Maserati Biturbo E Project

A brief history of the service and well beings of this special edition, 1985 twin-turbo and intercooled Maserati Biturbo

Major events during our ownership:

1. Car sold to us for $1500 from a VW dealer. Car had 80K plus miles. No turbo boost (car was pretty slow and whistled at high rpm). Needed a front passenger window. Previous one was smashed to pieces by somebody before us. The salesman was a real piece of work.
2. Spent a long time researching the special model "E" 1 year ago.
3. Tried in vain to find the source of the leak, or if it really was a leak..
4. Finally got into the engine bay to try to find the problem. The intercooler joint (an old rubber hose) showed to be the cause of the problem. I took the oportunity to check the condition of the turbo while the down pipe was off. We were worried that the turbo might also have been part of our problem. It spun with no problen. We replaced most of the pieces of hosing to the carbuerrator plenum. While trying to reassemble the turbo piping, we couldn't get the intercooler to fit on the assembly anymore. We ended up fabricating a new joint to connect the piping. We also readjusted the pair of intercoolers so the hood would close without the sound deadening tonching the intercoolers. Once we buttoned everything back up...We got BOOST!! (I'll try to get pics up)
5. Car didn't get boost until 3500 rpm, rather high considering it has two turbos for a V-6. Pulled REALLY hard until the redline.
6. Fixed a few electrical gremlins.
7. Car crapped out after durations longer than 4-5 seconds of heavy boost. We traced it to be a fuel starvation problem.
8. Replaced fuel pump, filter, and old hoses after much gasoline spilled all over me with cursings to follow.
9. We got really excited now that we were almost finished with the mechanical bits and pieces. Lowered the car and were startled to hear a strange noise when we turned the engine over. Car wouldn't start at all and was making a wierd hollow sound in the process.
10. I was quite disappointed when we found out that the timing belt must have slipped! The fuel problem probably

The After Math

After the timing belt slippied and most likely bent all of the 18 valves, we have sort of given up on the project after exploring and learning for a year. My father and I have decided to attend to the other cars in the yard that need attention and when we finish those, we will perhaps finish the Maserati. For now, I will just have to devote my attention to Alfa Romeos, the other fine automobile.

What am I going to do now?

With the Biturbo gone, I have to focus on our next priority in the junk yard wars. There is an Alfa Romeo Milano that we used to drive daily . It sits now because all three of the rubber spacers on the rear drive shaft are shot. In order to replace them, we have to take the rear drive shaft out from under the car...no easy feat. Once that is done, I will look into doing something about our Lancia Scorpion that's just sitting around.