As always, this Forum comes up with the goods... A ton of great information.. Kevin definitely knows his stuff and I thank him for his input. John has obvious pride in his system and it shows... so, thanks John

Given that I have a GT2, I'm beginning to think that because it's such a loud car in the first place, I might not even notice the drone of a 3" system.. the 2 1/2" sounds like it might do the trick though.. Thanks for the input guys, it's much appreciated...

As usual, I am over-analyzing my choices here.. I think I'll pin my top choices to a wall and blindfold myself then chuck a dart at them.. closest one wins.

 

Well said. I agree. For me, I am not so much into peak power as peak fun. So, sound matters. I think the tuners need to keep that in mind.... I bet half of all Ferrari owners don't care for the power as much as the wonderful sound they make.....just a guess. I wish our turbo's sounded like NA GT3's. ... or better, a Ferrari. I even like the way the new M3 sounds once it is warmed up and revving high....let's face it, turbo's are not the best "sound" car on the track. Never will be.

Kevin told me all of this way back when.... He, John, Markski, and Tym are all "good people" in my book. We are lucky to have them all in our midst. I happen to have Tym's unit. If I had had the funds the day I started looking...., I would have gotten an EPII loud and I am sure I'd be happy too. I did not have the funds and then ran into Tym via word of mouth. I feel it is fully equal to a Europipe unit. Just not a darned heavy.

I suspect that for many of us, exhausts at this level would all be great. Markski's system and John's did not exist when I was in the market. I like the idea of lightweight too....

I wish them and everyone a happy new year, btw.

BTW: listen to this for a good time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCrbGSqv6P4

My unit is on Youtube too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z634tPX6vNM

I love it!!

Jeff

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLAS5sbXMd8

best sounding (IMHO) I heard so far, I haven't heard good things about the company/guy though

 

The only thing I can think of is because the exhaust pulses are directed towards one another and the exhaust gases hitting against each other at the merge cause some type of resonance/vibration that the knock sensors may falsely detect as detonation and it pulls the timing from that... Because the piping is so short and its all right there, its plausible I would guess, where as in a Vette/F-body/Mustang where you normally see an X-merge, its further downstream and the pulses aren't coming into the merge at as sharp of an angle. My theory anyway... haha

 

Well, I am about a week or two away from an EP Gen2 Quiet on my X50 cab. I've found both Kevin at UMW and Stef @ EP to both be very helpful, knowledgable and willing to help me get the most out of my car.

I can't hardly wait for both the extra HP (EP, UMW tune, WGA kit, new DVs), and the "sound" of it all together.

Happy New Year everyone!

 

Another thing that should be considered is how the system will sound 6-18 months down the road. Some of them have documented histories of changing their tone and "drone" over time. I've had owners of a number of the more "popular" systems tell me their have changed from no drone and livable to WHAT THE HELL!!! over a period of months... PSI was one, as was the most recent Fabspeed "quiet" version. My Speedtech did as well, but John has said they fixed that issue with the style of sound muffling they switched to.

Mike

 

Exhaust gas pulses are a serious issue and moreso on a system that is A: forced induction and B: so darned short. Do a search on google on exhaust Gas Pulses and read up a bit. Dr.Gas used to have a very nice series of tech articles on this subject, but I don't know if it's still out there or not.

Mike

 

Is there a photo of that somewhere? Or can you post?

 

Don't forget a GT2 has less sound deadening than a 996TT.

 

Yeah... dead on with that observation... I got to drive a 996TT and wondered why it was SOOOOO quiet

 

Graham, I gotta show you mine cuz it's nowhere near quiet inside the cabin with the Fabspeed Maxflo, but I like it that way.... for now.

 

All ze GT cars are that way.... less fluff in the back so to speak I'd say if you can listen to a few locally first. Get a good idea from the inside first. I know every single exhaust manufacturer of 996TT exhausts always says, "Ours is the best ever and has ZERO resonance..."

We know different

I should add that I really agree with CJV on this one and heck I don't even sell/advertise (haven't in ages) the Europipe so I've got no stake in this at all. It truly is different to any other one I've seen out there (the factory style bellows being key) and has a most unique sound to it. You'd have to really see one in person to appreciate just why it's so expensive and then compare it to other ones out there that are cheaper I guess.

If there was any criticism one could level at it that keeps it from being "the perfect exhaust", I'd say other than price (sure we'd all like things to be cheaper) it's about as heavy as the stock unit. I wish it was 50% of the weight of a stock one as it's nice to save weight in the bum.

 

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. I, like you 80shill, labored over exhaust options for some time, ultimately narrowing down to the SpeedTech 3" or EP Stage2. I chose the Speedtech based on cost and weight savings, and based on input from Tony at EPL, who had heard the sound of the X-cellerator. I purchased the ceramic-coated system, with cats and muffler. Tony installed it, along with Tial alpha28's, 5bar FPR, 72#injectors, GT2 intercoolers and a flash. The car tested at 530awhp and 570trq in 95degree August heat on Tony's Mustang Dyno.

At first, I found the sound to be too loud, with appreciable drone. But with time, the drone has reduced substantially, rather than increased, and the sound is absolutely fantastic. (And no, its not that my hearing is shot). I've heard my neighbor's Tubi on his X50, and there is no comparison. The sound is much richer, and sounds like a true sports car. If I had to purchase another exhaust, I would purchase the 3" X-cellerator again without hesitation. The car breathes beautifully with nearly non-existent lag, and the sound with acceleration, not even WOT, still brings a smile to my face.

 

Agree, that sounds fantastic but I'll bet it's quite loud in person and drones. Anytime you can hear the turbos that clearly there's not much muffling going on. I'd still really love to hear it in person though and if it didn't drone me out of the car I'd be all over it.

Presently I'm waiting for Mike to eval the latest exhaust in the pile he's gone through. I've heard recordings of Markski's exhaust too and it also sounds quite good. The idea that an X makes the knock sensors go off is a little odd to me I'll admit, I'd love to hear testing of that specifically from others and an exhaust shootout would rock!

 

X type units that are on the market and seem to have happy customers, fwiw:

GMG
Switzer
Speedtech
Markski

Jeff


I have heard GMG and Switzer in person, and own the latter, and am happy x 16 months. No change in sounds. The above are all high quality units with reliable people selling....

EuroPipes are just amazingly well made....but are stock weight. I think everyone should hear them too. Nice sound, and never a worry about durability. The switzer I have will outlast my car I think. And I know of a few 800 HP cars (or more) with the Switzer without issues....

Jeff