Pumped up 400i engine in Autoweek for $45K

Anyone salivating over the pumped up 400i motor (converted to carbs) that is in the recent Autoweek? Can't see how the $s make sense, but ~450 HP would be sweet

http://www.gallocompetition.com/The_P4_Project.html

 

wow, that looks sweet!

 

Well, under your link there's only a picture posted - that's all?!

 

Looks like it's from a 365 GTC/4.

 

Here's the ad from Autoweek:

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No affiliation -- just thought it a good example of how hot-rodding these engines by replacing the mechanical parts is a big $ proposition.

 

It's going to need more pumping to make anywhere near that price IMO.

Nice to see though.

Hmmm...

 

STupid $$

 

Projected to be around 425-475?! How about getting it on an engine dyno and tuning before asking this kind of $$..

 

LOL, you can buy a 650hp dynod LS7 for $35k

A fool & there $ are soon parted

 

Apples and oranges...

CW

 

I was thinking more apples and footballs...

 

Sounds like fun! Bet Norwood would hook you up on a pumper.Is this project different from the convertible?

 

OK -- let's work this the other way around -- what should the price be in your opinion? Assume a completely fresh rebuilt 400i engine + rods + pistons + cams + carbs/intake + maybe some headwork. I agree that it's not like there's a lot of demand for such an item, but can't believe that much less than $40K would leave a reasonable profit for all the labor/hassle -- JMO...

 

+1

 

its quite the white elephant. Who the H is going to buy that ? You can probably get a 550 or 575 engine for that $ and have the same or more power except its reliable

 

pricing for this engine is similar as it is for the whole car. ferrari car $300k/vette $100 and engines $45k/$15k.

isnt there a ferrari racing series that will allow cars with ferrari motors? that could be the motivation for this type of project.

 

My guess is the seller has parts on hand to build it as described but it's not going to get done unless a buyer steps up first. Slim chance of that but if you don't ask...

Getting the quoted horsepower is probably going to require turning the engine a bunch faster, not conducive to long life.

$45k can certainly buy lots more horsepower in other forms but if you must have a Ferrari V12 your choices are limited so maybe someone will buy it and prove me wrong.
.

 

I think you'd have to get pretty specific to see what's been done to it to recognize if the money made sense.

For example, a race winning [Lotus] twin cam can be had for mid-30s. This is a 4 cylinder. 125 - 130 BHP/L motor. A mid pack engine is probably 15K. While irrelevant to the price of the Ferrari motor, it goes to show there's a big range depending on who's built it, the time taken and the builder's reputation and willingness to stand behind his product.

Philip

 

+1

If I had any mid 70s or earlier F recreation, I wouldn't want to open the hood and see a bunch of ECUs and wiring -- regardless of it being a much better HP/$ value and more reliable

 

Exactly.

With a replica vintage Ferrari it would make sense to be at least somewhat period correct. The 4-cam with sidedrafts would look (and sound) like it belongs, Chevy not so much. I don't see the car actually being raced seriously anywhere so reliability and driveability would be far more important to me than horsepower.

 

That engine with the carbs is basically the same as the engine in the 365 GTC/4 but with more displacement.

Note that the engine being advertised isn't even built yet, it is promised for mid 2012. I guess the guy wants to get the buyer on the hook before building an engine on spec.

Back in 1998 I looked at a 400i that had had a complete engine rebuild, including a short block from a 412, with new pistons and valves and the invoices added up to about $26K.

I would guess that 13 years of inflation plus lots of non-stock go faster build specs would cost quite a bit more. Not saying that the engine is worth the money asked, though. He probably does have a nice profit margin built into that price.