DIY: California T Exhaust Upgrade + Valve Controller Installation | FerrariChat
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DIY: California T Exhaust Upgrade + Valve Controller Installation

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by whatheheck, Apr 30, 2021.

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  1. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
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    Dan L.
    #1 whatheheck, Apr 30, 2021
    DIY: California T Exhaust Upgrade + Valve Controller Installation

    Here you go for sharing in case anyone here wants to upgrade their California T stock exhaust.

    Upgrade stock exhaust to Ferrari HS Sport Exhaust + Valve Controller installation.

    Note: I learned through posts here that the exhaust mufflers can be upgraded without removing the rear bumper. However, it is very difficult and tight. For installation of valve controller the rear bumper has to come off anyway so I went ahead and removed the rear bumper for much easier installation.

    Degree of difficulty about 5.

    Lots of exhaust choices out there (Novitec, Tubi Style, Capristo, Fabspeed, etc.)
    I chose the OE Ferrari Handling Speciale Sport Exhaust as all I want is a little louder in volume, a little more burble. And I also want a design with a built in silencer/muffler so that my neighbors wont hate me when I start my car in the morning to go for a drive.

    I found the best deal on a HS Sport Exhaust on good old fleaBay. Ferrari P/N: 70003624

    At the same, I also decided to install an exhaust valve controller made by Forza Componenti (Steve Bisel) so that I control the exhaust valve on command.

    Mission accomplished. I am 100% happy.

    If anyone wants to upgrade their exhaust here is a complete DIY instructions including copies of workshop manual on sections affected.

    Photos and a short video below.

    Hope this helps some of you.



    Dan


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  2. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    #2 whatheheck, Apr 30, 2021
    Wictorus, vjd3 and lucasines like this.
  3. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    Mar 27, 2006
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    #3 whatheheck, Apr 30, 2021
    Workshop Manual affected attached
     

    Attached Files:

  4. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    Mar 27, 2006
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    #4 whatheheck, Apr 30, 2021
    Quick start guide for California T attached.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #5 vjd3, May 1, 2021
    Great choice, Dan! I'm very happy with the HS Speciale mufflers I had installed on my Cali T last year.

    One question, though ... I was under the impression that the controller would not change anything on cold start due to the lack of vacuum to pull the valves shut, so it's wide open no matter what. Does it make a difference there?

    I find the exhaust note just right with the factory settings to open or close the valves on the street depending on the manettino settings and RPMs (I always leave it in Sport anyway). But it is loud starting it up.

    Great recording of the exhaust. This is a stock vs HS excerpt from a video by Ferrari of Poland that captures the differences between the two systems really well ... just a few decibels but the sound is so much deeper and sporty.

     
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  6. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    Mar 27, 2006
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    #6 whatheheck, May 1, 2021
    Hi Vic,

    Here is my experience after having it installed 3 weeks ago now and putting on many miles on my car:
    • Normal position of the exhaust valves when the engine is off is wide open (no vacuum yet).
    • Once you start the car it takes about 3 seconds to build up on vacuum pressure and the valves then closes and it quiets down the exhaust.
    • The ECU regulates the position of the exhaust valves depending on RPM by Ferrari software design.
    So this is normal operation.

    The valve controller enables owner to open and close the valves on command anytime.

    I'm glad I purchased an upgraded exhaust with silencers / mufflers built in.
    I experimented with the valves open all the time and I didnt like it.
    • a) With the valves always open (similar to unplugging the vacuum lines on a stock exhaust) initial start up is LOUD.
    • b) Also after driving for a few hours around town that deep low volume rumble on low RPM starts giving me a headache so I pushed the remote switch back to A normal mode.
    So to answer your question - with the valve controller on the button A mode (normal operation) during initial startup the valves are open (lack of vacuum), then the after 3 seconds of engine start the vacuum pulls the valve closed which then quiets down the exhaust as the exhaust air goes through the mufflers/ silencers.

    Hope that helps and makes sense.

    All the best to you!

    Dan
     
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  7. Wictorus

    Wictorus Karting

    May 15, 2024
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    France
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    Vic
    #7 Wictorus, Jul 30, 2024
    Done on my Cali T. Great sound. Great pleasure. It should be automatically ordered with the car. Less GT, more sport.
     
  8. walman

    walman Karting

    Sep 22, 2020
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    Wal Smith
    #8 walman, Feb 22, 2025
    I just had the HS exhaust installed on my Cali T.
    I traded my Cali 30 for the Cali T on Jan 31 2025 and a member here suggested I swap the exhaust as I had noted the NA exhaust note was better than Turbo model. He mentioned eBay for a used one and sent me a link. Ya good price for sure. So I nabbed it.
    LOVE the new sound. And the video posted by Ferrari Poland really captures the sound well. I'm very happy with the new exhaust note. Good low burble on idle. Loud enough for me. Don't want to get a headache on long drives - from the drone and/or Wife complaining about the noise ;)

    I think some have posted that the exhaust can be re and re with only the rear wheels removed but I can see in my mechanics shop that it would be very very difficult. Remove back bumper cover for sure for easier access.
     
  9. dera

    dera Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2023
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    Mikko
    #9 dera, Feb 22, 2025
    Glad you're happy with it! :)
     
  10. Zero2wowFast

    Zero2wowFast Rookie

    Jun 24, 2025
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    Chris Waggy
    #10 Zero2wowFast, Jul 11, 2025
    This is so awesome you posted all this. I just got a 2017 Cali T HS and it is at the dealership, I think I have a broken exhaust valve causing a rattle. I have it there to diagnose. Assuming it comes back that it is the exhaust valve, I was considering doing the repair with my neighbor, he has a nice shop and is pretty handy at doing auto rehab and repair. Is this a fairly straightforward and easy repair?
     

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