Adding air horns to my 458 | FerrariChat
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Adding air horns to my 458

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Michael Petersen, Dec 30, 2016.

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  1. Michael Petersen

    Michael Petersen Karting

    Dec 11, 2015
    69
    Australia
    #1 Michael Petersen, Dec 30, 2016
    When I test drove a 458 in late 2014, I deliberately tried out the horn, wanting to make sure that it was sufficiently loud to reduce the risks when driving a low car. The car seemed to have a good set of air-horns (although I could be wrong). Anyway, the noise was sufficiently piercing for me to not think further about the matter.
    When my new car arrived in May 2015, the horn was definitely not an air horn and sounded decidedly pathetic. (I had the same problem with my last 2 cars, both Maseratis, one from 1988 and one from 2003, so I fitted FIAMM air horns to both).
    Thus I asked the dealer to fit a set of FIAMM airhorns to the 458 but was told that that would void the Ferrari warranty. Whilst I may not like that fact, I understand that Ferrari can choose whatever (legally acceptable) terms it wants for its warranty, so I didn't argue with that. But then I was told by the lead mechanic at my dealership (whom I trust implicitly) that he expects that there might be electrical issues fitting air horns which could interfere with the Ferrari's systems.
    I'd be interested in hearing others' views on this.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  2. spiders

    spiders Formula Junior

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    #2 spiders, Dec 30, 2016
  3. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

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    #3 458trofeo, Dec 30, 2016
    I think I have never honked the horn in 5 years ownership;
    in any case, I am curious and will give it a try to see if
    volume is sufficient, which in my case I strongly doubt ;)
     
  4. Stevenb

    Stevenb F1 Rookie

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    #4 Stevenb, Dec 30, 2016
    I bet you will find a lighter set up or even go honkless :D
     
  5. spiders

    spiders Formula Junior

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    #5 spiders, Dec 30, 2016
    I tried to honk at some good looking babes once. They were going nuts over the car - hanging out the windows and screaming. They got past me before I could locate the horn buttons.
     
    mdrums likes this.
  6. mik458spider

    mik458spider Formula 3

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    #6 mik458spider, Dec 30, 2016
  7. DK308

    DK308 F1 Rookie

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    #7 DK308, Dec 30, 2016
  8. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
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    #8 Viperjoe, Dec 30, 2016
    I rarely if ever honk, but if I did and some crazed SOB fired a shot, I would fear for my life and initiate an appropriate action in response!
     
    Boomhauer likes this.
  9. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #9 Melvok, Dec 30, 2016
    In my 512TR we had the FIAMM horns ... now in our Ferrari 458 we have a GM or Bosch horn which sounds like a Kia.

    Out of memories/sentiment I would wish to have the airhorns installed once ... despite the 2 kilo's more weight :D
     
    obertRo likes this.
  10. Roupin

    Roupin Formula 3

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    #10 Roupin, Dec 30, 2016
    I just rev the engine :)
     
  11. Michael Petersen

    Michael Petersen Karting

    Dec 11, 2015
    69
    Australia
    #11 Michael Petersen, Dec 30, 2016
    OK guys, let's forget the gun issues. I live in Oz and we don't have such a problem! Leaving aside security guards, the only (legal) way to own a pistol here is to be a member of a pistol club (for target shooting). After rigorous requirements for joining and obtaining a licence, the law then requires attendances at a police approved pistol club to participate in competitions at least 8 or so times a year. The licence only allows you to take your pistols to the club or a licensed gunsmith. Getting caught with a pistol in other circumstances leads to licence cancellation which leads to automatic loss of your guns well as to criminal prosecution. I'm aware of this because I have defended two members of my pistol club who carried their guns elsewhere (one for hunting and one in his role as a security guard but whose licence didn't extend to carrying a pistol) and who were picked up by the police. So there is almost zero chance that honking at anyone here will lead to being menaced with a gun!
    So, having got that out of the way, any comments in response to my query?
    Melvok - glad to hear that I am not the only one who thinks that the 458 horn sounds pathetic. What an ultimate insult - "sounds like a KIA"! :)


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  12. 100badboy100

    100badboy100 Formula Junior
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    #12 100badboy100, Dec 30, 2016
    I have some vintage Fiamm horns that are going straight on mine when it arrives

    They are very very loud!
     
  13. Michael Petersen

    Michael Petersen Karting

    Dec 11, 2015
    69
    Australia
    #13 Michael Petersen, Dec 30, 2016
    That's precisely what I want to fit, but am concerned about the warning from the lead mechanic not to f... around with the 458's electrical system.


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  14. 100badboy100

    100badboy100 Formula Junior
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    #14 100badboy100, Dec 30, 2016
    Mate - when it turns up I will find somewhere to mount them, make a bracket if necessary out of some ally, find the wires to the stock one, pull it off and add a couple of lengths of jump wire to the new horn tidy it all up make it look nice then not worry about it..

    It's only a car with 12v electrics worst that can happen pop a fuse or something it's just a car not a space shuttle!

    Regards

    Michael
     
    m5shiv likes this.
  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 BigTex, Dec 30, 2016
    A boating store offer the horns that load onto a can of compressed air...pretty loud!
     
  16. 720

    720 F1 Rookie

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    #16 720, Jan 1, 2017
    Law abiding Americans with guns aren't the problem. It's the criminals and gang members in places like Obama's home town of Chicago that's the problem.

    Just curious. What perfect part of the world do you live in to call Americans crazy?


     
  17. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
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    Jul 10, 2008
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    #17 Entropy, Jan 1, 2017
    on the horns....

    We installed the 355 horn setup on our latest cars. The ONLY tricky part was finding the right/best place to actually mount the compressor and horns, as obviously the car was not designed for it.

    Electrical? Easy. You unplug the 2 wires to the OEM horn, and plug them into the compressor relay.

    Most modern cars (going back to 2000 in the US I think? could be wrong) had standardized horn volumes and tones to meet safety requirements, though I actually mounted Fiamms on my VW GTI back in 1987 to replace what sounded like an Oldsmobile horn

    Have only had to use the horns "in anger" once, to alert someone I was alongside. The other times it's usually me pulling up in front of friend's houses.
     
  18. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #18 Melvok, Jan 1, 2017
    Did you actually install the airhorns in a 458 ?

    Can you show us pic please ? May help me/us in near future. How do we get the front bimper off ?
     
  19. Ducati

    Ducati Formula Junior

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    #19 Ducati, Jan 1, 2017
    The problem is not the voltage but the amperage to run the air horn compressor. Without a re-wire to the battery the air horn sounds very week. Just not enough airflow. My 2004 Stradale sound is great. Large enough wire I assume to properly run the compressor. My 2006 Maserati Gransport's air horn is pathetic. Too light of a wire to carry the needed amperage. A re-wire with a relay is probably what is needed..Might be the same issue with newer Ferrari's. I have not tried it on my 2009 or 2015 Ferrari's.
     
  20. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
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    #20 Entropy, Jan 1, 2017
    Actually, we put them on our Speciale and F12. I will admit the sound is a bit dampened as the front compartments on these cars are really sealed up; the 458 even more so. For the F12 (or FF) there is still plenty of room in front of the radiators

    i do know our tech did not have to remove anything but the lower front under tray, the horns were not mounted right behind the grille as on the 355. In fact, to avoid drilling, let's just say he used some zip ties (which is what we asked for).

    I'll try and get under there and snap a pic. I'd imagine in a 458 you'd need to put them behind each of the whiskers.
     
    colonels likes this.
  21. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

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    #21 458trofeo, Jan 1, 2017
    Oh jeez... ;)
     
  22. YellowMurci

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    #22 YellowMurci, Jan 1, 2017
    which fiamms give the proper sound?
     
  23. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #23 Melvok, Jan 3, 2017
    Thanx !
     
  24. colonels

    colonels Formula Junior

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    #24 colonels, Nov 11, 2020
    I'm interested in putting these air horns in my 2016 F12 could you please upload a pic of that installation?
     
  25. veilstylez

    veilstylez Formula Junior
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    #25 veilstylez, Nov 14, 2020


    ...Dan installs a air horn on a 458
    Fast forward to about 15mins
     
    obertRo likes this.
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