Hey everyone, I know this has been done a few times over on this forum and I've already searched and read a lot of information which was very helpful but I'm having trouble actually making the decision. I have a 991 C2S w/o PSE. I am looking for a loud, attention grabbing exhaust as this is not a daily driver, but I want to find that very thin line between "I can't enjoy my Burmester" and "I wish it were a little louder" if that makes any sense.


In one corner is an extremely reputable shop locally who builds top end engines for Subarus mainly but does a ton of work on very high end sports cars, mostly Porsche but some Italian exotics as well. The owner of that shop has been pretty clear that he wants to use one of two items on my car:


AWE Switchpath - he states this is just an x-pipe but is probably the best x-pipe I can get and will be a simple install. My hangup with this product is the fact that I have heard from two people that the AWE welds are notorious for cracking. Both people who told me that said AWE will take care of me and are the best with customer service, but it's still a pain to go through.


iPE Innotech - The YouTube videos sound incredible, the shop has installed a few of these and they are very impressed with the quality and fitment of the system, but I have a two major hangups with it: it's Taiwanese made meaning customer service will be a mess to deal with, and the valves are remote controlled. In theory having remote controlled valves is great, you can set it to quiet which will be slightly louder than stock or you can set it to loud and destroy your ear drums. Unfortunately in my experience it is one of those setups that is just going to be a broken headache later, I don't really like the idea of having an electronic brain running my exhaust... just too many moving parts.


The other shop is giving me an even broader range of options but seems to be catering to a different customer so they don't talk to me like I'm interested in the quality of the item, how it will hold up long term, or the subtle differences between one piece and the other. They gave me two options:


SharkWerks: Honestly, I looked on their website and just shook my head in a "what the ****" way. These look really cheap... really cheap! It looks like something that would be built at the local muffler shop in an afternoon, and the sound bits are not impressive to me on their website. I want to believe that I am just being negative and it's actually better than I think it is, but at $795 I don't think that's possible.


Tubi - Sure, the name is big with the exotic guys and the price isn't too bad but it doesn't do much for me in the sound department. I'm curious what these things actually sound like because on youtube videos I leave thinking that because it's tubi it must sound better in real life.






I am open to any and all opinions, advice or recommendations that anyone can give me. I'd like to get something ordered soon and based on the above information I'm curious what anyone might recommend to me. Honestly, at this point I'm leaning toward AWE because I like the way it sounds, with iPE being my second choice because it sounds even better, but I'm really nervous about that electronic control system. Both shops have given me a very streetable and daily driving friendly option and a loud option and I just can't figure out what is a good answer for me. Sorry for rambling, thank you for reading, and I look forward to your input.


John


Retailers - Do not contact me, your PMs will be ignored. This is a request for advice and assistance from members of the forum with experience and knowledge, not a request for a sales pitch. I shop local and I will not engage in discussion with retailers outside of the two shops in Phoenix that I am comfortable with.

 

ipe quality will be top notch. Haven't heard of any issues with valvetronic systems failing from customers. If you don't NEED to have valves, doing just an x-pipe will save you a huge amount of time/money.

Also, isnt the switchpath only for PSE equipped vehicles?

 

I'm not sure about switchpath being only for PSE, their website says "Specific designs for both PSE and Non-PSE cars".


I can't get a good read on the AWE vs. iPE volume difference, i.e. is AWE in between the two iPE settings?

 

I have the Kline Iconel. It is awesome. Really gritty but in the right way and the build quality was fantastic. Coming from 3 previous Europipe exhausts I was impressed.
Good luck in your search.

 

I believe it is the switchpath for PSE and for non-PSE it is just their performance exhaust. Tough to say on sound between all 3. I know that the IPE is really similar to Armytrix which has a pretty significant difference between open/closed.

AWE, or most brands of stainless steel x-pipe replacements, will probably be inbetween ipe open/closed sound levels.

 

I would check protomotive

 

I can help you acquire pretty much anything that meets your taste. After discussion we can narrow it down more. I have done several cars with the Kline Innovation system and it's outstanding! Feel free to shoot me a text or email if I can help

 

Kline! Hands down.. I have had THREE different ones. I know.

 

Sometimes this place feels like trying to walk through the mall while avoiding the people trying to give you things at a kiosk.

 

My vote is for the SwitchPath. I wish my GT3 sounded more like my 991 C2S at times. Install was simple and fit was great. I've begged them to make one for the GT3.

 

I concur with Money. AWE is something else.

 

I had IPE on my 987 and it was great. Added a bunch of tq (dyno tested) after a tune with valves open, and very liveable with when they were closed. I had the valve wired to my PSE button so all looked completely standard (apart from the blue titanium tips!) and looked to be very high quality. I had it on the car for 2 years and I know the new owner well and he likes it too.

 

I was already leaning toward AWE and a couple of you sealed the deal for me by singing high praises, so I pulled the trigger yesterday.


Now the waiting game begins.


Thank you for your help everyone.

 

If money was no object then akrapovic is the way to go. Amazing sound and quality.
Pity I can't afford one.

 

For me these fall into the "can afford but don't want to afford" category.