Here, "It's all about the car!"
This is one of the most highly-tuned, non-race Ferrari 550's in the world.
During the summer of 2006, this 1997 example became
the test and evaluation mule for prototypes of tuned exhaust components from Europe, Canada and the U.S.
The weeks-long process of coordinating the fabrication of prototypes, fit-testing and final installation of this tuned exhaust system was done by the master Ferrari mechanic, Dave Helms, at Scuderia Rampante,
Boulder, Colorado.
The hand fabrication of prototype catalytic convertors and x-pipes was done by
Hyper-flow which resulted in a tuned exhaust that may be only 5% less efficient than
race-only straight pipes.
Video of awesome (before/after) performance increase
One guest driver from Salt Lake remarked that the 550's acceleration performance exceeded his 575M's. The 550's mid-range power is now around 520hp(from a stock 485hp) and the stock 420 foot pounds is now about 450 foot pounds.... with the torque curve going all the way to 7,000 rpm - instead of hitting a plateau around 5,000rpm!
LINKS:
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Brief background on the Ferrari 550
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More information on Ferrari and the racing origins of the 550 Maranello
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The 550's MOVIE PAGES
500 horses on the loose, with music!
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2012 Highlights
(the big crash and exhibited at Monterey's Concorso Italiano)
2008 Highlights
2006
2006 Spring Fling
2005
More Yellowstone Park and Last Lap track event at PPIR, Colorado Springs
2004
Delivery and first summer's excitement in Yellowstone National Park and PPIR track
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In November, 2004, my little 550 was chosen as "Showoff of the Month"
at CarDomain.com,
a website with over a million members!
And a month later, it was chosen "Car of the Month" at
Ferrari Haven!
"Yes officer, I'm an egotistical hotdog in a Ferrari!"
Strike a pose!
And yes, purists, I'm putting MILES on the car as fast as I can!
July, 2004: Delivered with 11,300 miles
End of 2004: 17,300 miles
September 4, 2005:
Three weeks later...
End of 2005 Season: 27,600 miles
Three years later:
August 4, 2008...50,000 miles
NUTS with "resale value"!
THIS Ferrari Maranello is DRIVEN!!!
