997.2 Exhaust Upgrades - Analysis/Options

[Get2Jaime]

I have a 2009 997.2 Carrera S, as we know the stock exhaust system for the DFI engines is fairly tame.

Based on desk based research and youtube, seems like there are a mindfield of options. Current options to date below:

- Retrofit PSE - Seems variable reviews and minimal benefit due to restricted valve control, limited noise improvement
- Tubi Upgrade - Seems a lot like PSE but a tad louder
- Fabspeed Upgrade - Has the highs muffled more, not as loud at mid rpms somewhat deeper sounding
- AWE Upgrade - Stock like quiet at idle and around town and more puffy air sounding. Very quiet mufflers a little more growl than stock.
- Borla Upgrade - Probably the deepest sounding with very muffled highs.
- Cargraphic Upgrade - Seems an in between the PSE/Tubi and Fabspeed sound.
- FVD Street Upgrade - Seems to sound very much like the Tubi system but slightly more aggressive and deeper, costs less, and you get more HP/TQ.

Anyone with any experiences or views, i'm currently steering toward the FVD upgrade at this stage? Have I overlooked any options not listed?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[Get2Jaime]

Ian_UK1 said:

1) Get yourself a bypass pipe from Sharkwerks in the USA - it replaces the centre silencer with 2 straight pipes. Alex, who owns Sharkwerks is an ex-pat Brit, living/working in California and a good guy to deal with. Import the part directly (Alex will ship it to you) and you won't have to pay for anyone else's profit. www.sharkwerks.com

2) Exchange your side cans for a pair of Gert Carnewal's custom modified units. He calls them the 'GT' now (used to be RSRs) but I believe they're the same part. The silencers are modded internally and you simply can't tell they've ever been touched from the outside. Deeper and more purposeful sounding than standard. www.carnewal.be

You can install all the bits yourself (take off the rear PU and heat shields first - it only takes about 25 mins. and is far easier than trying to get everything out from under the car).

Enjoy!

Thanks for the replies, all useful insight and some great feedback from Ian on the specific options.

I like the idea of the above as a pragmatic option, is it possible to complete the bypass pipe without replacing the side cans? If so, what is the likely outcome from a noise perspective?

Ta

[Get2Jaime]

gerlewis said:

What about the Gundo Hack?

The reason I ask is I am considering a 997. and am thinking, if the one I get doesnt have PSE, wether it would be worth getting the Gundo Hack?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Possible, however the concept of welding the exhaust on a £50k car puts me off....I'd rather throw £500 and it, but not £6k to upgrade the exhaust + the cross over pipes look pretty!

[Get2Jaime]

gerlewis said:

Fair point about the welding on a 50k car.

When you say ".I'd rather throw £500 and it, but not £6k to upgrade the exhaust"
What does that mean exactly?

" + the cross over pipes look pretty!"
do you have any pics? Is this something that can be seen when standing next to the car?

1.) The varying list of options I've mentioned above are a full range of exhaust options. The one which Ian mentions the Cargraphicts is circa £6k so an upper end option, link below:
http://www.cargraphicts.com/en/products/exhaust-sy...

2.) Look at a picture of the Gundo hack, then look at a properly designed and machined Sharkwerks (£500ish to buy) option for example:
http://www.sharkwerks.com/products.php?pid=193
I doubt you'll see them standing near to the car, but you'll know it is there!

[Get2Jaime]

Ian_UK1 said:

Yes it is - in fact, this is the route I took - bypass first, followed by adding the Carnewal silencers.

If you go to Sharkwerks' site, there are sound clips on there that will give you an outline of what you'll get with the bypass and standard silencers. (Usual caveat re Internet sound clips applies)! It's not a bad combo at all and light years ahead of the 'silent' standard system on the 997S.2. Adding the Carnewal silencers just rounded-out the sound, making it slightly deeper and more purposeful than the bypass alone.

Unfortunately, I can't record the sound of my car for you. I don't have a device to record to, other than a smartphone (the sound quality of which is so bad, it would sound nothing like the car does in reality). However, if you're anywhere near Manchester in the near future, I'd be happy to meet and let you hear my car in person.

Thanks again Ian, will have a look at the clips to give me an idea. I think I'm going to follow your route and go with the bypass first and see how we get on!

Appreciate the offer, unfortunately in the midlands other wise i'd be straight round :-)

[Get2Jaime]

Thanks, this seems like a bargain compared to the £11k Techart power upgrade kit! Kit comprises:

TECHART ECU Management
TECHART sport air filter
TECHART exhaust manifolds
TECHART sports catalysts

[Get2Jaime]

gerlewis said:

Im still learning about these cars, but does this seem logical:

Try a gundo hack,
if you dont like it, its only cost a few hundred pounds, then buy the exhaust you fancied instead?

I think if you owned one, you'd have a different outlook...

[Get2Jaime]

hondansx said:

The Gundo Hack is a waste of time on the Gen 2 anyway.

Ian's view is true, it is permanent and less than elegant!

HondaNSX - Why is it a waste of time out of interest?

[Get2Jaime]

hondansx said:

No real change in noise volume, unlike the Gen 1.

Given it is very easy to fit in comparison to changing the backbox, i think i'll order the Sharkwerks Centre Pipes - as Ian recommends - because they make the best case.

http://sharkwerks.com/porsche/porsche-modification...

Wonder if we could get a group buy going?

Edited by hondansx on Friday 8th August 10:53

Yes, I would be interested also.....

[Get2Jaime]

hondansx said:

Cool. Well i've spoken to Sharkwerks and the UK distributor is Regal Automotive. It's not listed on their website so i'll give them a call and see what the minimum is for a group buy discount.

If anyone's a member of other forums, see if you can spread the news

Great thanks, appreciated...

[Get2Jaime]

Nero44 said:

Emailed Alex and he indicated that there wasn't a discount to be had, so have ordered direct. Will keep you updated!

Not fitting it myself, I am having it sent to Paragon and they will do it for me

Looking forward to hearing the difference!

Do you mind confirming how much you have paid for the pipe and for fitting via Paragon? Who have you ordered directly from?

Thanks

[Get2Jaime]

Pretty jealous of your trip too....

Still! looking forward to the inevitable videos of said exhaust!

[Get2Jaime]

Nero44 said:

Well slightly later than planned, it has been fitted. Took the car to Paragon yesterday and looked at the part - as it was sent direct to them. They were very impressed with workmanship. Pick up the car tomorrow evening so will give a full report but thought I'd add a couple of pics

When I spoke to them this avo, asked for their initial feedback and they were extremely positive. Hope to be as impressed!

(oh and the Singapore GP was epic!)

Great, thanks for the update. Pleased you enjoyed the GP, it was a great race. Will you do a video?

Looks good on the car...

[Get2Jaime]

chrisABP said:

With the exhaust on standard quiet setting it isn’t a great deal louder – maybe 10% better than the original system but once you open the system valves it sounds glorious. Almost dare I say like a 997 GT3 which is definitely no bad thing. Drove the car last night with the valves open and had a permanent smile on my face as it now sounds like I wanted & envisaged my first 911 to sound.

Hi Chris, when you say the valves open/closed. Do you mean with the standard PSE installed on your GTS?

[Get2Jaime]

chrisABP said:

Initial batch of Sharkwerks 997.2 exhaust upgrades have arrived and most have been dispatched!

Something tells mew that there are going to be a lot more 'vocally satisfied' 911 drivers out there very soon....

Ha, brilliant!

Is this full batch sold? Are you having a further batch, budgetary constraints at the mo but will be back in touch.

[Get2Jaime]

Once fitted, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the upgrade?

[Get2Jaime]

johnny-b said:

I am in the same position with mine, no PSE and considering the Sharkwerks. Would like to have a listen when you get in done, if you don't mind.

Likewise, obviously I started this thread and have held off due to lack of PSE feature in my car...

[Get2Jaime]

johnny-b said:

Is you car without Sport Sport+ also?

I have Sport Chrono pack installed, just no PSE. I wasnt aware this button made any difference to the exhaust sound though....How about yours?

[Get2Jaime]

johnny-b said:

Mine is without Sport Chrono so I've just had Sport/sport+ retrofitted so no clock on dash, I was just presuming yours was a fairly base spec like mine and going to recommend the Sport retrofit.

Ah I see, thanks for the heads up...it has plenty of extras, just no PSE :-(

[Get2Jaime]

Magic919 said:

My C2S had no PSE. I'm fairly sure it wasn't an option at the time, as it's an early Gen 2 car. I had it retrofitted in the end.

It's been discussed before, how much did you pay for this if you dont mind me asking and via the OPC?