New dream come true: F8 Tributo!

I thought I was the luckiest person alive with my 458S and my F355S. Now I'm happy to report I've added a 3rd Ferrari to my stable and I have to say it's the best ever.

I'd been considering trading the 458 for an F8 and, I have to be honest, I didn't think I'd be happy giving up the NA engine and driving feeling. I'm very sound conscious and I'd tested a couple of F8s last year and, while I loved the looks, I just wasn't there.

But this model showed up in my local dealership and it had pretty much all the specs I wanted, including a modified part of the exhaust (not the entire unit) with Vortex tech that I'm extremely pleased with, Novitec springs, the CF seats that I longed for and I couldn't get for the 458, and a whole lot of other features.

The end result is simply unbelievable. I'm absolutely mad with the F8, especially when I'm able to compare what 10 yrs have done to the V8 platform. One day I may post more details about the differences, although I read all about it here in the chat before pulling the trigger (BTW thx everyone for making the ownership experience so much better!).

For now, just an intro post for the community! Wow...
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Installed by third party by original owner. I love them!

 

Yes. I've been hesitating for a long time because of sound. It's pretty obvious that it could be improved with a third party exhaust or bypass and that's what everyone seems to be talking about on Youtube, etc. This one doesn't have the full exhaust by Capristo or Novitec or alike. The dealer unfortunately didn't share all the details (I know... lame), but I believe it's a subtle bypass muffler much like a Sharkwerks is for the 911.

I have all the original parts just in case. I took it to the local Ferrari dealer today for them to do the free service as well as to increase the height a bit and to check on this Vortex bypass. I'm hoping it can stay as is, because it sounds super nice and throaty, and as soon as I went for a test drive, all my fears about lack of sound went away. To be honest, I was mentally prepared ahead of it - the NA is simply not replaceable, and the question was whether I liked the F8 sound. Period. And my God I did. I was sold 5 min into the test drive.

I'll record a video soon. Out of the country for a few days. I'll also hear back from the dealer and let you know.

 

Absolutely. Will report back once I hear back from the dealer.

 

My thoughts exactly. What impressed me the most from this evolution is:

1) Performance. Talk about a rocket!
2) Gearbox. Also fast as hell
3) Steering. Even more precise than the already great 458
4) Suspension. Super comfortable yet sporty. Perfect mix equivalent to the 991.2 GT3's. The Novitec from the 458 springs was too hard all the time, even in bumpy
5) CF seats. Like a glove, comfortable but very supportive in spirited rides
6) Interior. From gorgeous design, to Apple Carplay, screen res, buttons, etc.

Lastly, I should also note that I decided to go for a Tributo vs a Spider. I already have the F355 and the ML 600LT Spiders, and for the F8 I wanted to go for performance first. The one thing I got tired about in the 458S was that damn cawl and shake in spirited rides. This F8 coupe is as solid as a rock!

 

Ha! I don't think so amigo. The way I look at it is:

- The LT is a phenomenal track car
- The F8 is a phenomenal daily and mountain pass car
- The F355 gated + Capristo a phenomenal classic NA Ferrari with F1 sound

I think this is a really great stable.

I just sold the GT3, btw, because I wasn't using it (the LT is so superior I'm afraid) and I have to drive all my cars. I couldn't stand seeing it up there on the lift collecting dust. And the V12 is more of a cruiser use case and I don't cruise much - maybe in a few years.

 

Will do, as soon as I hear more from the Ferrari dealer. Like you, I hadn't heard of it.

This is what I found online: https://vortex2018.flywheelsites.com/exhaust-technology/

 

Hey all, I have an update to share reg the exhaust:

First of all, the dealer where I bought the car told me about this Vortex Tech exhaust. I'd never heard of it, but it sounded amazing. I did a little digging for info today, and I found out that the previous owner had actually installed a full iPE exhaust and the sport cats. No wonder it sounds so amazing! It's not obnoxious at all, actually, but just loud enough to feel like you're driving a Ferrari! BTW, no word about the Vortex.

I gave the dealer crap about this. My question now is: Will Ferrari be ok with this and not void the warranty? I do have all the original equipment with me just in case, but I'm really hoping it'll be ok because I'm very happy with the current setup. BTW, no engine light at all either.

Thoughts?

 

No. Local Lux car dealership