[FormulaDynamics]

2.5" on the Maserati. Larini is the same size. The Maserati does not have much back pressure once the mufflers and X-pipe have been installed. The only remaining restriction is under the steering rack. We'll have something for that soon.

Once we go with forced induction this may be a problem, however we'll cross that bridge soon enough.

 

[FormulaDynamics]

The drag race paint trick has to do with temperature so that you don't crack your valves. The idea is that if the pipe is too short ( always use a min length of at least 18" ) then you can crack your valves by letting outside air ( which is much colder ) into the engine between pulses which will cause a crack due to expansion. By lengthening the pipe to the point where the paint no longer boils, you've allowed enough of a temperature buffer to be safe.

Backpressure can aide or restrict an engine. Basically it's all got to do with the design of the engine. The Maserati isn't the best, but certainly is not the worst. You'll improve quite a bit with good mufflers and an X-pipe. For further performance HP Cats and the compression underneath the steering rack fix will help as well.

Best Regards,
-- Jeff