Hi hive mind, I’m considering getting either test pipes, 100 cell or 200 cell cats. I know that test pipes will produce bad smells and more pollution as well as a CEL and a failure on emission tests (I have a car registered in a state that doesn’t require inspection so not worried about the latter), but what other considerations or concerns are there in going from stock cats to no cats or high flow cats? What about heat shielding? Is it necessary on any of these solutions? Finally, in terms of Ferrari warranty service - will any of these options void a Power 15 warranty or prevent the car from passing the pre-warranty inspection? thanks in advance!
A slight loss of low end torque but improved top speed. Lastly, an extremely loud car, upwards of 122db at 10 feet.
what would you be hoping to gain to offset all the potential negatives of deleting the cats? Not like a turbo car where cat-change and a tune can unleash a bunch of power.
I have 200 cell on my 458. No change in smell from my OEM cats. No loss of low end power also. I would say there was no downside for me. You will get CEL
Seems there are 3 downsides - money spent, dealing w a CEL, impact on power train warr eligibility; is there any upside to report?
Doesn't sound like any upside. I guess a new SS or Inconel catback from KLINE would be all i would do. I assume that will still change the sound a lot?
I was trying to compliment the new catback, but if the gains won't be much, there is no point i presume. Other than more sound, but i suppose the catbacks could take care of that. I don't need the loudest car on the block but i do want a slightly more raucous F1 type sound on heavy throttle. I'm already installing the exhaust valve controller btw.
I don't want to scare anyone, and I haven't seen this posted as happening to a 458, but I did see it reported on a Porsche Cayman, a guy had an aftermarket exhaust and the cats disintegrated and got sucked back into the engine, which resulted in catastrophic failure.
Wow that sounds absolutely horrible! So if i wanted the free flow option, best would be test pipes i assume.
Valved rear silencer and remote are all you need - sport cats are also amazing to have but a good silencer from Kline/Novitec will improve things a lot. There's a lot of latent, untapped sound from the engine!
Thats what i'm leaning towards now thanks to all you helpful folks in this thread! When you say silencers, i assume you are referring to the full cat-back system with x-pipe as well?
The mid engined and front engined cars have slightly different layouts: Front engine: Manifolds - Cats (now GPF on modern stuff) - X pipe - Rear silencers (No rear silencers on newer models i.e. Roma/ 812 Comp etc) Mid engine: Manifolds - cats - silencer (now with GPF on F8 for example) So for the 458 all you need is the rear silencer/rear muffler/back box - there is no separate X pipe!
So i am leaning towards the Kline inconnel or SS but i don't see silencers/mufflers sold alone. It seems they are sold as a kit like this >> https://www.kline-innovation.com/exhaust-collection/ferrari/458-3/ferrari-458-exhaust/
The 458 sounds unbelievable with cats removed and flybys are identical to a V10 era F1 car. The 458 is muted and lacks passion with the cats on. Anyone who says the car in stock form is the best is nonsense! The car in stock form is designed for the EPA and CARB, not the passionate consumer who wants to enjoy the car. Removing the cats will give you an instant election, it’s an absolutely euphoric experience. My only regret was not taking the cats off sooner because of nonsense like “fear of losing my power warranty.” Who f’ing cares, you only live once so take them off. It will change your life. Just put a Capristo OBD Wizard on so you don’t get a CEL (I’m selling mine fyi). Take off the cats. If you bring a girl in the car just make sure to put a towel down on the passenger seat first.
Also people claiming power loss, more nonsense. I don’t know what the numbers are but the absolute raw sensation of speed will blow you out of the water and the car will FEEL 100% faster. Separately, it is safe to Say I have tracked my 458 more than anyone on FChat (350+ track days) and I’m a top 5 driver in SCCA SRF (open cockpit racecar) in my region. My lap times at VIR and other tracks in the 458 without cats are identical to with cats. Don’t listen to this “you’ll lose torque” nonsense man. You won’t notice anything except having to move your seat back a few notches to prevent your erection from hitting the bottom of the steering wheel. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just do it and don’t worry about it. You won’t regret it. You have nothing to lose. As far as “smell” goes that’s more nonsense! Yes there is a smell… OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN YOU STAND BEHIND THE EXHAUST. It doesn’t come into the cockpit and you can’t smell anything.
Do not waste your time or money on Kline or any other overpriced “inconel” marketing garbage. The only thing that matters is sound and NOTHING comes remotely close to S Line in terms of sounding like Michael Schumacher’s V10 F1 car. My 458 with S Line exhaust and S Line straight pipes. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci3an9muG5q/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc= https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci5gMUuOXfd/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc= https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjGep1mtnCh/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc= These videos don’t even do it justice.