| Author | Message | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 193 Registered: 1-2002 |
Vince & Manu, Yes, that is correct. All you do is look for the nearly vertical 1.5" long rod coming out of the actuator piston above the inside pipe. It has a ball on the lower end, in which there is a cavity drilled. This ball fits over the lever that turns the flap. Just gently push the ball & rod up (vertically) until it clears the flap lever, and then push it gently behind that same lever, so it is essentially hanging free, and can move up & down when the actuator makes it do so without being connected to the flap lever. I hope that makes sense... As for the ties melting, I live in Texas, and they haven't yet ;-). However, I am doing a track event in July (yes, I am nuts...), and that will deliver the final verdict on whether the plastic can hold up to prolonged extreme heat. If not, I will use one of those small metal gizmos--like what are used to fasten radiator hoses to the block, only the tiny ones. I hope all that helps! | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 292 Registered: 2-2002 |
Dave - let me get his straight - you can see the servo working the valve arms then (if someone revs the car and you stand near the exhaust) but there is no valve movement becuase you've tied it back. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 291 Registered: 2-2002 |
Maranelloman, How does it sound - becuase there is still a load of baffling in the silencer even if you've now got an extra end-pipe? Smart solution though - can you really feel a performance difference? Because of hearing people worry about excessive low-rev boominess from Tubis I've started looking into supplying Hamann Motorsport systems as an alternative for the UK guys too. Vince - Try this - if you open the throttle hard at low rpm, the valves won't open until you've reached a certain rpm threshold where the car can be loud as it needs to be (having slipped past the corresponding speed/rev/sound regs the EC imposes on the car). | ||
| Vince (Manatee)
New member Username: Manatee Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks, guys! 360 miles and counting. 360 is a nice number, isn't it? Whart, yeah, I'm old. LOL Racer, we're all fortunate to have found this site to share our enthusiasm. Learning every day. The exhaust pipe flaps only open under brisk throttle. They won't open at any particular RPM. I gently raised the revs to 5 grand, and they didn't open. Punch the throttle and Bingo. Dave, how did you disconnect the actuator arm from the 'ball' joint ? Also Dave, doesn't the plastic tie wrap melt with the heat? | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Junior Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 51 Registered: 3-2002 |
A Z and a new 575M?!... your a lucky man. Have fun and enjoy those!  | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 330 Registered: 12-2001 |
Titanium (or silver) and naturale (or cuio) is very european, somewhat old fashioned, and gorgeous; having spent alot of time behind the wheel(s) of 550s, i know you will relish getting to know this car. There is a boominess to the stock exhaust when the revs drop; i don't think i've ever even put my 550's into sixth, cause i don't have enough road! I guess, once you break it in, and can get on it a little harder, you will find that 3-4 is probably where you will be much of the time, except at low speed. (i am assuming that despite the different gearbox, and slightly larger engine, the interstitials are roughly the same, eg ~140mph in 4th). Enjoy. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1057 Registered: 6-2001 |
You know a car is serious when the tach is the primary gauge in the cluster. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1056 Registered: 6-2001 |
Floyd, is it broken in yet? I cant wait to hear some more dirving impressions on how the car is when its pushed. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 192 Registered: 1-2002 |
3 comments: Floyd, GORGEOUS color combo! And I'm a 5550 owner!! I am bummed that Ferrari has taken the CHEEEEEEEESY bar graph gas gauge from the 360 & put it in the 575 in place pf a proper round gauge. Yuck! Even Toyotas have gas gauges!! Finally, Manu: I have found an exhaust work-around for the 550: pull off the damper actuator lever on each side of the exhaust system (not remove it--just disconnect the rod attached to the haydraulic piston from the lever that controls the actual flap). Then open the flap. Then use a simple heavy-duty plastic automotive tie (like for wiring harnesses) to permanently keep the flap open. Cut off any excess tie length. Voila!! GREAT sound, no Tuni boominess at lo revs (no offense to Tubi fans, but the 550 system does get boomy at low revs, IMHO), great low end and slightly enhanced upper end response! You still have the heavy OEM system on the car, but your wallet is not $3,500 lighter... | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Junior Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 235 Registered: 4-2002 |
Congrats! Beautiful car! enjoy, Marcus | ||
| Vince (Manatee)
New member Username: Manatee Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2002 |
Manu, thanks for the insight. I have heard some 550's with the Tubi, and they are loud to say the least. I propped the exhaust pipe valves open, and the flutter sound was still evident, but not nearly as audible due to the louder exhaust rumble. The source of the flutter sound may be in the engine compartment. Again my testing was done with the vehicle stationary. ELI - anytime. just make your way here. Harlan, thanks for posting the pics. I'm a novice at such things. btw - I changed my username away from an old business-related username to a username which I use on other car forums. Hope I didn't confuse anyone. | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
New member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2002 |
Floyd: Congrats. How about a ride? | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 287 Registered: 2-2002 |
FOUR YEARS AGO!! Bloody hell Floyd!!! Floyd - I have a view about that exhaust flutter on your car - in a few months I'll be selling modifications for Ferraris for a living so until then my opinion is truly unbiased - The stock exhaust on a 550 (and the 575 I'd imagine) is the biggest load of SH*T ever. It weighs 3 times as much a Tubi for a start - moreover all that Bullsh*t that the dealers tell you about the valves on the silencer that give extra torque low down is utter rubbish - those by-pass valves just before the end-pipes simply homolgate (namely quieten) the car for the EC's ridiculously strict noise regulations. The stock exhaust on a 575M/550 is just too long for backpressure to ever be an issue.... The reason that Ferrari dealers give us that BS about backpressure is because the truth for those valves being there is fairly embarassing for a SUPERCAR maker. Dump the stock exhaust and get in touch with Tino who'll get you a tubi - it'll end all your problems and give the car the extra hard-edge that will complete and perfect it. I KNOW that a 550 is not as quick as a 360 (at least under 100mph) but this new 575 is meant to be even faster than 360... I look forward to your driving impressions after the running-in period is over. Excellent choice mate in colours too! Manu | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 258 Registered: 2-2002 |
A magnificent car, Floyd. Thanks for sharing! | ||
| Floyd Lawson (Floyd8686)
New member Username: Floyd8686 Post Number: 21 Registered: 5-2002 |
Manu, FOUR YEARS ago, I made it known to my dealer friends that if a 550 was ever available with an F1, that I wanted one. They called me late last year asking me for my colour choice. I don't think the current waiting list is very long, at least not by 360 standards! I'm going to ask the dealer to check out the exhaust 'flutter'. I did hear the same sound in another 575, so it might be inherent to the engine design. When I first got the car, I posted on this site if anyone had an flutter with a 550, and didn'tget any replies, so it's probably new to the 575. The car does things so well, it will spoil you when you go drive a different car. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 285 Registered: 2-2002 |
I sat in a 575MM the other day - the interior is magnificent -even nicer than the 550's. I didn't get to drive it unfortunately but I did rev it up in neutral to have listen - typically astonishing throttle response. Floyd - when did you place your order to get your car now? And what do you feel about the engine noise? Congratulations by the way - its a magnificent, beautiful car. I MUST have one soon. Have fun! Manu | ||
| Ryanab (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 81 Registered: 3-2002 |
Lucky man!! | ||
| Harlan Mott (Hmott3)
Junior Member Username: Hmott3 Post Number: 133 Registered: 12-2001 |
With Floyd's permission I wanted to post the pictures of his 575M. Amazing looking car, congrats!       | ||
| Floyd Lawson (Floyd8686)
New member Username: Floyd8686 Post Number: 19 Registered: 5-2002 |
Harlan, you have mail! The 550 is a very impressive car. Four years ago I had to make a choice between the 355F1 and a 550. I liked the F1 so much I waited on the 12cyl until an F1 was offered. If the F1 had never been offered in any Ferrari I would have chosen the 550 over the 355 four years ago. However, if one doesn't need, or desire, the F1 transmission, it would be a hard decision not to buy a 550 at the current prices. The 575 is a better, more refined, and confident car, but is it worth the extra bucks over a pre-owned 550 ? If money's not an issue, I'd still get the 575. To me, the F1 is just icing on the cake. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 356 Registered: 3-2002 |
Sounds beautiful, Floyd. Kind of an interesting balance that Ferrari is working with, keeping their cars "sporty" yet "comfortable". As most folks know, too much of either can be a bad thing. Patience for the break-in must be hard, but worthwhile. I'd say "have fun", but is that really necessary?! | ||
| Harlan Mott (Hmott3)
Junior Member Username: Hmott3 Post Number: 132 Registered: 12-2001 |
Floyd, Thanks, I can't wait to hear about it after the break in period. Did you drive the 550 at all, if so did you notice a big increase over it? Can we get some pictures, I just love that car! I know on the forum some people feel the 550 is a better car/deal overall, what made you select the 575M over the 550? Again thanks for the impressions! | ||
| Floyd Lawson (Floyd8686)
New member Username: Floyd8686 Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've only had the 575M for about a month. Titanium/Natural. Traded a 355F1 for it. Keep in mind my impressions will be compared to my impressions of the 355F1. The first thing I noticed is the fact the car drives smaller than it is. I was afraid the 575 would feel 'big' like a Testarossa. It feels small, and very confident in tight city driving. The sound is subdued. I have not had the car over about 6000 yet. The owners manual says to keep under 5000 until 500 miles. There is an exhaust 'flutter' or resonance in the 2000-3000 range. Unfortunately, this is the rpm range in sixth gear where the legal highway cruising is done. I'll have the service folks check it out. I don't think the flutter is due to the exhaust pipe valves used to increase back-pressure at lower rpm. The F1 shifter shifts slower but smoother than the 355 in casual driving. However, if I gently reduce the throttle during upshifts, the 575F1 shifts quicker and much smoother. A steady speed (not accelerating) achieves the same smoothness. On the 355, I kept my foot on the gas. Since I haven't shifted the 575 at upper rpm's, I can't comment on the speed of it's 'sport' or super-quick shifts. Bags and bags of torque and horsepower. Incredible. Pulls in sixth, easily. Revs quickly and with authority. Power comes on extremely linear. I'm anxious for the break-in period to end. I now like the big tach in the center of the instrument cluster. I don't like the LCD style fuel gauge. Sunlight washes it right out. Very quiet inside the cabin. Almost too luxurious, if you know what I mean. So quiet and well handling, I have to pay attention getting on the interstates. High speed comes very quickly, and without drama. I felt I had to keep the 355 at about 3500 rpm to keep it happy. The 575 is happy everywhere. If you have some specific areas of questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. |