Most people looking for a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale are in the same spot. They own a GranTurismo, or a Quattroporte, or an older Coupé, the engine has let them down, and the main dealer has quoted a figure that’s more than the car is worth. They don’t want to give up on the car. They just want a good engine at a sensible price.
That’s a very reasonable thing to want. The 4.2 litre V8 in these cars was built by Ferrari, it sounds fantastic, and when it’s healthy it’s a genuinely lovely engine. It also has a few well-known weak spots, and a used one can hide expensive problems behind a clean cam cover.
We’re NJ Global Auto Parts. We sell and ship Maserati engines to buyers all over the world, and this guide is the advice we give on the phone every week. It covers what the engine is, the full specifications, which cars it fits, the checks we make on every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale, the common faults, pricing, shipping and fitting.
What a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale Actually Is
First, the name. M145 is Maserati’s internal project code for the GranTurismo, the four-seat coupé launched in 2007. People search for the engine using that code because it’s printed on parts and paperwork. The engine itself belongs to the F136 family, a range of 90-degree V8s developed jointly by Ferrari and Maserati and built by Ferrari in Maranello.
In Maserati form, the 4.2 litre version is naturally aspirated, has four overhead camshafts and 32 valves, and uses a cross-plane crankshaft. That last detail matters. Ferrari’s own versions of the F136 use a flat-plane crank, which gives that high, hard wail. The Maserati versions use a cross-plane crank for a deeper, smoother V8 sound and more comfortable manners. Same family, different character.
If you want the full history, the Ferrari F136 engine page lists every variant. For a buyer, the key facts are the displacement, the sump type and which car the engine came out of, because those decide whether a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale will go into your car without a fight.
Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale: Full Specifications
These are the figures for the 4.2 litre engine as used in the GranTurismo, with notes on the other Maserati applications.
| Engine family | Ferrari-Maserati F136 (GranTurismo 4.2 versions F136 UD / UF) |
| Layout | 90-degree V8, cross-plane crankshaft, naturally aspirated |
| Displacement | 4,244 cc (4.2 L) |
| Bore x stroke | 92.0 mm x 79.8 mm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC per bank, 4 valves per cylinder (32 valves), variable valve timing |
| Fuel system | Multi-point port injection |
| Lubrication | Wet sump on the GranTurismo and Quattroporte Automatica; dry sump on the earlier Coupé, Spyder and GranSport |
| Power, GranTurismo | 405 PS (298 kW / 399 hp) at about 7,100 rpm |
| Torque, GranTurismo | 460 Nm (339 lb-ft) at about 4,750 rpm |
| Power, Quattroporte 4.2 | About 400 PS |
| Power, Coupé / Spyder | 390 PS, 451 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Power, GranSport | 400 PS, 452 Nm |
| Timing drive | Chains |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Built by | Ferrari, Maranello |
| Larger sibling | 4.7 L (4,691 cc) version, 430 to 460 PS |
Notice how the numbers change from car to car. That’s the heart of the matching problem. A dry sump engine from a Coupé won’t simply replace a wet sump GranTurismo engine, and the gearboxes, engine management and ancillaries are different too.
So every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale we quote comes with its engine number, its exact variant and the car it came from. You shouldn’t have to guess.
Which Maserati Models Use the 4.2 V8
The 4.2 litre F136 powered a good chunk of Maserati’s range in the 2000s:
- GranTurismo 4.2 (M145), from 2007, with a ZF six-speed automatic, and later the MC Shift automated manual. You can read more about the car on the Maserati GranTurismo page.
- Quattroporte V (M139) 4.2, 2004 to 2012, first with the DuoSelect automated manual and later with a ZF automatic.
- Coupé and Spyder (4200 GT), 2002 to 2007, with a manual or Cambiocorsa gearbox, dry sump.
- GranSport and GranSport Spyder, 2004 to 2007, dry sump.
The S versions of the GranTurismo and later Quattroporte use the bigger 4.7 litre engine instead. It’s a close relative, but it isn’t the same engine and it’s usually priced higher.
Our advice is always the same: send us the VIN. We’ll match the Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale to your car and tell you exactly what needs to move over from your old engine, such as sensors, the intake, the exhaust manifolds or the sump arrangement.
Wet Sump or Dry Sump: Why It Matters
This is the detail that trips up more buyers than anything else. The early Coupé, Spyder and GranSport engines use a dry sump. The oil lives in a separate tank, and a scavenge pump pulls it out of the engine and sends it back. That lets the engine sit lower in the car and keeps oil supply steady under hard cornering.
The GranTurismo and the later automatic Quattroporte use a wet sump, where the oil sits in a pan under the engine like most road cars. It’s simpler and cheaper to run, and it suited those cars better.
The two setups have different sumps, different oil pumps, different pipework and different mounting details. You can’t just drop a dry sump engine into a wet sump car, or the other way round, without a lot of parts and work.
So when you look at any Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale, the first two questions are: which car did it come from, and which sump system does it have? A seller who can’t answer both probably doesn’t know the engine well. Every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale we list tells you both, clearly, before you pay a thing.
4.2 or 4.7: Which One Should You Buy?
We get this question a lot. If your car left the factory with the 4.2, the simple answer is to buy a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale and keep the car as it was built. Everything will match: the engine management, the cooling, the mounting and the gearbox calibration.
Some owners ask about fitting the 4.7 instead for the extra power. It’s a related engine with a longer stroke and a bigger bore, and it makes noticeably more torque. But it isn’t a plug-and-play upgrade. Intake, management and calibration need attention, and the cost of the engine is usually higher too. For a road car that you just want back on the road, it rarely makes financial sense.
If you’re building something special and the budget is there, talk to us and we’ll tell you what’s involved. For everyone else, a good Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale that matches your car is the right answer, and it’s the one we’ll recommend. We’d rather help you make the sensible choice than sell you the more expensive one.
7 Checks We Make on Every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale
A clean engine bay photo tells you very little. These are the seven areas we look at before quoting, and the ones to ask any seller about.
1. Engine Number and Variant
We photograph the engine number and record the donor car. That tells us whether it’s a wet or dry sump engine, which model it suits and roughly how old it is. If a seller won’t show you the number on a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale, be very careful.
2. Compression and Leak-Down
We check all eight cylinders on each Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale and compare them. Even numbers are what you want. A low cylinder can point to a valve problem, worn rings or a head gasket issue. On a high-revving engine like this, it matters.
3. Cam Variators and Timing
The variable valve timing units, often called variators, are a known weak point on some F136 engines, especially the earlier Coupé, Spyder and Quattroporte versions. Worn variators cause a rattle on start-up, rough running and warning lights. We listen for it where we can run the engine, look at the timing area and tell you what we find.
4. Exhaust Manifolds
Cracked exhaust manifolds are a common complaint on the GranTurismo and Quattroporte. They cause a ticking noise, exhaust smells and sometimes lambda faults. We inspect the manifolds on every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale that comes with them and mention any cracks or repairs.
5. Oil Leaks and Oil Condition
We look for leaks at the cam covers, the timing covers and the rear main seal, and check the oil condition. A small seep is common on an older Italian V8. Heavy leaks, milky oil or metal in the oil are not, and we won’t sell that engine as a good used unit.
6. Cooling and Signs of Overheating
On every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale we check the water pump, the coolant condition and the gasket areas. An engine that has overheated can look fine and then fail later. We’d rather find that out now than have you find it after the engine is in your car.
7. What’s Included
Intake, manifolds, coils, throttle bodies, alternator, starter and wiring all change the value and the fitting job. We list everything that’s on the engine and show it in photos, so you can compare prices properly.
Common Problems on the Maserati 4.2 V8
Every engine has habits. Knowing these helps you judge any Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale and look after the one you buy.
Variator wear. The most talked-about issue, mainly on earlier engines. Symptoms are a rattle at cold start, rough idle and warning lights. It can be repaired, but it’s labour-intensive.
Cracked exhaust manifolds. Heat cycles crack the manifolds on the GranTurismo and Quattroporte. You’ll hear a tick that gets faster with revs.
Ignition coils. A failing coil causes a misfire, and a long misfire can damage the catalytic converters. Fix misfires quickly.
Oil leaks. Cam cover gaskets and rear main seals harden with age and heat.
Water pump and cooling hoses. Normal wear items at this age. Worth replacing while the engine is out.
Neglect. Honestly, the biggest problem with these engines is skipped servicing. A lot of these cars passed through owners who loved the car but not the running costs. Oil changes got stretched and small leaks got ignored. That’s why history and inspection matter so much.
None of this should put you off. A well-chosen Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale can run for a very long time.
Does Your Car Really Need a Replacement Engine?
Before spending serious money, be sure the engine is actually finished. Plenty of Maseratis that sound terrible are suffering from something fixable.
A variator rattle, a ticking manifold or a misfire from a failed coil can all make an engine sound like it’s dying. None of those automatically means you need a new engine. On the other hand, these signs usually do point to a replacement:
- Low compression on one or more cylinders that doesn’t improve with basic fixes.
- A knock from the bottom end.
- Coolant in the oil, or oil in the coolant.
- Metal in the oil filter.
- An engine that has seized or run with no oil.
A good Maserati specialist can tell you which camp you’re in. If the answer is that the engine is done, that’s when a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale makes sense. Send us the diagnosis if you have one, and we’ll suggest the right engine and the parts worth saving from your old one. If a repair is the better option, we’ll tell you that honestly.
Used, Rebuilt or Long Block?
Used. A tested engine from a donor car, sold as described. For most GranTurismo and Quattroporte owners, a used Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale is the most sensible way to save the car.
Rebuilt. Opened, measured and reassembled with new wear parts where needed, often including variator and timing work. It costs more, but you start fresh.
Long block. The core engine without some of the ancillaries. It works if your manifolds, intake and accessories are healthy.
You can see what’s currently available on our Maserati M145 V8 4.2L and 4.7L engine product page, and we covered both sizes in our earlier Maserati 4.2L and 4.7L engine article.
What Affects the Price of a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale
Price is usually the first question. Here’s what moves it:
- Variant. Wet sump GranTurismo engines, dry sump Coupé engines and 4.7 litre engines are all priced differently.
- Mileage and condition. Even compression, quiet variators and uncracked manifolds all add value.
- Completeness. Intake, manifolds, coils and wiring are expensive to buy separately.
- Used or rebuilt. A rebuild includes parts and a lot of labour.
- Freight. Where it’s going matters, and we quote it up front.
If a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale is priced far below the rest, there’s usually a reason. It might be missing parts, it might be a different variant, or it might have a noisy variator. Ask before you buy.
Shipping a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale Worldwide
We ship every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale worldwide. Each engine goes out drained, with openings sealed, strapped to a pallet or crated, and with extra padding around the manifolds and intake, which are easy to damage in transit.
Sea freight is the usual choice for cost. Air freight is available when the car needs to be back on the road quickly. We confirm the freight cost and the arrival port or airport before you commit.
You’ll get the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or airway bill. Your customs broker handles import duty and taxes. Engines are classified under the HS system run by the World Customs Organization, so your broker will know the paperwork.
Our shipping policy has the full details, and our refund and returns policy covers what happens if anything arrives damaged.
What Arrives in the Crate
Each Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale we ship arrives with a copy of the inspection summary, the photos we took before packing, and a list of what’s fitted. Fluids are drained. Intake, exhaust and coolant openings are capped or taped. Loose wiring is tied back and sensors are protected.
The engine is strapped to a pallet or boxed in a crate, with padding around the manifolds and intake. If you can, check the crate before you sign for it, take photos as you unpack, and tell us straight away if anything looks wrong. We’ll sort it out with you.
Fitting Tips From Maserati Specialists
These engines come out through the bottom of the car on most models, so it’s a proper workshop job. These are the things good specialists do when fitting a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale:
Understand why the old engine failed. If it overheated, sort the cooling system first. If it had a misfire for a long time, check the catalytic converters, because broken catalyst material can be drawn back into a fresh engine.
Do the service items while it’s out. Water pump, hoses, cam cover gaskets, rear main seal and spark plugs are all easier with the engine on a stand.
Transfer parts carefully. Sensors and connectors are fragile with age. Label everything.
Check the gearbox and clutch. On cars with the automated manual, the clutch is often worth doing at the same time.
Fresh fluids and a careful first start. New oil and filter, correct coolant, and prime the oil system before firing it. Check for leaks and codes, then change the oil early.
Looking After the V8 After It’s Fitted
The best way to protect a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale once it’s in your car is simple, regular care. These engines don’t ask for much, but they don’t forgive neglect.
Change the oil on time with the correct specification, and don’t stretch the interval because the car is used lightly. Short trips are harder on oil than long drives.
Warm it up before revving it. It’s tempting on a V8 that sounds this good. Give the oil time to reach temperature first.
Deal with misfires immediately. A failing coil can damage the catalytic converters, and broken catalyst material is bad news for the engine.
Keep the cooling system fresh. Replace coolant, hoses and the water pump on a sensible schedule.
Listen at cold start. A new rattle at start-up is worth checking early, before a small variator issue becomes a big one.
Look after it like that and your engine should reward you with years of that deep, smooth V8 sound that made you buy the car in the first place.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay for a Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for Sale
- Which car did it come from, and is it wet sump or dry sump?
- Can I see a photo of the engine number?
- What were the compression readings?
- Was it running before removal? Any variator rattle or misfire?
- Are the exhaust manifolds included, and are they cracked?
- What else is fitted: intake, coils, alternator, starter, wiring?
- Is it used, rebuilt or a long block?
- What does the freight quote include?
We answer every one of these for each Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale we offer. If we don’t know something, we say so.
Other Engines You Might Be Looking For
If you drive a newer Maserati, our Maserati M156 3.0L V6 engine covers the twin-turbo V6 models. The Ferrari side of the family is on our Ferrari F136FB engine page and in our F136FB buying guide. Browse everything in our used engines range or visit the shop.
For official model information, check the Maserati website.
Why Buy From NJ Global Auto Parts
We match every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale to your VIN before you pay. You get real photos, a written inspection summary and a clear list of what’s included, flaws and all. And we quote freight up front, wherever you are.
If we don’t have the right engine for your car, we’ll tell you. We’d rather lose a sale than ship the wrong one. Read more about us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maserati 4.2 V8 a Ferrari engine?
It belongs to the F136 family, developed jointly by Ferrari and Maserati and built by Ferrari. The Maserati versions use a cross-plane crankshaft.
How much power does it make?
In the GranTurismo it makes 405 PS and 460 Nm. Coupé, Spyder and Quattroporte versions make between 390 and 400 PS.
Will a Coupé engine fit my GranTurismo?
Not directly. The Coupé engine is dry sump and uses different ancillaries and management. Buy the matching variant.
Is your Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale used or rebuilt?
We offer both. Each listing and quote says which.
Do you ship to my country?
Yes. We ship every Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale worldwide by sea or air, with freight quoted before you pay.
What if the engine arrives damaged?
Contact us right away with photos. We’ll work through it with you using our inspection record and your quote.
A Maserati M145 V8 4.2L for sale should come with real photos, honest notes and someone who understands these engines. That’s what we try to give every buyer. Send us your VIN through the contact page, tell us about your car, and we’ll tell you what we have and what it’ll cost to get it to you.