Peformance mods for 4200: DBW Enhancement Module. X-Pipe. Secondary De-Cats. BMC.

[ratirati]

I am contemplating making some performance modifications to my 2002 Coupe, and wondering if anyone here has made them, or other mods and what were the results. A lot of 4200 owner's in the U.S. are doing these, and reporting only positive results.

1. Denso Iridium Power spark plugs. I found out about them on this forum, and am satisfied I need to do this. I'm still using original plugs.

2. BMC re-usable performance air filter. Better air flow, and is washable then re-oiled. No need to buy any more OEM paper filters.

3. Replace stock resonator box with X-Pipe like the GranSport has. And, replace secondary cat pipes with pipes that have no catalytic converters. Made by Larini or FabSpeed. This does not trigger a check engine light as it's after the sensor. And, it would be legal to do here since it does not change the primary cats.

4. Formula Dynamics Drive By Wire Enhancement Module. Reported better throttle response and clutch engagement. May extend clutch life.

I'm fairly certain I will do 1 through 3.

But, I am a little unsure about 4. It's an expensive mod at $1295 and requires a bit of wiring and soldering. I'm not intimidated by the work involved, but if it works as claimed, I'm interested. I recently had a complete clutch overhaul which cost $5000. It happened at around 22k miles, which I'm told is not unusual. I don't want to go through that every 20k to 30k miles.

Which of these, or other mods have Maserati Coupe or Spyder owner's done on this forum?

 

[richard_masa_4200]

I have done 3 and 4 to my 2002 4200. What can I say. As far as the exhaust goes I didn't find much of a change replacing the resonator with an x-pipe, however I also replaced the primary and secondary CATS with a new section that also re-engineered the squished section underneath the steering rack. What a difference this made. More power and more noise. If you're going to do the exhaust, make sure you do both. As far as the FD DBW, it is like night and day with regard to throttle response and gear changes, especially when you have the hammer down. Gear change is a lot more 'blippy' when you change over 4K and due to the better throttle response the clutch engages more quickly off the line. However, the throttle is really responsive and takes some time to get used to. You only need to touch it and it feels like you have depressed the normal throttle by half. Very explosive. I had mine wired by a professional. I don't have a problem doing the soldering, but I didn't want to attempt it cooped up in my drivers side footwell, where the Aussie Car ECU is located.

I also intend to do the Iridium spark plugs. I haven't checked mine since I bought it over 2 years ago and it sounds like a change that is recommended.

Good luck.

 

[adam01]

Not sure about the BMC, marginal @ best IMO apart from more induction noise. Std. paper filter is large enough and unless u r in dusty conditions should be fine. (Not keen on impregnated oil filtering air and probably more restrictive once it starts to clog up - besides who wants to have to keep checking to ensure thats not the case IMO)

 

[Parisien]

The improved clutch introduced in 2005 has a much longer wear life ( failings now appear to be collapsed fingers), so getting 30/40/50K miles is more usual now


P

 

[Parisien]

The jury is still out on BMC air filter up-grade on the 4200.

Ok, re FDDW enhancement, exhausts options look sound


P

 

[outrun]

I have the BMC filter. As I perform regular maintenance and oil changes, it's not an issue to check it each time. The paper filter that was replaced by the BMC was in a hideous state.

 

[BennyD]

I've done all the mods you suggest and I've modified the rear box as well for yet more sound. I treated her to a DMS performance upgrade as well and all I can say is that she now runs beautifully and sounds fantastic. I've also put on 550 discs with high performance pads, a set of 18" FD wheels and the latest standard clutch. She is just about where I want her now but I'm sure I'll still tinker while I wait to fit a 4.7 GTS lump at some point in the future.

 

[ratirati]

The improved clutch introduced in 2005 has a much longer wear life ( failings now appear to be collapsed fingers), so getting 30/40/50K miles is more usual now

Yes. I was told by the dealer that the replacement clutch parts are more durable than the original parts which failed. <fingers crossed>

 

[ratirati]

I have the BMC filter. As I perform regular maintenance and oil changes, it's not an issue to check it each time. The paper filter that was replaced by the BMC was in a hideous state.

Same here. It's not such an onerous job when you enjoy working on cars. I'm thinking of getting K&N reusable filters for my other vehicles. The only one I found for the Coupe is the BMC, but that looks to be well made.

 

[philw696]

I have fitted the BMC filter to my 4200 and in my opinion good quality and keeps the car Italian and less than half the price of the paper original.

 

[ratirati]

I've done all the mods you suggest and I've modified the rear box as well for yet more sound. I treated her to a DMS performance upgrade as well and all I can say is that she now runs beautifully and sounds fantastic. I've also put on 550 discs with high performance pads, a set of 18" FD wheels and the latest standard clutch. She is just about where I want her now but I'm sure I'll still tinker while I wait to fit a 4.7 GTS lump at some point in the future.

I hadn't hear about the DMS upgrade, but I checked their website and it looks interesting. Don't know what a "lump" is but if it's doing a complete engine swap, that's more involved than I want to go.

 

[CatmanV2]

I hadn't hear about the DMS upgrade, but I checked their website and it looks interesting. Don't know what a "lump" is but if it's doing a complete engine swap, that's more involved than I want to go.

Lump is indeed a new engine

C

 

[philw696]

I too had the DMS upgrade done and have been pleased as it seems to work better with the 4200 better than the later GT cars. Along with better rear boxes and mine was done at 90,000 miles and she is still going strong nearly 30,000 later. Love my 4200 cc.

 

[BRR]

I got rid of my secondary CATS and replaced the resonator on my GS with an X-pipe (i think US spec cars already have the X-pipe instead of the resonator?) and it made a great difference to the sound and also made it feel a bit happier to rev but that may be a placebo due to the increased noise. i would definitely recommend this mod

 

[hodroyd]

My 4200 Facelift had a US exhaust and revved very freely, it was a fast car, but not as noisy as some..!!

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Ian...we need more pics of the FD rims..

As for the upgrades, i don't think i'll ever replace spark plugs and air filter, both are great OEM.

Have done cats, X pipe, SS brake lines,and DBW, all are fantastic improvements. 550 discs are ok.

Depending on your style of driving, you may need a set of springs. If you drive fast, you will feel some bodyroll, despite sport button is engaged. I can tell for sure that FD springs are perfect for the job. They're expensive, but worth for me.

 

[hodroyd]

But Nikos, you are a very fast driver so you tell me, do you get body roll when you are alone in the car, or when you have a young attractive passenger, or both..??

 

[ratirati]

I got rid of my secondary CATS and replaced the resonator on my GS with an X-pipe (i think US spec cars already have the X-pipe instead of the resonator?) and it made a great difference to the sound and also made it feel a bit happier to rev but that may be a placebo due to the increased noise. i would definitely recommend this mod

Yes. The US GranSport comes standard with the X-pipe.

I'm definitely going to do the two exhaust mods since I found a guy with used FabSpeed parts for half the price as new. I'm told Larini is the best, but it's just pipes, right?

 

[Mr.Cambio]

i think we should talk about body vibration, rather than body roll Robert

 

[Chrisbassett]

Peformance mods for 4200: DBW Enhancement Module. X-Pipe. Secondary De-Cats. ...

I too had the DMS upgrade done and have been pleased as it seems to work better with the 4200 better than the later GT cars....Love my 4200 cc.

Can't agree with you more about these cars.

How much is the DMS tune?