BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Chupee]

The HP Academy article on my LS build is live:
https://www.hpacademy.com/blog/chris-bakers...ed-porsche-914/

I just came across this post on your project article. Nice to see the recognition for your project. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

I thought your quote was a handy reminder.

Chris’s has three pieces of advice for anyone taking on a big project like this:

1. Always remember, it’s only metal! Or wiring, or whatever. If I screw something up, it’s not the end of the world. I can redo it.
2. It’s your build. Don’t worry about the opinions of others. (so long as you aren’t endangering anyone!)
3. It’s easy to be excited and motivated at the beginning of any build. It gets harder when you run into issues, unknowns or setbacks/disappointments. When this happens, I remind myself that “in six months, this will just be another story about the build…” Then I either get back after it or step away for a bit to clear my head.

I hadn't heard of HP Academy before. I may check out their Fabrication series.

THAt NEEDS TO BE PAINTED On VELVET AND HUNG FROm THE CEILING!!!

[Chupee]

5 minutes with AI and my car is painted and has new wheels! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)
Yes, many weird artifacts but it is an interesting way to very quickly see how things might look.

Im a HUGe blue fan!!!!

458
600 LT ok tht was Purple

C type Jag

Porche speedster Cobalt Blue

360 6 speed TDF BLUE

etc etc etc

[Stratfink]

Chris,

I have to admit I really liked the rat-rod look with that paint and those wheels - but it is looking sweet with the body work...

I'd vote for the first set of wheels but am also a fan of the Magnus Walker inspired ones too.

Any blue is good in my book but I checked out a few hues from Rennbow to live vicariously. Always liked Aga blue and dreamt of painting my 914 that color someday but also liked Aetna Blue, Azure Blue, and for a more modern twist Graphite Blue Metallic (love the Cayman in this color).

I am sure any/all will look great - thanks for continuing to inspire!

- Joe

[tygaboy]

Big changes coming to this build. Well, I think so, anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Those who know me know I'm about the journey, not the destination. I like doing things over again, making updates, trying new stuff, etc. And since this build has had an LS in it since the beginning, it only seemed appropriate to change that up! The LS is a great engine but LS swaps are so common that, as much as I love this version of the car, I found myself looking for a more interesting power plant.
Meet the next thing I'm going to try fitting:

This is a Maserati M139. 4.2 liter V8, 400-ish hp @ 7000 rpm. 333 lb/ft of torque.
And it's factory dry sumped!

The first challenge of fitting it is that, due to it being DOHC, it's longer and taller than the LS. But I have a few ideas!

I'll post some here but will also feature this latest "colossal waste of time and money" on my YouTube channel. Follow along and let's see what happens.

[tygaboy]

But it's not just the engine update! I'll fill in the details as things progress but for now:

I met and am becoming buddies with an absolutely top-notch upholsterer! We start talking about ideas for the Ferrari build - and I know this will shock you - end up putting together a plan to update the LS car interior! (Wait, I'm going to have to rename it...)

Here are a couple of the initial ideas re: the seats. This isn't the actual upholstery but an AI first cut, just to get ideas. It's VW GTI plaid on seating surfaces and what are currently the aluminum door panel inserts, black leather upper/ lower dash and top of door panel. Dark, dark gray on the dash panel, the rest of the seats and door panels. Then blue square weave carpet with blue leather edging. And we're working on a crazy idea for the firewall.

The car is headed to his shop in a week or so. So yes, the "just got out of prison" vibe is about to be swapped out for a much more sophisticated look.

Big changes happening At The Red Barn...

[tygaboy]

Two things really pushed me over the edge to go for the engine update:

- Kennedy Engineering makes an adaptor kit for the Masi to Boxster 6-speed as well as to an inverted 996 trans. (More on why that's important in a bit)

- There are options for massive Style Points! One in the form of ITBs from a BMW S65.

So yes, I'm going to give this a go, as well. It means a new engine ECU and electronics package, all new wiring... As I said: Journey, not Destination.

[Ninja]

Yes!

But...

Hate to burst your bubble!

That is NOT a Maserati motor.

It's a slightly detuned Ferrari motor!

This one is more modern, has chains instead of timing belts, but it still comes from Maranello.

Those motors are affordable!

The fact that Kennedy already make the adaptor stuff makes it even better!

You're just copying some guy on the 914world forum, just with a more appropriate engine! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

[tygaboy]

Yes!
But...
Hate to burst your bubble!
That is NOT a Maserati motor.
It's a slightly detuned Ferrari motor!

This one is more modern, has chains instead of timing belts, but it still comes from Maranello.

Those motors are affordable!

The fact that Kennedy already make the adaptor stuff makes it even better!

You're just copying some guy on the 914world forum, just with a more appropriate engine! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

Yep, it was designed and built by Ferrari but, as you'll hear me say in an upcoming video. "I'm confident enough in my masculinity that I won't be calling it a Ferrari engine..." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Heck, it says "Maserati" right there on the valve covers.

I'll be honoring and emphasizing its Maserati-ness throughout this build.

[Maltese Falcon]

K-E-P engineering sure has come a long way since offering their 1 and only adapter; Chevy SB to vw/Porsche bell housing/ bolt patterns ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)
Have fun with the project ¡
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)

[Maltese Falcon]

Won't be long until you throw a Spaghetti get-together at the Red Barn !
This Cafe is near the Petersen Museum>> my guys at the shop have Italian every Thursday ¡
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

[mgp4591]

So now that you're going in another direction, what selection of blues does Maserati have? The Porsche blues are all good but a nod to something close and having it a Maser blue might tip an astute observer and be a win...

[Chris914n6]

Ask your doctor about Projectitis.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

You are not afraid to raise the bar and try all the cool projects Chris. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Paint is so personal. Ever thought of pushing the boundary with something iconic like a Janis Joplin or Van Halen theme?

[Ninja]

Maserati F136s are CHEAP!

Trashy ones for less than 2K

Lots in the 3-4K range.

Stupid nice 4.7 versions all day long at 5k

Most have 50K ish miles.

Most were paired with automatics.
This is what I WANT in a conversion motor!!!
No over-revs, 1/2 the total revolutions over its life, and zero funky thrust wear.
Direct injection, COP, variable valve timing.

Looks KICK ASS!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

The early 4.2s like Chris has are the only ones with dry sump.
They are the less expensive ones...

This is less money than rebuilding a T4!

The elephant in the room that you don't see...

If the engines were not drop dead reliable, they wouldn't be priced like they are.

I once bought a Saturn S1 engine with 55 miles on it for $200.
Yes, 55 single miles! Brand new!

I couldn't believe the price!

Junk yard said "They don't break, no-one buys them, I'll do ten all under 1k miles each for a grand, but you have to take them away. He had over 200 in stock.

A year later I bought the matching 5 speed manual off of the same car for $50...

Super neat engine Chris!
I think Ferrari detuned that a bunch and a clean tune with un-restricted exhaust/intake should be worth power.

The ITBs look killer as well!

Ninja approved! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

Envious as well...

[tomeric914]

Ya know, it'd be a lot easier (and cheaper) to 3D print a pair of plug wire covers that read "Maserati" and put them on the LS motor.

[live free & drive]

This site might help you pick the color to paint the LS/Maserati car. You can quickly flip between colors that are very close and make determinations. It does not have all the Porsche colors, but a good few (they are 911's though):

https://banyanmotors.com/porsche-911-g-mode...hZM44itH1WdYVog

[mgp4591]

Ya know, it'd be a lot easier (and cheaper) to 3D print a pair of plug wire covers that read "Maserati" and put them on the LS motor.

I was thinking that it might be easier for Chris to fit a 5.2 Voodoo in place of the LS but mebbe he's just feeling that Maranello vibe...

[Shivers]

I just watched the video. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Masi, holy RPM Batman.

[tygaboy]

Interesting that this video is getting noticeably more comments than usual. A Maserati swap seems to be quite polarizing.

So, which of my fellow 914 Worlders can I expect to see join me on "Team Masi914"? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bbWfZi5No

[tygaboy]

If you watch the video, you'll see I was able to find a scan of a 996 trans. So I figured I'd scan part of the Masi engine and see if I could work up a model with the critical fitment points.
This is V1 and I think it'll give me what I need since the only critical clearance issues are the upper, outer corners of the left side valve cover. That's the cylinder bank with the forward-offset, so once it clears the fire wall, the other side is no issue.