A video about fixing my 2008 Granturismo.

[modelT]

Given the lightness of the damage, before you repair it, might you not be able to arrange to take the car to an approved inspector and potentially have the Cat S downgraded? I appreciate the repair may be uneconomic for the insurers, but an economic write-off is better than it being listed as a structural write-off. Just a thought.

Fingers crossed for you, for the project in general as well as possible listing change.

I did try that and called up the association of British insurers. They listened but it became apparent that it would be exceptionally difficult as when the original owner accepted the payout, that was the moment it became fixed and agreed. As a third party, it would be very difficult to change. In all honesty, if it had been cat d, I would not have been able to afford it and the original owner probably would not have sold it, so I am okay with her status. I am also hoping that I will not have to worry about selling her.
I had assumed that a Cat S would require inspection before returning to the road, but I have since found out that the MOT is considered the inspection that lets her back on the road… that was a relief as I was worried about the cost of an official inspection.

 

[Gazcw]

I did try that and called up the association of British insurers. They listened but it became apparent that it would be exceptionally difficult as when the original owner accepted the payout, that was the moment it became fixed and agreed. As a third party, it would be very difficult to change. In all honesty, if it had been cat d, I would not have been able to afford it and the original owner probably would not have sold it, so I am okay with her status. I am also hoping that I will not have to worry about selling her.
I had assumed that a Cat S would require inspection before returning to the road, but I have since found out that the MOT is considered the inspection that lets her back on the road… that was a relief as I was worried about the cost of an official inspection.

I rebuilt a cat s or whatever it was back in 1990 and when I applied for the V5, I received a letter from the local fuzz wanting to inspect it. They wanted to make sure the numbers matched and I had not robbed any parts or welded in the vin plate. I was a little worried until they explained that when they came around.

 

[williamsmix]

A refreshingly sincere YouTube video! Thank you for sharing your project which I’ll follow with interest.

 

[modelT]

Thanks everyone for kind responses. I have stuck another video up with mention of forum.

 

[philw696]

New video up now has passed its MOT and latest costs explained.

 

[modelT]

New video up now has passed its MOT and latest costs explained.

Thanks Phil, I am just refining the audio… it sounded fine on my laptop, but terrible on TV. Back up again in an hour or so…

 

[modelT]

Hi everyone, well that drove half crazy. I think fixing the variators will be easier than editing and uploading videos…

Anyway, here it is. I hope it is okay.

 

[ChrissGT]

if you need upgraded control arms contact the forum sponsor AS motorsport. They refurb control arms with solid bushings. Quite a bit cheaper than oem control arms and you don't have to do the work to replace the bushings only. And you get a solid bush which should last a bit longer.

You will probably get some drone when you remove the valve from the muffler. Maybe mine is a bit louder due to 200cell cats, but im very very happy i have 4.7 exhausts with a remote control valve. (see here for the adventures of me and ralph https://www.maseratilife.com/threads/4-2-back-boxes-have-valves-in.124379/)

If it is your left muffler that is the problem, I do have a spare 4.2 left side muffler that can go for cheap. Been laying around for years collecting dust.

 

[cheburator]

There is another alternative - VPS in Slovenia would rebuild all your suspension arms for EUR2200 + TAX … Lots of positive feedback from Audi R8 owners, Maserati 4200 and QP owners too. Considering the amount of effort involved in swapping bushes in your original arms, which would still have the old ball joints in them, that’s not a bad deal and is a company in Europe - you can deal with them easily.

VPS Maserati GT Suspension Rebuild Offering

Last but not least - quite a few American owners have said that the AliExpress arms have turned out to be of excellent quality and so far have proved to be a very cheap alternative to OEM/VPS. I am a little bit apprehensive - I would go to extraordinary lengths to find the OEM alternative normally if it offers a decent saving, but still feel uneasy with mission critical parts of unknown provenance and quality via AliExpress…

 

[modelT]

Thanks everyone for kind comments and will take a look at those control arms as I need to get the tracking done.

Here is me doing a low priority job as it was easy…

 

[modelT]

Just completed the engine and Diff oil changes. I ran out of time with lots to do at work and a broken volvo (my fault for ignoring the scraping sound from the rear), so could not finish the oil accumulator.

 

[modelT]

So I finally fitted the accumulator… will post results over next few weeks about whether I get any more variators noise:

 

[modelT]

Here is a video of changing transmission fluid and Mechatronics seals…

 

[modelT]

Here is me replacing engine and gearbox mounts…

 

[modelT]

Another video…

 

[modelT]

Well, my parking sensors half work now, but fixed the cat s damage…

 

[modelT]

At last I cut my exhausts open put found those valves… as normal I had to come up with the strange option, but at least it lets me see what those valves actually do ( spoiler alert, not as much as you would think).

 

[Scaf]

At last I cut my exhausts open put found those valves… as normal I had to come up with the strange option, but at least it lets me see what those valves actually do ( spoiler alert, not as much as you would think).

Interesting to see how those back boxes and valves work, can I ask, have you got an X pipe ?

 

[modelT]

Yes, she came with a Larini x pipe already fitted. Thinking about how little time the valves open and the amount of restriction in the smaller perforated pipe, I do wonder what hp gain might be found by derestricting the exhausts. There must be points where the back pressure and time lag of the valves hinders performance.

 

[Scaf]

Yes, she came with a Larini x pipe already fitted. Thinking about how little time the valves open and the amount of restriction in the smaller perforated pipe, I do wonder what hp gain might be found by derestricting the exhausts. There must be points where the back pressure and time lag of the valves hinders performance.

I think yoru will see and hear the difference much more when on the open road.

I have an H pipe and when not in RACE mode
( I have the Stradale) the valves open at around the 3000 3500 mark it’s like Armageddon when during but hardly noticeable stationary and just revving.

Albeit I appreciate are cars have a different exhaust set up to begin with.

Your car sounds lovely by the way, as do all Maserati !