My Ferrari is down for the count (Exhaust)

I took my '08 F430 Spider for a drive Sunday night and was driving perfectly until I got off the highway exit. Sat at a light and instantly heard and felt a weird "vibration". Hit the gas a little bit, same.. opened the valve, same.. so I got home after dark, pulled in the garage and lift the compartment. Was too hot and hard to see so I figured that I'd check it out in the morning.

Next morning, opened up the compartment and saw it right away. My exhaust pipe (left side) coming from the header split in half at the bend. Clean break and should be easy to repair.

Here's the deal. I bought the car a few months back with a "Heat Magic" exhaust, a very reputible company here in Japan. Sounds and looks awesome! When I purchased the car I noticed the engine light was on. So of course I did my research here and contacted the company. They informed me that it was due to the aftermarket exhaust and shouldn't be worried. So of course it has worried and bothered me since.

With this happening I'm pretty confident that there has been a crack there all along and possibly throwing the code. As well as, I've ALWAYS felt/heard "something" that just wasn't right when hitting the gas. So, I hope once this is repaired there'll no longer be an engine light and feel the difference.

I would LOVE to get a new exhaust from reading some of your recent articles but can't justify getting rid of a 15k exhaust that's currently in the car. BUT I would like to try those O2 extenders if the code pops back up. Would these work regardless of the make?
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How does the exhaust sound? Do you have any vid?

 

Please update us at how well this company takes care of you and the faulty exhaust. Interesting design!

 

The exhaust sounds amazing! I do have video somewhere let me check. As for the company, waiting on a return call. It was already on the car when purchased so we'll see. Here's the link to their website. Google will translate to english. http://heat-magic.co.jp/products/car/ferrari/f430/

 

Here's a couple links with the valve "closed". Should've had them open, love the deep throaty sound it produces. People know I'm coming. Nothing spectacular. My son and I were messing around with our GoPro's. Probably already had a crack and not knowing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-rkaLN6Z_8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdyOzhhWh2E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyiey0l3-Og

 

Does the sound more high-pitch with the valve open?

 

Looks like the weld gave way. It's very typical of this kind of exhaust design that Japanese companies love doing. Small expensive independent Japanese exhaust makers love making these piece together pipes to showcase their welding skills and justify the high price of the exhaust. Had the same thing happen on a BMW exhaust from a Japanese brand. They knew it happens and was replaced with no questions so I'm leaving the brand out.

 

Quite the opposite.. More deep, etc. Definitely need to get a video.

 

Yes definitely at the weld. The dealership is working with them to see what can be done about this. This is the reason I love Japan. Always great customer service. They do alot of exotics so I'm sure that I can't be the first. PM me the brand if you wouldn't mind. Might save me the trouble in the future.