CATS on '98 355

Congrats on your new car!!!

AFAIK, failed Cats could be a direct result of failed headers. Exhaust experts needed here please....

Now this would be a good time to replace all those stock items with aftermarket headers (Tubi), cats (hyperflows) and just add a Capristo then you're all good to go!

 

Failed cats is a recurring problem. They last somewhere around 20k to 30k. Basically the ceramic core will loosen from the stainless steel housing....it will then rattle around and break up. I am not sure if the manifold have anything to do with it or not. Definitely get your driver's side replaced. If possible, get some rebuilds from http://www.qv-london.com/ They sell for about $2200 delivered for both sides. Swap them both and you will never have to worry about this problem again. The oem ones will melt/crack in another 15k miles or so.

You have two choices over new factory ones (oem run around $4k each, or so I hear). Either buy Hyperflows from Daniel at Ricambi ($1140 each), or send them out for rebuilding by http://www.millercat.com/ (about $650 each, send them to their Hayward, CA location). Brian Crall (ferrari tech) claims the rebuilds from miller catalyzer are very well done and long lasting.

 

I don't think many people get 20-30K out of the stock cats on a 355. More like 10-15K. Hyperflows sound better and look better, plus they are smaller and easy to install. I took out perfectly good OEM cats to put in my Hyperflows. Those along with the X-ost make a sound that is as close to pure bliss as a machine could ever possibly produce.

 

If factory cats and manifolds eventually fail, why do the dealers replace them with OEM parts and not after-market? I just pulled the trigger on a car and the previous owner replaced the left manifold and cats with OEM parts so I know those would need to be replaced but man it just doesn't make sense to me.

 

You see those in a lot of service records because the dealer ate the cost. Plus there were not very good other options until the last couple years. Then you always have the people who take the car to the dealer and bend over.

 

verify your throttle bodies are synchronised and check for possible vacuum leaks too......

 

What 'equipment' are you refering to?

 

There is a good reason for dealers to stick with oem parts. Though they may have no weaknesses or failure points, the issues are at least well known. If installing an aftermarket catalytic converter, if it has a compatability issue (say for example a check engine light) they are stuck with figuring out the issue and resolving it. And let's face it, at the rate Ferraris accumulate miles, it will be many years before they see the car again if they install an oem cat.

 

No, they are your first step in getting it to sound gothlike ....... next step....... a capristo level 1.......

Just listen to this video of chaa patiently and you will be enlightened my friend.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qtd2yxvVR0&mode=related&search=Ferrari%20F355%20355%20engine%20sound%20fly%20by