Engine sizes plummeting, power outputs (and fuel economy…) skyrocketing – with the transition to hybrid powertrains looming it looks as though the big Naturally Aspirated engine has had its day. In an effort to stave off ubiquitous hybridization manufacturers have turned to turbochargers…and while there are numerous strong arguments for them the one thing that seems to have been lost over the years is the vicious snarl of a heavily turbocharged engine (F40, Quattro, RS200…we’re looking at you).
The Portofino is absolutely no exception to this rule unfortunately – dynamically the car is absolutely superb, and we would challenge you to find anyone who disagrees with that statement – however we can guarantee that no one has ever turned around and said “You know what, that’s one of the best sounding cars I’ve ever heard”. You’d be far more likely to hear the words tame, flat and hollow used to describe the standard Portofino exhaust note.
Our customer approached us to see what we could do – initially he wanted to test the waters with just the back box and we happily obliged.
The way we framed it to him was as follows:
- Back boxes craft the TONE
- X-pipes raise the PITCH
- Changing the cats raises the VOLUME
We all decided first to install the Capristo back box, complete with the valve remote control kit to allow for manual override of the valves in the exhaust. This allows you to have it loud when you want it to be and to be quiet when you need it to be – the best of both worlds. The car will also retain the original valve function the car left the factory with whereby it opens the valves based on load request (the car determines, based on engine speed, vehicle speed and throttle input whether the valves need to open or not).
This was promptly installed and the customer still felt the car sounded too restrained…however the modification bug had bitten him – we were going all out.
He ordered the X pipe, 100-Cell sport cats, sport springs and spacers. This was now set to be the most extensive Portofino build we had carried out to date!
The final exhaust setup was comprised of the following elements:
- Capristo back box
- Capristo valve control unit
- Custom built X-pipe and 100-Cell sport cats
- Capristo OBD Wizard to override the EWL arising from high-flow cats
As you’ll hear in the video below the end result was absolutely transformative – the car now has the flat-plane crank howl we all know, love and yearn for in the new cars. It sounds angry and the overrun reminds you that this engine is a high compression, highly turbocharged animal…and we had let it off of its leash.
The suspension elements are a firm favourite amongst our customers now, not only do they allow you to lower the car for a slightly more aggressive stance – the fact that they are variable rate means that there is a genuine performance gain to be had. We’ve said this a million times and it never stops being less true – it does not affect the ride comfort in any way shape or form. Under normal load the suspension is compliant and comfortable, however under load it will tighten up, eliminate body roll and reduce pitching/diving of the nose.
We always pair lowering springs with spacers, usually 10mm each side on the front and 15mm on the rear. You might say it’s almost imperceptible, however it helps to preserve the dimensions and proportions of the car once lowered.
BEFORE
AFTER
This car is another example of the 10% modification rule – this is not a car with a silly body kit and a big wing hanging off the back of it. This is a tastefully and purposefully modified car that has had the last 10% extracted from it that Ferrari were unable to due to global homologation regulations.
Have a look at our walkaround video below to hear the end result!