VTI Engine Package – 1600 Nord – Full 1800 cc Conversion +45 BHP

Description

Developed in collaboration with VTI Engineering and top Italian manufacturers

This high-performance bottom-end kit has been engineered to unlock the performance potential of the Alfa Romeo 1600 twin cam engine. Featuring forged pistons, precision-engineered liners, high-grade bearings, IWIS chains, and Reinz gaskets, it provides the strength and durability required for both road and competition builds.

Engineering Basis

• Engine base: Alfa Romeo 1600 (original bore × stroke 78 × 82 mm, displacement 1,570 cc).
• Bore options:
  • 78 mm (standard) → 1,570 cc
  • 79 mm → 1,599 cc
  • 79.5 mm → 1,618 cc
• Compression ratio options:
  • 10.5:1 – compatible with 91–93 octane fuel
  • 11.0:1 – optimized for performance with premium fuels
  • 11.5:1 – for maximum performance potential with high-octane fuel
• Geometry considerations:
  • Stock 1600 is slightly undersquare (stroke > bore).
  • Increasing bore to 79 or 79.5 mm moves the engine closer to square geometry, enhancing high-rpm breathing, valve area, and combustion efficiency.

Piston and Liner Engineering

• 20% narrower intake skirt reduces friction and sharpens throttle response.
• Controlled compression decay after TDC optimizes gas flow and combustion efficiency.
• 40% reduction in exhaust skirt load increases long-term durability at high rpm.

Kit Contents

• Forged pistons with conventional rings, standard pins, and wire locks.
• Precision-engineered liners.
• Reinz head gasket and full engine gasket set.
• Standard rod and main bearings (oversize options available).
• IWIS race/road timing chains (top and bottom).
• Thrust washers, lock tabs, and complete hardware kit.
• Camshafts
• Intake and Exhaust Valves
• Valves Guides
• Valves Springs
• Timing Pulley
• Full Gasket Kit
• Carburettors Mounting
• Sport Sparks
• Sport Flywheel
• Sport Horns
• Valves Seals

Performance Potential

Stock Baseline (78 mm bore, 9.0:1 CR, twin carbs)

• ~110 hp @ 6,000 rpm
• Usable rpm range: up to ~6,500 rpm

With Kit – 78 mm bore (1,570 cc), 10.5–11.5:1 CR

• Fast-road build: 120–125 hp @ ~6,500–6,800 rpm
• Race build: 135–140 hp @ ~7,000 rpm
• RPM increase: +500 rpm over stock

With Kit – 79 mm bore (1,599 cc), 10.5–11.5:1 CR

• Fast-road build: 125–130 hp
• Race build: 138–143 hp
• RPM ceiling: ~7,200 rpm
• Advantage: displacement gain + improved bore/stroke ratio (closer to square), enhancing airflow and stability at high speed

With Kit – 79.5 mm bore (1,618 cc), 10.5–11.5:1 CR

• Fast-road build: 128–132 hp
• Race build: 140–145 hp
• RPM ceiling: ~7,300–7,400 rpm
• Advantage: near-square configuration improves valve area and breathing, delivering stronger top-end performance without sacrificing drivability

Figures assume sport/race camshafts, twin 40–45 DCOE carburetors, ported cylinder head, and stainless-steel 4-2-1 exhaust. A properly designed exhaust system typically adds +8–10 hp.

Advantages of Approaching Square Geometry

• Higher rpm capability: reduced mean piston speed allows the engine to rev higher safely.
• Improved breathing: larger bore increases effective valve area and flow.
• Balanced performance: retains torque delivery while strengthening top-end output.
• Optimized efficiency: more favorable combustion chamber proportions improve stability and efficiency at high speed.

Summary

This bottom-end kit develops the Alfa Romeo 1600 into a durable and tunable platform for both spirited road use and competition. With bore enlargement up to 79.5 mm and compression ratios up to 11.5:1, the engine can be tuned from its stock ~110 hp into a 125–132 hp fast-road specification or a 140–145 hp high-revving race engine.

The move toward square geometry enhances rpm potential and top-end performance, while forged pistons, precision liners, IWIS chains, and high-quality bearings ensure reliability under demanding conditions. This is the ideal bottom-end solution for builders and drivers seeking to maximize the Alfa Romeo 1600 twin cam.

Excellent — here is a comprehensive comparison chart covering the 1300, 1600, 1750, and 2000 Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engines, with all bore options, displacements, compression ratio ranges, expected horsepower, rpm ceilings, and notes on geometry. This will let your customers compare upgrade paths at a glance.