Quicksilver exhausts

[SimonCC]

You need to change two sections of the exhaust to get a decent increase in volume but I think the best initial change is the removal of two cats and the replacement of the other two with 200 cell cats. Replacement of the 'squashed' section helps with the breathing as well. After that, replace the centre section with an unsilenced X-pipe OR replace the standard rears with straight throughs (on the 4200). Replace both if you want to go nuts as it gets very loud, as last years Le Mans mob can testify. On the GS get the rear-box internals modified in order to get the volume but retain the ability to reign it in by closing the valves, if required.

OK thanks Benny/Robert - sounds like I should try the replacing the front section to begin with to remove the secondary cats and 'squashed' pieces to definitely pep up performance (like it really needs it...) and to release some more growl...

After that I can look into centre section or rear boxes if this isn't enough..... ;-)

The exhaust specialist thinks (without looking at it) that I'm looking at bill of approx. £120 for the pair of new front sections in stainless steel T304.

How does the replacement squashed pipe with the same bore as the rest of the exhaust fit without being 'squashed'? Where does it go/how does it fit that Maserati couldn't/wouldn't let it leave the factory with?

 

[hodroyd]

You can have a look on such as the Larini site, they show all the different bits including the Sports Cats, that might give you an idea..!!

 

[BennyD]

OK thanks Benny/Robert - sounds like I should try the replacing the front section to begin with to remove the secondary cats and 'squashed' pieces to definitely pep up performance (like it really needs it...) and to release some more growl...

After that I can look into centre section or rear boxes if this isn't enough..... ;-)

The exhaust specialist thinks (without looking at it) that I'm looking at bill of approx. £120 for the pair of new front sections in stainless steel T304.

How does the replacement squashed pipe with the same bore as the rest of the exhaust fit without being 'squashed'? Where does it go/how does it fit that Maserati couldn't/wouldn't let it leave the factory with?

The squashed section on the standard car is just that whereas the Larini solution has two smaller round pipes Each side which give the same cross sectional area as the pipe just before it becomes squashed. That way it has a smoother has passage without compromising the ground clearance. As Robert said, have a look at their website and show it to your fabricator. Btw, these things always need more power, the more you have the more you use it!

 

[BennyD]

Hahahaha, le frog is without humour..!!


Incidentally, did you get chance to listen to my GS with the Larini Kit, if so what did you think..??

IMO, the Larini system has a lovely 'full' sound to it with lots of volume and sounds fantastic when under full load. It's very expensive, albeit very well made, but if it was on the car when you got it, it's a very nice bonus if you can live with the boominess.

 

[Elliott653]

IMO, the Larini system has a lovely 'full' sound to it with lots of volume and sounds fantastic when under full load. It's very expensive, albeit very well made, but if it was on the car when you got it, it's a very nice bonus if you can live with the boominess.

And there's the rub. My experience with Larini back boxes on my 4200 was not a happy one. For me, the problem with Larini boom is that it occurs at the 2000 - 3500 rpm range. Or it did on my car. Unfortunately, this happens to be the rev range that is in use overwhelmingly when driving in traffic in town.

That's why my Larinis lasted exactly 48 hours on the car before I took them off and sold them on.

For the QP, I'm sorely tempted to try some of the front end options. But, once bitten, twice shy.

 

[Parisien]

Yeah...there is boom etc....but with Mario's fitted S/S back boxes comes in at a narrower range.....2000-2500...........


P

 

[zagatoes30]

No idea what is on mine, Matt knows, but it sounds wonderful. Just the right side of loud without being too aggressive.

 

[conaero]

Its the SM prototype that Benny developed for the forum.

Its modified GranSport rear boxes and a custom SM X pipe.

We have not run a production on it as yet as the supply of GS rear boxes is the issue.

Also we need to run the X pipe on a Coupe (not a Spyder) to see if there are any booming issues. I will be running the same system once I get my GS.

 

[hodroyd]

To be honest when I got this GS with the Full Larini Sports System, I was expecting what everybody warned me of, booming in the cabin at 2 to 3K revs. Fortunately for whatever reason I either don't have it, or I don't notice it that much. I hear the exhaust note unless I shut the valves and it is reduced, but I don't seem to have any boom..!! I was expecting to be dissapointed with a boom in the cabin, now I am pleasantly surprised, unless I'm now going deaf of course, she is quite loud..!! At some point I will try and do a video over a short test drive and hopefully the sound will be good enough for everyone to hear inside the car..!!

 

[SimonCC]

The squashed section on the standard car is just that whereas the Larini solution has two smaller round pipes Each side which give the same cross sectional area as the pipe just before it becomes squashed. That way it has a smoother has passage without compromising the ground clearance. As Robert said, have a look at their website and show it to your fabricator. Btw, these things always need more power, the more you have the more you use it!

I've looked at the Larini site and read their product description which makes total sense, and the exhaust manufacturer has no issues replicating this now that I've explained this.

Do you know of others that have had custom front pipes made that effectively replicate the Larini '2-smaller pipe section'? And have these been particularly vocal, or just a nice growlier addition?

Reason for my question is that I can have the pipes fitted without a resonator or with a resonator which will take the edge off the noise if it's excessively loud - it would be good to have a view before I take the car along as I can spec for the resonators too while they fabricate the pipes on the day rather than have to return at a later date.. I know its subjective as some like extreme noise and others somewhere in the middle - think I'm in the middle but definitely want more than the current OEMs give...

Cheers guys, appreciate your learned advice.

 

[hodroyd]

Larini us Aviation Grade 316 SS..!! 314 will maybe not last as long, less chrome in the metal as far as I know..!!

 

[2b1ask1]

316 is full marine grade but over the top in exhaust terms, 304 is perfectly adequate and a site easier to work and weld. 304 would never rust out but you may get spots on it and it will dull in time. 316 is much more likely to work harden and then become prone to fatigue fracturing around welds and bends.

That said if you are paying for Larini you would expect 316 and nothing less!

I regularly work with both and have the metal splinters in my hands to prove it!!!!!

 

[zagatoes30]

Its the SM prototype that Benny developed for the forum.

Its modified GranSport rear boxes and a custom SM X pipe.

We have not run a production on it as yet as the supply of GS rear boxes is the issue.

Also we need to run the X pipe on a Coupe (not a Spyder) to see if there are any booming issues. I will be running the same system once I get my GS.

See I knew would know what it was

 

[hodroyd]

You won't notice any booming in the Spyder will you Zag'..??

 

[SimonCC]

316 is full marine grade but over the top in exhaust terms, 304 is perfectly adequate and a site easier to work and weld. 304 would never rust out but you may get spots on it and it will dull in time. 316 is much more likely to work harden and then become prone to fatigue fracturing around welds and bends.

That said if you are paying for Larini you would expect 316 and nothing less!

I regularly work with both and have the metal splinters in my hands to prove it!!!!!

Newton does your work take in exhausts manufacture? If so then do you usual use 304 grade?

Also, does anybody have resonators on their exhausts to suppress some noise?

 

[2b1ask1]

Sorry Simon, most of my welding is pretty crude and takes place in muddy parks and the likes. I have worked on my own car and bike exhausts many times in the last 40 or years but nothing commercial as yet. I will be playing with the Mazerati exhausts in the spring but I think the manifolds will be being farmed out.

 

[mjheathcote]

I work in the food and soft drinks industry, 304 is more than adequate for an exhaust!
316 is only used for food contact surfaces normally, everything else 304.
A lot of stainless steel you see is very low grade, for example your stainless steel bin in the kitchen, will be magnetic.

 

[2b1ask1]

Well put Mike, avoid Chinese stainless as well, it is generally woeful quality and will rust as soon as you look at it, also has a great deal of impurities that just add to work hardening, cracking and weld failures in my experience. Generally if you know you are getting Chinese work on it being at least two grades down on spec! Also a lot of thin stuff being passed as stainless like the pedal bin is actually 'bright plated' steel only; daft really as the rod that lifts the lid is far more likely to be stainless than the stainless bin!!!

 

[hodroyd]

It's worth checking what you are actually getting spec wise, as said there are different grades of steel that pretend yo be something they are not. Also the thickness of the steel on an exhaust can be virtually anything and yet still graded as say 304, or 316. A 0.5mm thick tube wall will not be as robust as a 1mm wall and could sound tinny..?? (example)

 

[mjheathcote]

Don't think you can buy 0.5mm wall, too thin to weld!
You are talking 1.5mm wall, 1.65mm if it's annealed so you can bend it.
I would be surprised if thinner tube is used for a quality system.