I'm potentially going for my third exhaust system. My 997.1 C2S came with stock exhaust and I initially switched to Fabspeed mufflers, then switched to a used set of PSE. Love the PSE, but it's developing a buzzing sound at 3K RPM and the dealer seems to think it's the exhaust.

So, I'm looking to potentially switch to AWE free flow cats and mufflers, but I'd really like to hear them first hand before I make the plunge. Anyone nearby with AWE?

BTW, here's my take based on first hand experience and YouTube clips:

Original: way too tame for a sports car

Fabspeed: good noise level and felt a little gutsier at higher RPM but droned a little just below 3K RPM and the tone was raspy. I know a GT3 sounds raspy too, but this was different. It sounded cheap to me.

PSE: Love the sound. I'd ideally like a SLIGHTLY higher tone that mimics a GT3. No weight savings, no extra power.

AWE: based on clips, it sounds even a little raspier than the Fabspeeds, but the potential of gaining some power with the system might sway me.

Cargraphic: (the only other system I was think of) Is expensive, but this seems to be the closest sound to the PSE, with the advantage of a little extra HP and saved weight.

I checked out all the rest- Tubi, After Hours, etc, but for cost/value/performance, it seems like AWE is best. As a second option strictly for sound, I was thinking of Cargraphic.

Any comments on this would be appreciated, and if any local guys have aftermarket exhaust I can hear, I'd love to meet up.

Thanks.

 

dnewc2s,

I'm sure you will be able to find what your looking for. Since you don't have enough posts to receive a Private Message, feel free to contact me at 714.545.1046 as I may be able to arrange for you to hear some Cargraphic Systems. Good luck.

 

I tried a couple of combinations. What sounded best to me was X51 headers, AWE cats, and stock non-PSE mufflers. I had Softronic too, which was another improvement. Overall, great sound, no gimmics (switches, valves, etc.) and better performance. Reasonble price too as X51 headers are like $600 new and OEM mufflers were "free".

 

Interesting, Ron...

Didn't even think about keeping the stock mufflers with the AWE cats. Did you feel a bump in power? How would you describe the sound? Like PSE?

 

I had full AWE headers, cats, and mufflers - WAY too loud for street. Can't say I know what PSE sounds like, but I can say that everyone that heard my X51 headers / AWE Cats / stock mufflers loved the sound, and with the Softronic flash, the car was significantly quicker and more responsive (track verified with telemetry).

 

Dnewc2s,
Hi there. I live here in Phoenix and have an aftermarket exhaust, but it is on a 2009 997.2 and yours is a 997.1 (big difference in the exhaust plumbing with a third muffler on the 997.2 and the potential for much different sounds and opinions based on which model 997 you are talking about - beware), so I probably can't help you. But I agree with your opinions on the various systems based on all the posts here on 6-Speed and that either AWE or Cargraphics probably have the best deep sound for a 997.1 (IMHO). Good luck!!

 

I would probably agree with RonCT- currently have the 997.1S with stock headers/AWE cats/PSE. It's probably a little too loud with the PSE engaged (great for short drives but mind-numbing for longer 15 min+ cruises), but maybe a little too soft with the PSE off, so my next move is to get the AWE headers + EVOMSit ECU tune and will probably leave the PSE off in the future. PSE by itself was pretty tame-

 

Check out the Borla.
Mr. B

 

Thanks Mr. B, I like your Borla clips, but read about droning in the 2700 range. I think I like a little higher pitched sound too.

Fang, I'm interested in the AWE cats + porsche exhaust now that you guys have brought it up. So, how would you describe the sound after adding the cats, but with the PSE off? Both loudness and type of sound. Would it be equal to the PSE with stock cats? Higher pitched and raspier, but same decibel level? I'd love to get your take on this since I can't seem to find any video/audio with this combo. (to be clear, I'd be putting the stock mufflers back on with the AWE cats, as opposed to using PSE)

Bryan at RSS, thanks for the conversation the other day. You were very helpful and I'm still very interested in Cargraphic. If I'm reading the cargraphic site right, the mufflers add 10hp and the cats add 10hp, but I can't find any dynos. Do you guys have any information on any real power gained by either the mufflers or a combo of the mufflers and cats?

Thanks all.

 

I think you've been misled about the droning. The ONLY thing I notice is that the sound is a bit louder up to 3000 RPMs, and above that it's a bit quieter, but the difference is hardly noticeable. You have to be looking for it.
Mr. B

 

ah, ok-- sorry about that. I really do like your clips on YouTube. Yet another decision to make. I'm just a little gunshy about the droning since my Fabspeeds had droning.

Would you say it's a deeper sound than PSE?

 

Hi dnewc2s,

It was a pleasure speaking with you the other day as well. Cargraphic does indeed claim minimal power and torque increases. I don't have any appropriate dyno's at the moment with only the addition of the mufflers and/or cat combination. I can say that most enthusiasts are upgrading mufflers and cats for enhanced sound. It just so happens that with better sound - you also get the benefit of lighter weight, added HP/TQ and a much improved driving experience and throttle response. Cargraphic is on Holiday in Germany at the moment, but I will go through their archives to see what we can find for you. For much improved increase in HP/TQ, I highly recommend an ECU Flash/Software upgrade as well. Thanks.

 

To give you a good answer, I'd have to put my car next to one with the PSE.
To me the Borla sound is awesome and I get compliments all the time.
Also, almost no one else has one.
Mr. B

 

Interesting as I also have the full AWE exhaust (headers, cats, and mufflers) on my 997.1 Cab and I think the sound is pretty tame compared to some of the other makes. I was pretty concerned with not going to loud as my car is a Cab and after hearing a few, the AWE sounded the best to me (not to loud with the perfect tone). Quality and long-term reputation was also pretty important to me and AWE fit that bill as well.

To the OP, make sure to listen to as many exhausts as you can in person (sound clips can only go so far) but if you do go with AWE, I think you'll be very happy.

 

I was able to find the following dyno supplied by Cargraphic which includes Cargraphic Sport Mufflers & Sport Cats, BMC Air Filter & European programmed DME Control Unit optimized for these upgrades on a 997.1 S.
Again, you will gain some power but it's all about the great sound and improved driving experience in my opinion!