| Author | Message | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 442 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bill can be the state-side guinea pig.  I think he's outlined most everyone's concerns about the system. --Dan | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 951 Registered: 12-2001 |
I wouldn't mind it if : it didn't prevent my car from passing state inspection on emissions control (and you've said that you don't remove the catalytics) and its not a "sound effect" so that i have to listen to a constant drone, even at idle. I'd probably want to hear it on yours, before i take the step, so let's plan on hooking up in the near term. In the meantime, what's the price of the parts and how many shop hours do you think i'm looking at to make the change? (I'm also assuming the car can be put back to stock without alot of trouble) Thanks.(Manu has been hocking me about this since i've been on the board, so a nod to him if i finally make the move!) | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 580 Registered: 2-2003 |
WHart, its loud, but not like an open 355. You're in NYS, right? They apparently don't do any decibel testing, but if they did, I think it would still pass, at least at idle. Actually less annoying resonance than the stock Tubi with the center tunnel still in!! Again, the sound is like the 512S in the Esses in the movie LeMans. Real fun!! | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 579 Registered: 2-2003 |
No impact on emissions, I left my catalysts STRICTLY alone!! The Stebro didn't fit nicely like a Tubi, a little "rough" around the edges. Still, probably a good muffler shop could put it on in about 3 hours. I spent 2 DAYS under my car on jackstands, and required several transfusions!! | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 950 Registered: 12-2001 |
What impact on emissions compliance, state inspections, etc.? | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 705 Registered: 2-2002 |
The ones we get require no invasive work - clamp/unclamp..... I am sure the Stebro ones are also. Trust me Dave - trust me - get one mate.. you will be AMAZED. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1244 Registered: 1-2002 |
Manu & efwun: does installing a crossover in place of the center resonator require cutting & welding? or is it an unclamp/clamp process? Thanks. | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 703 Registered: 2-2002 |
Mark - I concur with Efwun - replace your rear silencers with the Tubi solos and get some kind of crossover for the central silencer..... The result is STUPENDOUS!!!! It's a setup I recommend to my own 550 customers in the UK. P.S. Franc is bloody helpful - get in touch with him/Tino.... | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2002 |
EFWUN: Thanks so much for the info. | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 573 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mark, you can call Franc Yarde at Tubi at 1(800) 421-5604, he can hook you up with the tubo-solo system. Stebro has a website, I think the guy there is named Dan, but I don't remember. Its up in Canada. (You may need to clean up the Stebro, I found the welds a little snotty!) Yeah, the sound on the stock car is pretty disappointing, particularly because I grew up around a Daytona!! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 3567 Registered: 8-2002 |
Mark - EFWUN's car sounds like nothing i've ever heard... Ever... If there was a god and god had a 550, it would sound like EFWUN's car... i heard it way before i saw it and i felt it before i could come to grips with what was going on... It was very intense... Unbelievable... It made the most modified 5.0 Mustang sound like a dead goldfish... | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 73 Registered: 4-2002 |
EFWUN: Were you able to obtain the Tubo-Solo system through Tubi here in the states?? What about the Stebro piece? Your car must sound absolutely wonderful!! That is one of the aspects of the 512M that I love so much as well. It too sounds like a proper race car in its current form. I guess I was a bit disappointed by the sound of the stock muffler on the 550. Any help with locating those bits you mentioned is greatly appreciated!! | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 565 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mark, my car came with a Tubi, which I replaced with a "tubo-solo" Tubi, no mufflers. (No annoying resonance at idle, and much better sound higher up). Then, I researched replacing the center tunnel muffler, and after talking to Pro-Drive in the U.K., as well as some people here, I got a Stebro venturi center section to replace the muffler. Took it apart, cleaned and polished the welds, and installed it. WOW. Car sounds like the 512S going through the Esses in the movie LeMans. Wonderful!! Power?? Maybe a little, probably biased toward top-end. Car still smokes the tires from a roll in 2nd, so I'm not sure what too much more power would do for it! (At least around here). | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2002 |
EFWUN: I agree, stock versus stock the 550 is clearly faster. I am just so happy that the M engine had so much more in it to give with the proper tuning. I can only hope the 550 can be "massaged" to give a bit more as well, but given that it will be a daily driver and is already very strong indeed, it may not be worth the effort. By the way, do you have the stock exhaust or an aftermarket one? | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 123 Registered: 4-2003 |
Getting back to the below mentioned gains to be had from tuning; sometimes it is SO easy to find extra power... An example: Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6 24V ( a BEAUTY of an engine albeit a mere V6) Standard 210 HP Exchange the inletrunners for the thicker "off the shelf" ones et voila! A proven 20 HP gain without further modification.... That's nearly 10% power gain at the cost of some US$ 200.00 + labour. Not chiptuning of course but merely an example to demonstrate how easy manufacturers are in NOT taking full advantage of an engine's potential. Jack | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 552 Registered: 2-2003 |
Yep, Mark, I got the feeling that the 512M was far less "tuned" than the 550, and as I said, the guy in the 512 might have lifted! The one I drove felt kinda heavy and sluggish, so it might not even have been representative. Still, stock for stock, I'm pretty sure the 550 will toast the 512M. Your worked car must really move!! | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2002 |
EFWUN: The driver of the M obviously was not serious when you caught up with him. I have a 1996 355B with the Autothority chip, Tubi, Test Pipes, K&N filters and while it is very quick indeed the 512M will absolutely destroy it in a straight line. I was actually surprised that the 550 felt slower as well. I do think that the flat 12 in the M is very much detuned from the factory, more so than the 355 or perhaps even the 550. I just know at this point it is the fastest, meanest car I have been in with the exception of an F40 I rode in on the track once. It will be fun to do some back-to-back tests once I get the 550. | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 545 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mark, remember the 512M is a pre-OBD II car, and it was possible to install a PROM chip without all the ancillary issues of the On-Board Diagnostics and the spy chips. Having said that, I'd also say that your modifications to your 512M must really work well, because my 550, even before I removed the mufflers, was, to my senses, vastly quicker than the 512M I investigated buying. I have actually run down a 512M with my '95 355, although I cannot speak for the driver of the 512, he may have lifted. | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2003 |
We're in the process of finding out what is possible. Every manufacturer leaves margins and sometimes for totally unclear reasons. Alfa Romeo is such a make (I LOVE them) eventhough they have a reputation for finely tuned and powerfull engines. No claims, just warning not to expect an "instant missile". See my other post as well in which we're seeking owners of ECU equipped Ferraris. Jack | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 542 Registered: 2-2003 |
While not intended to denigrate anyone in particular, I am skeptical of anyone who (in the era of OBD II) claims even 10% hp gains with a chip. Remember, in the 550, that would be 48.5hp! I don't necessarily believe that Ferrari leave that much readily available power in their motors. My experience has been that Ferrari pretty carefully optimize their motors, and the only real place for "free" gains are in the Maranello's overly quiet exhaust, and to a lesser extent, intake. Just my opinion. | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 70 Registered: 4-2002 |
Frank; I agree, good driving is the quickest way around the track or on the street regardless of HP. Having said that, I do a fair amount of track driving and plan to do so with the 550. However, too much power is never enough!! I became convinced of the potential in "chipping" my cars after I purchased an ECU upgrade from Koenig. The F512M I have with the Koenig chips is significantly faster than the 550 I test drove recently. Of course it also has test pipes and a Tubi but the chip made a HUGE difference. I highly recommend Koenig. Unfortunately, they apparently don't have a chip yet for the 550. | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 114 Registered: 4-2003 |
Dan, agreed, turbos offer the biggest potential with management tuning but a little over 10%+ on HP should be possible even on a NA car. Jack | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2151 Registered: 9-2001 |
Mark, spend the same amount of money on a driver's school at your local track and you will cut more time off your laps than any chip will give you. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 432 Registered: 9-2002 |
TO me, even a 10% power jump through engine management, esp. on an NA car where you're not bumping the turbos / SC, seems like quite an accomplishment. My guess is quicker throttle response. --Dan | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 113 Registered: 4-2003 |
We'll be bring out one in not too long from now. Development is on the way already. BUT.... Don't expect too turn your 550 into a missile with a chip upgrade... All tuners that promise 25% or more power first of all can't fullfill their promise and basically don't know what they are talking about. NO car manufacturer in the WORLD leaves THAT much margin in their engines without exploring it and "selling" it, also Ferrari doesn't. A GOOD chip will give you around 10 - 15% more HP and up to 20% more torque (MAX!). Biggest gain is in the driveability field. The way the car responds to the throttle, picks up through the revs etc. Jack www.FerrariStuff.com | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 68 Registered: 4-2002 |
Does anyone know of or have experience with ECU chip upgrades available for the 550. I will soon be trading in my 355 on one and am starting the performance upgrade process. Thanks! |