I know this topic has been discussed in various threads. Am I the only one who thinks the valve system on the 458 is extremely irritating.I have tried the golf tees but noticed the car was much more sluggish from a dead start. I've discussed the matter with the dealer and their attitude is leave it alone and if you don't like it move out of the way the next guy will like it just fine. The real question is why would Ferrari design such an irritating system. Do you hurt the car by going the golf tee route?
Exhaust systems operate with resonance--wave effects. At certain points in the operating RPM range, the exhaust gives better performance by being closed, and at other points gives better performance by being open. There should be places where the valve should be partially open for best effct, but the control unit has only two options. The open/closing of the valve changes the resonance conditions--some resonances remove HP from the car, others add HP to the car.
I've got the switchable solution discussed elsewhere and I can't pick any performance difference between open and closed.
I also just got the capristo installed. Exhaust noise is awesome, cant detect any difference in power. Highly recommended.
I also installed the Capristo, and will agree with the others that I see no performance changes in normal spirited driving. Although, I have not returned to the track since the Capristo installation.
A question to those of you with a valve override... How often do you open or close the valves? In normal driving, do you leave it open or closed? I am interested to see if people prefer the loud or quiet mode (as opposed the the factory system constantly changing). Fabspeed has created a set of replacement mufflers that does not use valves. Our main goals were to increase power and reduce weight. Since there are no valves, our system has a nice constant sound that is aggressive but not overbearing. You can use our dual tip outlets or you can retain the factory triple setup. Please let me know if anyone has any questions about our system. Thanks! Jeff [email protected] Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I use my switch every time I drive the car. I start the car in quiet mode - especially at 6am on a Sunday morning - and switch it to loud when I'm away from the neighbourhood. As I re-enter my street - or if a police car is next to me at the lights - I switch it back to quiet. I'll also switch it to quiet if I take a phone call. It's the best thing.
I also switch mine to closed on the freeway for longer drives. I notice no difference in power when the valves are open. Love the switch option. Should be standard
We saved exactly 22 pounds. The original mufflers weighed in at 35.3 lbs while our new Fabspeed mufflers weigh just 13.3 lbs. If that sounds hard to believe, keep in mind that our mufflers are significantly smaller than the factory ones and do not have valves. Here is a better shot from underneath. Jeff [email protected] Image Unavailable, Please Login
I too have the Capristo and love it! People even always think I have an aftermarket exhaust when I pull into events, etc. I've never noticed any "seat of pants" power differences. Maybe it shaves milliseconds or the likes on a test track, but doubt most of us care about that. As far as Fabspeed's question, I keep mine open almost all the time, unless I leave very early through the neighborhood or rare occasion just not in the mood for all that sound.
ABSOLUTELY no power differences noted with my Capristo unit either. Only glorious sounds. Of my 5 previous Ferrari cars my 458 is the only one which I found no need the change exhaust systems.
