550 exhaust

motormike · 03-14-2011, 02:23 PM

When I'm driving it I can't hear the exhaust. . .. I propped open the (exhaust bypass) "pneumantic valves" & it didn't make much difference. . .. It's like I'm not even driving a FERRARI. . . .
I could fit a Tubi exhaust, but it would be loud all the time. It should be possible to modify the "valved" side of the muffler so the sound can pass right through. . .. & have a switch on the console to open the pneumatic valve at will. . . .you wouldn't want to have an open exhaust all the time.

cribbj · 03-14-2011, 10:06 PM

Mike, I think mounting a selector switch for the valves is a good idea, and you may also want to consider replacing the resonator assembly (item 5 in the Ricambi illustration below) with an X-pipe or a set of straight through pipes. Either one of these solutions is about $1000 in parts + an hour or two of labor.

When I bought my 550, it already had a set of aftermarket Mille Miglia mufflers, which were OK, but still rather subdued, I thought. So Josh @ ECS fitted an X-pipe from Larini and that really gave the exhaust some authority, plus both left & right sides then had that lovely V12 burble.

Then, because I wanted to isolate the left & right banks of the engine temporarily for some testing, I picked up a set of straight through pipes from Bradan in NY and replaced the X-pipe. The exhaust is now even louder than with the X-pipe, has more of a staccato note (because each side now has only six cylinders firing into it), plus it has picked up a very annoying drone at higher RPM. Interestingly, others who are using the straight through pipes with other exhaust systems have not complained about the drone, so it may be something peculiar to my Mille Miglia mufflers, or perhaps when the straight through pipes were put on, it caused part of the exhaust system to touch the chassis. I'll have to check this out next time the car is up on the lift.

Regardless, as soon as I'm finished with my testing, I think the straight through pipes are coming off and the X-pipe is going back on.

motormike · 03-15-2011, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the info. . . . I will save that diagram. . . . I still would like (if possible) to have the "bypass" be switchable. There are times when I want the car to be quiet (you can guess). . ..
My car is a Eurospec & it might be even quieter than a US model. It is almost like driving a Buick. . . .

03-14-2011, 02:23 PM	#1
motormike Owner Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Torrance Ferrari Life Posts: 10 Name: Mike dwyer	550 exhaust When I'm driving it I can't hear the exhaust. . .. I propped open the (exhaust bypass) "pneumantic valves" & it didn't make much difference. . .. It's like I'm not even driving a FERRARI. . . . I could fit a Tubi exhaust, but it would be loud all the time. It should be possible to modify the "valved" side of the muffler so the sound can pass right through. . .. & have a switch on the console to open the pneumatic valve at will. . . .you wouldn't want to have an open exhaust all the time.

03-14-2011, 10:06 PM	#2
cribbj Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Houston Ferrari Life Posts: 737 Name: John	Mike, I think mounting a selector switch for the valves is a good idea, and you may also want to consider replacing the resonator assembly (item 5 in the Ricambi illustration below) with an X-pipe or a set of straight through pipes. Either one of these solutions is about $1000 in parts + an hour or two of labor. When I bought my 550, it already had a set of aftermarket Mille Miglia mufflers, which were OK, but still rather subdued, I thought. So Josh @ ECS fitted an X-pipe from Larini and that really gave the exhaust some authority, plus both left & right sides then had that lovely V12 burble. Then, because I wanted to isolate the left & right banks of the engine temporarily for some testing, I picked up a set of straight through pipes from Bradan in NY and replaced the X-pipe. The exhaust is now even louder than with the X-pipe, has more of a staccato note (because each side now has only six cylinders firing into it), plus it has picked up a very annoying drone at higher RPM. Interestingly, others who are using the straight through pipes with other exhaust systems have not complained about the drone, so it may be something peculiar to my Mille Miglia mufflers, or perhaps when the straight through pipes were put on, it caused part of the exhaust system to touch the chassis. I'll have to check this out next time the car is up on the lift. Regardless, as soon as I'm finished with my testing, I think the straight through pipes are coming off and the X-pipe is going back on. '99 550, Rosso Corsa / Nero, S/N:114654, Assy: 31836, Engine: 52084 High mileage, low compression, and missing on a few cylinders.....just like my cars.

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03-15-2011, 07:59 AM	#3
motormike Owner Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Torrance Ferrari Life Posts: 10 Name: Mike dwyer	Thanks for the info. . . . I will save that diagram. . . . I still would like (if possible) to have the "bypass" be switchable. There are times when I want the car to be quiet (you can guess). . .. My car is a Eurospec & it might be even quieter than a US model. It is almost like driving a Buick. . . .