After purchasing my 997.2 Turbo a couple years ago, I began to really notice one of the biggest shortcomings on the car - the exhaust note. Coming from a Ferrari 430, I could never wipe the smile off my face after an afternoon of spirited driving. Although this car in my opinion is superior in almost every way to the 430, the exhaust note was the clear inferiority.

So after doing months of research, and listening to dozens of sound clips of various exhausts, I came across BBI Autosport's The Smoking Tire Episode where Matt Farah reviews one of their 997.2 builds. If you haven't seen the video, I urge you to watch and turn the speakers up. I was blown at how exotic the car sounded, and as most would say, videos don't do any justice.

After reading various reviews I decided I would invest my trust into this small company building one off race cars and give them a shot. I opted for the catted "race" setup with no center muffler, and I got the tips ceramic coated in black. And since a car nut like myself couldn't resist throwing in some other mods, I opted for the IPD Plenum, Y-pipe, custom COBB tune done by BBI which included their 3-Bar Map sensors.

I took the car to TPC racing in Jessup to do the install. After seeing this exhaust in person, you will be blown away by not only the quality of the surgical food grade stainless that is used, but the welds are near perfect. Everything is so meticulously setup that the exhaust itself could be an Art Basel exhibit. Unlike a typical x-pipe catted setup, the high flow 200 CEL HJ cats actually act as a muffler and are positioned after the 90 Degree bend. Once the install was complete, the tips lined up perfectly through the opening, and laser etched "BBI" logos line the outside tips giving a clean branded look. All of the hype that the quality and build that this had really became an afterthought once I turned the key and started her up. I really have no words to describe the sound of this car besides WOW. I can't imagine anyone not buying this after hearing it in person. The sound is pure intoxicating. I have heard nearly every exhaust that has been built for this car (AWE, Akra, Europipe, Supersprint, Sharkwerks, Fabspeed, AgencyPower), and weirdly enough, most of those are very similar in sound, just different build quality. Only the BBI differentiates itself completely from the pack. I guess if I could use one word to describe it, it would be Italian. I honestly didn't realize how throaty this car really is at low speed, and when you're WOT it screams like a banshee. Absolutely no drone in the cabin. It's almost as if there is an "on/off" switch, and that switch is your foot. When you get on it, its deafening, but regular driving you'd barely notice there's an aftermarket exhaust. All in all, I am extremely happy with my purchase.

I ended up installing the Y-Pipe, Plenum, pressure sensors, and BBI custom tune, and boy does this car HAUL ***!!!

Betim at BBI was an absolute pleasure to work with - his professionalism and customer service combined with his expert knowledge in all things Porsche seriously make him a big player. It's hard to find businesses these days that really truly care and have as much passion as Betim and his crew. I can't wait to continue this build.

I'm sorry for the long writeup, but these days great business efforts and awesome products deserve to be publicly rewarded. Too often we hear about unhappy customers.

I'll post pics of the install and Dyno coming soon!

Next up, Intercoolers

 

+1. The boys at BBI sure know what they are doing. Their exhaust is truly one of the best sounding systems out there for the 997tt.

 

Nice write up...post video of the exaust ..would like to hear what it sounds like...I would advise that you take a good look at ams coolers..you can read my reviews on them....also factor in a clutch system your going to need one soon...

 

Nice review and glad you are happy. I too have the BBI Exhaust, Cobb tune, IPD plenum and y-pipe combo and couldn't be happier with my .2.
All great people to work with that have awesome products

 

Glad you are enjoying it!

Please feel free to let us know if we can answer any questions!

-Mitch

 

Mitch, you were an absolute sport on the phone. I know I can get a bit difficult, but you are seriously a trooper thank you for all your help. Can't wait to do more!

 

No worries at all I am always here to help.

Please let me know if you need anything at all and Happy Holidays!

-Mitch

 

Nothing like an exhaust & a tune to breathe new life into a TT! Enjoy...I've heard nothing but great things about the folks at BBi and Cobb's reputation continues to grow. Great job!

 

Their exhaust is truly one of the best sounding systems out there for the 997tt.

 

Great write up Penguin. I have the same exhaust that you have as I was lucky enough to actually get a ride in Eric Dow's car (the one from the Smoking Tire episode) before making my decision.

Deciding on an exhaust is very difficult but this was a no brainer for me as it's the only system that I know of that allows you to keep the cats (I had to have them) while being able to run high boost without tripping high EGTs. And then the sound...truly intoxicating.

 

You have been a big inspiration for the work I have done to my car. I wanted to ask you since you have the Champion coolers what you think of them? I was contemplating between those and the AMS intercooler kit. I know AMS has a much larger core, and come with carbon fiber inlet ducts which aid better airflow. What are your opinions, and with the intercoolers alone, did you notice any substantial gains?

 

Thanks for the long write up, good feedback for my 997 future plans...

 

Great group of guys you worked with, also great choice in mods = another success story!

Enjoy the car, it's amazing what a few quality bolt on parts do to transform these already fast cars into absolute monsters on the street!

 

I have not done any comparison of the Champion intercoolers vs AMS, but I have put the Champions through the ultimate test - last September I tracked at Auto Club Speedway in 100+ degree heat with 150+ deg track temps and the car never pulled timing at all lap after lap. I know because my vBox data showed very consistent mph at the start/finish line. Most of the other cars were complaining of major heat soaking.

Also when I upped boost to 24psi for the last Shift Sector half mile airstrip event I ran out of fuel but never had to worry about IATs even when temps increased. In fact my fastest runs occurred during the warmest part of the day.

If these aren't the best real world tests for intercoolers I don't know what is.

Cheers.

 

SOOOOOooooo glad that Betim and Mitch are getting the praise they deserve. The BBi exhaust is, as I have posted previously, just fabulous in all respects, and the Cobb woke my car up for sure. These two have a dedicated cult following that is going to continue to grow.