Any 365 or 400s out there with a Maserati engine? | FerrariChat
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Any 365 or 400s out there with a Maserati engine?

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by ferrariblex, Jul 5, 2009.

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  1. ferrariblex

    ferrariblex Karting

    Sep 28, 2005
    117
    Madison, WI
    Full Name:
    Brandon Blexrude
    #1 ferrariblex, Jul 5, 2009
    Have any of you seen a 365 or 400 that has a Maserati 4.9 V8 transplanted into it? I might be wrong, but it seems to me that the engine from a 1979-1986 Maserati Quattroporte III might make an ideal engine to transplant as it is alloy, has 4 cams, 32 valves, 4-2 barrel Weber carbs, a strong bottom end, make excellent sounds, is Italian, and can be bought inexpensively. These engines are usually connected to a Chrysler 727 automatic transmission instead of a GM THM400, which may create some other challenges with installing one in a 365 or 400; however, it seems to me might be a worthwhile endeavor if it prevents another 365 or 400 from being parted out due to a prohibitively expensive cost of rebuilding the original V12 and is more tasteful than installing an American V8. Any thoughts?
     
  2. sowest

    sowest Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2006
    899
    #2 sowest, Jul 5, 2009
    That is an interesting proposition. I have never seen nor heard of such a project. It seems that the pure cost calculation would not come out right when all the parts and fabrication costs are added to the inevitable drop in the finished car's value. It might be a wonderful car for the owner to use, but it would be a tough sell in the Ferrari marketplace.

    In related news: There was a Quattroporte III here that had a Chrysler 440 in it. This makes sense in that it bolts right up to the Chrysler gearbox, but I think the 440 must hold some record as being one of the heaviest American V8's ever. I never got to see this car other than through a chainlink fence, 100 feet away. The owner was "unusual" and I could never get him to get the car out and fix it or sell it for parts. It was outside for years and was getting very rusty. He used to tell me about all the new parts that he had bought and stored inside the car. The owner and the car disappeared. I have no idea what happened to either of them.
     
  3. 246tasman

    246tasman Formula 3

    Jun 21, 2007
    1,446
    UK
    Full Name:
    Will Tomkins
    #3 246tasman, Jul 5, 2009
    It should be cheaper to rebuild the V12 than do a decent conversion to a V8. These engines are not rocket science and things like pistons & valves can be sourced at much less than the rip off Ferrari prices.
     
  4. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,378
    Central NJ
    #4 ArtS, Jul 5, 2009
    I tend to agree. An american V8 is a cheap engine to maintain and build. A Maserati engine is not. Rebuilding the original engine seems a better route than swapping in an Italian V8 that isn't a direct bolt-up. Besides, keeping 4.9 demand low keeps QPs from being broken up.

    Regards,

    Art S.
     

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