I will be replacing them with Fabspeeds...I will keep you all posted on how this goes.
Folks, I have only had these on the car for four days and around 150 miles, but what a HUGE difference in an already amazing car. These things really add to the car's performance. I cannot believe how much more low end torque there is...wow. In the words of my service adviser at Wide World of Cars (who were GREAT BTW), "I cannot believe the difference those headers made. We're going to have to start offering them. Wow, your car got a serious bump in power."
The question is, which headers to choose? We have two excellent choices between Fabspeed and Capristo headers. What are the pros and cons of each solution? I call Fabspeed and Capristo in to get their arguments
I have seen both and I can tell you quality and design is great on either. No doubt they will last a good long time and deliver performance, so IMO its a matter of brand preference or budget.
Just sharing my setup, due to be installed tomorrow morning. Capristo Twin Sound, Fabspeed test pipes, Fabspeed headers (no air rails). http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1243083&stc=1&d=1291789971
I can't tell for sure but I've heard from my mates that the twin sound with valves fully opened sounds louder than level 3. But once the valves are shut, it's quieter than stock. Best of both worlds IMO.
Here are some advantages of going with Fabspeed Headers.....Hope this helps out As with all Fabspeed Tuning exhaust products, each TIG weld is hand finished internally, only butt-welded junctions are used, and flange openings are size matched to their ports, all to produce the smoothest flow possible. It is this intensive attention to detail that sets Fabspeed exhaust products above the rest. Fabspeed headers incorporate a Formula 1 Indy Car high velocity investment cast lost wax cast merge collector. The concept of a merge collector is to build velocity through the venturi effect. Air passing through an hourglass-shaped venturi accelerates as it passes through the narrowest part of the venturi then slows down and expands as it emerges on the other side. This expansion creates a pressure drop, in effect siphoning air into the low-pressure side of the venturi and drawing more volume through the venturi. In a header collector, the venturi effect improves exhaust velocity and scavenging, which has effects on cylinder filling, the intake tract, and camshaft timing. In the standard collector, the primary tubes are cut off flat and dump directly into the collector. In the Fabspeed merge collector, the primary tubes are sectioned and merge into a cone shape before the collector necks down to its minimum diameter. This design helps to shape the flow of gasses and improves the transition from the primaries to the collector, reducing the effect of the change in area on velocity. Our exhaust systems are handbuilt works of art, are award winning, and are what your Ferrari deserves. All Fabspeed systems are High Quality T304 stainless steel 16-gauge C.N.C. mandrel bent for optimum power. If you look at most OEM tubing....it has bends and crinkles which create turbulence and inconsistent tubing diameter. You can see in this picture that Fabspeed has an X-ray of a stock F430 header showing the points of restriction. With the help of our Unison Breeze 76mm tube bending machine we are able to make our 16 gauge mandrel bent larger primary tubes to help maintain a constant exhaust flow through the bend. I have attached a couple pictures of our Unison Mandrel Bending machine for everybody to check out. Here are some more benefits of the Fabspeed Headers. *501HP/353 ft-lbs of torque to the crank (up to +51HP/88 ft-lbs tq gained at 3700RPM) *Fabspeed sport headers save 10.6lbs/4.8kg over the stock manifolds. *Scuderia headers include air injection rails. *T304L stainless steel headers direct replacement for factory failure prone headers *No pre-cat in the collector. *All Headers come with new Copper Gaskets, Copper hardware, and donut gaskets. Here are some pictures of Fabspeed headers. We also offer a high temp Flat Black Ceramic Finish for serious guys that race their cars. We supply these headers to a couple guys that run in the F430 Challenge series. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Jeremy for providing details about your headers and posting the pictures. It's very interesting to read how they are manifactured. One thing though surprised me in your description. You claim a power gain of 51 HP at 3.700 rpm. Ok, maybe that's right, but then you forgot to mention that your headers are losing a good 30 HP at 4.700 rpm compared to the stock headers (same for the torque, about 45ft-lbs loss). All in all, your headers don't deliver more power or torque compared to stock (or just slightly 5-10 HP). They just bring part of the power and torque available at lower rpm. I would prefer more "regular" headers giving a smoother power and torque curve. The clutch and transmission will also appreciate it more
The reason the hp and tq are lower is because the valves were disconnected on the header run. Thank you for catching that : ) I am going to post the correct dyno before and after both having the valves hooked up.
Here is a dyno of the same car before and after with the valves connected on both runs. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the updated dyno which seems to be more reasonable. Both dyno's give us a very good comparison between a valve operated and non-valve operated exhaust. Without valves, Im not surprised of the important power gain around 3700 rpm but its quite surprising to see how much power and torque is lost without exhaust valves between 4200 and 5200 rpm exactly when normally the valves get opened on a stock exhaust. Maybe you got some explanation for that? PS: Im afraid your website needs a good update with your new figures
To keep competition going which is always good in business, here is a picture of the Capristo Headers. They are manifactured using a 2 in 1 principle which is more sophisticated to manifacture but delivers the maximum torque. What do you think about their headers? PS: I have no interests in Capristo! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ordered a set of Capristo 430 headers today. Incl. the heatshield. Ahhhhh - this was expensive. Have a special built silent silencer from Capristo on order too. Pay quickly and forget. Now I´ll just sit and wait for Santa. //Anders
Great Chrismas gift! I'll make the upgrade next spring going to there shop in Germany. Can't wait to hear further of your new Capristo headers&muffler setup and pictures
I have in my possession 2 dyno graphs made by Ferrari of Central Florida on a F430 Challenge. They compared the Fabspeed and Capristo headers on the same car. While the Fabspeed headers have no heat shields, the Capristo headers where protected with their heat shield envelopes. The results are: Fabspeed : - Power increase from 401HP to 425HP - Maximum torque from 275.36 lb/ft to 310.23 lb/ft at 5.500 RPM - First torque peak of 300 lb/ft at 4200 RPM but drops to 280 lb/ft at 4500 RPM - Maximum torque peak is at 5.500 RPM but drops immediately under 300 lb/ft at 5.750 RPM - Torque and power below 3300 RPM is unknown as the dyno starts only at 3300 RPM Capristo: - Power increase from 401HP to 425HP - Maximum torque from 275.36 lb/ft to 326.86 lb/ft at 4.600 RPM - Torque of 300 lb/ft and above constantly available from 4.000 RPM to 6.600 RPM - Maximum torque of 326 lb/ft available from 4.600 RPM to 5.800 RPM (no max torque peak but constant max torque during approx 1.000 RPM) Conclusion : the two in one concept of the Capristo headers give a higher torque value. More regular torque curve of above 300 lb/ft is available for a large range which makes it very usable. Just wanted to share this to those who are looking for some concrete information on aftermarket headers
Wow, the capristo header is impressive. Is their much of a price difference betweent the capristo and fabspeed?
The Fabspeed headers are $3595 for the coupe/spyder. The Capristo are $5950 but they include the new heat shields. The Fabspeed feature a 4-1 design, Capristo 4-2-1 design. I think the Fabspeed are a great product and a great price point. They make loads of power and are proven on this board. Capristo are not cheap. If you want a premium product and the 4-2-1 design will make more torque, these are for you.
I'm new here, and won't have a 430 until mid-2013 ("my" car is currently owned by someone else who is getting a 458 about then). However, I'm thinking I'll buy the Capistros now and mount them over my fireplace in the family room. That way I get to appreciate their beauty for a couple of years before I put them in the car.
If I were you, I'd wait a year then buy the Capristo coz the price might be better then. LOL...hang it over the fireplace, good idea. Something to polish during those dull nights.