The Ultimate Guide to 599 Upgrades

This year I purchased my first Ferrari. Have owned quite a few exotics prior. First impressions of the 599.

My car is a 2008 599 GTB red/tan. 14k miles $351K sticker.


1. Visually amazing
2. Sound is meh at best
3. F1 shifting takes getting used to
4. Car loves to RUN!
5. Handles pretty well
6. Stereo lacked until I adjusted per a user on this forum.
7. Build quality is quite good
8. Stance could be improved

With all this said, these are the upgrades I have done and about to do.

1. Apple CarPlay - Power Acoustik (night and day better) A MUST DO!
2. BMC Air filter upgrade - Amazon.com: BMC Replacement Panel Air Filters for Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 07-12, for Purosangue 22+, FB487/20 Full Kit Two Filters Included : Automotive
3. Full exhaust - (on order) F1 Racing sound Exhaust systems for Ferrari 599GTB Rear Exhaust+X down pipes+Equal length headers | GWAPOTech JAPAN
4. Spacers - (Lowering car 1/2" also) Sport Wheel Spacer Sets for Ferrari 599 – Formula Dynamics
5. Best for last - TREV ECU tune! JESUS. ABSOLUTE MUST. Faster shifts, HGTE and GTO maps. It's like another car!!!!

 

Have you seen the video of the 599 with full Valvetronic exhaust + manual conversion?

 

Yes. Of course. I was leaning towards manual conversion until I got ECU tune!

 

Your video?

 

Not mine.

 

So congratulations on buying a beautiful car! As for the exhaust, I did cat delete with Fabspeed straight pipes which greatly improved the exhaust sound. I still wasn't really happy with it so I changed out the mufflers for TubiStyle. I hated the transfer at 4K with the flaps closed to open so I pinned them open. Now I have a deep throated exhaust that is rather loud, but not in the car. It sets off the alarm in my BMW every time I start it, which lives along side. I will be doing the ECU in the future, for next year's driving season - HGTE wheels with new tires. I just had the dash re-wrapped this year and it's gorgeous. That's just some of what I've done to this car.

 

ECU is GAME HANGER!

 

As I've said before, I can't see doing the conversion to make the car slower. Plus the lights on the steering wheel will not work along with the window in the tachometer. The conversion slows the car down, buy a real three peddle if you want to row.

 

Never heard of that exhaust company. Their work looks impressive and their prices are ridiculously low.

Also, what stereo adjustments are you referencing/do on your car?

 

I did extensive research on exhaust. Actually, came in last week. Quality is Superior. VERY impressed. Stereo adjustment (stock) there is a post in 599 pages somewhere (search) someone laid out settings which drastically helped the sound.

 

Please post photos! Fabio does great work and has been my preferred. Trying to see how this differs.

 

Fabio does. Spoke to him also. Awaiting install.