How to make a Capristo howl | FerrariChat

How to make a Capristo howl

Discussion in '348/355' started by Sandy Eggo, Aug 29, 2010.

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  1. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    Jun 4, 2009
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    Rick
    I've got a Capristo level 1 exhaust on my F355 and I'm very satisfied with the aural sensations it emits. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to step up to Level 3 but I'm happy right now so why mess around.

    I have spooked myself a couple times when on occasion the exhaust will let out this otherworldly wail - thought for sure I had blown the engine or something and would let up on the loud pedal right away. Well, yesterday I finally figured out how to reproduce that banshee wail on demand.

    Here's what I do...in third gear, get it spun up to 6,200 rpm or so (at least 6,000) and hold the revs there for maybe 3 full seconds and then stab the gas. The sound that erupts is absolutely ear-splitting. Unreal and addictive.

    Next time I go out I will record it and post on YouTube.

    Question is - do they all operate like that? And why didn't somebody tell me before?!!
     
  2. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,815
    Lake Villa IL
    Yeah I mentioned before that your car seemed a bit quiet in your videos. The bypass valve opens at a different rpm in each gear I believe but will open at that same rpm every time if everything is working correctly. (should not have to hold rpm before going wot for it to work)

    I think you may have a vacuum leak somewhere.
     
  3. PKF355

    PKF355 Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2003
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    sOCal
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    Patrick
    +1 above.

    Mine howls at 4K rpm when bypass valve opens.

    I have a stage 2 Cappy but also have Hyperflow cats....car really sounds like an F1 when bypass opens at 4K rpm all the way to redline.
     
  4. FLYBUY

    FLYBUY Rookie

    Feb 1, 2006
    12
    East Bay
    My new-to-me 355 just arrived complete with Capristo level III. While it is definitely louder than stock it just does not seem to be very loud. It just doesn't seem to live up to the hype. In terms of a baseline although it does sound really nice I can carry on a normal conversation in the car at all rev ranges.

    How can I tell that it is indeed a Capristo III? Do I need to get headers & hyperflows before it will wail?
     
  5. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    Etched into the 'box' should be a something along the lines of "Sound Level 3". Mine has "Sound Level 1" etched into the metal. IIRC, you will only be able to see this etching with the exhaust off of the car.

    Why don't you make a video and post on YouTube...would be happy to have a look/listen and give you an opinion. Or you could listen to this and relate whether yours sounds louder...

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMUPXJoCKlY[/ame]
     
  6. rbellezza

    rbellezza F1 Rookie

    Jun 18, 2008
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    Roberto Bellezza
    Great video !
     
  7. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,742
    In gears 1,2,4,5,6 the valve opens at 2700 RPMs, and in 3rd gear it opens at 3200 RPMs--something about Swiss noise limits. Its all in the WSM.
     
  8. Tgreenshields

    Tgreenshields Karting

    Apr 3, 2010
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    Greeley, Colorado
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    Tim Greenshields
    #8 Tgreenshields, Apr 19, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 355 Berlinetta has a Capristo level III. It sounds absolutely wonderful with a higher pitch than the comparable Tubi units. I have also installed the stainless FABspeed headers, hyperflows, and the FABspeed bypass Y-Pipe. All of this is nice to use in traffic, if I keep the revs under 3,000. Under that number the 355 has a gentle hum, above that number, it sounds like an F1 engine. A surprising benefit is that the engine runs cooler now because I have eliminated the OEM bypass pipe with the two CATS and the OEM muffler. Both were performing like plugs and not allowing the velocity of hot exhaust gases out through the entire system.

    Introspect, it sounds like a Ferrari should. Thanks FABspeed!
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  9. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    Whoooo-wheeeee, she shore is purdy!!!

    @Flyby - that piece of metal in the first pic that looks like a business card should be where the sound level designation is engraved.
     
  10. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
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    Steve
    Wow, that exhaust setup is stunning. If it sounds as good as it looks and as you have described.... money well spent!
     
  11. Fabspeed Motorsport

    Sponsor

    Feb 5, 2009
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    Great pictures!

    I am new at Fabspeed. Please let me know if anyone has questions about our products. Thanks!

    Jeff Harley
     
  12. FLYBUY

    FLYBUY Rookie

    Feb 1, 2006
    12
    East Bay
    Thanks for the follow-up! The exhaust came installed so I am not able to see the data plate. That said it does not have the screens on the sides (they are solid covers).

    The sound nearest I can figure is about the same as the 355 in your video +/-. It's been raining here for the past several days so I haven't had the chance to make a reply video. Hopefully we get some better weather next weekend.

    @Tgreenshields - Wow!! I bet she sounds as good as she looks!
     
  13. SKUSA

    SKUSA Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2009
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    Norcal
    #13 SKUSA, Apr 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I hope I can help shed some light on this subject and I would like to hear others comments. I bought a Capristo Stage 3 from Taurino Racing. I took pictures of my new Capristo exhaust and installed it on my 355. I was surprised at how quite it was with the bypass valve closed, although it is very load with the bypass valve open. As soon as I let off of the gas the valve would close and I did not get the blip when downshifting (I have a 6 speed and normally heal - toe and double clutch when downshifting). A couple of days after installing my Capristo, I bought a remote bypass valve so that I could run it with the by pass valve continuously open to hear that sweet sound all of the time. It keep eating at me that my stage 3 capristo was so quite with the bypass valve closed. I pulled out the pictures of capristo prior to installation and saw that it said Sound 1/3. I called Taurino racing to get clarification as I thought that perhaps I received a stage 1 by mistake. I was reassured that I had a Stage 3 Capristo exhaust. If I understood what he was saying, the difference between stage 1, 2 and 3 is how load the exhaust is with the exhaust valve open. That all stages are stage 1 with the exhaust valve closed.

    I hope my understanding is accurate as my information is coming from the official supplier of Capristo in the USA. I am curious what others experience is with the different sound levels. I usually drive mime with the exhaust valve open and it sounds amazing. I do think Capristo is the best sounding exhaust on the best sounding Ferrari, although I am a bit biased.

    Here is a video going through a tunnel. The good stuff starts at about 50 seconds.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIYyTfHmuU[/ame]

    Here is the picture of my Capristo exhaust.
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  14. SKUSA

    SKUSA Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2009
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    #14 SKUSA, Apr 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Tgreenshields

    Tgreenshields Karting

    Apr 3, 2010
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    Tim Greenshields
    @SKUSA

    That was a good write up. Capristo must have changed their numbering system.....with the 1 - 3. My Capristo plate reads....Level 3 for Competition Only. What a great video you sent in. Your 355 sounds terrific, very similar to mine.

    I am leaving my OEM exhaust valve in place and it opens between 2 and 3,000 rpm. That makes it a little quieter in traffic. It seems to be wide open at 3,700 to 4,000.

    I will have to record a short video with my exhaust sound. With the combination that I have utilizing Fabspeed headers, the Fabspeed Y bypass pipe, hyperflows, and the Capristo, gives my 355 a sound that is a bit higher in tone than yours. This is probably because the exhaust velocity is passing from the engine more quickly and exiting the Capristo.

    But, introspect, the sound of a 355 with the Capristo is certainly a wonderful addition to owning a Ferrari. Best to you!

    Tim
     
  16. SKUSA

    SKUSA Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2009
    476
    Norcal
    Tim,

    This is interesting. I wonder if there is a level 3 only and a level 1/3 or if these are the same exhaust. Can anyone else with a level 3 please comment.

    The video through the tunnel with magnaflow cats which are more similar to stock cats. I just had to have my gearbox rebuilt and had hyperflows but on while he had the exhaust removed. I will try to get some updated videos including the sound with the bypass valves closed.

    I did not notice previously that you are from Greeley, CO. I am UNC graduate from way back when.
     
  17. Tgreenshields

    Tgreenshields Karting

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    Tim Greenshields
    Good to hear you went to the University of Northern Colorado. My lovely wife is in the Department of Education. We really like Greeley......the 90K population is quite nice.

    I thought about your Capristro level 1/3 description and I am not sure what to think. Perhaps this is a new branding model for them to explain how their exhaust mufflers work with the 355 valve by-pass that opens and closes at various RPM points.

    I am sure however, that the Fabspeed headers and the Fabspeed bypass Y-pipe together with the hyperflows has speeded up the scavenging (exit velocity) of the exhaust gases. The engine sounds like it is breathing better. Rev up is much faster in neutral and while driving the car. Even between the up shift points, the engine responds quicker.

    Good luck and keep in touch,

    Thanks,


    Tim
     
  18. FLYBUY

    FLYBUY Rookie

    Feb 1, 2006
    12
    East Bay
    Let me know what you think in terms of level. The car has a stock exhaust with the exception of the Capristo.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94S62aQkQds[/ame]
     
  19. FLYBUY

    FLYBUY Rookie

    Feb 1, 2006
    12
    East Bay
    As an experiment I decided to wire the bypass valve open. It made all the difference in the world!!! All I can say is WOW!

    Apparently the bypass valve must not be opening while I am driving (vacuum leak .. ??). I'll have someone take a peek into that when I take the car in tomorrow. Is this a common issue?
     
  20. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 10, 2007
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    Haha, after watching the vid I was going to say "no bypass valve level".
     
  21. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
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    Jay
    silly question but where is the bypass valve located/look like-can someone post a pic of it?
     
  22. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
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    Bruce Bogart
    There's a little cannister located just right of center in the heat shield over the muffler. That's the vacuum actuator for the bypass valve that sits just to its' left under the shield.
     
  23. Tgreenshields

    Tgreenshields Karting

    Apr 3, 2010
    79
    Greeley, Colorado
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    Tim Greenshields
    INTMD8 is right...no bypass valve opening.

    Here are a few thoughts.....

    The small vacuum hose running over to it could be leaking, split, or broken. Or the by-pass valve is stuck shut but it that case you might also get a check engine light (CEL) which would be another tip.

    The sound you showed on your video is showing that exhaust gases are running 100% through the muffler and not through the bypass pipe as the engine approaches nearly 4,000 rpm when that valve should be wide open.

    When I was recently working on my 355 and had the air filter boxes removed along with the black heat shield covering the muffler...I could watch the bypass valve actually working when a friend would rev the engine to near 4,000 rpm. The car was stationary. I could also reach down with a thick glove ( to protect against heat ) and pull the small lever up simulating the opening and closing of the valve.

    I had previously disassembled the valve, cleaned it up a bit and added a small bit of copper grease to the sliding mechanism inside. The diaphragm also inside the valve looked great.

    Let us know what you find out. Thanks and good luck.

    Tim
     
  24. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    #24 Sandy Eggo, Apr 25, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2011
    Thanks! During my the major on this car in November, we dug into this and found A) that there was no vacuum leak and B) that the valve seemed to actuate without any real difficulty. I still wonder though if perhaps it is sticking from time to time...but I get zero CELs.

    Something is amiss though...the behavior/sound is just not consistent.

     
  25. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,180
    Australia
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    Paolo
    on the 355
    is the OEM bypass valve on the exhaust ?

    If you buy a stage 1/3 capristo does it come with a bypass vacuum valve
    on the exhaust
    or how does it work
     

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