My Next Project Is Decided!

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
09/22/2018 at 21:36 • Filed to: Project Car, Maserati

As someone that always looks into the future, deciding project cars is an emotional and important choice. I’ve deliberated back and forth and hadn’t really made any solid decisions; until last night.

As I drove along I76 last night in Pennsylvania I’d seen a very rare sight; a 1980s Maserati Quattroporte. This exact sighting reminded me of how much I miss my Maserati Biturbo. My Biturbo meant the world to me and I miss it daily. Here’s the story if you haven’t read it.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

In lieu of this, I’ve decided it’s time to get another. This time, I’ll specifically seek out an automatic coupe from the west coast, hopefully without an engine. That’s because my Biturbo won’t be a twin turbo V6.

Nope. It’ll be a 5.3 LS V8 and I won’t budge on that. I’ve never done the LS swap thing before but it’s time. I plan to use a 6l80 transmission which should fit in the stock tunnel; a lso the LS is far more compact than the TT V6.

These cars weigh around 2500 so with an LS it should probably weigh even less. Living up to the name of the car, the LS will be turbo but only a single. I intend to make everything work as OEM down to working air conditioning and the full OEM interior. I want a comfortable cruiser.

The Biturbo always drove phenomenal and was comfortable on trips, the LS reliability and power ceiling makes this a common sense solution. I intend to have the first drag focused Maserati. The rear suspension is even mostly identical to the E30 and there’s swaps available for E30 cars to run solid axle four link. Yes that will be happening.

Stay tuned. I’m hunting the right shell currently.

DISCUSSION (12)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/22/2018 at 22:33

Oooo, this will be interesting!

AestheticsInMotion > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/22/2018 at 22:37

Sell the Mirage? O r keep the whole fleet?

Lawyer_Applegate > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/23/2018 at 00:51

5.3 LS is a nice motor - especially an aluminum one. I have a built 6.0 LQ4 in my 1979 Olds Delta 88 and it HONKS.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > AestheticsInMotion
09/23/2018 at 05:07

Whole fleet stays! The Mirage is my daily that gets me to work with the utmost efficiency. The DSM also gets me places with reliability and when I’m having a bad day it takes my mind off of it haha.

The Maserati is just a guilty pleasure. Fun fact about me, when I was real young I got into sales for my first job. I had a DSM but had hung a picture of a Biturbo Si in my cubicle to motivate me every day. Unconventional dream car, but 16 year old me knew I couldn’t afford an Esprit so the Maserati was the next best thing. That’s why my 425i meant so much. This build will truly be a “my hard work has paid off” type of build. It’ll see serious miles.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/23/2018 at 05:09

Nathan and I discussed it tonight. He’s the guy that does the heavy work like wiring and fab for me. It’s a go. He’s eager to help me build the first Maserati of this kind.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > Lawyer_Applegate
09/23/2018 at 05:10

I’m very excited, I truly am. The LS has the reliability, power potential and extreme affordability to make this project a serious thing.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/23/2018 at 09:09

Oh man, this is exciting!!! Can't wait to read more!!!

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/23/2018 at 09:19

Also, maybe budge to 6.0. MOAR POWER!!!

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/23/2018 at 11:44

Would love a 6.0 but the 5.3 cheapness is enticing and throw all the boost at it :)

Lawyer_Applegate > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/23/2018 at 14:11

I don’t know what your budget and skill-set are like, but this would be a GREAT starting-point if you want to avoid problems* with machinists and assembly.

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-5786-tsp-363-cid-aluminum-53l-based-assembled-short-block.aspx

* My skill-set is limited to carpentry and construction; the machinist managed to make three different fatal errors, leading to four different cycles of pull/rebuild/install. GDMF.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > Lawyer_Applegate
09/23/2018 at 14:40

Skill set is very good here, well is because of my buddy. We’ve assembled over 30 motors in the last few years :)

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru
09/25/2018 at 16:56

I also want to LS swap something for the experience and experiment with boost. Excited to see this project of yours.