Whilst discussing Maseratis with Gwen Van Hoosten by e-mail over Christmas, Gwen pointed out an interesting site, hosted by Ebersoldt GmbH - automobili di Modena Tridente, that he thought might interest me.
On visiting the Ebersoldt GmbH - automobili di Modena Tridente site I immediately made my way to the Ghibli conversions. I wonder why ? Now my 2-litre Ghibli pushes out a whopping 306bhp so when I saw THEIR conversion options, I thought this merited further investigation.
Modena Performance offer the following conversions for the Ghibli:
V6 2-litre 360bhp and 440bhp
V6 2.8-litre 355bhp, 408bhp and 440bhp
V6 3.1-litre 475bhp
V8 3.2-litre with 450bhp
When Maserati launched the 2-litre Ghibli back in 1992 it boasted an amazing 306bhp @ 6250 rpm, then in 1996 came the Ghibli Cup with its 330bhp @ 6750 rpm, now we have Ebersoldt GmbH - automobili di Modena Tridente of Germany who have achieved a massive 440bhp @ 8200 rpm from this fabulous 2-litre engine. They also prepare engine conversions for the Quattroporte VI, the 3200GT and the new 4.2-litre Spyder and Coupé. You may think I'm slightly biased, but I shall confine this page to the 2-litre Ghibli.
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The larger more efficient engine oil cooler and turbocharger intercoolers |
Purpose-made ducts channel cool air to the intercoolers |
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I wrote to Herr Florian Ebersoldt of Ebersoldt GmbH - automobili di Modena Tridente and asked for more information on this particular conversion and he very kindly sent me the following details of the conversion:
Modified engine management system (EPROM) with fuel-cut out point at 8500 rpm.
Crankshaft, connecting-rods and pistons are all matched and balanced.
Modified cylinder heads with new larger diameter valves.
All inlet and exhaust ports are enlarged and polished.
Modified valve timing.
Larger diameter (approx. 50 mm) air intake pipes and sleeves.
New high performance air filters.
New larger roller-bearing IHI turbochargers.
New Indy-type 'pop-off' (dump) valves (with metal non-return valve).
New larger purpose-made engine oil cooler and turbo intercoolers.
Stainless steel freeflow exhaust system.
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New 'pop-off' valves exhaust into the engine bay not into the turbochargers |
The new larger roller-bearing turbos as fitted to the 3200GT |
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High performance air filters replace the standard items |
This Ghibli engine bay awaits a V8 engine. |
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Driving Impressions
Behind the wheel, this car feels and sounds just like a racing car and the acceleration under full throttle, particularly in the higher rev band, is reminiscent of the surge one feels when a jet aircraft unleashes its full power.
On the road the extra engine revs available and the resultant power increase give the driver the same sensation as that experienced when driving a non-turbocharged car with its noticeable absence of 'turbo-lag' when changing up.
Just like a 1980´s Porsche '935 Turbo', this Ghibli has a spectacular sound backdrop: with its howling turbos, the hissing of the pop off valves when changing gear, the rasping sound from the new exhaust system and the distinctive sound from the crank of the crankshaft in the engine's 90° cylinder arrangement.
The modifications made to the suspension gives the driver a firmer ride resulting in a more positive feel particularly when manouvering at high speeds. |
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Performance Figures
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