CatmanV2
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New to the forum and with some exhaust questions.
- Thread starter FelixV
- Start date
Andyk
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Lovely Pete.....Black so mean especially on the darker wheels.
Stumar75
Hi Felix. Lovely Gransport. I have a 2005 facelift GT Coupe manual with a few suspension and brake upgrades as well as a Larini system. I started with the "sports" centre boxes and end cans fitted onto the standard headers and cats. I'd describe the sound as the full Italian operatic range with an underscore of NASCAR. Loud and aggressive at the top end and a great selection of pops, bangs and crackles on the overrun. Inside the car there was a bit of a resonant drone at low revs but no problem on the open road. Very positive reactions from the public at large. For some reason the overall sound level seemed greater than similar systems fitted to other 4200's - particularly as I'm on the quieter centre silencer option - but just on the right side of acceptable. A great upgrade guaranteed to have me grinning on every drive, in town or over the hills.
Since then I've added a pair of Larini's sport cat sections and the whole set up now sounds frankly ridiculous. After I had the cats fitted I took the scenic route home (over a mountain pass) and found myself actually laughing out loud at the noise and the improved response. A few months on and I'd now say the volume is barely acceptable even when you're in the mood and almost embarrassing when you're not. Public feedback seems to have moved on from smiles and approving nods to frowns and shaking heads. The sharp racket at the top end is almost unpleasant (almost...). The pops on the overrun are more like gunshots and the resonance at low speeds (up to 50mph) also seems to be worse now. To be fair, it still sounds pretty awesome in the mid range but I'm seriously considering changing out the back boxes for the switchable type - an expensive option as I'll need the actuator kit as well.
So perhaps a word of caution - be careful what you wish for - it's easy to go a bit too far. If you do go for the Larini's choose the switchable back boxes - for the sake of your neighbours if nothing else.
Hi Felix. Lovely Gransport. I have a 2005 facelift GT Coupe manual with a few suspension and brake upgrades as well as a Larini system. I started with the "sports" centre boxes and end cans fitted onto the standard headers and cats. I'd describe the sound as the full Italian operatic range with an underscore of NASCAR. Loud and aggressive at the top end and a great selection of pops, bangs and crackles on the overrun. Inside the car there was a bit of a resonant drone at low revs but no problem on the open road. Very positive reactions from the public at large. For some reason the overall sound level seemed greater than similar systems fitted to other 4200's - particularly as I'm on the quieter centre silencer option - but just on the right side of acceptable. A great upgrade guaranteed to have me grinning on every drive, in town or over the hills.
Since then I've added a pair of Larini's sport cat sections and the whole set up now sounds frankly ridiculous. After I had the cats fitted I took the scenic route home (over a mountain pass) and found myself actually laughing out loud at the noise and the improved response. A few months on and I'd now say the volume is barely acceptable even when you're in the mood and almost embarrassing when you're not. Public feedback seems to have moved on from smiles and approving nods to frowns and shaking heads. The sharp racket at the top end is almost unpleasant (almost...). The pops on the overrun are more like gunshots and the resonance at low speeds (up to 50mph) also seems to be worse now. To be fair, it still sounds pretty awesome in the mid range but I'm seriously considering changing out the back boxes for the switchable type - an expensive option as I'll need the actuator kit as well.
So perhaps a word of caution - be careful what you wish for - it's easy to go a bit too far. If you do go for the Larini's choose the switchable back boxes - for the sake of your neighbours if nothing else.
FelixV
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Thanks for the fantastic advice and comments. First of all, is your car a Euro spec with the standard decat manifolds all euro cars came with? And do you think if the Larini sports cats and X-pipe combined with Tubi mufflers (non-valved) and Euro manifolds (Car is Euro spec) would be LOUD? Should then look at changing the mufflers out to Larini valved? And do the Larini valved mufflers work through the sport button like the original mufflers? Answers much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Felix
BennyD
Sea Urchin Pate
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Yes the system you describe will be loud. What you have is similar to mine and mine is loud as well, louder than a lot would live with. Having said that I love the sound and wouldn't change back to anything less. Also, if you got the valved rears it would work with the Sport button exactly like the originals.
FelixV
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Thanks BennyD. It is good that the Larini valved mufflers are operated through the sport button, as my son loves that feature. Unfortunately, the Tubis are non-valved (Sounds fantastic though). Do you think a valve would be essential with the following setup? -
Euro manifolds (Car is Euro spec) + Larini sports cats + Larini X-Pipe (ClubSport centre section) + Tubi non-valved mufflers (Or are the Larini valved mufflers the way to go here?).
Euro manifolds (Car is Euro spec) + Larini sports cats + Larini X-Pipe (ClubSport centre section) + Tubi non-valved mufflers (Or are the Larini valved mufflers the way to go here?).
BennyD
Sea Urchin Pate
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My system is as follows; Larini sports cats, unsilenced X-pipe and heavily modified GS rear boxes which are virtually straight through. On this system I've wired a solenoid in to operate the valves (the Sport button doesn't do it on a 4200) and I feel it is desirable to have the valves, as it is too loud to use like this all day, every day. When I see any scuffers, pass through frontier posts or drive past neighbours at 6am on a Sunday morning, I drop it into stealth mode and sneak on through.
Chrisbassett
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The 4200s in the UK were all Euro spec, I think it was only later that some UK GranSports started to have the US variant with cats built into the manifold. Benny will be euro spec as his is a 4200 Spyder, not a GS.
FelixV
Junior Member
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Ok, thanks. I am now on the same page. So do you then think that majority 04/5 GranSports were Euro spec? Mine is a Euro as my son has had a look under the car with a torch. I remember hearing somewhere (son probably) that all 4200's up to the end of 2004 were Euro spec (Apart from U.S cars).
Chrisbassett
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I read a write-up that suggests that some European GS's were fitted with US spec early on, probably because of supply issues for the European version of the parts, then eventually all were...probably because they were cheaper in some way by then. I doubt it was a performance thing.
cann't stop laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Felix and welcome. Your GS looks lovely, particularly the interior.
I am reading this thread and find out that you are not so experienced with computers/phones etc, but also with your new car as well. It's ok with that. Soon you will feel comfortable.
I want to congratulate all the members here who take the time to answer to a newbie's questions. Exhaust questions have been asked here every day and all of us have the patience and willing to explain every time.
I have been in forums for ten years, and never seen this intention to answer and make someone feel comfortable.
Congrats everyone, this forum consists (mainly!!) of very helpful and serious people and i'm glad i've been part of this community.
Apologies for the off topic.
To get back to the topic, you can combine Larini and Tubi and use Benny's method of valve opening/closing.
If you ever want to sell the tubi's just drop me a line.
As for the DBW, here's one at post #50 http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showt...ynamics-DBW-Enhancement-Module-for-sale/page5
If you ever want to sell the tubi's just drop me a line.
As for the DBW, here's one at post #50 http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showt...ynamics-DBW-Enhancement-Module-for-sale/page5
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FelixV
Junior Member
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Thanks for the welcome and kind words. I have had the car since last October, so I have had it for a little while, but I'm sure that's not very long by SM standards. Been a complete hoot. It is my first V8 after all. And don't worry, I know what a PM is
Kind regards,
Felix