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Vigri's Maserati 222 SR Project

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Message                                                                                    
5/2/2010 12:39:43  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		Greetings everyone!

I have owned a Maserati 222 SR for over a 1,5 years already for now and thought that its now suitable time to put up my own running report. As far as I have searched the internet I have only found few threads that cover also modifying Maserati Biturbo’s, so it might turn out to be useful also for others.

About the car:

Model: Maserati 222 SR
Production year: 1991
More info:
http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/models/heritage/biturbos/222-sr.html

When I bought the car, only modifications done on it where 16’’ wheels form 222 4V, spare wheel holder was removed and cooling radiator was installed on differential.

The story so far:

I purchased the car in June 2008 from Germany, got it shipped to Estonia and after registering in and doing all the necessary paperwork I got to drive about 3 km when the car left me on the roadside. It took me about a month to figure out the problem and also to change the cam belt, spark plugs and all the necessary fluids. It turned out that the problem was caused by faulty air temperature sensor.

Then there were also many electrical problems, like occasionally working central locking, occasionally working radio, problems with dashboard lighting, etc. These were all caused by faulty connections in fuse box or by the previous owner unawareness of how to connect the radio. These problems were all cured before November when I but the car into garage for the winter.

The only plans I had for winter with the car were to replace the clutch thrust bearing (it was making awful noise) and also to replace all the belts for A/C, power steering and generator. But it turned out to be a lot bigger work then I thought. I also got the gearbox disassembled and all the tolerances corrected. I replaced the plates on clutch disk as they were worn and also replaced tie rods.

In the spring I also replaced all the vacuum hoses and bought Toyo R888 tires because I occasionally participate also on local track days. In the middle of the summer I replaced all the spark plug cables with original Cavis ones.

In August, just before another track day, clutch trust bearing leaver decided to break. This time I decided not to mess with taking gearbox of myself and I left it for specialist. Thanks to that the car was soon up and running again.

In late autumn on the last track day of the season I had some problems with car overheating (although it was already quite cold) and read differential started making real bad noise that got progressively worse. So shortly after that I decided that it was good time put the car into garage for the winter.

Because I wanted to improve also cars performance and handling I contacted one of the local tuning workshops and since November the car has been there and they have done some fascinating things with the car.

To do list for the winter:
  • Fix differential.
  • Replace original catalyst converter with high flow one (I failed MOT before winter because to high CO concentration).
  • Replace original shock absorbers with coilovers.
  • But battery into the boot and remake air intake (remove original air box and but two cone filters behind lights).
  • Clean radiator externally (hope it cures the problem with overheating).
  • Install WB lambda and boost gauge.
  • Replace sway bar bushes with stiffer ones.Install front strut bar. 

Things already done in winter:
  • Differential is being assembled right now (had to replace the LSD unit)
  • Catalyst converter replaced with FIA Redback unit.
  • Shock absorbers replaced with modified NEX units.
  • Battery moved into boot.
  • Original air box removed and Green cone filters installed.
  • Innovate LC1 lambda installed.
  • Auto meter Sport-Comp boost gauge installed.

At the moment I’m searching if anyone offers strut bar for Maserati Biturbo or if some other car strut bar will fit Maserati. If anyone knows anything I would be grateful if you could post some comment about it. Otherwise I have to get one custom made.

The other problem that has been haunting me from the beginning is that once in a while is that sometimes the engines power was suddenly cut off at about 5 500 rpm. I thought that I solved the problem by cleaning the solenoid valve that operates wastegates but on the last track day last season it started doing that again. Could it be caused by engine overheating this time?

< Message edited by Vigri -- 5/2/2010 12:41:47 >
5/2/2010 12:48:37  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		Some pictures also:
Original condition








Modifications:



5/2/2010 13:17:26  

Posts: 1112
Since: 11/5/2005
Region: Thames Valley
Status: offline 		Love the write up Vigri!  Must get round to doing one myself.
I know that MIE in the US do a strut brace - but to be honest it looks so weak as to be pointless, so perhaps getting one made is the right way forword.
I like the install of the LC-1 too, what boost is the car running, any plans to increase it?  At present my plan to install the LC-1 and monitor the AFR whilst tweaking the boost.

_____________________________

Rich
Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Estate
BMW 335d MSport Touring
Maserati Ghibli "Taylor/Hawksworth Trofeo edition"
5/2/2010 14:11:41  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		I know that MIE used to sell them, but it seems that they don’t anymore.

I don’t know the actual pressure because I haven’t driven it jet with this boost gauge. The original unit shows boost between “yellow” and “red” so it should run on factory level at the moment.

Using less restricting exhaust and intake system (like I hade made) should increase boost about 0,1 bar and ECU’s usually can handle this without a remap. In the future I want to increase the boost, but before I can say how much I want to see on what level it is driving at the moment. In order to increase boost more than 0,1 bar I would need also a stand alone ECU so this will probably be work for autumn next winter.
18/2/2010 16:57:31  
fab
 

Posts: 4
Since: 9/2/2009
Status: offline 		Thank you Vigri for the nice photos. Nice car.

I have also to move the battery of my 420SI in the trunk, not because I am running any track days, but I changed the A/C bottle (Auto-Italia) and the pressostat on top of it sits now on the other side (left from the gaz flow) which narrows the battery space.
How did you cable in the engine compartement, did you put some Ghibli like connection box or did you bold the cable directly on the starter?

For the strut bar, indeed there has been a discussion on the Zentrum, someone wanted a remake of them. One solution to get extra strength  for the frame could be to weld the top of the strut to the gouttière (sorry for the French) I mean the metal cylinder behind the airbox which contains the vacuum box ) as it is done for the spyder 2 and also for some Ghibli KS (at least one that I have seen).

Could you tell what have you done for the diff. Is it a swap for anothe type of LSD unit else or a rebuilt?


18/2/2010 21:00:36  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		The cable connection in the engine compartment was mounted on rubber stand(don't have pictures at the moment but can post later).

Only thing I'm doing with the diff is that I have old Ranger LSD unit replaced with the new Ranger LSD unit.


_____________________________

Maserati 222 SR
6/5/2010 13:38:47  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		Got the car back few weeks ago and I’m very pleased with what has been done during winter.
New coilovers work really well. Although ride comfort on bumpy roads suffered a lot, because of the new and stiffer suspension.
There is also slight improvement in performance due to new air filters and sport catalyst converter.
If weather allows I’m going to see how the car performs on the track next week.
Some pictures to illustrate things:





Is do you all think, is the car running a little high at the moment? Should I lower it a little or not?

_____________________________

Maserati 222 SR
6/5/2010 22:16:48  

Posts: 1112
Since: 11/5/2005
Region: Thames Valley
Status: offline 		My only concern with the filters would be the air being drawn in is likely to be more of the warm air in the engine bay.  The cars do not have good airflow to the airboxes anyway so with no shielding from the engine bay heat or a cold air feed it may not bring any benefit.  I'm certain the sports cats will.  The turbo's should spin up sooner and faster.
Have fun at the track.

_____________________________

Rich
Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Estate
BMW 335d MSport Touring
Maserati Ghibli "Taylor/Hawksworth Trofeo edition"
1/6/2010 22:04:37  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: chad5k1

My only concern with the filters would be the air being drawn in is likely to be more of the warm air in the engine bay.  The cars do not have good airflow to the airboxes anyway so with no shielding from the engine bay heat or a cold air feed it may not bring any benefit.  I'm certain the sports cats will.  The turbo's should spin up sooner and faster.
Have fun at the track.


I have removed the air box, so pipes will go directly to turbochargers, eliminating long metal pipes running over engine.

The cars acts superb on the track with coilovers, it’s like driving a go-kart. If you want good handling from your biturbo, coilovers are definitely the way to go. The only problem was that car started to overheat with warm weather on track, but hopefully new radiator will fix this problem.
I also have one question. When I drive with automatic air conditioning on, one relay makes a click after every 15-20 second. The click seems to come from dashboard and it results in a sudden power loss for instance (also lights go dull for instance). What could be the cause for this problem?


_____________________________

Maserati 222 SR
21/7/2010 8:45:40  

Posts: 35
Since: 19/6/2008
Region: Tallinn, Estonia
Status: offline 		I have some cooling issues with my Maserati 222 SR. It starts overheating when I drive on track days. When I drive in city or on highway there are no problems, as I have never got water temperature over 90 °C but usually it’s around 80 °C. When I go to track, it quickly rises over 90 °C up to 120 °C. I replaced the radiator with a custom made, but it didn’t solve the problem.

I have heard that overheating has been a problem for Biturbo’s. Any ideas how to solve this problem?

_____________________________

Maserati 222 SR
21/7/2010 16:58:12  

Posts: 2386
Since: 27/1/2008
Region: Bristol
Status: offline 		I would suggest this may be down to cooling the Turbos as on the track they will be working a lot harder

_____________________________

Peter

4200 CC
Volvo C70 Cabriolet
VW Golf mk1 Cabriolet
2CV LHD In France
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