Capristo Level 1 Review

Finally got a drive with it. My maniacal laughter has mostly died down, but it still surfaces here and there. Since I spent a lot of time reading about exhausts before I redid my perfectly good setup, I thought I would add my impressions.

Background: I have had 2 355s, a manual and now an F1. Both have had Tubis. The first started with factory cats and then went to hyperflows. This second car started with Tubi and test pipes. I added Gruppe M intake last fall.

As for the factory cats vs. hyperflows, I did not notice that much difference. There was a reasonably long time span between the Tubi-hyperflow car and the Tubi-test pipe car, but again I did not notice a significant difference. The Tubi is a very nice exhaust. It has a throaty low end and still has a pretty good scream at high rpm. In my GTS, it is unobtrusive on the highway cruise with very little drone, even without cats.

New setup: Caprsito level 1, Capristo bypass valve, test pipes, Gruppe M intake.

As you should know by now, the Cappy bypass is open by default. This becomes instantly clear when you start the car, as it has a much more pronounced bark at startup, and then you can hear the valve close down. Revving the car, you can tell the valve opens at the top of the tach, but it stays open a little longer. So if you rev it once and then blip it again, the second blip rewards you with a much louder note and some pops and crackles to go with it. Important to keep in mind when impressing gatherers at a parking lot or traffic light - one blip is not enough.

The idle is almost indistinguishable from the Tubi (I thought it would be quieter). In fact, cruising around sounds very much the same, and I bet even the most studied 355 exhaust note junkie would be hard pressed to tell the difference. I would say it has every bit the depth of the Tubi.

The Cappy bypass valve does not rattle. My car used to have a rattle at idle like a piece of sheet metal was laying on the top of the engine. That is gone. I have seen threads about tightening the spring. The spring seems snug on mine, but the valve itself was loose on the shaft that it turns on. There are two allen heads screws holding it on, and both were finger tight.

The Cappy valve definitely opens under load at lower rpms. I did not expect this, as I was told it worked on the same signal as the stock valve. Cruising at 3000 rpm and then opening the throttle yields a brief delay and then you can hear the valve open and the volume goes up significantly. At low rpm, this results in an appreciable drone, similar tone but louder than the Tubi.

And then you crack the throttle and let it run, and you absolutely know the difference. And so does everyone within 2 miles. When the valve is open and the revs build, the Cappy screams like an unholy demon exercised from the deranged mind of Max Mosley, released from your tailpipes to terrorize anything behind you, bouncing off road and guardrails and buildings as if searching for somewhere to safe. But there is no place safe now, muwhohahahahaha!!!!!!

Seriously, I have listened to Cappy videos over and over and over. You get an idea, but it is like listening to an AC/DC concert on a transistor radio. You may know the tune, you may be able to pick out the words, but it's a far cry from being there. In case you are wondering, the Capristo level 1 at full throttle with the valve open is very loud, much louder than a Tubi. I was literally laughing out loud and bouncing in my seat.

On a final note, I have the electronic valve controller on order (key fob selects regular mode or full open). But if you think you might like to occasionally drive with the valve open but don't want to go through the hassle or expense of the controller, just getting the valve may be something to consider. Since it defaults open, you can pull the vacuum line and cap it (or possibly just clamp the line) and the valve will remain open. Much easier than pulling the airboxes and wiring/unwiring the stock valve.

I would try to get some video, but there is not much point, as there are many out there. If you have any doubts, you need to hear it in person to know. And I think I need to go have another fix myself

 

Why not just put a switch in the power line to the solenoid for the capristo? You could wire it into the cabin and hide a switch somewhere. I thought about doing this myself. I think the guys at Competizoine have done this for some, though I do not know the specifics. I think this would be a cleaner approach.