Maserati Ghibli Forum banner

Just Ordered a Kufatec Exhaust Sound Booster

34K views 30 replies 10 participants last post by  eddy  
#1 ·
I have been looking at these ever since I bought my car back in March and hesitated a number of times. I also own an Audi A6 BiTDi which has an amazing exhaust sound in dynamic mode (like a V8 petrol car I kid you not). I assumed that this was factory fit until recently I called into a car showroom to look at another car and they had the same A6 BiTDI in. The owner mentioned the exhaust sound and proceeded to demonstrate by switching the engine on even though I had already turned up in one. Anyway the sound wasn't anything like mine. So I switched my A6 engine on and the sound was night and day compared with the one in the showroom. So when I got home, I did some digging around and behind the boot lining, to my amazement, I found a Kufatec Sound Booster had been fitted by a previous owner.
So this has convinced me to part with my hard earned cash and this morning I have just placed an order for my Ghibli.
When I receive it and have fitted it, I will post my thoughts on here. Wish me luck!
 
#3 ·
So this has convinced me to part with my hard earned cash and this morning I have just placed an order for my Ghibli.
When I receive it and have fitted it, I will post my thoughts on here. Wish me luck!
Uhm... have you done some research before ordering it? I'm asking that because the diesel Ghiblis have this as standard, it was the first OEM application of this technology.
If you look carefully at the aftermarket diesel exhaust sound generators, they all come with the original Maserati sound generator, what you need for your Ghibli is another sound generator unit that lets you "tune" the sound.
 
#5 ·
Hi all,


Yes I have done some research. This kit is to boost the current diesel artificial sound system just like the system in my Audi. It's not a stand alone sound system with valve flaps that you have to connect to your exhaust system. This system is just a small box of wires that taps into your currect exhaust audio system. When fitted, standard mode sounds like our current sport mode (loudish) and the new sport mode sounds a lot louder. So in effect this box is tuning the current system as toshy as mentioned above.


As for choosing the Kufatec system over other manufacturers, I simple based this on discovered the same system fitted to my Audi which has the same type of manufacturer exhaust system fitted. I am over the moon with this on my Audi, its a no brainer to go with the same manufacturer.


As for cost it's 399 euros.
 
#7 ·
I simple based this on discovered the same system fitted to my Audi which has the same type of manufacturer exhaust system fitted. I am over the moon with this on my Audi, its a no brainer to go with the same manufacturer.
I'm pretty sure your Audi has more than a simple tone generator, cause they don't come as standard with this kind of system, it has something like this:-

Anyway, I'm curious about the result. Keep us posted.
 
#10 ·
Hi Fred,


Sorry for delay in replying, I wasn't aware of the notification system on this forum as I am still pretty new.


As for choosing and others on the fence, my opinion is that they are all much of a muchness. I was on the fence too but decided in the end that I have had my car for 6 months already and each day I don't take the plunge is a day wasted not enjoying the sound. So I would advise anyone even considering upgrading then quickly choose whatever make and just go ahead and buy it.
In my opinion, I do think they are overpriced for what they are, especially as the artificial exhaust system is already part of the OEM system and this is simply tricking/ tuning it. But in the end, I had to have this mod!
 
#11 ·
Hello. Im new in the Forum and happy over all These Informations.
I was happy with the Sound in Sport Modus on my Ghibli Diesel. Bunt Last Werk my Freund Show je his Mercedes C63 AMG and i Never Hear so Nice Sound. Im also Looking now fore the sound booster and im Note sure for the right Choice. I Look fo the Maxhaust, Kufatec Or Panthera.
The Maxhoust Are Plug and Play. He have some App to adjus everithing easy Or you adjustover the Tempomat. There Are 7 Different Modus for loudnes. Start sound and Manny for the Main Sound (formula1-V6-V8.....)
The Kufatec Are with some extra Switch to aktivate and ist Little bist dificult to install.
The Panthera also adjust over Tempomat and also have Remote Control. Easy instal plag and Play
All Systems around 399€
I think i will Order next Week the Maxhaust and let you Know-how its Works.
Sorry for my Bad English ;-)
Greetings from Germany Andy
 
#13 ·
Hi all,




My Kufatec exhaust booster arrived yesterday and I fitted it. It is fiddly and the instructions not that clear for someone who doesn't fit these on a regular basis. I am sure the person who wrote these instructions knew what they wanted to explain but it hasn't transpired in the set of instructions you download. The first part of instructions were good about telling you where your OEM module is located and roughly how to access it. Here's the bog thing that they should include, the panel clips which all virtually broke off. I saved the outer ones but I didn't know there were 4 central clips that you simply can't remove without breaking. I have proper panel trim removal tools but the central ones are not accessible. So they should include a set of 6 plastic clips in with the kit in my opinion for the price as they must be only a couple of Pounds/ Euros/ Dollars tops compared with the hassle of trying to order some.
The kit is now fitted and in sport mode sounds amazing. However I have some minor queries and problems which I have raised with them this morning.
Firstly, when I adjust the volume of standard and sport on the cruise control, it appears to revert back when I restart my car. I am not 100% sure but this is what it sounds like but I have only tested it a couple of times last night.
The other one is that in neutral the volume is louder than when the car is in drive but stationary? Is this right? I would prefer the sound to be the same i.e. loud but you can definitely hear the difference when you put the car into drive mode.
In conclusion, I am still very happy with doing this modification but fitting was a bit of a pain (took me an hour). I don't know what the other manufacturers are for fitting and adjustability etc but in general I would recommend getting a kit of this nature whether it be a Kufatec or other make as it does put a huge grin of your face when you drive the car!
I'll report back with any updates on what Kufatec come back with and also I still need to hook my laptop to it and see what adjustments I can make!
 
#14 ·
Not sure if it works the same way, but I watched a YouTube video of the Maxhaust system.
It showed the driver holding down the rocker switch (cruise cancel position). Also holding down the main cruise control on/off switch. Perhaps this is how you save the settings.
I would be interested, if you get the opportunity, to post a video of how your car sounds.
I too think the sound when in Sport mode is great, but wouldn't want the sound too intrusive all the time.
 
#15 ·
To add, in normal mode sounds like OEM sport mode and you can turn this up or down a little. In sport mode, it REALLY rumbles! So back to normal mode, whilst driving and windows up, you can't tell any difference from before I did the mode.
I will look at the instructions later but thanks for the tip on that front!
 
#16 ·
Hi all,




I have an important update from my previous post about it not remembering the settings and reverting back to default. I raised a ticket with Kufatec this morning and they called me for a Teamviever session. The connected via my laptop to the module and were able to see straight away that my module would revert back to default after I shut off the car. The default setting it 10 and the max volume is 16. After an hour or so on the phone, they rewrote a few lines of code on their firmware and uploaded to my module. It did take several attempts of coding but they got there in the end. It all now fixed and running as it should be.
I am over the moon with the results! The tech guy thinks it may have something to do with my car being an earlier model and their units being fitted to mainly later cars. Anyway, they have uploaded the latest firmware on their site in case any other owners with earlier cars having the same problem can sort it.
The sound on 16 on both normal and sport is very sweet and really puts a smile on my face. I will be recommending this product in future and especially the technical backup it comes with!




David
PS. Now to play with settings on my Audi and turn the volume up!
 
#18 ·
Hi Fred,




Easier said than done. I only have my phone to take a video and would need to take this by the exhaust end. Problem is getting someone to operate the sport button and revving it a bit.
Lastly I've never uploaded a video to a hosting site before, I assume it would be something like YouTube?
I'll see what I can do over the weekend.




David
 
#20 ·
Hello bud, I have been following the forum closely lately. I have got the Maserati Ghibli, 2015 model. I have just placed order for my sound booster from Amazon, which is same as yours I believe? You can control the sound intensity by using the sport button at the center console
Sport OFF = The sound intensity is like ex works with sport ON. Is that same as yours ? I was going to ask you was it easy to fit sound booster? I believe it?s back of car, do we require much DIY knowledge, as I?m terrible at it. :( How long did it take you from start to finish? (Inc wiring, connecting etc)? I might just get it fit by professional, hopefully for under ÂŁ50. Did you get a chance to the video Dave? Look forward to your kind reply. Much appreciated. :)
 
#21 ·
Hi Konark,




It sounds like the same system as mine. Fitting was a pain in my opinion because they were unclear. Now I've fitted the module, it was pretty easy if I had to do again. I can write you some additional instructions which will make the fitting instructions more sense if you like. It took me an about an hour but now I know where I went wrong and trying to understand bad instructions, this time would come down dramatically.
Gaining access to the unit is easy but you do break the clips unfortunately. I will have to order 4 new ones out of the 6.
I would recommend unbolting your old OEM module off the boot wall to make it easier taking the wiring plug off. It's only two 10mm nuts, one on the right you only need to loosen as the bracket on this side is a slot. The unit will slide off and then you can see the clip on the plug that you have to slide before the plug will release from the module.
After this, the thing that takes the longest time is carefully removing some of the outer plastic from the positive and negative wires to make your connections to.


When you have fitted the module and are adjusting it, the instructions aren't clear. They only became clear when I spoke to one of their tech team members over the phone. To raise or lower the volume, you press the cruise control level up or down and keep your finger on it for approx. 2 seconds then release. This raises or lowers by 1 increment and then you repeat the procedure. I was either pressing numerous times or keeping my finger on the button. Either way it wasn't working.




Where are you based BTW?






David
 
#22 ·
Hi David,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, much appreciated. Yes, I think I?m going to give it a shot in this case and if you get a chance if you could please kindly write additional instructions which will make the fitting a bit easier as you suggested.

I cannot wait for the delivery of Sound Booster. I read from others too, instructions are terrible and unfortunately does not make much sense. :( I?m based in London, UB5 area. How about yourself? :) Look forward to hear from you soon.

Thanks again for all your efforts.
Kind regards,
Konark
 
#24 ·
Hi David,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, much appreciated. Yes, I think I?m going to give it a shot in this case and if you get a chance if you could please kindly write additional instructions which will make the fitting a bit easier as you suggested.

I cannot wait for the delivery of Sound Booster. I read from others too, instructions are terrible and unfortunately does not make much sense.
Image
I?m based in London, UB5 area. How about yourself?
Image
Look forward to hear from you soon.

Thanks again for all your efforts.
Kind regards,
Konark
Good morning Konark,
I live pretty close to you in Harrow.
I have been reading with interest this discussion.
Whilst I am not desperate for a noisier exhaust, the sound in Sport mode is great, however I mostly drive in Normal or ICE mode.
Please let me know how you get on with fitting etc, and given our close proximity, if you were available, to meet at a convenient location for you to listen to the result, and find out how easy it was to fit.
Kind regards
Keith
 
#26 ·
Dave,


Many thanks for the response.
I am certainly very tempted, I have seen some video's on YouTube showing the Maxhaust unit as literally just a plug in system going in line with the existing unit.
I am thinking from what you have posted previously that its a little more complex with Kufatec and Maserati.
I emailed the UK distributor and am waiting to hear back.
Once again thanks for your reply.
Regards
Keith
 
#27 ·
Hi Keith,


If the Maxhaust is easier to fit then go with that for ease. I think they will all sound pretty much the same. I only went with the Kufatec because I found the unit in my Audi after I bought it and was happy with it in that car.
Plug and play does sound like the way to go though.




David
 
#28 · (Edited)
Morning Kieth,

I willl keep you posted bud, you dont live far at all. Im in Ruislip. As Dave mentioned earlier its certainly worth the investment. We can perhaps meet up over the weekend and you can see the results for yourself.

I just hope ,I manage to fit this successfully on my own, if not, I can always give you a shout for assistance if you dont mind. : )

Hope you are enjoying your car.

Konark
 
#29 ·
Morning Konark
Thanks for the response, and yes will be pleased to meet up and listen to the results one weekend. Not sure how much help I would be with the instal, but I spoke to Kufatec UK and they have a fitting service. They are based in Milton Keynes and say it takes about 90 minutes to fit. My car I believe as a 16my has the unit mounted under the passenger seat.
Incidentally the quoted me ÂŁ375 plus VAT for supply and fit.
Look forward to your results.
Regards
Keith