Posts: 579
Since: 26/7/2008
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Hey LG,
Please allow an extremely fussy former 3200GT (and soon to be again) Maserati owner to offer his findings on the stainless steel muffler alternatives, seeing as this area is to become a resource centre for other Maser owners:
Rpi:
When I bought my 3200 it had an Rpi engineerting ‘muffler box’ exhaust on it previously fitted and compared to the OE mufflers it was ‘nice’ sounding. Pleasant rumble low down, very American V8 sounding, not intrusive at low speeds or high speeds at all. BUT there was an annoying in cabin resonance in the mid range and once the turbos got really going and the car swept past 3500rpm the sporty sound completely vanished. It is sold on Ebay and is a cheap and cheerful alternative to the OE exhaust. The welding quality was poor, as were the tips which (while they were like standard) were not curved with the bumper curve like the OE tailpipes, hence the outer tip looked like it stuck out further than the inner tip. Also they didn’t allign to well as the slidey side brackets as per those on the OE mufflers are ditched in favour of straight non adjustable brackets. Presumably on cost grounds. Rpi are British V8 car parts sellers so not sure quite how they ended up selling these but hey ho.
I have heard their ‘pipe only-no muffler box’ setup on a standing reving 3200 and found it slightly louder than the box system but quite unsophisticated. This is the cheapest option currently out there to replace the rear mufflers. It has one odd feature though in that it leaves a rather visible cavernous area in the bumper cutouts where once the muffler boxes sat. http://www.v8engines.com
Eurospares:
Stainless steel replacement mufflers, similar in sound to the OE mufflers. I learned this by speaking to Eurospares themselves and reading the posts of a chap on here called Nigelo. He wanted something similar in flavour to the factory items but longer lasting, and he is happy that is what he got with his purchase. The tips are similar yet slightly different (round v oval) compared to the OE tips. They are slightly pricier than the Rpi box mufflers, but cheaper than the MIJ mufflers. www.eurospares.co.uk
MIJ:
Fancied the idea of a custom made jobbie to give me exactly what I wanted – a high pitched Italian Supercar sound high up but no resonance low down. So made the trip over there for a chat. However, while the chaps there were nice enough I realised that they were very much a muffler shop using off the shelf chrome tailpipes, boxes, and bending the tube by hand and they did not have the kind of facility or equipment that I felt, only my opinion I hasten to add, could create that something special, sound wise, for my car. There were a lot of Saxo-boy racer type cars in for exhausts. Their quality of welding was similar to the Rpi mufflers. But as they make the system to the car, I guess the fit would have been better. My gut feeling was they were another company who would make a pleasant sounding system, but no more. A year or so later, purely by chance I had the privalige of following MAF260’s (forum member) 3200 fitted with MIJ mufflers down the motorway ar cruising speeds and as he planted his foot down. The tips looked pretty enough, and (hard to tell at speed) seemed nicely alligned but as I suspected just sounded ‘nice’ once he floored it. A couple of levels up from the standard exhaust I would say. BUT if that is the look and sound level you are looking for then you will have gotten what you requested and paid for. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/mijexhaust
Quicksilver:
Too expensive for what they are when considering their cost against the state of them in their pictures. Tips look too small for the bumper cutouts too. Never heard a sound clip of them on a 3200GT. They seem to specialise in the older British cars. www.quicksilverexhausts.com
To answer your original thread question of what are the 'best silencers'? :-
Tubi:
Considered one of the best options for these cars: and their price would certainly back that up ;) Supercar sound guaranteed thanks to extensive Ferrari and Lamborghini experience. Mirror polished all over. Beautiful hand made tips specifically for the 3200. Great fit. On the car they look lovely, and having heard a standing revving 3200GT with them on, they are very, very good. Hear lots of positive comments about the Tubis and a quick look at their pedigree will probably give you a hint as to why their reputation is so good. Quite simply, one of THE best options for a 3200GT, or any Maser infact. Many satisfied customers it would seem. www.scuderiasystems.com
Larini:
Like the Tubi’s, a large range of Ferrari and Lamborghini products, as well as Maser exhausts, and also not cheap. I was all set to get the Tubi’s fitted until Matthew at Giallo fired up another 3200GT in his workshop carpark with Larini mufflers fitted. What can I say apart from, wow! The harder he revved the car the engine just howled, and of all the systems I heard it was one of the only ones that did not get massively muted once the turbos kicked in. Beautiful tips curving with the bumper, and again, that sound. Naturally, I signed up to get them. Great fit and appearence. Subtle enough when you are cruising on the motorway but once you press the throttle, sooooo good. A pure high pitched Italian Supercar howl the faster you go. And cruising around town it sounds like a sophisticated muscular Italian Supercar waiting to be unleashed. You will not believe just how good a 3200 can sound untill you fit the Larini mufflers. I just had a grin on my face permanently and any excuse to jump in the car was taken. The car also seemed to feel less ‘restricted’ too when driving. I was so pleased with the sound and performance gain that I later had their sports cats and centre box fitted too to help aid the the turbo and engine performance further. Once again, the gains were righteous. A great piece of kit, whichever configiration you go for. Just fit the rear mufflers and you will not be disapointed. And judging by the responses Larini, like Tubi, has many happy punters on both this forum and the American Maser forums. www.larinisystems.com
Hope all that helps. The above listings should cover the areas of cost, sound, looks and fit. So select based on your needs.
< Message edited by tbody -- 5/3/2009 23:40:37 >
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