Sharkwerks Bypass on 997.2 GTS
Discussion
Hi,
I know there has been a lot of interest in the Sharkwerks exhaust bypass system for the 997 (specifically the 997.2 with it's quieter standard system)and 991 GT3.
The standard 997.2 system basically includes manifold/cats that come off each bank that then feed into single central muffler/silencer unit, where the feed from each bank does a u-turn, feeding back out to the kidney-shaped muffler/silencer behind each wheel, and from there out to the tips. In the GTS and other 997.2's with the Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE) option there are vacuum operated flaps on each of the kidney mufflers that open and close to make the system louder and quieter.
In the pic below you can see the full system, with the headers/cats, feeding into the central muffler, and then back out to the kidney mufflers behind the rear wheels and then out to the tips.
The Sharkwerks bypass pipes basically replace the initial central muffler. It remove the tight u-turn inside that central muffler by allowing the exhaust gasses to cross over from one side of the exhaust system and car to the other. It provides a smoother path for the exhaust gasses from the cats to the kidney mufflers. And of course it removes a layer of silencing from the standard exhaust system. Importantly for some, installing the bypass pipes on a car fitted with a PSE means that the car still retains its switcheable exhaust feature.
So the after receiving my system the first point of note was how well the bypass system was packaged and that it included quite comprehensive fitting instructions and parts to complete a standard install. Inspection of the pipes showed some lovely detail and very nice workmanship.
Unfortunately in my excitment I ripped the pipes out of the packaging without getting a shot of it, but it comes fully suspended/supported in nice shapped and cut holders.
Yesterday I spent the morning with Mike at Sports and Classic in his new workshop at Monks Heath between Macclesfield, Knutsford and Alderley Edge and watched and held tools while he installed one on my relatively-new-to-me 997.2 GTS
Being one of the older and higher mileage 997 GTS's around, the condition of the existing exhaust system was as to be expected. Notably corroded flange nuts and bolts where the centre muffler meets the cats.
These needed to be heated up and chiselled off. A bit of a pain and by far the most time-consuming aspect of the install. I would expect that a newer or lower-mileage car would not have such corroded nuts making the install far easier.
Luckily the sliding sleaves that join the centre muffler to the outer kidney mufflers were fine.
This is with the centre muffler removed.
And this is with the bypass pipe installed.
And new flange nuts and bolt.
Total installion time was 1 hour 35 minutes.
The result?
Well it sounds completely different. In a good way. With the exhaust switched off, as others have reported, it is marginally louder. With the exhaust switched on it is very noticeable. Driving between buildings or through tunnels and underpasses you can instantly tell the difference with the noise bouncing off the walls around you.
I did over a hundred miles in it yesterday over a mix of roads and motorways and can confirm that there is no drone at all at any revs. Just a really well judged increase in aural output.
A huge thanks to Mike at Sports and Classic for fitting me in at such short notice. His new unit with 4 ramps is starting to look really good and as ever his knowledge, skill and professionalism is top drawer.
Right, off for some milk
Jack
I know there has been a lot of interest in the Sharkwerks exhaust bypass system for the 997 (specifically the 997.2 with it's quieter standard system)and 991 GT3.
The standard 997.2 system basically includes manifold/cats that come off each bank that then feed into single central muffler/silencer unit, where the feed from each bank does a u-turn, feeding back out to the kidney-shaped muffler/silencer behind each wheel, and from there out to the tips. In the GTS and other 997.2's with the Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE) option there are vacuum operated flaps on each of the kidney mufflers that open and close to make the system louder and quieter.
In the pic below you can see the full system, with the headers/cats, feeding into the central muffler, and then back out to the kidney mufflers behind the rear wheels and then out to the tips.
The Sharkwerks bypass pipes basically replace the initial central muffler. It remove the tight u-turn inside that central muffler by allowing the exhaust gasses to cross over from one side of the exhaust system and car to the other. It provides a smoother path for the exhaust gasses from the cats to the kidney mufflers. And of course it removes a layer of silencing from the standard exhaust system. Importantly for some, installing the bypass pipes on a car fitted with a PSE means that the car still retains its switcheable exhaust feature.
So the after receiving my system the first point of note was how well the bypass system was packaged and that it included quite comprehensive fitting instructions and parts to complete a standard install. Inspection of the pipes showed some lovely detail and very nice workmanship.
Unfortunately in my excitment I ripped the pipes out of the packaging without getting a shot of it, but it comes fully suspended/supported in nice shapped and cut holders.
Yesterday I spent the morning with Mike at Sports and Classic in his new workshop at Monks Heath between Macclesfield, Knutsford and Alderley Edge and watched and held tools while he installed one on my relatively-new-to-me 997.2 GTS
Being one of the older and higher mileage 997 GTS's around, the condition of the existing exhaust system was as to be expected. Notably corroded flange nuts and bolts where the centre muffler meets the cats.
These needed to be heated up and chiselled off. A bit of a pain and by far the most time-consuming aspect of the install. I would expect that a newer or lower-mileage car would not have such corroded nuts making the install far easier.
Luckily the sliding sleaves that join the centre muffler to the outer kidney mufflers were fine.
This is with the centre muffler removed.
And this is with the bypass pipe installed.
And new flange nuts and bolt.
Total installion time was 1 hour 35 minutes.
The result?
Well it sounds completely different. In a good way. With the exhaust switched off, as others have reported, it is marginally louder. With the exhaust switched on it is very noticeable. Driving between buildings or through tunnels and underpasses you can instantly tell the difference with the noise bouncing off the walls around you.
I did over a hundred miles in it yesterday over a mix of roads and motorways and can confirm that there is no drone at all at any revs. Just a really well judged increase in aural output.
A huge thanks to Mike at Sports and Classic for fitting me in at such short notice. His new unit with 4 ramps is starting to look really good and as ever his knowledge, skill and professionalism is top drawer.
Right, off for some milk
Jack
Update to this thread for people searching this in the future or who are thinking about this mod:
I was at the RS day at Oulton the other day (March 2015) and I asked them to noise test me. I have PSE on my car and the Sharkwerks bypass.
On static test it was coming in at only 101db with the exhaust in quiet mode.
By comparison my 996 GT3 with completely stock exhaust consistently records 105-107db on static.
Jack
I was at the RS day at Oulton the other day (March 2015) and I asked them to noise test me. I have PSE on my car and the Sharkwerks bypass.
On static test it was coming in at only 101db with the exhaust in quiet mode.
By comparison my 996 GT3 with completely stock exhaust consistently records 105-107db on static.
Jack
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