TEST PIPE? YES OR NO

If you've already decided to put one on, then it's plug and play to replace your cat. It *should* have the fittings/bungs for both your O2 sensor and your thermocouple... if not, you don't want it. Otherwise, you hook them up and everything works as before.

New ones from Stebro are aprox $300

 

It looks "ok" but the Stebro appears to be made better. The Stebro has the fittings at opposite ends like the cat does, with one of them at an angle like the cat does.

The Stebro is also called a "euro resonator" because it has a small expansion chamber packed with stainless steel wool. It gives a deeper, less harsh sound than a plain straight pipe.
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If you do use that pipe, send it to Jet Hot (www.jethot.com) to be plated in their "brilliant finish before you put it on.

 

As much as I suffered under Stebro's business practices, I will say that my Stebro Euro resonator worked well with good fit.
So, a resonated test pipe is a good choice, and could be made for about $75 at any muffler shop using a small resonator.
best
rt

 

I had a Stebro resonator on my car. Fit perfectly, maybe an hour to change it out. I currently have the cat back on there because it just had to pass emission testing.

Pros: no more concern about cat fires, louder sound

Cons: louder sound, and my car was definitely smelled much richer without the cat

My luck with Stebro was pretty good, it showed up in a matter of days

 

I saw that pipe on Ebay this morning. I am just not sure about it. You will need new gaskets of some kind I am guessing to prevent leaks. Make sure you can get these too. Also might want to find out who made it. If it is some backyard shop or muffler/exhaust shop, you might be better off getting a new one made (which wouldn't be a whole lot more than what they are getting for this one right now) or paying for the "correct" one (i.e. Stebro, Hyperflow, etc.).

Just my $.02.

I would like to add that I am in the market for a test-pipe too. I have a 328 and will be having one made for my car by my local Ferrari mechanic, who also happens to own his own Viper Racing product line/fabrication shop.

If you MAY be interested in buying a NEW one from them, let me know. When he fabricates mine (which he will do until it sounds JUST right) he can make an exact copy for you. Will be cheaper than the Stebro, etc. too. And I will BET it will sound at LEAST as good or better. They will also coat it in a gloss black heat resistant coating.

Just an FYI, we were running cat tests on the system regarding cat temps and pipe temps. Your cat should run at around 550F degrees while the pipes will run at only around 350F degrees. Basically you are removing an item from your engine bay that traps heat and sits and cooks at 550F degrees all less than a foot away from your motor. Your motor is only running at a surface temp of around 400F degrees at its HOTTEST area on the block and 180F degrees at the coolest. Strange thing is that the area running the hottest was the area VERY close to the cat. Interesting huh?? Coincidence?? Hmmmmm.

So, by taking out your cat, you are removing that extra heat component, giving your engine and easier "exhale", and making it sound dang good (i.e. LOUD). Not to mention the slight performance increases, namely increased response!!

Is there any reason NOT to do this??

For the once a year or two that you have to go through emissions, I would think that FCar owners would just pay a shop to have them slap their cats back on for the test and then go back to test pipes. Especially with these kind of results.

Heck, it's not like you can't get a "cat-looking" shroud welded onto your test pipes to keep "big brother" from giving you grief if you get pulled over. I know a place that could do that for a Ferrari-owner in need!! ;-)

 

Yes for the track...No for the street.

 

The biggest problem with running without the cat is the smell/fumes. Even when everything is set to spec, it is still eye stinging back there and the smell can get on your nerves pretty quick. I would SERIOUSLY consider the Hyperflow just for that reason alone.

 

Have the test pipes on my 348. No smell that I notice. Car runs thousands times better and cooler. Don't be afraid. Just do it.

 

I am sure that is because the 348's have a much smarter FI system. You guy's can get away with more then we can.