F430 Header Failure (it CAN happen to you!)

I took the advice on this thread and had Capristo brackets installed last week. I tried to install them myself, but the bolts were rusted on too tight, and wouldn't budge. Hence, I asked my dealer (independent) to install them.

 

After my emission warranty expires, my plan is to get Fabspeed or Agency Power headers.
Currently, I have 2500 miles on my MK2 headers. The old MK1 had no leak when it was replaced, I just managed to persuade the dealer to replace it with new version MK2's. Right now it is still shining like new, and AFAIK, there is no known failure of MK2's
I decide to keep it all OEM right now, until the time comes that all my warranty expires.
But still then, I will replace only the headers and keep brackets as is.

For sale:
Capristo Brackets
$425 including shipping anywhere in US.

 

Having just installed a Capristo race system and there bracket to my 430 i have to say i am very disappointed with this bracket setup, and in my opinion is not designed very well.

1: This set up does not offer any support to the cats or the headers.

2: The engine moves (rotates left to right) but now as the exhaust is fixed to the chassis of the car, it is my opinion that there are more forces applied to the manifolds due to the twisting of the engine. This can only lead to fatigue.

3: As the bracket is now attached to the chasses of the car this is feeding vibrations back though the cabin, what can only be described as a “booming”, this did not happen with the standard set up.

4: The bolts on the springs on the brackets are vibrating and you can see them turning when revving the engine, you can also hear this when you are driving.

I understand the 430 had issues with cracking manifolds and i can see how a bracket with springs and movement slots would be beneficial over the standard ridged set up but i feel they need to be attached to the gearbox to move with the engine like standard set up.

 

I am picking up a 2007 430 tomorrow. 8 k miles. Has Capristo remote exhaust on it.
Does this mean that it will also have the Capristo brackets and therefore less likely to have the headers fail also?

 

The bolts through the springs should not be turning. They are loose. Sounds like incorrect installation is your issue. I've fitted plenty of them without problems, nor complaints of booming...

 

Paul either you have a very bad installation engineer or you simpy don't know what you are talking about, 99.9% of the people who install Capristo Brackets are very happy with them, check the threads

 

Can anyone tell from the photos ( I did not see a good angle to tell) if it looks as though this car has the stock headers?

http://www.starwoodmotors.com/web/used/Ferrari-F430-F1-2007-Dallas-Texas/5973624/

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/search/DRauSearchAdditionalPhotos.aspx?itemid=1044470

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchAdditionalPhotos.aspx?itemid=1562782

It is a 2007. Not sure if the 07s had the same failure problems as the earlier 430s.

 

I have installed them correct, the issue is if i set them both at the same compression (same height) the tips are not level in the bumper cut outs, I have the have the RH springs looser to make it look right, What i have done since fitting is put some spacers under the springs to put more load into them.

With respect my profession is in Automotive engineering so i think i have a very good grasp on what i am talking about, I am not “green” to working on cars, see my thread here.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99531

99% of people may be “happy” as you put it but i think you need to go and re read what i put. The Ferrari way is to make the total system move with the engine and none of the system is bolted to the body. Now capristo bolts the silencer to the cabin and this brings in more vibration and also now the silencer is fixed to the cabin there is more “twisting” on the manifolds.

If you look under most cars where they fix the system to the chassis there is a flexible coupling between the manifolds and the system.

Now i know Ferrari had issues with manifolds cracking and yes the bracket they use is over kill and does not allow the system to expand and contract very well but i believe capristo could come up with a bracket that hung it off the back of the engine.

As a side note my car has had its manifolds changed to the MK2 versions and they were fine, I had them inspected by a Ferrari dealer. Now i have done 1,100 miles with the capristio and i think i can hear the LH manifold blowing go figure !!

 

Have never heard or seen an issue with this setup before. Perhaps you should contact Capristo. Oh, that "wonderful" Ferrari mounting system has no scope for exhaust growth. It's mounted onto solid brackets. Why do you think they have been re-engineered by the factory so many times due to failure?
I would try twisting the catalyst on the side you couldn't get to sit right, rather than trying to modify the bracket fixings. This will alter the height that the silencer sits at....

 

My May 2008 still had headers fail

 

I just got car in garage- wife doesn't know. She went to the garage to get a storage bin for ornaments- she did not even notice it was not my Audi R8 ( they are both black). I can't decide to be happy or mad.

Good news- I looked and it does have the 4 green springs to the back of the Capristo so I am assuming these are the brackets.

 

That truly made me laugh out loud. If she did say Vette, I would be stopping payment on check real quick.

I have not checked web yet but the Capristo remote has 4 buttons. I have not had time to play with just yet- will need to send her to grocery store.

Anyone know how to use the remote?

 

Like taking sand to the beach...

 

+1

Part of the install is to twist the CATs to get the correct alignment into the muffler (left/right, up/down) on my 360. I had to play with this and make numerous measurements till all was correct. Only then did I tighten clamps, brackets, etc... Now all is proper and very tight!!!

 

Good to hear the fabspeed headers work w/the C brackets, Trent. Any idea if their new f430 muffler would play happy with them also? Jeff at Fabspeed said it should mount right on, but he wasn't positive.

 

Thanks Trent. Yes, I don't see why they wouldn't work.

Jeff

 

If going with the original Ferrari headers, would you advise on the ceramic coating as a lower cost option rather than an aftermarket header? Would the coating on a good original Ferrari header prevent the dreaded header crack problems that so many owners see?
https://www.fabspeed.com/ferrari_F430.html
**NEW**
Ferrari F430 Sport Headers $3,595
Ferrari Scuderia Sport Headers $3,995
Ceramic Coating for Ferrari Headers + $400

 

I do not think that a ceramic coating on OEM F430 headers will help much. The pre-cats are the biggest issue since they create a lot of heat. Anyway you look at it, the OEM headers will most likely fail over time and can cause larger issues (as discussed earlier in this thread). Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.

Jeff

 

Resurrecting this thread. My 2005 is coming off the power cube warranty in October. I've scheduled annual maint at the dealer. 5 week wait for a service appointment. Love this F430, but Porsche ownership is more convenient. The service records show the MK2's were installed under warranty years ago. 14.5K miles on the car. Some spirited driving. I've owned the car for 1 year and it always had some rattles from the engine compartment. This thread has me paranoid. The Capristo bracket has fans and detractors. If not for the threat of engine destruction, I'd remain with the MK2s.

Now that some more time has passed, how are the MK2s holding up? What's the % failure? Mileage that you'd expect failure?