Which exhaust for the 550?

Fiammenghi. His valved exhaust is pretty quiet and wild when you want it to be.

 

Here ya go: https://www.fiammenghiitalia.com/en/

 

I have Fiammenghi on both my 575 (full headers/sport cats/H pipe/mufflers with Supersprint axle bypasses) and 456M (muffler bypass only). I discarded my Tubi after less than 100 miles...it sounded horrible (subjectively).

 

Capristo is louder, lower pitch. Not as bad as Tubi but still has a ‘wind in a barrel’ feel

 

If you think tubi is loud just about everything else is louder. Maybe you need to go stock with valves?

 

Also the system is louder if someone removed the central muffler.

 

From the driver's seat I don't think my 550 with Fabio's double H pipes and straight through rear pipes is any louder than when it had Tubi (first gen) rear mufflers and stock center resonator. The drone around 2k RPM is still present but it's less than it was with the Tubis.

If you want a more civilized exhaust for sure I'd go with Fabio's valved rear mufflers. Very subdued with the valves closed and zero drone, then when desired can open the valves and let her rip.

 

@meemo mine came with the same awful tubi, I need to deal with that eventually.. I'll probably go stock

 

how does it sound

 

Well, every time I go out for a weekend drive with some of my car buddies, they always tell me how great the car sounds.

 

My full Fabio setup valves open is still quieter than the OEM midpipe delete + tubi…that was painfully loud.

Valves closed it’s very civilized for polite company.

If you want a mild increase over the early car mute, then the midpipe delete + HGTC vs OEM with valve controller is a nice low cost solution.

 

Dave,

If you want your 550 to have a unique sound, set it up with side pipes and a sequential shifter like Colin McRae's Prodrive 550 GTS...





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Barry

 

Life is funny like that…. had more stress last time I got my 550 smogged than I did when I climbed into the ring for golden gloves.

 

Well, that was a chance to hear what the 550 engine sounds like with just headers ans short side pipes with sequential shifting thrown in.

Nine years ago, John Tirrell (IFS - Team Pilota) converted a 550 into a 550 GT...


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Replete with side pipes...


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Onboard at Watkins Glen...






Right, Dave. It's a bit too much for most.

 

Barry, my 550 sounds a lot like that, especially from outside the car. Of course, side exit vs. rear exit makes a big difference to your ear as the driver sitting inside the car in both volume and exhaust tone.

 

^

It's pure V-12 sound, Dave.

Here's my 550 with straight pipes replacing the OEM center resonator and second generation tubi mufflers...




4:50 6:16 7:58 and 9:48


I no longer track my 550. These days it stands by should my F355 Challenge break down at a track event...


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The headers are very high quality in a 3-2-1 configuration and their over the axle pieces are the best available. I have the latter on my 575 along with Fabio's catted 6-1 headers. Some owners prefer the 3-2-1 to the 6-1 configuration for the meaty mid-range.

 

Went through similar anxiety with my '82 Alfa a few years ago. Took it to our friend in San Jose and he got it to pass with flying red/white/green colors.

 

Solid product. Great engine bay temps as cats further down stream. Very full sound. Strongly considering for my 456 as I already have Fabio’s excellent setup on my 575. Like Taz, even my 575 uses their over axle pipes.