FF Forza Exhaust Controller Install

nicely done. Thanks for documenting it.

 

Sounds like the ideal fitment but please explain;
Can you set it to keep the valves closed all the time or is it just the two options of normal standard mode and locked open mode?

 

Thanks for taking the time to post the installation details and pics.

I am looking to improve the low rpm sound of my FF too but am unsure whether I need the same set up as you or a new exhaust as well (capristo) to achieve a deeper sound at low rpm.

Could you try to explain how the sound has changed now at low rpm. Is it deeper or just louder or both? Better still could you post a video of valves open and valves closed from idle up to 3000rpm?

 

Thanks for the info. I would try what you are saying but a) I don't have a ramp at home to lift the car and b) like you, i want the option for the car to be factory quiet.

So for the relatively small cost involved i'd probably take a chance on the controller.

Whilst researching exhaust options, i found the Novitec exhaust video which sounds totally insane! But interestingly, looking at the video (28 seconds into it) it seems they have reprogrammed the cars ECU to have exhaust valves at open at idle as soon as Sport is selected switching from Comfort on the manettino. Nice touch but not sure i'd want to mess with the cars ECU myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBzDy42lsm0

If you do get to do a video of yours would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks for the clarification, very helpful.

 

Thank you. It seems we are both looking for the same effect. I only mentioned the Novitec as it sounded so good, but like you i'm using the car daily and want peace and quiet some of the time. I think i might just order the Forza controller and see what it's like. Out of interest, so i'm prepared for installation, you don't happen to know what size the additional nut was you used to connect the ground cable?

 

Hi CrazyMD ... First, thanks for your order. I appreciate it.

There are no worries that you will overheat the catalytic converters with the Forza controller in the Always Closed mode. Since the exhaust bypass valves are downstream of the catalytic converters, 100% of the exhaust gases pass through the cats regardless of the position of the bypass valves. There will be virtually no difference in the heat build-up.

Some people may tend to believe that with the valves closed, there is higher back pressure. In theory, this is correct. In practice, Ferrari really has designed these exhaust systems with bypass valves primarily to provide two levels of sound. The lower level of sound complies with EU noise abatement requirements. The higher sound level only because owners want it and the use of exhaust bypass valves is the way that manufacturers can do both. Several manufacturers use dual mode exhausts similar to Ferrari ... Corvette, Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Jaguar, BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi ... to name a few.

In summary, do not be concerned with running the car with valves open or closed. It really does not make any difference that you will be able to tell except the sound.

Regards,

Steve

 

Thanks. Do you think if i lift the rear of the car about 10 inches using a trolley jack i can get enough space to do the fitting myself?

 

Hi CrazyMD.

In your postings you referred to the vacuum solenoid valves in the plural tense. I thought that the FF had a single solenoid valve with two vacuum lines running to each of two bypass valves. Is this not the case on your FF?

Thanks,

Steve

 

Thanks to you for CrazyMD for starting this thread and to Steve at Forza Componenti for the great service supplying me an exhaust controller for my FF.

Steve delivered it super promptly and answered all my questions by return in great detail. I work in electronics and would like to say that his controller design and build is very good quality, including the supplied connection cables.

I had it fitted today. My FF has just one exhaust soleniod controlling both exhaust valves so only one of the supplied cables was used. It all fitted as described and worked straight away without problems. Very easy to use. Press A for open valves or B for factory settings (ie valves closed at low rpm).

The effect it has on the exhaust is very interesting. I much prefer it to the factory setup because now from idle the sound builds properly, whereas in factory mode the sound changes suddenly at 2500 to 3500 rpm (depending on which manettino setting you are in) which i find quite annoying and unnatural sounding. With the valves open the sound builds in a more linear, natural fashion which is much more pleasing to my ears but i wouldn't say it is much louder, just more progressive.

It may be that when the engine is cold it is much louder with the valves open, something i'll have to try out in the morning.

I'll use the car like this for a couple of weeks and then decide whether i fancy adding a Capristo exhaust. I would be happy for a louder, deeper exhaust when i fancy a blast but not if it develops a drone in the cabin at low rpm even when the valves are back in factory closed mode. We will see!

 

I have the Capristo wireless switch on one of my current cars (a 458), and was about to pick another switch up for an incoming new Ferrari.

I was leaning towards Forza, but if it indeed doesn't have memory, that would be a bummer.

The Capristo on my 458 certainly has memory: if I set the valves to open, that preference is retained across start-ups/shut-downs. The car starts up with open valves every time. If, conversely, I set the switch to the stock setting, then that behavior persists.

 

Oh I want this.. so good. Where is Steve?

 

Yes, I only have wireless Capristo, and yes, it works exactly how I described above. I installed it myself on my own car as well as on a friend's, so this is first hand knowledge.

I really was meaning to get Forza, since it seems better constructed and is less expensive, but the lack of memory is a deal breaker for me.

 

Hi Uhn2000 ...

Send me a PM with your question.

Thanks,

Steve

 

One feature of the Capristo Remote Controller is the memory feature. That is really a great feature that they have. I believe you set the Capristo controller's default state by pressing two buttons simultaneously on the remote. Then every time you start the car, it "remembers" the state that you have set. So if you want to start you with valves open, so be it.

With the Forza controller, you can have this function, but only when using the manual switch option. The reason ... a mechanical manual switch retains the last position. If you set it for valves open, that setting remains. With the remote function enabled, there are a series of relays that are used as switches. Because relays rely on power to hold the contacts, once power is lost (e.g., turning off the ignition) the relays reset to default.

When I designed the controller, I did not add a memory feature as it would have increased the cost. I was trying to keep things simple. I chose instead to include the option to use either the remote or a manual switch. With the remote, since there is no visual indicator of what function you are in, I thought it best to have the controller reset to factory control when you turn off the ignition.

Although I know that many would like to have memory when using the remote, there was also a strong response that many prefer to have the car revert to factory control when the ignition is turned off.

I am taking this feedback to heart, though. In a future revision, I might try to include a "memory" feature. Until then, I can only say restate that if you use the manual switch function, you have this "memory" feature now. But, I appreciate the fact that installing a manual switch adds to the installation task.

Thanks for your feedback and support.

Steve