Hello all, I'm new to this chat room. I have a '91 348TB that I am thinking of installing test pipes on. Any thoughts? Pro's & Con's? Easy install? Any help would be appreciated!
Pros: 1) Much better sound 2) Engine breathes better=Better performance Cons: 1) May make it harder to pass emissions test (if your state has that) 2) It is illegal to remove or molest your catalytic converters
Welcome to the forum! Since you have a magnificent 348, you're also a 348 Brother! I'm sure everyone would like to see pics of your car... so please post some! I thought about straight pipes, but Daniel at Ricambi ( www.ricambiamerica.com ) tried them on his 348, and said that the exhaust smelled more with straight pipes, and he said his wife was unhappy about that. Some people use upgraded catalytic converters, such as the Hyperflows, which I think also would improve sound and perhaps even performance a bit. I also think they are less likely to overheat and degrade compared with the stock converters. I don't have any first-hand experience with Hyperflows, though. They sound like a good compromise, but not as cheap as pipes. Ricambi sells them if you're interested. Don't forget... Post pics and I'm sure everyone would also like to learn more about you, so you might start by filling out some more info on your Ferrarichat Profile.
Pros: Reduces car-fire danger Less heat in engine bay Improves performance Improves sound Improves gas mileage Cons: Often illegal Strong fuel smell from your exhaust Extra pollution Might be too loud for some neighborhoods
I went from test pipes to HyperFlow. Leaving cost out of the equation, I can tell you unequivocally, there is no loss of power going to a HyperFlow from a straight pipe. There is however, a much nicer "no smell" driving experience. My car and clothes used to smell of gasoline after a drive, and it was incredibly annoying. My wife hated it, and I couldn't fathom ever putting Luca in the car. Testing for emissions was a cat-and-mouse game in North Carolina, although now the laws have changed where OBDI cars are exempt from emissions tests. No smell, no loss of power, looks great.
I didn't really smell it while in the car, but after getting out from a drive, my clothes would smell quite strongly of gasoline. From behind the car, yes it was very obvious.
Interesting about the gas smell. I can smell a little bit if I am following my car in an open car - but barely. Otherwise, I cannot really tell that the car is cat free. Perhaps it is improved mixture management with the later EFI system? (2 generations: from 348 to 355 motronic 2.7 and then to 355 motronic 5.2) I don't notice it in the Cobra either, and it just recently became cat free, though it's EFI too. GT40 will be cat free as well...
Originally Posted by Jack Russell Racing I went from test pipes to HyperFlow. Leaving cost out of the equation, I can tell you unequivocally, there is no loss of power going to a HyperFlow from a straight pipe. There is however, a much nicer "no smell" driving experience. My car and clothes used to smell of gasoline after a drive, and it was incredibly annoying. My wife hated it, and I couldn't fathom ever putting Luca in the car. Testing for emissions was a cat-and-mouse game in North Carolina, although now the laws have changed where OBDI cars are exempt from emissions tests. No smell, no loss of power, looks great. Daniel, what is a OBDI car? I have a house in NC and I am thinking about registering my car there. Also did you notice an inprovement in sound with hyperflows? thanks tommy
Excellent timing on this thread, my car is having test pipes fitted at the moment as part of a annual service. Can't wait to see if there is a difference.
Same here my wife says it's too loud, but I don't think so My 74 yr old father says it sounds great. Everyone loves the sound except for my wife.
OBD-I is a car built prior to 1995 generally. They are all emissions-exempt now in North Carolina. You must still of course have an annual safety inspection where they'll ensure no ex-wives or pets are hanging from your car, and all the moonshine is tucked neatly into the trunk.
t-pipes & tubi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qwQwPVVRM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPtl3YXFiI&feature=related
I have Tubi/test pipe on my 355. 1) Sound is fantassssssstic 2) yes it does smell at idling but when I drive, I cant smell any. so drive faster and leave the smell behind : ) ( I know its not quite nice to the environment but I promise to do other things to compensate!! ) Best P.
MY Motronic 2.5 w/test pipes and tubi sounds like a F1 car and is almost too loud. But everyone that drives the car loves it and there is no gas smell. Jeff Pintler 89 348tb, 86 tr
Fitted! I replaced the original cats to test pipes (already had a xost silencer on board). I do not have fuel smell, except while warming up the car in the garage (the smell is slightly stronger than with cats), but no appreciable differences while running or in open spaces. The sound is louder, not a few honestly.... can be annoying if you drive in the town: I was shy to push the pedal hard to avoid fines Not having a "buffer of gas" always in the exaust system (the flow is much more direct), the sound can be not good in the traffic, when you 'choke' the gas (eg. you go with 'half/one third' of gas pedal): you have the classical rattling sound of "not a fully filled silencer"; it is the tipical sound of race cars in the same situation, so it is not 'wrong' at all, but can be not appreciated for a relaxing rive in the town (the car seems to have somethign 'wrong' to normal ears). But if you push the pedal... the system will be filled up...... and it's amazing. By feeling (not measured on dyno), the power should be about 10-12HP higher, and the engine is much more reactive over 6.000 rmps
