348 Capristo Exhaust install exhausting...

Hi All,
I have been wrestling with a new Capristo exhaust that is supposed to be Stage 2 (medium volume) on my US-spec 1994 348 Spider. I could not install without removing the bumper -- no way it would fit. But Hoovie and Car Wizard made it seem so easy! The exhaust is installed on the cats, but is touching two of the studs on the clutch pumpkin. I did not adjust everything yet but that seems like a really tight fit. Since mine is the Spider I already removed the brace bar for my OEM single-can setup. Did the cat size change slightly for my year making things slightly off? Or is it just this darn tight?
Also, I have two bolts on the exhaust with what looks like would control internal flaps or bypass valves. What is going on there? Thank you in advance Capristo cognoscenti!

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[emoji1369] might be able to help.

 

You have to adjust the collars on the aft (outlet) of the "cats" . I had the opposite problem on my installation in that the muffler can was hard against the bumper. The clamp type collars can be loosened and will slide axially on the tube and act as a "stop" when assembling a telescoping joint. In your case loosen flange bolts and clamp "stops" and slide them aft to extend the joint and hence the muffler away from the pumpkin.

 

Thank you John! I saw that hex bolt clamp on the cat that I just sprayed with penetrating oil and will play with it over the weekend when I get free time again. Hopefully not too much force/struggle necessary. Any idea what the two bolts on the bottom do (shown in first picture)?

 

Sorry you are wrestling, but I have to say...Damn, what a gorgeous exhaust!!

 

As others have said, the collars on the cat pipes can be loosened to slide and allow more/less clearance between the muffler and the clutch housing or the bumper cover/heat shield.

To your other question, those bolts in the pipes are for manually opened/closed valves in the exhaust (with an allen wrench). There should be an 'arrow' that rotates on the underside of the adjuster and when pointed in-line with the pipe puts the valve in the 'open' position, and then when pointed perpendicular to the pipe is 'closed'.

 

Thank you itsablurr! I figured it was something like that, but since I chose the Level 2 "medium" volume it would be set from the factory. I don't recall ever seeing a "passive" Capristo with a choice. I guess I'll play with them and hear the difference once I wrap up the install.

One other question for all. The Capristo came with a packet of Wurth Brake Paste. I am thinking just a thin layer on the Capristo pipe where the Capristo goes into the factory cat? I didn't see any other gaskets that were on the Ferrari stock exhaust or anything that came with the Capristo. Any additional gaskets necessary?

Thanks for helping out a novice Ferrari owner!!

 

replace the doughnuts on the ends of the cats

 

I recall when I ordered my capristo the standard options were non-valved, and then electronic valve. It was an off-menu request to specify the manual valves, which is what I ordered (elec valves were a decent amount of $ more, however in retrospect should have just done it to save having to exit the car with an allen wrench and get on the knees around back to open/close. The capristo is LOUD, so the convenience of on-demand change at the push of a button would have been nice... but that's nitpicking in retrospect)

 

So does it fit now?

 

Here's a pic of my Capristo - there is not much clearance but definitely should NOT be touching either the clutch housing or the rear frame bar.

When I originally installed it I loosened off and replaced the doughnut gaskets and bolts at both ends of the cats - if both ends are loose it makes maneuvering the exhaust into place a lot easier.


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The way to get the muffler right is to loosen up everything in the exhaust that is not the headers (muffler hangers, muffler, cats, y-pipe in a 355, etc). Put the rear bumper on. Get the muffler tips lined up however you like them in the cutouts and tighten down the hangers. And then tighten everything else down iteratively, paying special attention to the telescoping clamps at the downstream end of the cats. They determine how close the muffler is to the pumpkin/how far out the tips stick from the bumper. You can't just tighten down one thing at a time, you have to go in stages, checking fitment along the way and adjusting as you go. Not an especially fun project, especially on the lower back.

 

So the Capristo fits and I got it in there, and everything is aligned and sealed. But here is my unvarnished review: The dimensions are too tight for the space (and searching on FerrariChat another user had the same assessment). I wanted to run my OEM heat shields, and there is one heat shield that must be trimmed in order to accommodate the Capristo. There would have been no harm in this system to make the muffler slightly smaller. My OEM "Sport Muffler" on my 1994 Spider may weigh slightly more, but fits with acres to spare. No bumper removal is necessary. And now one of the nice features of the 348 -- easy access to the clutch pumpkin -- is taken away.

Also, for the high price tag how about an instruction manual? How dare they provide a generic booklet with pictures of Lamborghini and Corvette installations. For this kind of bread an installation guide with photos should be mandatory. I get the mystique of "Its a Capristo and anyone installing it should be a Ferrari tech" but I'm just a shadetree and new to Ferrari. What if a dealer wanting to make money handed this exhaust to the new mechanic and said have a go...I think you would have a polished muffler with a lot of scratches trying to make it fit. Most novices need to reference FerrariChat.

As for the sound, I specified Level 2 medium. Which they quote as 18 dB louder than stock. It is maybe 2 dB louder than my sport exhaust with the flaps open (thanks itsablurr for that explanation on the hex bolts and arrow pointers). The difference is subtle at best. On the exhaust itself, on the plate it is checked off when it was made for warrantee. However, neither Level 2, Level 1 or Level 3 are checked off of mine. All are blank. Which makes me question the quality control on which unit I received. I was going to snap a picture but I'm not wrestling with this thing anymore. It's hidden behind heat shields and pressed up against the bumper now. Could it be a Level 1? The side plates on the muffler are sealed and do not have the perforated "speaker grilles." Anyone with a Level 2 have the perforated grille sides? Live and learn, but I am disappointed for the price, effort and reduction in serviceability.

 

Hi Brett - have you tested the sound with the bypass valves adjusted open vs closed?

 

Hi Jeff- as I said above it is subtle at best. Maybe a 2dB difference with open vs. closed.