Oh no, another exhaust question!!!!

So, in my never ending quest for research, I've looked around and watched plenty of videos...but nothing is going to beat real world experiences by other 6 speed members.

On a scale from 1-10, please rate the overall sound level and/or droning qualities of the following setups for me. I realize that many people haven't owned all setups, but probably have buddies who have at least one variation of these for comparison sake. Assume the car is a 996TT with K16 turbos (although I doubt the K24s make a big difference...just not sure of that).

1. Stock exhaust
2. Fabspeed MaxFlo Sport exhaust (assuming 200 cell catalytic converters)
3. Fabspeed Muffler bypass with 200 cell catalytic converters
4. Fabspeed Muffler bypass with 100 cell catalytic converters (custom)
5. Fabspeed or AWE straight pipes

The only reason I used Fabspeed for the purposes of this is because they seem to offer pretty much every variation of exhaust I can think up, but for number 2 in particular I'm referring to any good aftermarket system that incorporates both catalytic converters and mufflers.

I'm assuming I listed the systems in descending order from quietest to loudest, but I'm hoping the 10 point scale might help to illustrate to myself and other 996TT newbies the dramatic differences between each stage of this scale.

Thanks in advance, and apologies for another exhaust sound thread...hoping it does prove to be helpful for those looking to buy some aftermarket exhaust parts though.

 

What exactly are you looking for? If you want something loud, with no drone and a ridiculous sound, get a cross over system like GMG and BBi offer.

To the OP, Fabspeed's old stuff used to have nutty drone. I've heard their new stuff (gen III) is better. Once you go muffler by pass pipes on this car the drone and noise are insanely loud. At 2-3 rpms you have to shout to the person in the passenger seat the drone is so bad. Great sound though. 100 and 200 cell cats wont make much difference in outside or inside noise level.

 

Steve,
I have a newer Fabspeed exhaust (I believe the MaxFlo sport) and it's not extremely loud. Upon initial startup/idle, the car sounds absolutely awesome...it quiets down as it warms up though. Not too loud in the car.
I'd say it's a 8.5 upon startup, and lowers to about a 6.5 during normal driving. I'll have to have someone drive the car away so I can actually hear what the car sounds like from the outside lol...
Jack

 

I just went from #1 to #3 (with K16s). At start up/cold, at least 3x louder and viscious! Once warm, idle like 1.5x louder but deep. Driving, forget about it, very heavy drone at low rpm/throttle and under power/acceleration the dash reverberates and all else is drowned out. Overall level 8 of 10 (to me). This is definately not something for the polished country club types . But for pure sports car nuts, the sound is intoxicating or orgasmic...which ever you prefer .

 

Just so it's clear, #3 is what I'm most interested in from my weight loss perspective, but I really want to know how #3, #4, and #5 differ. I'm assuming that #5 is truly hard to tolerate under most conditions based on feedback I've received, and am curious how much the cats quiet it down. I can listen to internet videos all day long, but they don't tell the whole story.

Thanks a lot for the responses so far...much appreciated.

 

Steve - maybe post in your region and see if someone local has what ur looking to hear.

 

I can't imagine there's much (if any) difference in 3, 4, and 5. The cats don't have sound deadening material, just filament material. Oh and the weight savings is quite noticeable.

 

OK, that is also useful information...thank you. I assumed the cat might act as a small muffler (to some extent).

 

To some extent they will but not to the degree you're looking for. If you were to ride in one car with 100 cell cats and another with 200 cell cats i doubt you'd be able to notice the difference in sound.

 

Here is some info on our WC-GT system


http://gmgracing.com/porsche_exhaust_gmg_wcgt996.shtml


Video with sound clip included.

 

If you can afford the penny, I've yet to hear a better system. The sound is utterly incredible, very little (if any) drone, and ridiculous power. Just as much if not more than straight pipes. In theory the center section cross over could create a vacuum creating even more airflow.

 

You can also clearly hear the turbos spool with straight pipes; another unique sound...

 

Thanks a lot guys! Much appreciated.