From what I understand the Aperta has a different exhaust than the Speciale coupe. It's sounds better and might be a way to go for you guys who want to remain stock.
I was very unhappy with the sound of my Speciale, but I knew there would be a good solution for me. Different people have different goals for what they want to achieve for the sound of their exhaust. I knew that straight pipes and a Frequency Intelligence back box would be the ultimate sound (to my ear), but I mainly drive in town (not on the track) so I wanted to see if I could find a sound that was "less extreme". After reading comments from fchat Chrixxx I decided to try the fairly uncommon setup of 200 cell cats and the OEM back box. I just got my car back a few days ago, and I am 100 percent satisfied with the new exhaust note. Much more aggressive than the stock Speciale exhaust, but yet suitable for driving in town. I used Capristo 200 cell cats and their O2 Simulator (fools ECU into thinking you have OEM cats I guess). So far no check engine lights
It'd be a shame not to drive a mechanical wonder like the Speciale because of disappointment with the exhaust note. I'll gladly take her off your hands for a fair price and suffer the indignity of a less than ferocious sound.
I am totally happy with my stock speciale and cant seem to understand why people are unsatisfied with the result. Coming from an SLS amg that had an aggresive startup and load acceleration, the 458 speciale is still the winner
Agree. The standard exhaust is plenty loud. Went on 1500 mile road trip in the summer and enjoyed the fact that motorway cruising is possible within a set range and doesn't result in throbbing headache. Yet when the moment applies, the exhaust note makes itself heard, with force.
I own a Speciale. There is no crisis. It is angrier and deeper than the Italia I owned. Lost is the higher pitch. There are some burbles. It needs a valve switch just like the Italia. And I will be adding an exhaust to spice it up a lot. All easy, no stress.
Maybe it's because i put nearly 40,000 miles on two Stradales over the past 10 years that makes me more "sensitive" to what an exhaust sound can do to the hair on the back of your neck IMHO the stock Speciale exhaust hides so much of what is there. In particular, all of the spectacular sounds you'd expect to hear when downshifting aggressively at high RPMs is gone. it's not there. nothing. The OEM 800 cell cats eat the sound I guess. When I went to 200 cell cats, BAM. The exhaust sound is back! Now I can't wait to jump in the Speciale! The exhaust sound is therapeutic
Unfortunately on start up and driving around town it can't be avoided and this is where an OEM Speciale sucks big time. Most people who have bought a Speciale and therefore create a show by driving it in public by default, then feel pretty stupid when it looks fab but sounds crap, when people expect it to sound like a Lambo does not a Lexus
Look at it this way...the 488 has a much bigger sound crisis....it will be interesting to see what 488 owners do to their exhausts when the cars start being delivered stateside.
I've had a 355, 360, Stradale, Scuderia, Italia, and now the Speciale. Bottom line, Speciale still sounds great in it's own way - there is no crisis. My advice: warm it up, set the car in Race or CST off, and drive it the way it was meant to be driven and all will be well. Best.
Many people have simply put 200 Cell Cats on as noted and this changes ALOT. Furthermore adding mini cats (pic), which is the big insider industry secret, avoids all CEL's, go play Image Unavailable, Please Login
Rick, just curious, how do the 200cell cats sound when the bypass valves are in default mode. Do you notice a big difference while idling with the valves closed?
