My exhaust was delivered this morning. It only took a week to get here from the UK (very impressed). Observations - 1) Construction and finish: very nice (and much smaller overall than the stock can); 28.5 pounds (not much less than the stock single can, but I'm sure it is lighter than the older dual can 348 systems) 2) Fit: my car clearly has a different mounting configuration than the 348 Nouvalari used to make its prototype (or maybe it's the difference between a spider and GTB/GTS engine cradle?). This is VERY disappointing. The alignment with cats is perfect and the tips to the bumper is good. However, where it is supposed to bolt up to the frame is night-and-day different (see pics). It only took me about an hour to install it, but right now the new can is only being held on by the cat bolts (not ideal). I will be contacting Nouvalari on Monday morning to discuss shipping this one back to England for a re-fit. :{ 3) Appearance: I am very pleased with how it looks from behind the car. The entire can is completely hidden within the bumper. I absolutely hated how the stock can hung down below the bottom of the bumper. 4) Sound: the jury is still out on this one. The Sport level is definitely not its "Super Sport" sister. I can tell a slight difference inside the car over the stock can (zero difference at idle, more at speed), but it's definitely not as loud as I expected/hoped it would be. However, I took it out for a 15-mile run at lunch, and I actually believe it got a little louder as I drove it. Maybe I need to be patient and let the newness burn off...??? 5) Performance: not much difference, but it does seem to have a bit quicker throttle response. This could be due to the new exhaust or the new K&N filter or both. The first 4 pics are of the original mounting configuration. You can see how the stock can is supported by a cross-bar that is bolted to the engine cradle on both sides. Pics 6 and 7 show how the new exhaust mounting arms are a few inches high-and-inside-of finding somewhere to bolt up to the engine cradle. I'm very anxious to hear what the other guys think - especially how it fits the older 348's/non-spiders and how it sounds on those cars compared to the OEM dual can exhaust. And yes, 1) my engine compartment definitely needs some detailing, and 2) I need to get a better license plate frame... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm planning to call John at Nouvalari on Monday to discuss. Hopefully they will stand behind it. This thing really needs to be refitted.
I will contact John tomorrow as I have his cell phone number in the UK. I am sure he will make good. I will send him the pics as well Captglen
Hold on! Here's a thought. I think if you look at it long enough you'll see that the mounts from the stock muffler can be relocated to the sides of the Nouvalari unit and use the available brackets that the crossrail assembly (part #3) was attached to. I wouldn't ship anything back unless there's no other solution. I've installed a few aftermarket exhaust systems (and lots of OEM ones) They ALL require some creativity. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Tim, your suggestion worked perfectly - thank you! The 2 OEM brackets (the ones with springs) bolted right onto where the crossbar previously was fitted to the engine cradle, and the top side of those brackets bolted right up to the exhaust (most likely exactly how Nouvalari designed it to be fitted). The crossbar is no longer needed, and I was able to use existing hardware for all the connections. Reinstalling the heat shields will be a bit of a challenge now, but I'll work on that more this weekend and post pics when complete.
This is how to fit. Mine was the same as yours. I have a supper sport and the sound is amazing. Will create a crowd in any London Street. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I received my shipment yesterday. I haven't opened up yet because it's raining cats and dogs here, but if we get a break in the action I'll go out to attack. edit: I did open it an it looks WAAAYYYY better than the stock one. Still too stormy right now to take it out to the car and start working on, but I will the first chance I get.
Phil, that is exactly how I mounted mine last night. Super easy. I feel stupid for not seeing it myself... ...and the sound is getting better and better with each drive. Yesterday I was kicking myself for not going for the Super Sport, but I think I'm going to really like this after all.
It is possible to be too loud. I know guys that wear ear plugs when they drive, it doesn't seem worth it to me just to sound "cool".
Both of the heat shields went back on exactly as they should. Why was I worried about this??? I'm anxious to hear everyone else's opinion after their new pipes are fitted and running... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Can't wait, mine should be here in a couple of weeks .... I have a request, i would like to see a pic on how the pipes fit the rear bumper . I see the exhaust is already changing color ...
Here you go, boys. It's raining here today so I left her in the garage (not the greatest video ever produced, but it's a start). I'll try to get some more sound bites from out on the streets later this week... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt499d05d8I
Roberto, I hope this helps. The fit is very close on mine, but is off center by maybe 1/4"-3/8" to the left. My cats are not exactly centered within the engine cradle/frame so I don't think this is a problem with the pipe. Image Unavailable, Please Login
