458 Italia vs. F430

I agree. I've put about 900 miles on my 2012 458 and only drive it in race mode with the valves open. I still think it could be a bit louder and am thinking of getting Innotech or Akrypovic exhaust.

 

Interesting take. I've driven two F430s (Coupe with F1 and stock exhaust and a Spider with F1 and a Tubi) and one 458 Italia (also a 458 Challenge, but that's irrelevant in this point.) For sake of fairness, we'll leave the F430 Spider out of this too since it had a Tubi exhaust. Both the F430 and the 458 were in Sport mode when I drove them. During idle and low rpms, the F430 was a bit louder than the 458. However, during acceleration (especially during HARD acceleration) I believe that the 458 was about equal to (if not SLIGHTLY...and I mean SLIGHTLY) louder than the F430. Windows were rolled up while driving both cars,

-Gil

 

I only drive in race mode. The 458 is plenty loud enough for anyone. It also sound better than the 430 also-- and that was hard to do.

If you want something different, that's what the aftermarket is for. Personally for me, the stock exhaust in race mode is music to my ears.

 

I have a 430 and the only comparison I can make with a 458 is what I hear from YouTube videos lately of the 458. I have to agree the exhaust sounds quieter than the 430 above 4000 rpm. To me, the 458 has a nice growl sound to the exhaust while the 430 has a louder howl. The Scuderia, though, is much louder than both.

 

I have one of each and the 430 is considerably more robust than the 458 unless -- as has been pointed out -- you run in race mode. And yes, you do get a more aggressive shift program and theoretically less intervention to save your butt if you get in over your head.

Alternatively a $600 Capristo remote bypass switch will allow you to open all three pipes in sport mode. End of problem.

I suspect -- but can't prove -- that creeping noise standards were responsible for the quieter 458 exhaust.

 

For those of you that think the 458 is too quiet, I can confirm that the 458 Spider is a fair amount louder. Wouldn't suprise me if Ferrari offer that exhaust as an accessory upgrade in the future.

In race mode the valve does indeed open earlier. Try switching the manetino while cruising on the freeway and at 70 mph you'll hear it open and close going from race to normal/wet. Both cars have similar strategies for control of the valve but not exactly the same. I would have to look in my material to see where the difference is.

 

There is a flap valve in the exhaust that opens according to program, which allows more of the muffler to be by-passed, thus making the exhaust louder (and more free-flowing). I don't know if the vacuum on 458s pulls the flap open or pulls it closed (e.g. against a spring). I know that on 360s, you can plug off the vacuum line and the flap stays open all the time. On some cars with this system (certain Porsches), you can also plug off one part of the valve to make it stay closed all the time, so that you can meet noise restriction requirements for certain track events.

 

The trick, that someone here shared, was while in race mode engage the shock dampeners for bumpy road and things soften up. Unless you're in heavy traffic, race mode's the only way to fly IMHO. The sound is deeper, IMO, than running the valves open (I have the Capistro remote valve opener) in sport mode.

 

Sounds like the $600 Capristo is well worth it. I assume this does not void the warranty. I also assume the car sounds like a normal 458 when the Capristo system is off. Yes?

 

That is interesting and unexpected. Thanks for the input.

 

Many 458 owners have it, but see the post that says sport/open valves does not sound the same as race mode. I don't have it, still waffling over getting a cat back exhaust.

The switch should not void the warranty although Ferrari is cagey about all exhaust mods. A cat back exhaust is not a problem; cat replacement, test pipes, or headers could be an issue if you develop engine problems. There have been a number of threads on this.

 

Only about 10k if they catch you.

Art

 

Just to be clear Ferrari does not approve of ANY exhaust mods and if they want to they can deny a warranty claim b/c of it. There is not much wiggle room left in the fuel mapping any more and just changing the muffler can make the engine run leaner than it would other wise. Also the bypass valves are used to maintain catalytic converter temperature and if it is open all of the time then you may get a check engine light with O2 sensor and cat temp codes. I'm not saying you will for sure but just be aware and not suprised if it happens.

 

No need to mod the exhaust. Felt much the same way when I first took delivery of the 458. Easy fix is take it back to the dealer, have them disable the bypass, hence loud all the time. Takes 30 minutes for the mechanic, no mods involved as everything stays stock, now the car sounds angry ALL the time; transforms the personality of the car. Only downside is the car might be too loud for highway commutes - does not bother me as I don't commute in the 458, just back road blasts. At high revs the car is insanely loud and sounds fantastic, louder than my previous CS and Scud. Best.

 

I think I am beginning to enjoy the sound of a 430 more, the little accelerations are definitley nicer to hear, but when cruising I think the 458 sounds nicer.

 

There's not one head that won't turn to stare at a 458 when it zooms down a road under wide open throttle. But if you're a testosterone head that has to drown out the neighborhood and be stared at all the time, be sure to go the by-pass route our an aftermarket noise maker.

 

on a scud if you disabling the bypass valve you will have crazy drone at 2k-3k rpm.
crazy enough to rattle almost everything and make your ear bleed, not a viable option at all.