Certain cars sound incredible with stock exhaust and others, well, let's just say they are too subdued. Tubi is an Italian exhaust maker who I always consider installing on many of Club Sportiva's cars. Because it is very expensive, it doesn't make sense to install it on just any car. They specialize in Italian cars like Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini and have begun to broaden their product line into Porsche and Aston Martin, with others surely on the way.

What makes Tubi exhaust the best is how it is tuned to sound ideal across all driving ranges. Some after market exhausts sound great at idle but will drive you nuts when cruising on the interstate, for instance. The exhaust should complement and enhance the driving experience, not dominate or over shadow the car. As such, selecting a quality exhaust company that suits your needs and preferences is critical or you will later regret your decision.

The first car the Club had with Tubi was a Ferrari 360 Spider and it sounded absolutely divine. Trouser tenting divine, actually. It really opened our minds and ears. The system was already installed on the car when it arrived, so it was a very pleasant surprise for the Club and left a lasting impression. The Tubi exhaust accentuates and amplifies the famously high strung Ferrari tenor in a mesmerizing way.

Shortly thereafter, we replaced our 2002 Maserati Spyder with a red 2003 Maserati Spyder and took the opportunity to have the dealer upgrade to Tubi. That car, which remains very popular in the Club today, sounds like a muscular Italian torque monster, which is to say it sounds awesome. The stock exhaust is quiet, unassuming and lack luster. With Tubi, it has a meaty growl and announces itself as an extroverted touring car.

Then, we bought a Lotus Elise, which also suffers the fate of a docile, limp stock exhaust. The Lotus dealer in Torrance did the upgrade for us when we bought it. While it is not Tubi, it is a Lotus Stage 2 exhaust kit that truly redefines the nature of the car. Every time the car comes to a stop, you are coerced into blipping the throttle to hear the raspy note that turns an otherwise small four-cylinder into a monster. However, it is not one of those annoying boy-racer tuner exhausts or Lotus wouldn't install it. One bummer about the Lotus Stage 2 exhaust tips is that you can't see them because they point straight down at the concrete to increase reverberation (which is why I couldn't take a useful photo of the exhaust tips for the blog...). I'll trade aesthetics any day for better sound.

I highly recommend inquiring with me if you have questions about deciding whether or not to spend the effort and money to upgrade your exhaust. Not all cars gain the sound benefits and a few of the newer exotics are designed such that you can't use Tubi and in other cases the manufacturers have realized that they can tune the exhaust note to perfection themselves without their clients having to spend an additional $4,000 - $8,000. Happy revving.

Labels: aftermarket exhaust, Club Sportiva, exotic car share club, sport exhaust upgrade, Tubi exhaust, tuned exhaust