Phil in Australia writes:-

Re: 2.8-litre Spyder iE vs. 2.8-litre Karif

"Hi Enrico,

If my 1990 British delivered Maserati Spyder iE is a 2.8-litre putting out 230 bhp approx? What is it that makes a 2.8 Karif put out 285 bhp?

Is it just software?

Phil."

Reply from Enrico:-

Re: 2.8-litre Spyder iE vs. 2.8-litre Karif

"Hi Phil,

In answer to your question, it has often been said that although some Karif brochures quote 285 bhp, the engine did in fact only produce 245 bhp.

I have a French brochure for the Karif that quotes only 225 bhp at 5500 rpm, an Italian brochure that quotes 285 bhp at 6000 rpm and an English brochure that quotes the same output.

My British brochure for the Spyder iE quotes 225 bhp at 5500 rpm (with cat.) and 250 bhp at 5600 rpm (without cat.).

It is widely rumoured that the standard Karif produced only 245 bhp but press cars were boosted to 285bhp!! One must assume that these specially prepared cars did not have a cat. and the management system was chipped!!

At its launch in 1988, the Karif was presented to the press as a brand new car, but they were not fooled and observed that it was a Spyder with a fixed roof. This excerpt from Auto Italia explains:

"Undaunted by their lack of enthusiasm, De Tomaso the politician went into overdrive, stating that not only was the Karif available with the new 2.8-litre engine but also that it was a modified version of the engine. The standard engine was quoted at 245bhp, whereas the Karif version produced 285bhp. Finally, he had their attention.

Car magazine tested the Karif in prototype form and recorded a 0-60mph time of 4.8 seconds, which substantiated Maserati's horsepower claim. The brochure eagerly distributed by dealers also quoted the 285bhp figure and went some way to justifying an elevated price for an ostensibly similar car to the rest of the range. For instance, the 1990 price of a Karif in the UK was £44,500, compared to £37,500 for the 222E Coupe. The trouble was that in reality the Karif engine was mechanically identical to the 222E....

One cannot doubt the efficacy of Car magazine, but Press vehicles are usually carefully chosen, expertly prepared to give of their best and - especially with a turbocharged engine - there's the ready opportunity to increase boost pressure and remap electronic injection in the short term. The latest factory information finally admits the erstwhile leader's creativity but it has been clear to the cognoscenti for some years...."

Enrico."

Ian in Thailand writes:-

Re: Spyder speedo problem

"Hello Enrico,

If you remember I am the guy with the Lexus engine. I am sorry to bother you further with this but I am still stuck on the speedo problem.

I have since the last mail discovered that the original speedo sensor has actually been fitted to the prop shaft, so all does in fact seem to be in place but it doesn't work. I have spent quite some time looking round your site for clues as to what to check with no luck. I did find a letter in your help section from someone with the same problem who was advised to try changing the sensor.

I have attached a picture of the sensor as fitted. Is there any electronic equipment between the speedo drive and the speedo head?

Is there some way I could check the actual sensor? I assume we should have 12 volts on one side but what output should I expect from the other side? Do you know is the sensor exclusively Maserati or an off the shelf item common to other makes?

I took the car up country last week, about 2000K, I took it over the mountain pass on the way to Burma, great stuff.

Best regards,

Ian."

Dave in the USA writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder charging problem

"Hello Enrico,

I wonder if you can help me with a charging problem on my 2.8 Spyder. The alternator charging light stays lit on the dashboard, the light is bright when the ignition is turned on then dims when the engine is running. I have changed the alternator for a new unit but the problem still exists, battery is showing 14.5 volts measured with a multimeter and the engine running. I have used the car day & night without any problem. Any ideas?

Many Thanks,

Dave."

Reply from Andy:-

"Re: Spyder charging problem

Very unusual for the wiring to be causing this. Bridge a test light between the small wire terminal on the alternator and the positive battery terminal. This makes the test light work like the warning light. If it works normally then you DO have a problem in the wiring. If it works like the symptoms you describe on the dash light, then you have another faulty alternator.

Andy."

Malcolm in Australia writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder rev limiters

"Hi Enrico,

Thanks for your fantastic site my name is Malcolm and I live in Australia. I have recently purchased a 1994 Spyder Bi-Turbo which I love. It is a 2.8 litre version and I have a few questions that I hope you or your readers may be able to help me with.

Firstly - The leather on centre console (arm rest) is starting to crack and I am trying to find replacement leather so that I can get it re-trimmed. Do you know a supplier for the original leather?

Secondly - According to the owner’s manual the rev limiter should not kick in until 6300 rpm. In my car this kicks in at 5000 rpm. I am assuming this is the rev limiter since the car revs freely to this point and will predictably start to hesitate once it hits 5000 rpm. Any ideas as to why the rev limiter would be kicking in at 5000 rpm and how to solve this problem?

Thirdly - I am interested to hear from anybody who has undertaken performance modifications to the 2.8 litre Spyder? Any advice on what modifications produced favourable results would be greatly appreciated. Things I am considering include changing the exhaust to better flowing catalytic converters and bigger pipes. A superchip (or similar), increasing the boost and putting in larger intercoolers.

Thanks again,

Malcolm."

Philip in Australia writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder lower ball joints

"Hi,

1) Do you know if the lower ball joints in the Maserati Spyder 1989 are the same as any other make of car?

2) RE: Jean-Claude in France. I would like his details if he has a A/C control for sale.

Many thanks,

Philip."

Paul in the USA writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder oil lubrication

"Hello,

I read about the problems associated with oil lubrication to the camshaft so after running the car, until normal temperature, I noticed a big decrease in the amount of oil pumping through the cam bearings on one side. (I have always use synthetic oil and the turbos were replaced before I purchased the car).

I removed the cam box on the low flow side (left), timing belt, etc, about 4 years ago. It has been sitting in a dry Arizona garage since.

The car has 46,000 original miles. When running, the top end made moderate top-end noise. It never used any oil or blew smoke. The engine or cam has NOT seized.

Question: The oil flow "tube" to the cam, as I understand, has a small filter. How can I identify & remove this? Do I have to remove this small filter?

Why was the oil flow about 50% less on one side?

Any tips on valve tappet shim spacing?

Any problems with this type engine when it "sits"?

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Paul."

Reply from Andy:-

"Re: Paul,

The carburettor cars used a filter in the oil flow tube but not the injection cars. The filter is under the jet which is on the right hand end of the cylinder head (i.e. at the front of the engine on the RH head and at the rear on the LH head. There is a special tool available to pull the jet out of the supply tube (which you could probably make – it is threaded in the centre) and after that, the filter is just sitting in there – difficult to get out without using gravity!). Would not recommend refitting the filter as Maserati did away with it!

The only tips on the valve shimming are to use a spare cam box gasket to assemble everything dry while you are checking – but make sure that the thickness is the same as the ones you finally fit. There is a special tool to enable you to measure the two inlet shims to get them level as well as the right clearance. I provided one through Enrico not so long ago but have no others I’m afraid.

There are no particular problems with the engine if it sits. If you didn’t drain the water out of it, there is a chance that the head gaskets could be rotten and I would always change the cam belt before you fire her up again but otherwise, no problem.

Andy."

Ian in Thailand writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder speedo problem

"Hello Enrico,

I hope someone has knowledge which can help me.

I live in Thailand and have just bought a "Racing, Spyder model". The year perhaps 91, the space for year has not been filled in on the log book. The previous owner changed the engine to Lexus V8 4000cc after a serious engine failure, a shame I agree, but a complete engine impossible to obtain here and would have to be imported. I am currently making enquiries to try to find the original engine, but I don't hold out much hope.

Anything imported, non Japanese is very expensive here, and even with the engine change I have had to pay around twice the amount you would pay for one in England.

A couple of problems, the speedo now doesn't work as nothing is driving it, I am told the Maserati speedo is electronic, the Lexus engine has a mechanical connection for a cable speedo, there is however no room to connect a cable and adapter as it is close up to the body, do you have any ideas, suggestions?

The other problem fairly minor, the boot struts no longer work, do you know of any off the shelf alternatives?

Really needs to be something off a Japanese car, as any alternative from a European car would be just as difficult to get hold of here.

Incidentally I have e-mailed both the Maserati Club of Thailand and the Maserati Club in the UK (as I am English) with a view to joining but received replies from neither, it certainly doesn't put me off ownership of a Maserati but still disappointing.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Ian."

Dave in the UK writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder charging problem

"Hello Enrico,

I wonder if you can help me with a charging problem on my 2.8 Spyder. The alternator charging light stays lit on the dashboard, the light is bright when the ignition is turned on then dims when the engine is running. I have changed the alternator for a new unit but the problem still exists, battery is showing 14.5 volts measured with a multimeter and the engine running. I have used the car day & night without any problem. Any ideas?

Many Thanks,

Dave."

Julian in Malta writes:-

Re: Biturbo Spyder and leaded fuel?

"Hi there to all you Maserati enthusiasts,

I own a 1987, 2000cc Biturbo Spyder (RHD) which for most of the time is basically hassle free, well it doesn’t get much use.

I have recently encountered a problem after using leaded fuel, I usually use unleaded but here in Malta the petrol is ‘shite’ so I thought the leaded petrol might be a bit higher in octane. The car now smokes quite a bit of white smoke, which isn’t constant but every 15 or 20 minutes it gives off a cloud of white smoke.

I have taken the car to my mechanic who is very familiar with these engines and he has suggested to start by changing the oil, plugs and filters, which haven’t been changed in over a year as the car isn’t used much. Failing that, he said there might be a problem with the turbochargers.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? And what plugs are recommended for this engine? Engine no is AM45209004088.

The engine I believe has been changed. Another question is that I have recently bought a 1984 2-litre Biturbo and I would like to transform it into a Racing replica and would appreciate it if anyone can help me with sourcing some parts for my new project i.e. a 2litre Racing or Ghibli engine, a bonnet, grille, headlamps, bumpers, wheels etc from a Racing.

Thanks & Regards,

Julian."

Reply from Andy:-

"Re: Julian,

It seems strange that just changing the petrol has had this effect. Maybe if the octane level is higher, it means that you have more boost as the timing and boost will be adjusted to suit - did it feel any faster? and therefore you might have a turbo problem as a result.

I would agree with your mechanic to change the oil/filters/plugs (should be NGK BP8ES or equivalent in this engine) but the strange thing is white smoke!!

If you had a turbo problem, usually you would have blue smoke (not all the time, but when engine hot and has been idling for a while). This is because oil is escaping through the turbo into the engine. The only thing I can think of is that you have a turbo problem which is allowing coolant (water) to enter the engine through a crack in the turbo housing - this would be unique in my experience though.

Alternatively, you may have a cylinder head gasket problem which could be allowing coolant into the engine - white smoke is usually actually steam.

I would be interested to know what you find!

Kind regards,

Andy."

Yiannis in Greece writes:

"Enrico Hi,

You have a teriffic site and lots of info is revealing for us all.

Couple of questions on my 1991 2.0lt Spyder which runs like a dream with no problems 33,000 km so far.

Factory exhaust is with single silencer however car has original mounts for double output(left & right). Does it have any effect on performance if I change to the double one?

Car tyres are originally 205/50/15 all round. I need to change them now so I am thinking of 205/50/15 front and 225/50/15 rear. Any experiences from particular brands?

Thanks,

Yiannis."

Jean-Claude in France writes:

"Hello,

I have a 2.8-litre Spyder from 1992. I live in France (Paris area). And I experenced a lot of problems with the control box of the air conditioning.

The reasons of failures is often than the "touch sensitive plastic" and his printed circuit cable included in the command/control front panel has become 'fragile' due to ageing.

I have ordered a brand new fabrication and I have some spare dispo. (see picture).

This is the same with others models than the Spyder (same air-conditioning box, no more available.)

Enrico in the UK writes:

"I received an e-mail concerning this subject that was accidently deleted. Could the sender please repeat the e-mail?

Enrico."

Darius in the USA writes:

"Hi Enrico,

An earlier message from Paul in Australia, and I am experiencing similar problems staring my car. Would you please contact him if you have his email and find out if he was able to fix it, what did it?

Please let me know,

Best regards,

Darius."

Dave in the USA writes:

Reply from Enrico:-