We’ve swapped out a load of these variators over the last few weeks so thought it’d be interesting to pull one apart and try to explain the operation, which is incredibly elegant. For an overview on how the change in timing is controlled take a look here and for an in-depth look at how to … More Ferrari 360 Exhaust Variator Operation
A non-functioning tachometer in a Maserati 3200 is not uncommon. The tachometer is driven directly by the engine ECU so a malfunction can only be in one of three areas: The engine ECU The wiring The tachometer The easiest way to check where the problem lies is to put an oscilloscope onto the tachometer signal … More Maserati 3200 Tachometer
Most modern Ferrari and Maserati use Bosch “hot-film” airflow meters as the primary input into the Motronic for fuel regulation. Unfortunately they are very susceptible to dirt and oil contamination and once their performance starts to degrade it can upset the running of the engine considerably. A failed or failing MAF can be the root … More Testing a Ferrari/Maserati airflow meter
A client of mine recently purchased a 987 Cayman. Unfortunately when driving it home for the first time, it threw up the engine warning message so it was brought over to me to resolve. Amongst the error codes were P1359, P1361, P1363 and P1371. The first three codes report a malfunction of the intake valve … More Porsche 987 Variocam Solenoid
As late model F430 fall out of the authorised dealer network more and more people are taking the preventative step of removing the small catalytic converters in the exhaust manifold. Despite there being no apparent change in the engine ECU software during the production run, it has become apparent that the catalytic converter monitoring was … More Ferrari F430 Catalytic Converter Efficiency Error codes
The twin turbo Maserati 3200 V8 can be a fantastic engine when correctly set up. Sadly, due low residual values, many cars have not been treated to the proper maintenance which means the engines are not performing at their best. One of the critical factors in determining correct running is the valve clearance. Improper clearance can lead to a … More Maserati 3200 Valve Clearance
This is a post I’ve been wanting to write up for a while but it’s taken time to find someone willing to make the investment in their engine and then we had to wait for their belt service anniversary to come around. However, the stars aligned and earlier this year we got the job done. … More Ferrari 360 Engine Timing
One of the things I miss about owning a 360 is the noise it makes, something which the F430 simply cannot compete with. One of the main reasons for this is that the 360 (and F355) was made with five valves per cylinder – three on the intake and two on the exhaust. This system … More Five Valves Per Cylinder
As discussed in this post, the relay operating the F1 pump in the 360 is prone to failure. Later cars, as well as the Challenge Stradale, F430, and 599, use a different relay (part number 233100) rated at 50A which is more reliable. A direct swap is not possible – the two relays have different … More Ferrari 360 F1 Relay Upgrade
This has been on the “Autopsy List” for a while and I finally got round to cracking open the angle grinder the other day… Unlike the 360 silencer, the F430 silencer (muffler) only has one mode of operation. The valves in the exhaust system either force the gases through the silencer or allow them to … More Ferrari F430 Exhaust Silencer
Aldous Voice 