcorpadea1340]

Busso dying a few days after his creation ceased production, a few tears went down my face.

[@thedamnyankee1]

Same. never heard of this engine before... but now i'm sad about it.

[@vozhdmeister5256]

It sounds litterally like "the masterpiece of a life". As if Busso's vitality and these engines were metaphysically bound... In the meantime that man was graduated in 1937 so around 90 years old when he passed away.

[@xynostasos9022]

Not just a few tears to be honest. I had read it before but listening it really touched me.

[@Alejandro_BoniIIa]

Died of heartbreak 😭

[@ginescostaa]

The most Italian thing I’ve ever seen

[@Andrea70swb]

As Italian guy that live in Monza , 30 minutes far from Arese, I want to send to you a HUGE applause for this video and for your Italian accent. This si the most comprehensive video on Busso engine on the web. Deep compliments.

[@KosmatiBohem]

And I own car with this V6, which was disassembled to last bolt and refurbished by official Alfa Romeo shop and it received 2 year factory warranty on engine, which originally produced in 1991. What a icon. It's is truly addictive and you cant stop accelerating, driving and consuming fuel. It is the best looking and sounding V6 and that kind of engine is not possible anymore. It is one of the few monuments of the car history.

[@user-nu5ib2ri9o]

What a nice video, thanks! I had a 156 with a Busso V6, and it was a perfectly reliable engine, inexpensive to maintain and very easy to live with. A moment of surprise came when I asked a mechanic to read the ECU parameters, and we learned that its maximum recorded RPM was ~10,500. Apparently the previous owner downshifted to the 3rd on a highway :)

[@tiagobelo4965]

A dangerous mistake, but man must it have sounded glorious

[@SuperYellowsubmarin]

The 2.5 V6 of my Alfa 155 will probably remain my best automotive memory.

[@theodoremarakas9899]

This was one of the best documentaries out there. Plenty of information and historic research and free of silly music and theatrics. Thank you sir.

[@raymondglad5593]

Super smooth to 7000Rpm. So many times I hit the rev limiter without realising where the revs it where. The sound was the best. Miss my Alfa.

[@psk5746]

Yep, I've been driving along at 110+ and noticed the revs seemed a little high. Yep in 4th instead of 6th, but couldn't tell ... wasn't the leased bit stressed. All Alfa engines are like this, they don't always necessarily rev high, but they are more than happy to run all day very close to that limit

[@fallinginthed33p]

@@psk5746 TwinSpark fours also sounded great.

[@Achromaticshades]

First 16 seconds has been like "Damn my english level is really becoming good, i understand it like italian" 😳

[@802Garage]

Epic history. Shared it with my Italian friend who is a major car history buff. Thanks as always! The Italian rap was awesome.

[@flaviopk50s]

everyday i start up my Alfa V6, i feel better than previous day.

[@joey_mc]

Me too!

[@basbouwman5139]

Me too!

[@NathanaelNaused]

Yeah because it's still working lol

[@studiocalder818]

@@NathanaelNausedWell, now you can sit down comfortable

[@flaviopk50s]

@@NathanaelNaused why shouldn't it work?

[@peekaboo1575]

I wasn't expecting the Busso, truth be told. One of the few good-sounding V6s out there.

[@fredericrike5974]

The Mazda KZLE can make some decent noise, too! As well as being relatively light for it's power. FR

[@peekaboo1575]

@@fredericrike5974 Is that the 1800cc V6 from the MX3? I have to say that I never heard one IRL, they must be nice indeed.

[@fredericrike5974]

@@peekaboo1575 the 1800cc is the beginning of the same engine series- 1.8l, 2.0l, and 2.5 liter were also part of it. They all have a fast, crisp sound, the KLZE the most performance tuned one. Mazda had design money in this engine, Ford did and put a variant in the Probe, and the head was from Yamaha Development. There are elements from this design that appear in the Ford DOHC V6's that the MKZ and Jaguar used. And it is one of the lightest, smallest in it's class. I can think of several that have made there way into Miatas- seems to make an awesome car. FR

[@C64SX]

Busso V6 has always been my favourite, but I was pleasantly surprised when I drove my friends Lotus Exige with the Toyota V6. Almost Busso level sound quality :)

[@laurentbruneel9382]

YOU are purely astonishing !!! So many language skills. Italian rap... la pasta genovese ! Mi hai ucciso !! And incorporate Davide Cironi’s video which is a reference ! My true and honests compliments for that episode I’ve been awaiting for a while. Saluti di francia !

[@d4a]

Thank you so much for that kind comment. Saluti di Sarajevo 😊

[@laurentbruneel9382]

Just one little observation, pretty “futile” according to all the good content and information you’ve brought in this video. Italians are kind of strange in the way they pronounce the letter V. Can’t explain why but they say “vu” ! Il famoso vu sei Busso !

[@vozhdmeister5256]

@@laurentbruneel9382 that's because Italian is nearest language to Latin. Latin alphabet has no U letter, Romans used the V character for both. In Italian the V keeps that relationship to the 'Latin U'. I think this is the reason for they say 'vu' for V.

[@laurentbruneel9382]

@@vozhdmeister5256 you may be right. Anyway in the alphabet the V letter is called “vee”, and W is “vu doppia”. By the way, it should have been interesting to talk about Autodelta UK tuning of the Busso. They bored it up to 3,7l, with added supercharger. Got very few information on it but it was supposedly delivering about 400hp on the front axle...

[@Biteme1010]

I drove a Quadrifolgio and I absolutely fell in love with the car and will be buying it monday. Ive never fallen so hard or so fast for a car in my life.

[@mrwhips3623]

Do you have it already?

[@Biteme1010]

@@mrwhips3623 Yes bought it a week ago.

[@mrwhips3623]

@@Biteme1010 u should upload a short video on your channel. Now I kinda wanna see it

[@XMarkxyz]

@@Biteme1010 Nice choice, did you buy a Stelvio or a Giulia?

[@Biteme1010]

@@XMarkxyz Giulia, I should have mentioned that.... I did my market research and was kinda nervous since some people were having various electrical issues. I ended up buying the extended warranty since it only has 9 months left on it.

[@stevenash4408]

I watched some of your vids from 3 years ago, you have come a long way. I like watching people hone their skills and become successful. You are truly a talented, smart and articulate young man. You work very hard at what you do and it shows. Keep up the good work and thank you for being you.

[@d4a]

Thank you for such sincere support 🙏

[@hemi-spherical57]

I'll give him the 33 grade for the Busso Engine Video! 😀

[@TheChzoronzon]

Rapping in italian, this is out of control! :D What a lusso for the busso...

[@fastcargtv6]

Some addition to the topic. A N/A 2.0 V6 has existed for the Italian market in the 80's which they put into the Alfa 6 and then into the Alfa 90. The Alfa 164 was already production-ready by the time Fiat took over the company. The 3.0 12V also remained in production under 2001 for the Alfa Spider (916) series while the GTV (916) sibling was powered by the V6 TB or the 24V variants. For the swansong of the Busso engine every model in the Alfa line-up has received the 3.2-litre version but while the GTAs (147, 156) were rated at 250 HP the other models (GT, GTV, Spider, 166) were detuned by software to 240 HP. About the Nord-motor (the alloy, twin-cam engine from Busso produced from 1954) its derivative, the 8V Twin Spark remained in production until 1997 when the last 164s were produced. So it remained in production for over 4 decades.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

I believe the GT was the last one fitted with the V6?

[@fastcargtv6]

@@kasimirdenhertog3516 In order of appearance it was. The chronological order of models with Busso V6 engine is the following: 1979 - Alfa 6 1980 - GTV6 1984 - Alfa 90 1985 - Alfa 75 1987 - Alfa 164 1989 - Alfa SZ 1992 - Alfa RZ 1992 - Alfa 155 1994 - Alfa Spider and GTV (916) 1997 - Alfa 156 1998 - Alfa 166 2002 - Alfa 147 2003 - Alfa GT Other cars equipped with it: Fiat Croma Rayton Fissore Magnum V6 Lancia Thema Lancia Kappa Lancia Thesis Gilet Vertigo

[@joey_mc]

@@kasimirdenhertog3516 yes the last Alfa's produced with the Busso were the GT 3.2

[@frosty98412]

I do not think they were detuned by software to 240 hp, I think they did not get the upgraded GTA intake camshafts and thus lost power.

[@pedrorocha870]

Thanks for your input! I was amazed to learn that the Busso V6 2.0 NA existed, I will be more attentive because normally these versions only for Italy also arrived to Portugal, the tax system was the same type as the Italian one, so the same problems were posed and they were solved with the same solutions! and the truth is that version sometimes are less performant but I find these versions very cool!

[@thereeven]

Everything you said about the Busso V6 in the tuning session can basically be applied to the infamous family of 5 cilynder engines by Lancia/Fiat. I personally love then (the sound!). As a descendant of italians, it is hard for me to not become emotional when talking about beautifully sounding Italian engines 😂😂! Cheers from Brazil!

[@louvendran7273]

Awesome video mate, your knowledge shines through. Knowing these engines well, I found it fascinating. Being born in South Africa, it has a special place in my heart as the 3L Busso found on the GTV was initially introduced there. During the trade embargo at the time the GTV 3.0 was every schoolboy's dream. That awesome exhaust note, I could pickup in my sleep if anybody drove past on the street.

[@cipher2508]

Day 640 of asking D4A to do video on motorcycle engines... [Car community is LUCKY to have this gem of a channel]

[@d4a]

It's happening I promise. I'm just one guy and it takes time to go through all the content because I publish just one video per week. But there will be an engine balance video on twin and/or inline two cylinder engine configurations in the next month or two.

[@cipher2508]

@@d4a Wow that was fast :] Anything you create will be fucking awesome man, I'm sure of it Thanx again btw

[@DanielFrost79]

Wow. I love Alfa Romeo. They are the brand that sticks out.. atleast to me. ❤ Love the Italian rap in the end. That was a bit different. Amore!

[@Cheeky-fingers]

I had the 156 and the 75 with this engine. Amazing sounds and desent power. Cosworth wanted to purchase it and the tooling after Alfa retired it. Alfa refused the purchase.

[@igioz]

when there was a NAME behind a project, behind an engine ecc, it have a SOUL, in my humble opinion

[@theblue7877]

Exactly, they designed engines with feeling!

[@ingocernohorsky]

The Busso V6 was also used in the 2003 Alfa Romeo GT. I had a 2006 model with 240 HP.

[@daliborilic5358]

Indeed, I believe that GT was actually the last model with the famous Busso.

[@daliborilic5358]

Btw, what's it like? I own a cheap 1.8 GT that's eats oil but goes surprisingly well, and I'm looking to buy a Busso.. And, yeah, why did you sell it?

[@flyonbyya]

When I lived in South Africa in 1984, my girlfriend had a new, 1984 Alfa Sprint. Though a 4 cylinder, it was surprisingly quick...very cool car !

[@roryfreeman9433]

Very enjoyable video - back in the 70s and 80s I had 1600, 1750, 2000, 2500 and 3000 Alfas - lovely exiting and drivable cars.

[@alfafreak2011]

This was a beautiful tribute to the Amazing Busso V6! As Heavy Metal Alfa, I have been dedicated to keeping GTV6' s alive for 28 years! I am a musician and the song of the the Busso V6 on the track, or the backwoods roads, under full song rpm, is the greatest music of all to a car persons soul.

[@studiocalder818]

So you are one of the musicians who tunes the so called Arese's violin!

[@brianaustin5467]

I have been driving my Busso engined 916 for 21 years. It is still an occasion every time.

[@waltwimer2551]

As a (U.S.-based) Alfa enthusiast since the late '80s, and also a fan of your presentation style and in-depth knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Fantastic! Molto grazie!!!

[@chrissavage5966]

I've had 7 Busso V6 engine cars over the years. Still have one in a project I completed recently too. I've experienced most of the problems with them that you mention here and it's so good to hear you call them out. No such thing as a perfect engine so there's no shame in acknowledging the issues they may have. Bravo Sir!

[@kevindebono7306]

I had an Alfa GTA 3.2 and this engine was really amazing!! You never get used to the sound!!

[@ThunderBassistJay]

This Busso V6 was in my 3 liter Alfa 164. La mia bella macchina! 🧡

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

The Italians really are something else, let me just put it out there

[@CS_247]

I had a Busso in a GTV on Weber's, many years ago in South Africa. Best sounding engine I have ever owned. Loved it every time I drove it. Such a pity the Alfa fell apart around it. ..

[@totih144]

I really appreciate that you put effort in saying the names in the right way. (BAD PUN ALERT)There's no replacement for pronunciatement

[@trentbrisket9223]

That was an excellent pun!

[@stephenbello1081]

This brings back strong memories as I owned a 75 (MIlano) 2.5L 12V before moving on to a AW11 4age.

[@simonh870]

I have been fortunate enough to own a few Busso engined cars. A couple of 164 v6's, a 156 v6 and GTV V6. The earlier 12 valve version in the 164 sounded best, the 2.5 24v lacked torque low down but was the smoothest and the 24v 3.0 performed the best. But I loved all of them.

[@deusexaethera]

I used to order foreign car brochures from Europe when I was a kid. Alfas were among the ones I requested. I always loved the way the Busso V6 looked.

[@UzY3L]

Watching this while working on my Alfa Romeo 166 2.0 V6 turbo, one of the last and best Busso engines

[@psk5746]

Smaller bore or shorter stroke?

[@UzY3L]

@@psk5746 The 2L V6 has both. For the moment, no plans to bore it as it outputs 240HP as is. Lots of worn out parts though. Was never serviced and ran on shitty oil with broken MAF and O2 sensors so running rich all the time

[@psk5746]

@@UzY3L Interesting. Must be fun. If you put the biggest Bore (93mm) with the shortest Stroke (66.2mm) you get (I think) 2.7 ltrs. What a cracker of a motor that would be. It would rev is nuts off

[@shawnmungur4875]

Finally, someone shows the Busso some much deserved love!

[@mykline1]

Worked on alfa engines in the mid 70's in Germany. and really liked the design of the engines.

[@michaelisaacson9735]

My 1981 GTV-6 was a joy. Once the obligatory, two-piece head gasket failed and was replaced by an improved one-piece, the engine was bulletproof. Don't forget that before Reeves Callaway began producing twin-turbo Corvette engines, he used a Busso as a test engine. His engineers hooked one up on a stand and ran it hard, expecting it to break within two hours due to the pressures they were passing into it. It ran for two days until they gave up and stopped the test. Mine was without the chrome intake pipes but it was GLORIOUS! The car...not so much. I kept it outside and it got wet. Big mistake.

[@WarSloop69]

this is by reallly far the best dedicated video of busso and alfa romeo video I ever see. congrats

[@markstrohauer7871]

I love your videos and have learned a lot from you. I've had many Busso engines from 1959 on and did not realize it until getting my 164-S, back in '92. Thank you!

[@matteosardelli9502]

Very good job with the Italian intro man 👍🏻👍🏻😂 Btw the name "arese's violin" is because Arese is the town (next to Milan) where the Alfa Romeo factory was. Bow they actually built a massive shopping centre in its place but next to it there's an amazing Alfa Romeo museum with tons of historical cars and engines

[@jozsefizsak]

Fun and fascinating as always. I'm glad you went with such a long video instead of struggling to fit it into a much shorter runtime. I know average people just tune out after 8 minutes but I never complain about having too much of a good thing!

[@markotrieste]

Wow. Just wow. Excellent video, well researched and with good italian pronunciation. I'm saying this as an italian engineer working in an engine factory, so no kidding here ;-)

[@Snarge22]

1982 GTV6 owner here. One thing I didn't know was that Giuseppe Busso was Alfa Romeo's chief engine engineer for so long. That is the Nord engine is his design as well. Glad he got to have his name on his last design. So, being a GTV6 owner my car started out with the 2.5L stock original engine. Very nice and smooth, if a bit weak. Later on I had the 3.0L SOHC version. Installed S-pistons and S-cams plus the later stronger 164S rocker arms. This configuration included opening up the intake runners and matching them to the cylinder head intake ports plus long-tube headers. Upon looking back this was the best configuration I had for that chassis. I currently have the 24v version with GTA cams and a slightly shaved cylinder head. Wow does that make my 2800 lb GTV6 haul a**! But, while great, the expense and work was greater than necessary, was too time consuming to get it all going, and honestly, the worked over 3.0L SOHC had plenty of power. That is, while my car is a lot more powerful, it isn't any more fun to drive than the earlier configuration. I don't have to shift down as much as I can just power through most all situations. To me high power can reduce driver engagement and that's where the fun is. So on these old GTV6s I recommend that middle ground power configuration and then just enjoy the wonderful sounds and high fun factor Alfa Romeo's or so well known for.

[@TheRealCoyote]

I realize it is pretty much the anniversary of this fantastic video and nobody will read this :D But I will say it anyway: Great, informative video of an engine I really love. I had a 156 V6 and it drove and sounded glorious with just an aftermarket stainless exhaust. Now I have a Gtv V6 turbo, and while it "ticks" thanks to it's older valve train at idle, it otherwise sounds great and goes like the wind. Look after a Busso engine with maintenace schedule and good quality oil and it is bullet proof. Forza Alfa! Forza Busso"

[@d4a]

I read it 😊 Forza Alfa!

[@TheRealCoyote]

@@d4a You made my day😊 Keep up the good work with your videos! I'm learning a lot. And I like your sense of humor too!

[@Juhis299]

This engine reminds me of Hondas C32B used in the BEST and FASTEST SUPERCAAR Honda NSX. Both of these have same stroke and bore at 3.2 Liter form only huge diffrence is that C-series v6 engines are angled in 90 degree. Both have very small aftermarket but are best sounding v6 engines and both were transversely mounted. Also both made almost same power numbers but honda wins just roughly with the VTEC!

[@bahnstormero]

Busso V6 is a basic cheap engine, so C32B is a rare expensive unit, you cant compare them, but yes the stroke and bore are the same indeed.

[@charleslowe522]

The iconic engine series is one of the best on the tube for petroheads. Always enjoy the back story!

[@cdmikelis]

Very touching story of Busso. I had 2.0 T.B. and I still have factory restored 2.5 :) Busso engine is probably the best sounding V6 ever made on this planet. It's baritone sound of natural aspirated 2.5 or 3.0 is just amazing and forces driver to constantly accelerate. The driving in lightweight 155 with it is like driving diesel, no need to change gears, it just goes. While driving 2.0 TB, it's like rocket launcher after turbo kicks in. It's very low compressed engine, once turbo hose exploded, engine had less power than Fiat 600, barely drivable to the shop. Lastly, the engine had huge oil capacity and it cols down a long time. During winter a parked car would melt all the packed snow on driveway overnight. All I had to do, was parking slightly different every day, so I had cleaned snow/ice from all the yard in a week. :) But expensive to maintain, especially belt change :)

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

A really great video which strikes the perfect balance between education and entertainment - the jaunty, fluent and engaging, and bilingual, delivery (not to discount it doesn't hurt that our man is so easy on the eye...😏) - mean watching, learning, understanding

[@MrAxel1666]

Grazie per questo video, hai colto in pieno il significato e il valore di uno dei motori italiani Più amati. ❤️

[@paulakennedy2085]

Wow ! That engine sound ! I'd forgotten just how awesome it was.

[@TorqueAholic]

Great, comprehensive video. I remember running my dad's GTV-6 through the gears back in the 80's. It was a quick car for the time, a good handler with great steering feel and yeah: definitely one of the best sounding engines for sure.

[@nieczerwony]

If you are real petrol head and enthusiast, you had to have "bella" at least for some time. I had my gtv v6 3.0 24v. It was cabriolet (or convertible if you rather), and I still miss her dearly.

[@gilberrocal1363]

I´ve had 2 gtv 4 71 dual webers & 73 inj. & 78 spyder , then I found a picture of a v6 motor ,I fell in love with the motor first , years later i went to buy a bmw M6 , they sold it , saw an ad for a corvette at a ALFA dealer close to home, it didn´t look so good , in the shadows of the lot at night I glimpsed a gtv6 ,red , 84 MARATONA came back to test drive it , bought it 3 days later ,$6000 , best car I´ve ever owned , I´ve 6 gtv6s in total, sadly I had to sell them all , biggest regret in my life, DON´T EVER SELL YOUR ALFAS.!!

[@mikedstringer]

What a brilliant video, thank you. Autodelta offered (and still do) a supercharger which has stood the test of time as an “off the shelf” form of forced induction.

[@CEDRICnissan]

busso sound like VG30E/VG30S, GOTTA LOVE V6

[@salvatorep.1685]

It's true, sound very similar because in the '80 Nissan and Alfa Romeo had a joint venture.

[@CEDRICnissan]

@@salvatorep.1685 yes., i once straight piped vg30s very similar sound, the higher the revs you dont much noise as much as volume change

[@jeffgreenrgv]

Owned a 156 2.5 V6, fitted a 166 3.0 engine in it, GTA cams, skimmed heads, balanced crank, lightened flywheel, decat, open silencer etc etc, sounded very mellow, rumbled around like a V8 at low rpm and screamed like a V12 at high rpm. The best car I have ever owned, not the fastest, but the engine had true soul, it sounded beautiful with looks to match. I miss it greatly.

[@were562]

I managed to score a 3.0 milano (75) verde from an retired math teacher hippie in oregon 4 years ago. Paid 2000 usd and drove it back to Canada. Owner was an Interesting Guy and had a great trip, not to mention i now own an amazing car. Good memories.

[@mattlowe9913]

Incredible video! I had a 1982 GTV-6 and regret getting rid of it every day. I recommend Volvo T-5 engine for a future “Iconic Engines” video. Another one of my favorites.

[@mateusmorais1185]

Alfa 156 GTA is simply one of the most beautiful sedans ever produced. It lives up to the roar of the V6 that drives it... Unfortunately, it's a distant dream. :(

[@steveblottenberger1097]

You got my vote Steve from Annapolis you did a very good job narrating or explaining this engine keep up the good work I like your shows

[@klausstock8020]

I remember the engine from the first-series Alfa 6. The first-series Alfa 6 was, and still is, the fastest Alfa Romeo in history. It would go from zero to complete rust bucket in four years. After four years, it received a "keyless entry upgrade" - the rust holes in the body were so large already that the locks were no held in place; you could just punch them and they would open. Wonderful engine, never screamed, just conveyed the confident voice of authority. Everything electrical in the car failed. Including simple wires. I had the gut feeling that the alternator change intervals were shorter than the oil change intervals. To get the engine's power to the street, the Alfa 6 had rear-wheel drive which came with a 25% limited slip differential as a standard. If you asked for power, you got it. Immediately. The speedometer always broke. Warranty repair, all the time, unless you got tired of your Alfa 6 spending more time getting repaired than being on the road. So wtf, who needs a speedometer anyway? Of course, that also meant that the odometer wouldn't work...but engine life was a non-issue, and the rust holes were blatantly obvious. I had, in the last few years, always wondered whether my admiration of the engine was just me, glorifying the past like so many old people, or whether is was really that smooth and responsive. Yes, it wasn't me; this video confirmed it. That was the Alfa Rome I had ever sat in. Quality was so ridiculously low that many Alfa Romeo fans ceased to be fans and went to other brands. Seven first-series Alfa 6 were modified for the US American market. They went to the junk yard right away. A few years ago, I saw an Alfa 6, second series, with the 2.0 liter engine, in perfect condition. That was a Wednesday. July 17th, 2019, around 7pm, near Frankfurt am Main. I ran around the parked Alfa 6, dumbfounded. No rust! How is that possible! BTW, one out of 1771 ever built. Much rarer than, like, a Ferrari Testarossa. And nowadays Alfa Romeo is running ads on the radio. "You can get an Alfa Rome out of Italy, but you can't get Italy out of an Alfa Romes." Ouch. In 2003, I wrote a piece of software for a large car manufacturer. They also had a division which made Italian sports cars (no, it was not Fiat), and they transported the raw car bodies to Germany, to have them pained there. Apparently, more than 20 years after i had experienced the Alfa 6 debacle, Italian cars still had rust issues. The software allowed the Italian car bodies to run through the paint shop, but to be redirected from the conveyor belt to a "side exit." Yup, made no sense to send Lamborghini bodies onto an Audi A6 assembly line. So, if Alfa Romes still can't the "Italy" out of their cars....thanks, no, I'll pass. Still, the engine... Okay, 18 liters per 100km in real life (Alfa Romeo claimed 15l/100km). Still more fuel-efficient than some other performance cars of that era. Like Porsches.

[@MrLince-hr4of]

love this motor ! the Alfa Romeo GTA 147 is still one of my favourite cars🤤

[@TurboHappyCar]

Another ICONIC video! Great job man. 👍 In the 'States, we don't hear too much about mid-tier Italian cars, so I definitely learned a lot. Thanks!

[@dynamitedavies]

I've got a 916 GTV V6, the throttle response is like a 2 stroke chainsaw, instant power but revs all the way to the limiter with ease. Such a smooth engine that's eger to perform

[@FieryWings01]

Personally owned and daily drove a 2004 147GTA with Q2 diff and upgraded intake setup pushing over 250 italian ponies with the selespeed 2.0 transmission which worked well when properly taken care of. Was a stunning car to drive and loved the sound of that engine especially when I opened that throttle up! Have a number of people a surprise when accelerating from the traffic lights ✅

[@e36s50b30]

Wow! What a great find! But remember the Mezger. Not officially named as that but nonetheless very well known as that.

[@ravishkasilva9709]

Italians you have to love them for their style and passion.

[@stefanomarchi3542]

Tu guarda se devo scoprire le caratteristiche di questo capolavoro da un video inglese!

[@Nyjawonder]

In the early 90s I dreamed of having a 164 with this epic engine. Would likely have been a disaster but man I loved the clean lines of the 164. Thanks for the video. I almost clicked off after 5s but then saw the comments. Glad I stayed. Subscribed too. "Bella Italiano"

[@hdrenginedevelopment7507]

The Busso V6 is pretty rare in the US, but one engine that has a lot of similarities to, is very plentiful, and I think underrated V6 platform here in the US...the Hyundai G6BA Delta. They are also a very undersquare DOHC cam on hydraulic bucket lifter aluminum 60° even fire V6, but also with closed deck, 4 bolt mains, ladder frame reinforcing girdle, very simple reliable easy maintenance and very easy to find in scrap yards and buy parts for. They are a bit unremarkable in stock form and were used in mostly pretty unremarkable vehicles, but with a lot of work, money, and tuning thrown at it, it yields nearly as glorious a result in sound and power output...at least I have thoroughly enjoyed my build, and the Tiburon chassis has a decent enough driving dynamic to be able to enjoy it. Mine is making in the neighborhood of 240 hp NA in the ~7500 rpm range without anything super crazy done to it. It’s hard to find a good compact oversquare V6 platform. Not a lot of manufacturers went that route, and virtually nobody is nowadays....all super long stroke 4 cylinders anymore.

[@j_mzyy]

My realistic dream car was already a 156 gta due to it having a legendary engine and being a car that my dad had (he had a jts not a gta iirc) for the first 15 years of my life. Learning giuseppe busso died the day i was born just solidifies its place on my heart

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

I had a 166 with a 3 litre Busso. Glorious car, glorious engine.

[@NotThatBob]

I remember the Busso V6. This video is a love story.

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

A really great video which strikes the perfect balance between education and entertainment - the jaunty, fluent and engaging, and bilingual, delivery (not to discount it doesn't hurt that our man is so easy on the eye...😏) - mean learning and understanding fairly complex engineering principles becomes part of a wider and even more colourful context. It wouldn't surprise me if he gets an approach from the BBC to do a motoring/historical/technical documentary for them, such is the quality I witnessed here!🥰

[@antoniomaglione4101]

You know about oil change in Busso engines. It took eight liters of lubricant oil... It was used for cooling. As a kid, I was shuttled around in a Giulietta. The Giulia was used by police. Road tax was excessive for a family. I agree that front wheel drive is "bad". The timing chain required adjustments too often... and was noisy. Alfa Romeo owners were known to kill their engines with a few show-offs to friends on the motorway. Thanks for the video...

[@KZiakas]

Just came back from a ride with my Alfa 147 GTA, and damn, every sentence of yours was so meaningful to me! Nice video!

[@Pulsarr1]

Absolutely love these videos. Keep up the good work. I swear if you weren't on the other side of the world I would just give you the spare 3S-GTE I have in my garage to see what you would do with it.

I had three versions of this engine, 3.0 / 12 valve on a 164s. A 3.0 / 24 valve on a 164 QV and the last version 3.2 / 24 valve 250 hp on a 156 GTA wich I still have among a NEW 3.2 engine on a box imported from Italy when Arese plant closed.

[@martinneumann7783]

I just discovered your channel recently (the 3 cylinder and the V6 cylinder stories). You're doing a good job. The videos are interesting, well narrated and funny; especially this one. It's a good mixture between technology and comedy. Grazie mille e saluti da Germania!

[@JoseRivera-ym3wj]

Great to see the Iconic Engine series back. And with the striking Busso, no less. Not long ago, on the Donut Media channel, they had a video about kit cars. One of them was designed to fit a Busso engine in it, besides other options. The other engines are great, but one has to go Busso just because.

[@lordred7462]

Had GTV 2.0 V6 turbo for years. Her busso was singing every time when I hit accelerator. No rev limiter, reved to 8200 rpm.

[@andrasjuhasz7011]

18:57 part-hemi is actually a pretty good combustion chamber shape for 2valve/cyl engines. Pentroof is mostly for 4valve/cyl engines because is allows for bigger valves and parallel valve guides that saves a lot of headaches for cam to valve connections. For 2 valves it doesn't really have any advantages though.

[@louvendran7273]

What a legend of an engine!

[@JG54206]

They didn’t want to compromise throttle response… so they gave it 6 carbs ensuring the throttle response would always be terrible due to the carbs always being out of tune.

[@guloguloguy]

WOW!!!! THANK YOU, FOR THIS INCREDIBLY IMPRESSIVE, DETAILED, AND FASCINATING LOOK INTO ANOTHER LINEAGE OF AMAZING ENGINES, AND HISTORICAL DETAILS!!! YOUR VIDEOS ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, AND INPRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hotatuning2498]

Bravo maestro!!! Buso best engine for ever!!

[@sergeanthorvath]

A very detailed history and discussion of tuning potential of these great engines. Grazie Mille.

[@dougtond1380]

I once hitched a ride from LA to Sacramento in a gtv6. It was pretty sweet

[@johnphaceas7434]

I'm onto my third Alfa and 2nd Busso V6 (both 2.5L 24v 156s, though the third is also a Busso - the "Bialbero" DOHC 2.0L four-pot in my Alfetta GTV). The V6 doesn't only sound good when it's at full roar - the deep bass tone when its lugging in a high gear at low revs (eg when you're dawdling along doing 2000rpm in 4th, and then accelerate without changing down) is also magnificent. You don't get much extra forward motion but the sound is symphonic - Nothing turns heads on the street faster.

[@jonntischnabel]

I've had 2 Alfa's, a 2.0 twin spark, and a 2.4 jtd, both of which sounded great. My next one NEEDS to be a busso. I bet opening that throttle is so satisfying and addictive. As the "end of petrol" is getting nearer, it's now or never for such a plan. I've been eyeing up used GTVs and GTs. 👌

[@bradyelich2745]

3:59 I already spilled beer on my keyboard, now I am spitting it out onto my keyboard.

[@meinwarcrafttagebuch5142]

I owned an Alfa 156 with the 2.5 Busso - I drove it way over 200.000km without the slightest problem and with great fun. Normal every day driving was below 7 l/100km and by normal I still mean driving it between 160-180 km/h on the Autobahn. The sound, the response of the engine was great and I must say that even the suspension of the 156 could easily keep up with the power of 180something horses. It could handle the power way better than my Golf3 VR6 I owned before. After the Alfa I owned a BMW 325 e46. Not a bad car either but I would trade it for an Alfa every day, in my opinion, the BMW didn't even came close.

[@TheGinger1]

Great playlist. I've worked my way through everyone. I think you've struck the perfect balance of dry geeky numbers and humour. Great work. I assume you're going to do one on the RB (too obvious to leave out). While the tuning segment might not be that deep, the Bizzarrini V12 has to be classed as an iconic engine given how long it remained in production.

[@gregorystidsen8910]

Really informative and entertaining video - especially the rap at the end! Not mentioned was the Calloway Twin Turbo conversions done here in the USA with factory blessing. This was offered on the 2.5 GTV6 and produced 230hp I think less than 100 were produced. I have a 164Q with the 3.0 24V which is just fabulous car.