Long drives and engine noise in f430

As you say the engine/exhaust sounds on the 430 are wonderful. But on a long trip it's tiresome and overwhelming. Not for long trips IMO. Not a daily driver.

 

With a factory exhaust the exhaust valves on both cars would be closed at lower RPMs (i.e. if you cruise in a higher gear). With valves open the 430 exhaust gas is no longer forced through the muffler and can flow direct from the cats to the tail pipes. Comparatively, the standard muffler on the 430 is smaller than that on the 360 (and for a bigger engine).

 

I think you answered your own question. How about checking out something like a 550 Maranello or 599. Those will be more ideal long distance companions and yet still give you the Prancing Horse goose bumps

 

My opinion is that the 430 is a great long trip car.
If you keep the rpm low, about 3500/4000 rpm in normal mode, then the exhaust valves do not open and do not produce that much "noise".

My problem is I want to hear the "noise" and trying to keep it in the upper rpm
Does cost some more fuel

 

Lets see some pictures of the exhaust of these cars your trying. It might not be stock. The stock exhaust is pretty tame. Cruising in 6th gear at highway speeds with windows up shouldn't be too painful, nothing that the slight wind and tire noise wont drown out IMO. That's when the radio comes in handy. Drop a couple of gears for the interesting bits of road, radio off and when you get back to just cruising upshift to 6th again and radio on. YMMV

 

I have a 430 and have comfortably done a 300 mile trip with no noise issues on the standard exhaust. Yes it is a bit noisier if you are using high revs as the valves will be open, but this would only be for a few seconds in the lower gears. If you do use the revs in every gear I can guarantee you wont go below 100 MPH and the cops will have locked you up and thrown the keys away .......... If they can catch you !!.

If you are driving a winding road and pushing it a bit in the lower gears then it might be a bit noisy but you wont care ...... but may need to have the grin surgically removed !!

I later replaced the headers and exhaust with capristo parts and it is noisier, but have done a 150 mile trip on UK motorways at a higher speed than I would dare do in the states and myself and girlfriend thought no problems with the noise. Some friends in a following car said it sounded fabulous!!

Bottom line is if you want a fast silent smooth ride then go and buy boring Merc/BMW/Lexus.

Buy the 430 and enjoy every mile. The noise will intoxicate your soul, the feeling will make you feel alive, and you wont find a more special driving experience than a mid engine Ferrari.

Simon

 

As previously noted, if you feel the sound is too loud and painful, it is not the stock exhaust. The sound in my spider is nothing less than a symphony regardless of how long I drive and always keeping the canvas retracted so I can hear and enjoy every note.
Check to see what upgrade was done to the exhaust of that car !!!!

 

Forgot to mention, I have got stock exhaust.

+430

It is indeed very intoxicating!

Me 2, put my roof down whenever I can!

Good to hear.
Let us know when you bought one and do not forget to post pictures!

 

I wouldn't run from one with an expensive aftermarket exhaust. You could probably sell it and pay for a used stock setup and have money left over!

 

I have test pipes and Tubi with no internal packing. And it's LOUD ! A few weeks back I drove from Nj to Nc 575 mile one way going no less than 80 . No head ache when I tired of the exhaust tunes I put the radio on.

My exhaust is more annoying for whoever I'm on the phone with than me

I've also driven to Chicago no headache .

Drive it like you stole it and enjoy every minute.

 

I've had both a 360 and an F430 and I'm from Westchester. I never get tired of hearing a Ferrari exhaust..... I could listen to that all day and all night!!!

 

Before you buy do a search on 430 headers. Im not saying you shouldn't buy one of these fine cars, every car has its issue and this is one for the 430. You want to get one that has the newer headers or the dealer will get them installed for you. On top of that you can get the capristo bracket which will alleviate some of the tension that causes the headers to crack.

 

Just to add my two cents. I've had my 430 for 8 years with stock exhaust. I've taken many long trips with it. I'm not a fan of loud exhaust, especially constant as it can aggravate my tinnitus. The 430 exhaust is just fine for cruising. My wife, who really doesn't like Ferrari exhaust, doesn't complain about long trips either.

Dave

 

Car is not comfortable for long trips. That's what a Benz is for. I would say buy both.

 

I have a stock exhaust and recently drove down to a car show in Charlotte -- around 125 miles each way mostly interstate and it was very comfortable. The seats are great.
Alan

 

Its not Benz comfortable but not uncomfortable especially for those under 6 ft

Its driving pleasure

 

Huh? ........... What noise? I remember back when I first started flying jets. They were noisy as Hell, but they just kept getting quieter every year. Now they make hardly any noise at all. My Ferrari is just a background whisper.

 

I love my F430 and that's with a Capristo race exhaust and headers. That being said, I do not daily drive it and look forward to the weekend drives and sounds.
If you keep the stock exhaust, as many have mentioned, you will most definitely not be irritated by the exhaust. It is tame when the valves are closed.
Cheers and hope you find the F430 of your liking.

 

its my wife and I's choice of long distance car, I have a Capistro and its quiet inside with the windows up and supremely comfortable. If we are going anywhere far now, we take the 360.

 

Go rent one for a day, with mileage you can probably get away with $1500.

Since you are ready to blow $125K plus, small price to see if you like it.

Coming from a C6Z, a 360 is not going to satisfy the speed part, not even
the 430. I have a 360 with a standard Tubi, and under 4000 rpm, 80 mph,
the car is quieter than my stock Z06 was with just a Borla.
Perfectly liveable, and more interior room than the Vette.

 

My 2005 F430 has the Mk2 factory header update, but is otherwise stock. I think it sounds great with the bypass valves open during heavy throttle.

Under light throttle with the valves closed, however, I find the sound nothing special. It doesn't seem to have any real character, at least from inside the car. On long highway trips, it can be a bit tiring. I suppose I could get better sound quality from an aftermarket header, but it's not worth the expense to me.

This is a minor complaint - the F430 is otherwise a great driver.

 

Well I have a 07 430 with Fabspeed headers and it sound amazing over stock and Im hoping they are more reliable then stock. After getting use to the sound and loving the sound with the valves opened, I got the Capristo remote valve switch. Very easy install. The car sounds crazy and addicting. I don't think I would ever get tired of it not matter how long the drive was. This setup is the only way to go.