997.2 Exhaust Upgrades - Analysis/Options
Discussion
So, thoughts on the Sharkwerks after the first 40 or so miles on a 997 GTS….
PSE off mode
When in PSE off mode you can still definitely tell that the exhaust has a little something extra. In standard form pre this mod, the exhaust rarely sounded sporty in any way in PSE off mode. Yes the car still sounded great due to the flat 6 noises coming through the cabin, particularly in the last 1000 rpm of the GTS due to the additional intake noise, but it was never that great from the exhaust itself.
Post this mod you occasionally would wonder if the sports exhaust is on (when it is off). This is only at large throttle openings as most of the time it seems to be almost standard but with just that little bit extra. I think this is probably what you would expect a standard non PSE exhaust should be like, so maybe it removes the disappointment of the 997.2 muted standard exhaust? It certainly wouldn’t raise the eyebrows of neighbours when manoeuvring or driving away, any more than the PSE off mode would do before the mod.
Note: If I had a 997.2 with standard exhaust AND if the standard 997.2 exhaust with Sharkwerks sounded like my car with Sharkwerks in PSE off mode, I would be a little disappointed, as although nicer, it does not transform the car IMHO.
PSE on mode
This is more like it. The difference between PSE off and on is now much more significant, more volume, more gurgles on trailing throttle (and no unfortunately it doesn’t suddenly become a Cayman GTS popping on a trailing throttle). However it retains the clean Porsche OEM tones but just more of them everywhere in the rev range. Where previously I only really enjoyed PSE on mode when it started to sing in 2nd gear at 4k RPM, post Sharkwerks it is singing almost all of the time and singing louder at all throttle openings and rpm. Windows up there are no unwanted vibrations or drone. The car sounds very “factory” and not aftermarket at all, as you would have liked and imagined a PSE to be. For those of you who have had time in one, I think close to a 996 C4S with PSE on mode maybe. I love it so far!
Performance
I have no idea. Anyone who can sense circa 10 BHP on a 400BHP+ car is better than me!
Disappointments
Just one, if you expecting to see the highly mirror polished stainless steel pipes that are used on the Sharkwerks website pics you will be disappointed when the system arrives. Build quality and welding seem excellent, but the system is the normal dull stainless steel (as seen in the majority of pics of the system on the rest of the internet).
Summary
All in all, I am very, very happy with this mod so far. This is how I wished the PSE was originally with a big difference between on and off mode, whilst retaining all of the lovely key tones throughout the rev range that Porsche has probably worked for many man years to create. On my GTS the last 1000 RPM are even more epic with PSE on. I would caution anyone considering this mod if they do not have PSE to think this would be the first step of exhaust mods. If you have PSE, this brings it to life and for me seems to be a perfect blend of refined noisiness!
More road time may change my views, but so far, so good!
PSE off mode
When in PSE off mode you can still definitely tell that the exhaust has a little something extra. In standard form pre this mod, the exhaust rarely sounded sporty in any way in PSE off mode. Yes the car still sounded great due to the flat 6 noises coming through the cabin, particularly in the last 1000 rpm of the GTS due to the additional intake noise, but it was never that great from the exhaust itself.
Post this mod you occasionally would wonder if the sports exhaust is on (when it is off). This is only at large throttle openings as most of the time it seems to be almost standard but with just that little bit extra. I think this is probably what you would expect a standard non PSE exhaust should be like, so maybe it removes the disappointment of the 997.2 muted standard exhaust? It certainly wouldn’t raise the eyebrows of neighbours when manoeuvring or driving away, any more than the PSE off mode would do before the mod.
Note: If I had a 997.2 with standard exhaust AND if the standard 997.2 exhaust with Sharkwerks sounded like my car with Sharkwerks in PSE off mode, I would be a little disappointed, as although nicer, it does not transform the car IMHO.
PSE on mode
This is more like it. The difference between PSE off and on is now much more significant, more volume, more gurgles on trailing throttle (and no unfortunately it doesn’t suddenly become a Cayman GTS popping on a trailing throttle). However it retains the clean Porsche OEM tones but just more of them everywhere in the rev range. Where previously I only really enjoyed PSE on mode when it started to sing in 2nd gear at 4k RPM, post Sharkwerks it is singing almost all of the time and singing louder at all throttle openings and rpm. Windows up there are no unwanted vibrations or drone. The car sounds very “factory” and not aftermarket at all, as you would have liked and imagined a PSE to be. For those of you who have had time in one, I think close to a 996 C4S with PSE on mode maybe. I love it so far!
Performance
I have no idea. Anyone who can sense circa 10 BHP on a 400BHP+ car is better than me!
Disappointments
Just one, if you expecting to see the highly mirror polished stainless steel pipes that are used on the Sharkwerks website pics you will be disappointed when the system arrives. Build quality and welding seem excellent, but the system is the normal dull stainless steel (as seen in the majority of pics of the system on the rest of the internet).
Summary
All in all, I am very, very happy with this mod so far. This is how I wished the PSE was originally with a big difference between on and off mode, whilst retaining all of the lovely key tones throughout the rev range that Porsche has probably worked for many man years to create. On my GTS the last 1000 RPM are even more epic with PSE on. I would caution anyone considering this mod if they do not have PSE to think this would be the first step of exhaust mods. If you have PSE, this brings it to life and for me seems to be a perfect blend of refined noisiness!
More road time may change my views, but so far, so good!
Callughan said:
C4Sman you seem to like it but not be overtly impressed. Saying that its a simple mod with good results,
I tried to be balanced in the write up so that anyone considering it gets a real view as opposed to someone gushing, just because they have just spent their own cash and wants to feel good about it. Don't confuse that with not being genuinely impressed. I am impressed and happy. So far for me, this is the perfect and only exhaust mod I think I would ever have for a PSE equipped 997.2. C4sman I think you have summed up the Sharkwerks upgrade very well indeed!
As I have said before it makes the GTS sound like it should have sounded from the factory (but unfortunately didn't!)
Your comments are similar to other purchasers so all good.
I would like to hear one on a non PSE equipped 997.2 but so far they have all gone to PSE cars...
We have orders now for 991 GT3 Sharkwerks and I'm thinking these are going to sound awesome...
Chris
As I have said before it makes the GTS sound like it should have sounded from the factory (but unfortunately didn't!)
Your comments are similar to other purchasers so all good.
I would like to hear one on a non PSE equipped 997.2 but so far they have all gone to PSE cars...
We have orders now for 991 GT3 Sharkwerks and I'm thinking these are going to sound awesome...
Chris
C4sman I think you have summed up the Sharkwerks upgrade very well indeed!
As I have said before it makes the GTS sound like it should have sounded from the factory (but unfortunately didn't!)
Your comments are similar to other purchasers so all good.
I would like to hear one on a non PSE equipped 997.2 but so far they have all gone to PSE cars...
We have orders now for 991 GT3 Sharkwerks and I'm thinking these are going to sound awesome...
Chris
As I have said before it makes the GTS sound like it should have sounded from the factory (but unfortunately didn't!)
Your comments are similar to other purchasers so all good.
I would like to hear one on a non PSE equipped 997.2 but so far they have all gone to PSE cars...
We have orders now for 991 GT3 Sharkwerks and I'm thinking these are going to sound awesome...
Chris
OK, so had my mine on for 24 hours as Chris knows so here is my review!
Whilst fitting should have been a breeze, unfortunately existing bolts on my OEM system were rusted on! Unfortunately that meant the angle grinder had to come out. In the end my mechanics took of the bumper and lights; they said it was easy. Your car may be fine but bear in mind the potential added labour.
From a cold startup with the sports button it certainly sounds louder. Better? Not so sure. From cold it sounded like a sort of exotic VW Beetle. With the Sharkwerks it sounds more Beetle than exotic!
On the cruise home, the good news is that there is zero drone at any point in the rev range. As with the standard PSE, the noise starts at about 3,000rpm but the Sharkwerks really sings at 4,000rpm with a really nice sounding sweet spot for the next 1,000rpm. Despite the cold weather, today i had the window open to enjoy bursts in 1st and 2nd gear!
Inside the car whilst cruising around there is not a big increase in noise at all really until you're at WOT. However, you become aware in carparks and tunnels that it's the people outside that benefit from the upgrade more than you do; it's appreciably louder than OEM in those scenarios!
Overall, as has been described, it is really what the PSE should have been from the start in terms of noise volume. As such, don't expect a race-car like noise. For the money, it's a nice intermediate step as it's not anti-social unless you choose to drive it aggressively.
I just read what i put and it doesn't look like riotous praise, but i am actually very happy with it!
Whilst fitting should have been a breeze, unfortunately existing bolts on my OEM system were rusted on! Unfortunately that meant the angle grinder had to come out. In the end my mechanics took of the bumper and lights; they said it was easy. Your car may be fine but bear in mind the potential added labour.
From a cold startup with the sports button it certainly sounds louder. Better? Not so sure. From cold it sounded like a sort of exotic VW Beetle. With the Sharkwerks it sounds more Beetle than exotic!
On the cruise home, the good news is that there is zero drone at any point in the rev range. As with the standard PSE, the noise starts at about 3,000rpm but the Sharkwerks really sings at 4,000rpm with a really nice sounding sweet spot for the next 1,000rpm. Despite the cold weather, today i had the window open to enjoy bursts in 1st and 2nd gear!
Inside the car whilst cruising around there is not a big increase in noise at all really until you're at WOT. However, you become aware in carparks and tunnels that it's the people outside that benefit from the upgrade more than you do; it's appreciably louder than OEM in those scenarios!
Overall, as has been described, it is really what the PSE should have been from the start in terms of noise volume. As such, don't expect a race-car like noise. For the money, it's a nice intermediate step as it's not anti-social unless you choose to drive it aggressively.
I just read what i put and it doesn't look like riotous praise, but i am actually very happy with it!
Thanks guys for the feedback, very useful. Any of you in central London? If so would be great to meet up to hear difference.
It sounds like this is a good mod to make the PSE what it could/should have been. But are you still left craving more sound?
To me the appeal of this system is to have a sound that is as close to original but a couple of notches louder. Will still probably look to get this mod at some point.
It sounds like this is a good mod to make the PSE what it could/should have been. But are you still left craving more sound?
To me the appeal of this system is to have a sound that is as close to original but a couple of notches louder. Will still probably look to get this mod at some point.
Here's the thing. I agree with hondansx in that it is not silly loud. But that is not what I wanted. I wanted it to sound like a loud factory PSE and I think it hits my spot. It is not loud in the car unless you wind the windows down, but that is all good with me as the tone of the sound in the car is spot on. I'm very happy and don't think I would want to go any further
FYI my other motor is a maserati granturismo S MCShift, so I know a good exhaust when I hear one!
FYI my other motor is a maserati granturismo S MCShift, so I know a good exhaust when I hear one!
Some great reviews and its always nice to see us 997.2 owners with the Sharkwerks upgrade actually agreeing on it!
Its a great cost effective upgrade to make your car sound like it 'should have' done from the factory with the PSE system on.
We have others arriving in soon along with some 991 GT3 and a pre-ordered 997.1 GT3 system which after seeing the videos are going to sound awesome!
Enjoy the noise, Chris
Its a great cost effective upgrade to make your car sound like it 'should have' done from the factory with the PSE system on.
We have others arriving in soon along with some 991 GT3 and a pre-ordered 997.1 GT3 system which after seeing the videos are going to sound awesome!
Enjoy the noise, Chris
Magic919 said:
I haven't fitted mine yet, but the descriptions match my expectations. I just want a bit more of the sound getting through.
I plan to add the switch, so the speed-dependant cutout doesn't quieten it
I am 99.9% sure a switch is not necessary on a gen 2 car as there is no speed related cut out. The Gen 1 PSE did have this but it didn't have the centre silencer so was louder and needed the cut out to comply with regs. I tested with the connector removed and found no difference compared with using the standard button so be careful before wasting time and money on this. I plan to add the switch, so the speed-dependant cutout doesn't quieten it
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