F355 decat vs. sports exhaust
Discussion
Now that I'm getting perilously close to buying an F355 Spider, the one I'm specifically hoping to get hasn't got a sports exhaust on it (double edged sword for me, but that's another story). So I wanted to ask whether decatting the car would give it a better, sports exhaust-esque sound? Obviously there are then potential MoT issues etc, but aside from this, is it a possible route to take rather than spending ££££s on a Capristo? Would there be any other benefits to decatting?
As always, any info much appreciated
TIA
As always, any info much appreciated
TIA
Mario149 said:
Now that I'm getting perilously close to buying an F355 Spider, the one I'm specifically hoping to get hasn't got a sports exhaust on it (double edged sword for me, but that's another story). So I wanted to ask whether decatting the car would give it a better, sports exhaust-esque sound? Obviously there are then potential MoT issues etc, but aside from this, is it a possible route to take rather than spending ££££s on a Capristo? Would there be any other benefits to decatting?
As always, any info much appreciated
TIA
It won't 'sing' like a cappy.. you need the exhaust to act like a flute As always, any info much appreciated
TIA
Don't decat, besides MOT issues there are insurance issues to consider as the car will not technically be fit for the road. There are cases of the insurance refusing to pay out in these circumstances.
Get yourself a nice Capristo. If you need it to be quiet at times they do a switchable system too.
Get yourself a nice Capristo. If you need it to be quiet at times they do a switchable system too.
Lagerlout said:
Don't decat, besides MOT issues there are insurance issues to consider as the car will not technically be fit for the road. There are cases of the insurance refusing to pay out in these circumstances.
Get yourself a nice Capristo.
If ya thinking along them lines, dont bother fitting a Capristo either.Get yourself a nice Capristo.
There is a little stamped plaque on them saying, "for track use only". Just look through the slots in the rear bumper, you will see it in the middle of the Capristo exhaust box
Oh!... you didnt know that did you 
So all you Ferrari and Lambo owners Does it say anything like that on the Tubi?
EDIT! I have taken a couple of snaps of my Capristo through the slots to show you. It acualy says "ONLY FOR COMPETITION".
Edited by ferrari spider on Thursday 4th March 20:32
Bit of an urban myth, the insurance and MOT bit. I've got a sports exhausted (?) and decat-ed 355 GTS, told the insurance company anbout it, the Challenge grill and de-airbagged Momo steering wheel and they were happy, no extra cost. It is also serviced by a main dealer, very compeatively, in the South west and they had no issues getting an MOT. Ironically the biggest snag was the original hexagional pattered numberplates.
I've got decats and a Tubi level 3, sounds perfect to me and as my car is 1995 it misses some of the emission stuff so sails through (as well as being a fast 2.7 management car...).
For your MOT if you also wire open the bypass valve you still have a cat in the Y piece there to reduce your emissions.
For your MOT if you also wire open the bypass valve you still have a cat in the Y piece there to reduce your emissions.
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo 
Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
Some people do talk a lot of rubbish about decating some cars, on the 355 for instance there is no issue engine management wise. If you think about it even very simply, as soon as the bypass valve opens, it bypasses the main cats anyway...
My car passes it's MOT with the required emissions without the main cats, if this is the case on a car there is nothing illegal about it, a car only has to pass MOT requirements NOT new car registration requirements. On newer cars where the requirements are stricter and thing like cat bypass systems have been banned if the car cannot pass the correct MOT emission requirement it can be technically illegal. You'd need to be stopped by a VOSA roadside test and then you'd get a 7 days notice to correct and reinspect, so not the end of the world.
As for noise level, it is the same again, if it passes MOT requirements then it's OK. This is an area that is due to get much tighter soon as currently it says it must be within the manufacturers specs which is difficult on most cars as there is no noise meter as part of the test so really just looking for blowing exhausts and missing boxes. When they do add db numbers for each car and a noise meter we'll be in for fun but it's likely will not apply to cars like the 355 as they will be too old.
My car passes it's MOT with the required emissions without the main cats, if this is the case on a car there is nothing illegal about it, a car only has to pass MOT requirements NOT new car registration requirements. On newer cars where the requirements are stricter and thing like cat bypass systems have been banned if the car cannot pass the correct MOT emission requirement it can be technically illegal. You'd need to be stopped by a VOSA roadside test and then you'd get a 7 days notice to correct and reinspect, so not the end of the world.
As for noise level, it is the same again, if it passes MOT requirements then it's OK. This is an area that is due to get much tighter soon as currently it says it must be within the manufacturers specs which is difficult on most cars as there is no noise meter as part of the test so really just looking for blowing exhausts and missing boxes. When they do add db numbers for each car and a noise meter we'll be in for fun but it's likely will not apply to cars like the 355 as they will be too old.
Mario149 said:
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have had mine on for years so your ferrari specialist are talking BS. Had they been knowledgeable they should have told you that there is no Lamba sensor problems on the 2.7s what so ever, and on the 5.2s if there is a problem this can be quickly remedied. Talk to Verdies he will put you straight. Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have been stopped by the police all over Europe, no problem.
Also regarding the last bit you wrote about you dont THINK there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car. Oh yes there is, its the engraved tag. I am also a biker and i can tell you that little "competition only" tag makes your exhaust system illegal. Thats the first thing the police check on a tasty sounding motorbike. So be it a tag on a bike or a cars exhaust system, its exactly the same. The tag is placed on the unit to cover Capristos backside.
My advice to you is play it safe and leave the capristo and de-cats to the men
SpeedYellow said:
Some people do talk a lot of rubbish about decating some cars, on the 355 for instance there is no issue engine management wise. If you think about it even very simply, as soon as the bypass valve opens, it bypasses the main cats anyway...
My car passes it's MOT with the required emissions without the main cats, if this is the case on a car there is nothing illegal about it, a car only has to pass MOT requirements NOT new car registration requirements. On newer cars where the requirements are stricter and thing like cat bypass systems have been banned if the car cannot pass the correct MOT emission requirement it can be technically illegal. You'd need to be stopped by a VOSA roadside test and then you'd get a 7 days notice to correct and reinspect, so not the end of the world.
As for noise level, it is the same again, if it passes MOT requirements then it's OK. This is an area that is due to get much tighter soon as currently it says it must be within the manufacturers specs which is difficult on most cars as there is no noise meter as part of the test so really just looking for blowing exhausts and missing boxes. When they do add db numbers for each car and a noise meter we'll be in for fun but it's likely will not apply to cars like the 355 as they will be too old.
Now heres a man that speaks alot of sense. well done that man My car passes it's MOT with the required emissions without the main cats, if this is the case on a car there is nothing illegal about it, a car only has to pass MOT requirements NOT new car registration requirements. On newer cars where the requirements are stricter and thing like cat bypass systems have been banned if the car cannot pass the correct MOT emission requirement it can be technically illegal. You'd need to be stopped by a VOSA roadside test and then you'd get a 7 days notice to correct and reinspect, so not the end of the world.
As for noise level, it is the same again, if it passes MOT requirements then it's OK. This is an area that is due to get much tighter soon as currently it says it must be within the manufacturers specs which is difficult on most cars as there is no noise meter as part of the test so really just looking for blowing exhausts and missing boxes. When they do add db numbers for each car and a noise meter we'll be in for fun but it's likely will not apply to cars like the 355 as they will be too old.
ferrari spider said:
Mario149 said:
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have had mine on for years so your ferrari specialist are talking BS. Had they been knowledgeable they should have told you that there is no Lamba sensor problems on the 2.7s what so ever, and on the 5.2s if there is a problem this can be quickly remedied. Talk to Verdies he will put you straight. Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have been stopped by the police all over Europe, no problem.
Also regarding the last bit you wrote about you dont THINK there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car. Oh yes there is, its the engraved tag. I am also a biker and i can tell you that little "competition only" tag makes your exhaust system illegal. Thats the first thing the police check on a tasty sounding motorbike. So be it a tag on a bike or a cars exhaust system, its exactly the same. The tag is placed on the unit to cover Capristos backside.
My advice to you is play it safe and leave the capristo and de-cats to the men
Ref the Capristos, how does having a tag on it saying "competition only" make it illegal? Is there more too it (it's not certified or some such) or is it just the mere fact it's got the tag? If so, surly the first thing that people should do is remove the tag/words on it to cover their ass if they get pulled over.....
"Leave the Capristos to the men"... cheeky g!t
Edited by Mario149 on Thursday 4th March 22:52
ferrari spider said:
Mario149 said:
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have had mine on for years so your ferrari specialist are talking BS. Had they been knowledgeable they should have told you that there is no Lamba sensor problems on the 2.7s what so ever, and on the 5.2s if there is a problem this can be quickly remedied. Talk to Verdies he will put you straight. Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have been stopped by the police all over Europe, no problem.
Also regarding the last bit you wrote about you dont THINK there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car. Oh yes there is, its the engraved tag. I am also a biker and i can tell you that little "competition only" tag makes your exhaust system illegal. Thats the first thing the police check on a tasty sounding motorbike. So be it a tag on a bike or a cars exhaust system, its exactly the same. The tag is placed on the unit to cover Capristos backside.
My advice to you is play it safe and leave the capristo and de-cats to the men
Edited by Lagerlout on Thursday 4th March 23:03
Mario149 said:
ferrari spider said:
Mario149 said:
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have had mine on for years so your ferrari specialist are talking BS. Had they been knowledgeable they should have told you that there is no Lamba sensor problems on the 2.7s what so ever, and on the 5.2s if there is a problem this can be quickly remedied. Talk to Verdies he will put you straight. Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have been stopped by the police all over Europe, no problem.
Also regarding the last bit you wrote about you dont THINK there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car. Oh yes there is, its the engraved tag. I am also a biker and i can tell you that little "competition only" tag makes your exhaust system illegal. Thats the first thing the police check on a tasty sounding motorbike. So be it a tag on a bike or a cars exhaust system, its exactly the same. The tag is placed on the unit to cover Capristos backside.
My advice to you is play it safe and leave the capristo and de-cats to the men
Ref the Capristos, how does having a tag on it saying "competition only" make it illegal? Is there more too it (it's not certified or some such) or is it just the mere fact it's got the tag? If so, surly the first thing that people should do is remove the tag/words on it to cover their ass if they get pulled over.....
"Leave the Capristos to the men"... cheeky g!t
Edited by Mario149 on Thursday 4th March 22:52
Also i have to explain why a tag with "ONLY FOR COMPETITION" is classed as illegal. I might as well just give up trying to explain. Its exactly the same as tags with "TRACK USE ONLY" and "NOT FOR ROAD USE". Theres a clue in the wording.
Good luck in what ever you do mate. The threads yours.
Well mine is a 2.7 car (they are much much better....hehe) and has passed 50k miles with over 40k of those without the main cats fitted. There have been no issues, it gets driven hard, slow in traffic, cold, hot everything and have not had a light up on the dash or rough run. Not sure about the specialists you were talking to, but I know many who think the cars run better decatted so you will always get a different view based on peoples personal opinions.
For that point, when mine was in the main dealer for the recall (hated taking it there after the last time my 360 was in for warranty work there they let an LED work light in the engine bay that I notice when I turned off the garage lights back home....) they said that I was mad changing the exhausts on my car as Ferrari spend SO much money developing (that huge heavy ugly thing) there is no room for improvement, any exhaust will detract from the performance of the car and the noise is just brash... so who knows (but I have a nice snap on LED worklamp off them!).
Anyway, only thing I can tell you is from my own experience and it finishes off the car and lets if breathe!
For that point, when mine was in the main dealer for the recall (hated taking it there after the last time my 360 was in for warranty work there they let an LED work light in the engine bay that I notice when I turned off the garage lights back home....) they said that I was mad changing the exhausts on my car as Ferrari spend SO much money developing (that huge heavy ugly thing) there is no room for improvement, any exhaust will detract from the performance of the car and the noise is just brash... so who knows (but I have a nice snap on LED worklamp off them!).
Anyway, only thing I can tell you is from my own experience and it finishes off the car and lets if breathe!
Lagerlout said:
ferrari spider said:
Mario149 said:
Regarding de-catted cars, I was chatting to a couple of Ferrari specialist mechanics yesterday and was informed that driving a decatted car (in this case an F355) is illegal and if the cops stop you and find out you're rather in the poo Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.
Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have had mine on for years so your ferrari specialist are talking BS. Had they been knowledgeable they should have told you that there is no Lamba sensor problems on the 2.7s what so ever, and on the 5.2s if there is a problem this can be quickly remedied. Talk to Verdies he will put you straight. Not sure, but I'd imagine it was points on your licence plus fine at least They also didn't recommend it, said it could produce lambda sensor issues (if i remember right, had a bit of a tech overload yesterday afternoon!) and rough/unhealthy idling.Regarding Capristo exhausts, as far as I understand, regardless of what they say on it regarding usage, I don't think there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car unlike decatting.
I have been stopped by the police all over Europe, no problem.
Also regarding the last bit you wrote about you dont THINK there's anything specific that makes it illegal to put on a road car. Oh yes there is, its the engraved tag. I am also a biker and i can tell you that little "competition only" tag makes your exhaust system illegal. Thats the first thing the police check on a tasty sounding motorbike. So be it a tag on a bike or a cars exhaust system, its exactly the same. The tag is placed on the unit to cover Capristos backside.
My advice to you is play it safe and leave the capristo and de-cats to the men
Edited by Lagerlout on Thursday 4th March 23:03
And your the guy who advised him to get a nice Capristo. the same Capristo with the "ONLY FOR COMPETITION" tag on it. So your slagging of illegal straight pipes and yet condoning a track use only system.
Edited by ferrari spider on Thursday 4th March 23:12
The guy needs proper advice not macho hyperbole eh! And yes I am a real man, I own a Capristo!
On a serious note, the reason Capristo have Competition only on their exhausts is simply because their exhausts are made in Germany and completely fail TuV noise regulations! This is not necessarily applicable to the UK, although I'm sure a L3 is pretty illegal everywhere except Mars...
And yes I am a real man, I own a Capristo! On a serious note, the reason Capristo have Competition only on their exhausts is simply because their exhausts are made in Germany and completely fail TuV noise regulations! This is not necessarily applicable to the UK, although I'm sure a L3 is pretty illegal everywhere except Mars...
And sorry we are talking about a 355 here aren't we?? I know from practical experience over the years, that removing the main cats, which still does leave a cat in the system (which everyone seems to forget about) does pass the emissions requirements perfectly on my car. Therefore I'm not doing anything cat wise that is a no no.
I do accept if you have to refit the cat to pass an MOT and then remove it again afterwards is bypassing the law and is illegal, but that is not what we are saying here.
I do accept if you have to refit the cat to pass an MOT and then remove it again afterwards is bypassing the law and is illegal, but that is not what we are saying here.
SpeedYellow said:
And sorry we are talking about a 355 here aren't we?? I know from practical experience over the years, that removing the main cats, which still does leave a cat in the system (which everyone seems to forget about) does pass the emissions requirements perfectly on my car. Therefore I'm not doing anything cat wise that is a no no.
I do accept if you have to refit the cat to pass an MOT and then remove it again afterwards is bypassing the law and is illegal, but that is not what we are saying here.
Ya pi55ing into the wind mate.I do accept if you have to refit the cat to pass an MOT and then remove it again afterwards is bypassing the law and is illegal, but that is not what we are saying here.
ferrari spider said:
So this "not necessarily applicable to the UK," bit. Is that a fact then or an assumption just becaus you have one?
OK if you want to get specific! As I understand it there is no point in UK law that can invalidate your car from being fit for the road by fitting a louder exhaust. However, the police can create an offence under legislation and make you remove the exhaust because, in fact, you are not allowed to make a production car any louder than it was as originally produced. Seriously.Now how boring is that?
The point is that a de-cat is specifically illegal and can and does make a car not fit for the road.
A loud exhaust doesnt invalidate the MOT, it merely opens you up for potential fines/action from the police.
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