| Author | Message | ||
| Lawrence Michaels (Lxmichaels1)
Junior Member Username: Lxmichaels1 Post Number: 145 Registered: 2-2001 |
Hi (again) everybody. It's been some time since I posted here, actually since my 348 crash last October but I do periodically read the postings. As I said before you can take me out of the Ferrari but you can't take the Ferrari out of me. My automotive effort are turned torwards restoring/refurbishing a 1987 Lambo Japla. Here's the story for anone interested. http://pages.sbcglobal.net/lxmichaels/Default.htm A very interesting car. dual personality, sometimes like a Ferrari and the rest a strange Italian cousin. having lots of fun with it. Hopefully ready in time for Consorso Italiano in August. Lot's of new Ferrari chatters, good stuff! >> Larry | ||
| Steven Pham (Stevendp)
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Thanks Peter, very informative site. Never knew that there was plans to build a Jalpa conv. | ||
| Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
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William is obviously the "been there, done that" Lambo guy on this thread, he has found the best in Al for upgrading the problems, but Al will work with your technician I am sure. For the $ you get a car that is a blast, stick to a Diablo if you can, too many kit cars of the Countach, like the Cobra, nobody figures that it is real. GT Car parts are a good source for help and bits. Ever thought about the pre-Hummer, the LM002 is a great toy, had two in recently. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Yes the clutch job on the COuntach is around $4500 I have had my car debugged pretty much, got the larger Bosch alternator, the Anniversary serpentine belt. Most important electrical thing is to get some1 good to redo the fuse box cus Lambo tried sticking too many things onto too few relays which makes it very unreliable. Al Burtoni of Milano Imports fixed it for me, He's probably 1 of the world's best Lambo mechanics Lambo designed the cylinder heads on the current Viper V10 engine | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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Steven Pham, this doesn't answer your question, but if you consider buying a Jalpa, bookmark this website. Very informative (model history, online manuals, clubs, etc...) http://www.jalpa.ch/indexe.html | ||
| Doug Meredith (Doug308)
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Hey Tino, Saw the pic in your post. Is that a B&B on Mt Tam. I stayed there on my honeymoon almost 2 years ago for an eveing and there was a silver Modena parked outside. Beautiful area. Doug | ||
| Steven Pham (Stevendp)
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Hey gang, since we are talking about Lambo and the maintance costs associated with them. I'm curious about the maintance schedule for the Jalpa. Their prices are at the same level as a four-valve 308. Are they as unreliable as the v-12's. | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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Brian how often do you think Lambo clutches last? Are there any tricks to removing the engine on one or is it pretty straight forward? What are some typical electrical Lambo problems? | ||
| Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
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Lambo clutch-$4500 or so! Yes, the engine and box come out, takes 3-4 days. Rest of service is straightforward really, never had one through for a real 30K, they normally reside in the shop 2 or 3 times a year for electric problems. The Diablo has much more room for my 270lbs and is a blast to drive, just had a twin turbo conversion in here, 900+ bhp! | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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There is a new VW concept car in the new Motor Trend that looks just like a Lambo. Is called the W12 Concept Car. I just looked at some pics of the Maserati. It looks quite nice but not as nice as a Ferrari. They updated their factory quite a bit too. It is a good article. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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VW owns Audi which owns Lambo. So yes, here is your VW Murcielago, even better than being an Audi isn't it? LOL. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Jay, I am with you. We should petition that all car manufacturers have to release who their affiliated with. God damn Krauts with their "we-buy-everything"-mentality! | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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I thought it was Audi, but then again that's VW isn't it? I can't remember who owns who anymore! | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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Who owns Lamborghini now? Is it VW? | ||
| Mark (Study)
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I wonder what effect Chrysler had when they took over and helped bring the Italian up to higher quality specs drurring the relase of the Diablo? (Relativly higher only in terms of Countach -vs Diablo.) Chryslers is not quite known for Quality like Honda but compaired to Lamborgini at the time it was viewed as a huge step towards modern manufactoring technology imporovements. I am guessing that the Viper came from the technology that Chrysler learned from Lamborghini. So does that make the Viper and Diablo brothers? | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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William how has your Countach treated you? I have heard some horror stories about them too but I have also heard some great stories saying how reliable the car is. I guess being handbuilt it varies on how the persons day was on how well your car may work. | ||
| tino stramotas (Bboxer)
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My .02 Two memorable experiences with Lambo. November 1967 while at College in London, I got stopped on the M4 doing 125mph in a lime green Miura (first one in the UK) that a school mate (saudi prince) had bought right after the Motor Show. Spent the evening at the police station. Fast forward to Feb,89, bought a brand new Countach QV from Lee Imports in Boston and had it transported to LA. Kept it 3 years, sold it with 1,700 miles on the clock, four flat-bed truck receipts and a smelly clutch. Car caught fire twice. There is a picture somewhere of me standing next to it on the shoulder of the 405 fwy at roush hour, extinguisher in hand. Never a Lambo again ! Tino S. | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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Thanks for the info William. That is a very involved project. I don't understand why they did it either. Like I said the compressor, belts, etc. look quite accessible. The shifter must go straight into the transmission. William what is the price of a clutch job on a Countach? | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Changing the clutch on the Countach is a nightmare. The engine & trans have to come out the top. Have u ever really looked at how small that opening is??? The engine & trans r about 1/2 the cars weight or 1600# so its really a hell of a job & u need a serious crane to do it, crazy Italians, I dont know what they were drinking when they thought this 1 up  LOL | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Very funny, Martin. One problem is that there's no authorized Lambo dealer here currently. The last dealer folded after selling just 2 or 3 cars. Third party mechanics, who work on Ferraris, will do Lambos (some have good Lambo experience) but takes a lot of time and money. Another problem is that we just don't have the kind of roads and geography to really enjoy a Diablo. I've only seen one Lambo, a black Diablo VT, on the road in all the years I've lived in Washington state. Two others, both Diablo SE30s, spend most their time in the shop. | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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The Countach has very accessible belts in the engine compartment. The compressor, alternator etc. are all right there. It doesn't look to involved to get to the accessory items. That being said I have never worked on one just seen a few and studied the engine layout. I just don't like the idea of having to remove the engine to replace the clutch. I have heard the avg. clutch life on a Countach is 5,000 miles. If you drive it right maybe it could last longer. Let me know on some prices. | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Just starting to look into the cost. But with the timing chain instead of rubber belts, should push service intervals out further, if you know how to properly use a clutch? I heard one guy burned his clutch with 1,500 miles on his new Lambo. (but then I've heard that from TR owner also) Some Doctors shouldn't be allowed to have a SupperCar. LOL | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
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How much is a 30K for a Lambo? Do you still have to remove the engine to change the clutch as you do with a Countach? How much is the going rate for that job? | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Martin; I heard Tropical Sportscars in ft laud is a good place to get work done on Lambos. Is that your guy also? When I'm ready to buy, I'll have to hire you to hunt down the best deal. You seem to know the car scene pretty well down there. I heard there is a BIG problem with rolling back the miles on these cars and hiding the number of previous owners. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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I guess if you open the door in Seattle a puddle of rain comes gashing into your car | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Lambos might be ok if you live in Florida, Texas California. But here in Seattle you could forget about it. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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MArk; I have seen Diablos for under $100K. IN the low 90s and high 80s. There are some guys here in Miami with Lambos. MY mechanic is a factory trained Lambo and Lotos mechanic, so most of these cars end up in his shop. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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I gotta hold out a little longer. I need the 3 car garage first. Was looking through the MLS for homes with 3 car garage and what popped up was only Millions and up  no fair! I guess I have to buy the neighbors house and tear it down and build a garage on his lot. Hey I could shell out the house and instead of a 2 car garage I would have a 2 story garage | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Martin... when I move down to Miami we can race our Diablos. (I'm still waiting for the prices to drop a bit more but give it another year, and they'll be hard to pass up.) Just call the new car the "BAT" that other name is a mouthful. Lambo just stold some top Marketing people from Ferrari they are going to make a big push with their new Baby Lambo V10 coming out next year. I don't like the looks of the "BAT" back-end is too fat! I just like the idea that the Diablo is not being made anymore. It might finally be time to get one maybe. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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still love the Lambo Diablo. I think you get a mean piece of machine for $ 100K, much more exotic, almost more exotic than a F40 and with great handling ability. Eventually I will own one myself in addition to the Ferraris. I do not see them compete. They add to each other. Well, with the new one (I am not writing in the name here becasue I still do not have that down..darn car)I think they went the complete wrong way. Hope that Ferrari is not heading the same way. I'd say the 360 is borderline to be looking like japanese trash! Puh I can feel the heat already.. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Lambos are exciting creatures. I have a soft spot for a Countach QV but I won't go out of my way to get any Lamborghini. Repair and maintenance horror stories from many sources puts me off. For the price of an early Diablo, I'd go for a 512TR instead. It's a more useable car. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I have an 86 Countach 5000QV in my collection, the parts & labor makes Ferrari prices seem almost reasonable The Diablo SV & GT r sweet though | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
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Mark - just heard horror stories - a bad sync - bad clutch repairs that were over priced and ridiculous. That MOMO edition Lambo was just a pinto in Italian clothes | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Have any of you had a Diablo? Do any of you want a Diablo? Just wondering... 1991's are around the $100k mark maybe $135k for a 1994 model. Speed, feel, handling, fit/finish, quality, running cost? Do Ferrair people adobt the car as an Italian step-brother at track events? Or do they feel its compition? |