997.2 centre silencer removal

[alexisn]

It would seem that the removal of the centre silencer is only really catered for in the States with the use of cross over pipes or X pipe systems. Would seem a pretty simple thing to produce cross over pipes but they seem v expensive, any experiences ?

[Ian_UK1]

Hi Alex

One of the first things I did to my 997S.2 was replace the centre silencer. I bought a crossover pipe from Sharkwerks (California firm run by an ex-pat Brit). Nice quality and decent fit.

Don't believe all the BS about being able to do the installation from under the car (unless you have access to a proper overhead ramp). There are several rusty bolts you can't reach if you try this at home! Removal of the standard centre silencer & installation of the cross pipe is made vastly easier if you remove the rear PU and heat shields (only a few bolts - takes about 30 mins) as this gives you all-round access to the exhaust components.

After installation, make sure everything's lined-up - particularly the sleeves that connect the centre pipe/silencer to the side cans (and don't over-tighten them). Fire the car up before re-assembling the heat shields/PU to make sure you've no leaks and off you go.

The cross-pipe does improve the sound of the car. (How could it fail to? The standard car doesn't make any sound at all)! There's also a claimed, small increase in power, but I can't say I really noticed it. It does makes sense that the exhaust should flow a little better with the two, sharp, U-bends inside the standard silencer removed though.

If you need any assistance, let me know - I'm just up the road in Manchester.

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Monday 13th January 10:27

[alexisn]

Thanks Ian, I was hoping for a supply in the UK, did you import yours ?

[Baylon]

Speak to Hayward and Scott (www.haywardandscott.com/). They are UK based and they fabricated a centre bypass pipe for my 997 GT3 at a fraction of the cost for the Sharkwerks equivalent.

[Ian_UK1]

alexisn said:

Thanks Ian, I was hoping for a supply in the UK, did you import yours ?

Yes, bought it from Sharkwerks directly - they shipped it here. I had to pay VAT or Import Duty or both, I think. (Can't remember exactly now). Good aftersales too. One of the band clamps that came with the pipe broke, almost a year after I'd installed it. I couldn't get one to match here, so I mailed Sharkwerks. A few days later 4 new ones appeared - sent by Sharkwerks at their own expense. Unexpected and very welcome.

[alexisn]

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

[DiscoColin]

alexisn said:

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

If you take the car on track then louder obviously could restrict which days you can do and if you had a warranty claim on any part of the exhaust system it would obviously be an issue, but other than that : not really. I know a couple of people with them and might think about it myself at some point.

[alexisn]

Hayward and Scott don't list the cross over pipes for the S only for the GT3 maybe if enough want them then they may do a run.

[Ekona]

If they do, I'd be interested in one.

[alexisn]

Hayward and Scott don't make pipes for the 997.2 only for the GT3, At present. they don't have a pattern for these nor it would seem much demand. They saY that if anyone has a pattern they could copy or leave their car with them for a while or even a centre box then they could make them up.

[Ian_UK1]

alexisn said:

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

No drawbacks at all - it's a very subtle mod. Cabin noise at cruise is actually reduced as a slight boominess that's present at motorway speeds with the standard exhaust is gone. Even under load, there's only a little more noise inside, but it sounds far better with the windows open! Whilst there is now some exhaust noise, it's not of the kind that will attract unwanted attention or cause issues on track days. It's just not that loud.

If you want R E A L L Y - L O U D on a 997S.2 - go Tubi. It's INSANE! (Ask me how I know)!

ETA - Tubi actually = beyond description insane. Think about full throttle, anywhere, and every boy in blue within a mile radius will be competing to arrest you first. Mental! (Needless to say it sounds absolutely sensational maxed-out and it's really the fault of the police, politicians, lefties, BRAKE, minorities, pressure groups, the electric car lobby, miserable bas*ards everywhere, etc. etc. that we can't enjoy it and have fun).

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Wednesday 15th January 12:37

[Sierra Mike]

Ian_UK1 said:

alexisn said:

Thanks Ian, I was hoping for a supply in the UK, did you import yours ?

Yes, bought it from Sharkwerks directly - they shipped it here. I had to pay VAT or Import Duty or both, I think. (Can't remember exactly now). Good aftersales too. One of the band clamps that came with the pipe broke, almost a year after I'd installed it. I couldn't get one to match here, so I mailed Sharkwerks. A few days later 4 new ones appeared - sent by Sharkwerks at their own expense. Unexpected and very welcome.

You can buy the Sharkwerks muffler bypass from a UK supplier here:
http://ow.ly/sBxei

Although they state it's for the GT3. It's probably worth a phone call.

[Sierra Mike]

DiscoColin said:

alexisn said:

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

If you take the car on track then louder obviously could restrict which days you can do

Here's a track day workaround for the Sharkwerks muffler bypass:

http://ow.ly/sBygY

[DiscoColin]

Sierra Mike said:

DiscoColin said:

alexisn said:

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

If you take the car on track then louder obviously could restrict which days you can do

Here's a track day workaround for the Sharkwerks muffler bypass:

http://ow.ly/sBygY

I am intimately familiar with it (and have distributed a number of vacuum caps to track day goers), but while it does work and is a great solution to beating the static test, all day running is not ideal as it both strangles the top end of the power band a bit and causes the side boxes to run much hotter than designed (which in the long run is probably going to reduce their life somewhat). So while I have done it myself (necessary on even a standard car for the Donington drive by) it isn't an optimal solution and a set of dbkillers to bolt on to the tail pipes when required are probably best acquired by anyone deleting the centre silencer.

[Sierra Mike]

DiscoColin said:

Sierra Mike said:

DiscoColin said:

alexisn said:

Thanks Fellas, very useful. Are there any drawbacks to this mod, I have heard of vibration on tick over ?

If you take the car on track then louder obviously could restrict which days you can do

Here's a track day workaround for the Sharkwerks muffler bypass:

http://ow.ly/sBygY

I am intimately familiar with it (and have distributed a number of vacuum caps to track day goers), but while it does work and is a great solution to beating the static test, all day running is not ideal as it both strangles the top end of the power band a bit and causes the side boxes to run much hotter than designed (which in the long run is probably going to reduce their life somewhat). So while I have done it myself (necessary on even a standard car for the Donington drive by) it isn't an optimal solution and a set of dbkillers to bolt on to the tail pipes when required are probably best acquired by anyone deleting the centre silencer.

Good to know - thanks!

[alexisn]

Can't imagine them being too noisy, after all you are only really going to the 997.1 setup ish! They do cost a lot from the States for what they are. Don't know whether they might do in mild steel and replace them with the centre box when selling the car.