pic_maserati.htm

My Old Boy Toy (Scanned from 35mm film negatives. You can click on the pictures for full size)

INRI. The death of this car was documented on TV in Spring 1999. I assume that the turbocharger caused the massive explosion that nearly immediately ignited the car. The master break cylinder lies right behind the left turbo, leading to a complete break failure -- great engineering. Fortunately I had the top down and made it out unharmed. The car burned down completely on the Loop in Lubbock.

In front of Holden Hall, where you find the Sociology Department at Texas Tech University.

From a wider angle you can see the statue of the TT Red Raider.

More details (Pictures are taken with a Kodak DC 50 digital camera. You can click on the pictures for full size)

There were about 500 Maserati Biturbo Spiders imported to the U.S. during the late 1980s. With about 200 horses, this lightweight two-seater is not exactly sluggish. It handles like a go chart. My friend Suzanne Goodney called it a Donut, because it attracts every policeperson with a radar gun at hand.

I just love the leather and wood interior.

The engine is a mechanical masterpiece. As I can tell from my own experiences, working on it is heaven and hell. Heaven for a mechanic with some solid engineering background. This car is spiked with technologically interesting solutions such as the operation of three valves per cylinder with only one overhead camshaft two turbocharchers are regulated by a computer that uses the information of intake pressure, output pressure and a knock sensor to optimize the charge.

Hell, because

you have to remove the air-condition to change the oil filter
the emission control system links three catalytic converters with a compressor that distributes fresh air according to the engine temperature. Vacuum valves, tubes, and electrics are employed as well.
to adjust the valves you have to remove the turbo intake houses and valve covers to measure the play. Then the upper part of the cylinder head, and the camshaft has to be removed. Then shims have to be measured with a micrometer and exchanged. Of course, with a V6 you have to deal with two cylinder heads.
....

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