michael Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 A friend of mine has a nice black Maserati Merak SS but the engine needs a rebuild, he's a bit of a purist and wants to save up spend a fortune on the standard "Citroen" lump but I've suggested he looks at other cheaper options. As standard it's a relatively light but somewhat lacking 3.0L V6 that puts out about 220bhp (unless it's the one Clarkson bought) - sounds lovely, goes OK but obviously there is room for improvement. I was thinking a Toyota 1MZ-FE or 3VZ-FE might work but is it wrong to modernise a classic in this way? It would be nice to go with a Bora style V8 but I'm not sure it would have the room. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Keep it standard unless its a bucket, more character, pedigree and he should get more money for it when he decides to sell it on:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Keep it standard unless its a bucket, more character, pedigree and he should get more money for it when he decides to sell it on:) He would not get what it costs to rebuild the engine... Go for the engine swap!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lover Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 he's a bit of a purist original Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 The Audi 4.2 V8 is actually only a little bit longer than the 1MZ-FE or 3VZ-FE - and they're alloy too - so nice and light and can be sought in configurations up to 414bhp. There's also a 2GR-FE that's a 3.5ltr Lexus V6 - with some head porting and manifolds, you can get somewhere in the region of 300bhp. EDIT: The 2GR has a derivative called 2GR-FSE which is the Front engine rear drive configuration and is much harder to mount in a mid engine configuration - although, it does develop 315bhp in stock form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 How about the newer PSA (Peugeot/Citroen/Renault) ES9 3.0 V6 engine, as used in the Clio V6? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSA_ES_engine Failing that and keeping a vaguely "French" theme, Renault are now using Nissan VQ engines? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VQ_engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra-Brett Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Why not a 2JZ GE ? same power, same capacity, same cylinders, miles more reliable, readily available, mega cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Why not a 2JZ GE ? same power, same capacity, same cylinders, miles more reliable, readily available, mega cheap V6 versus I6 - could be a space issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra-Brett Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 V6 versus I6 - could be a space issue? Oh yeh, i knew that, just testing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Can he not fit an old Lambo V12 in there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.