I’m considering Top Speed headers for my 430. When I asked the Top Speed representative if Fabspeed or Capristo blankets would fit, he wasn’t sure. For those of you that have Top Speed headers - have you put blankets on them?
If you look at a Capristo manifold you can see your topspeed ones do not have any way to hold them on, they have press stud strips of insulation to hold them on, but nothing to attach too at the head.
Had Top Speed headers with both Fabspeed and Capristo blankets. No problems with the fit at all. I have IPE headers now with Capristo blankets. Just pull them on and button them up.
Thanks Zed. Curious as to your experience with the Top Speed headers? And ultimately what made you switch.
I had those ceramic coated and fitted for two years and 6000 miles without any issues really except for the noise. From my point of view they sound horrible, probably because of the unequal length tubes. The engine note sounds boomy and very muscle car like with a touch of a Subaru boxer engine. I changed because of that.
Thanks Zed. One thing I’m concerned about is the new headers being too loud. I also don’t want it to sound like a muscle car. How do you find the IPE headers in comparison?
I have a full IPE exhaust fitted now and it’s like a symphony orchestra. F1 high pitch with that wail throughout the rev range.
I don’t have a benchmark other than stock, but my setup is Fabspeed headers -> Capristo test pipes -> tubi exhaust and it sounds, to me, like quintessential, fabulous, peak Ferrari. Everything I want. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Thanks. Was hoping to keep OEM muffler/exhaust and just change out the headers (for piece of mind). My fear through all of it is it being too loud and too “muscle car” sounding.
I hear ya. So I started with stock and it was far too quiet for me. I needed more Ferrari sound. Added a tubi exhaust. This opened it up a little bit but frankly it still sounded stifled to me. Thus I swapped in the fabspeed headers and capristo test pipes. Now it sounds like it should in my book. For reference I also own a 66 Ford Mustang restomod. They are both v8s with aggressive exhausts and they sound WORLDS different. In no way would I characterize my 360 as sounding muscle car-ish. It sounds like a refined, highly engineered Italian sports car, truly unique and differentiated. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Sorry for yet another question for you. But with your Top Speed headers, were they paired with OEM exhaust? Thinking of a S line + Top Speed setup.
Just an an update. I installed the TopSpeed headers. Got CEL almost immediately. Replaced rear O2 sensors (as I had a set of them) and then a set of Big Daddies Garage mini-cats (no affiliation). So far I haven’t had a CEL - although I have only driven a handful of times for less than 100 miles. I also put Fabspeed blankets on them - and temps seem to be under control. I felt that given the lower price for the top speed headers, the blankets were free. The sound is definitely louder but not to an extreme. While I prefer the sound of the stock system I like the peace of mind of not having to worry about the stock manifold failing.
This is exactly my set up. I have about 1k miles on the TopSpeed headers, Fabspeed Blankets, Big Daddies mini-cats. I also agree that it is louder than stock, but not as "good" sounding. Got a bit lower in tone. I've considered swapping to a Kline exhaust... but not sure what that would do to the sound? (I live in CA, so passing smog is always a concern)
Thats what I have and am in the bay area if you want to hear it and are local or in the area at some point.
Your car must scream! I have cap headers and cap 200 cel cats with stock muffler and its pretty loud. What wld a capristo exhaust do to my setup? Heart pounding? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi guys I am about to replace my stock manifolds on my 08 F430 with 12k miles. Very confused Capristo or Fabspeed headers. Now a very well respected Ferrari mechanic recommended Top speed, I must admit the price is tempting as well! I plan on keeping the stock exhaust as well. For the guys who went this route did it work our well for you?
I went with Top Speed as price was too good to pass up. One word of caution - as it was recommended to me as well - is to make sure that the header flange (where it mates/attaches to the engine) is flat. Because I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I could drive to Top Speed to pick them up. I had them bring out multiple sets of headers (3 sets I think) until I found ones that were flat. I had to mix and match from different sets until I got 2 that were good. Other than that, It’s been all good. The FabSpeed blankets do a nice job on the temps and the BigDaddies have eliminated the CELs. It’s been a year and I have been pleased with them and have had no issues.
Grab an s - lines. I am in San Francisco if you want to hear what it sounds like. Topspeed headers, stock secondary cats and s line.
I think the 360 are the only ones that suffer from not being flat. The 430 headers are all dialed in and perfect apparently. Ultimately a bad way to run a business but if you have a 430 should be in the clear.