Another center muffler delete thread...
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From: Gates Mills, Ohio
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Another center muffler delete thread...
I spent some time trying to figure out how to produce a more aggressive exhaust note for the RS. There is good news and bad news in this process; the good news is there are a lot of choices. The bad news is there are a lot of choices!
As I narrowed the field I determined that exhaust note was my primary selection criteria with weight savings as beneficial but secondary. In terms of complete exhaust systems (headers, cats, side and center mufflers, etc) of all the choices available the AWE and Akrapovic seemed most appealing to me. I had driven a 997.1 GT3RS with the AWE full exhaust and loved how it sounded. In addition to an exceptional exhaust note the titanium Akrapovic was even lighter. The build quality of both is exceptional.
Exhaust is not the only modification planned for the GT3RS. I have also budgeted iron rotors to replace the PCCB rotors on track, a DAS roll bar/harness mount, 5-pt harnesses, one piece track seats, suspension components and track wheels & tires. The cost of the least expensive full exhaust system is equal to the cost of track seats and the roll bar at minimum. I decided that the best value for me was not a full exhaust but a center muffler delete. The money I saved would be applied to the remaining mods on the list.
That narrowed the field considerably. Unfortunately I had no direct experience with the center muffler delete products available. Audio on the internet is not a great way to evaluate the exhaust notes. One product stood out for me both for it's sound and clever design and build; the RSS X-pipe. Perhaps it's the way the pipes cross over at the tips but it had a sonority to the exhaust note I found more appealing. It just edged out Shark Werks alternative.
I ordered one up (it arrived sooner than I anticipated) and just installed it. Both Bryan and Anthony were very helpful during the ordering and installation.
I've included some pictures for those curious about such things;
Here is the RSS X-pipe unboxed with the anxiously waiting recipient in the background
Fast forward to the RS on the lift stripped of it's bumper cover, tail lights, heat shields and left side muffler
Test fitting the X-pipe (thanks Anthony for explaining what the "extra" pair of clamps were for
) Don't forget to reattach the rubber vacuum hose!
A picture of the OEM cat for those, like myself, that find these fascinating. I really do need to get a life
Buttoning up her butt; heat shields first
Done and ready to come off the lift.
I was a little apprehensive about how it would sound. Would the MP3 hell of internet audio make me regret ever depending on it? The same person who uses vinyl records as their sonic reference for reproduced music!
Fortunately I was not disappointed. In fact I was even more impressed with the exhaust note live. Inside the car, in normal mode (sport switch deactivated), I could detect a couple of dB of additional volume with a bit more tenor to the exhaust note. I was pleased with the subtle difference. Now activate the sport switch and I had a big grin on my face. A tight, complex baritone voice emerged full of beautiful mid bass and lower midrange fundamentals and overtones. This is when I realized why I preferred the RSS X-pipe to the Shark Werks. I will use an old school tube verses solid state audio analogy. The Shark Werks product was more solid state, leaner, more transparent, with 3rd order harmonics. The RSS X-pipe is more tube-like, richer, more mellifluous, more 2nd order harmonics. Fortunately I prefer the later and the RSS delivers it in spades.
As a joke (I thought it was funny) I asked my wife to come out to the carriage house. I had a surprise for her. From inside the car I asked her to stand behind the RS while I started it. Ignition, normal mode, nothing unusual, she was wondering why I asked her to come out to the garage. Next engage sport mode and blip the throttle to 7K rpm a few times in rapid succession. I wish I had a video camera because she jumped like a startled feline. After she stopped hitting me she did finally admit she not only noticed the difference but she actually thought it sounded cool! Driving I have this urge to accelerate more than before. A GT3RS is already a head turner, but combine the exhaust note of the RSS X-pipe with WOT acceleration, not only heads will turn but helpless villagers will be running for safety. I am, needless to say, a satisfied customer.
As I narrowed the field I determined that exhaust note was my primary selection criteria with weight savings as beneficial but secondary. In terms of complete exhaust systems (headers, cats, side and center mufflers, etc) of all the choices available the AWE and Akrapovic seemed most appealing to me. I had driven a 997.1 GT3RS with the AWE full exhaust and loved how it sounded. In addition to an exceptional exhaust note the titanium Akrapovic was even lighter. The build quality of both is exceptional.
Exhaust is not the only modification planned for the GT3RS. I have also budgeted iron rotors to replace the PCCB rotors on track, a DAS roll bar/harness mount, 5-pt harnesses, one piece track seats, suspension components and track wheels & tires. The cost of the least expensive full exhaust system is equal to the cost of track seats and the roll bar at minimum. I decided that the best value for me was not a full exhaust but a center muffler delete. The money I saved would be applied to the remaining mods on the list.
That narrowed the field considerably. Unfortunately I had no direct experience with the center muffler delete products available. Audio on the internet is not a great way to evaluate the exhaust notes. One product stood out for me both for it's sound and clever design and build; the RSS X-pipe. Perhaps it's the way the pipes cross over at the tips but it had a sonority to the exhaust note I found more appealing. It just edged out Shark Werks alternative.
I ordered one up (it arrived sooner than I anticipated) and just installed it. Both Bryan and Anthony were very helpful during the ordering and installation.
I've included some pictures for those curious about such things;
Here is the RSS X-pipe unboxed with the anxiously waiting recipient in the background
Fast forward to the RS on the lift stripped of it's bumper cover, tail lights, heat shields and left side muffler
Test fitting the X-pipe (thanks Anthony for explaining what the "extra" pair of clamps were for
) Don't forget to reattach the rubber vacuum hose!A picture of the OEM cat for those, like myself, that find these fascinating. I really do need to get a life
Buttoning up her butt; heat shields first
Done and ready to come off the lift.
I was a little apprehensive about how it would sound. Would the MP3 hell of internet audio make me regret ever depending on it? The same person who uses vinyl records as their sonic reference for reproduced music!
Fortunately I was not disappointed. In fact I was even more impressed with the exhaust note live. Inside the car, in normal mode (sport switch deactivated), I could detect a couple of dB of additional volume with a bit more tenor to the exhaust note. I was pleased with the subtle difference. Now activate the sport switch and I had a big grin on my face. A tight, complex baritone voice emerged full of beautiful mid bass and lower midrange fundamentals and overtones. This is when I realized why I preferred the RSS X-pipe to the Shark Werks. I will use an old school tube verses solid state audio analogy. The Shark Werks product was more solid state, leaner, more transparent, with 3rd order harmonics. The RSS X-pipe is more tube-like, richer, more mellifluous, more 2nd order harmonics. Fortunately I prefer the later and the RSS delivers it in spades.
As a joke (I thought it was funny) I asked my wife to come out to the carriage house. I had a surprise for her. From inside the car I asked her to stand behind the RS while I started it. Ignition, normal mode, nothing unusual, she was wondering why I asked her to come out to the garage. Next engage sport mode and blip the throttle to 7K rpm a few times in rapid succession. I wish I had a video camera because she jumped like a startled feline. After she stopped hitting me she did finally admit she not only noticed the difference but she actually thought it sounded cool! Driving I have this urge to accelerate more than before. A GT3RS is already a head turner, but combine the exhaust note of the RSS X-pipe with WOT acceleration, not only heads will turn but helpless villagers will be running for safety. I am, needless to say, a satisfied customer.
Last edited by mxk116; May 31, 2010 at 06:18 PM.
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Thanks- we have a lot of fun back there.
One of these days I will borrow a proper video camera and post a clip. But as I mentioned in the thread, I really don't like internet audio. There are several A/V clips on this site, and others, of the RSS X-pipe. I am not certain there is anything to be gained by me posting sound clip that is unlikely to do justice to it's exceptional sound.
One of these days I will borrow a proper video camera and post a clip. But as I mentioned in the thread, I really don't like internet audio. There are several A/V clips on this site, and others, of the RSS X-pipe. I am not certain there is anything to be gained by me posting sound clip that is unlikely to do justice to it's exceptional sound.
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From: Rocklin, California
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Very nice and these RSS center muffler bypass looks pretty aggressive. You need to add "understanding wife" in your signature. Love to hear your sound clip regardless
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Update; post Mid Ohio report
Just returned from a weekend at Mid Ohio with the RS. When I initially provided my comments on the RSS X-pipe I reported a minor resonance at 3K-4K rpm. Allow me to rebut my original comment; there is no resonance that is a function of the design. I believe the resonance I reported was a result of fasteners on the X-pipe that were not tightened adequately or needed to be tightened after intitial use.
In preparing for the Mid Ohio event I installed several items including track tires/wheels, adjustable rear toe links, front and rear 997.2 GT3/RS steel brake rotors, Carbotech XP10 pads, track seats to accommodate 6-pt harnesses and a roll bar. During prep I inspected the RSS x-pipe and noticed the x-pipe was pointing slightly up. In the process of leveling the X-pipe I found the clamps were not as tight as I thought they were or should be.
Long story short, once the clamps were properly tightened, the RSS X-pipe allowed the RS to speak in a most authoritative and glorious voice at all rpms while tooling around Mid Ohio. The resonance has been banished completely.
In the paddock people came by to comment not only on the car but also about the exhaust note. Sorry I don't have any video but the car ran great and sounded better than ever. I am going to report my on track experiences in a separate thread but I wanted to update this thread immediately.
In preparing for the Mid Ohio event I installed several items including track tires/wheels, adjustable rear toe links, front and rear 997.2 GT3/RS steel brake rotors, Carbotech XP10 pads, track seats to accommodate 6-pt harnesses and a roll bar. During prep I inspected the RSS x-pipe and noticed the x-pipe was pointing slightly up. In the process of leveling the X-pipe I found the clamps were not as tight as I thought they were or should be.
Long story short, once the clamps were properly tightened, the RSS X-pipe allowed the RS to speak in a most authoritative and glorious voice at all rpms while tooling around Mid Ohio. The resonance has been banished completely.
In the paddock people came by to comment not only on the car but also about the exhaust note. Sorry I don't have any video but the car ran great and sounded better than ever. I am going to report my on track experiences in a separate thread but I wanted to update this thread immediately.
Last edited by mxk116; Jun 2, 2010 at 10:08 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Costa Mesa, California
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mxk116,
Thanks very much for your review of the Xpipe and I'm glad you're enjoying it. We look forward to seeing some pics/vids of your car. Thanks for your business.
We recently installed the Xpipe on a 2010 GT3RS, sounds and looks really nice...
Enjoy the summer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BtdinlEunI
Thanks very much for your review of the Xpipe and I'm glad you're enjoying it. We look forward to seeing some pics/vids of your car. Thanks for your business.
We recently installed the Xpipe on a 2010 GT3RS, sounds and looks really nice...
Enjoy the summer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BtdinlEunI
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 160
Rep Power: 34
I spent some time trying to figure out how to produce a more aggressive exhaust note for the RS. There is good news and bad news in this process; the good news is there are a lot of choices. The bad news is there are a lot of choices!
As I narrowed the field I determined that exhaust note was my primary selection criteria with weight savings as beneficial but secondary. In terms of complete exhaust systems (headers, cats, side and center mufflers, etc) of all the choices available the AWE and Akrapovic seemed most appealing to me. I had driven a 997.1 GT3RS with the AWE full exhaust and loved how it sounded. In addition to an exceptional exhaust note the titanium Akrapovic was even lighter. The build quality of both is exceptional.
Exhaust is not the only modification planned for the GT3RS. I have also budgeted iron rotors to replace the PCCB rotors on track, a DAS roll bar/harness mount, 5-pt harnesses, one piece track seats, suspension components and track wheels & tires. The cost of the least expensive full exhaust system is equal to the cost of track seats and the roll bar at minimum. I decided that the best value for me was not a full exhaust but a center muffler delete. The money I saved would be applied to the remaining mods on the list.
That narrowed the field considerably. Unfortunately I had no direct experience with the center muffler delete products available. Audio on the internet is not a great way to evaluate the exhaust notes. One product stood out for me both for it's sound and clever design and build; the RSS X-pipe. Perhaps it's the way the pipes cross over at the tips but it had a sonority to the exhaust note I found more appealing. It just edged out Shark Werks alternative.
I ordered one up (it arrived sooner than I anticipated) and just installed it. Both Bryan and Anthony were very helpful during the ordering and installation.
I've included some pictures for those curious about such things;
Here is the RSS X-pipe unboxed with the anxiously waiting recipient in the background
Fortunately I was not disappointed. In fact I was even more impressed with the exhaust note live. Inside the car, in normal mode (sport switch deactivated), I could detect a couple of dB of additional volume with a bit more tenor to the exhaust note. I was pleased with the subtle difference. Now activate the sport switch and I had a big grin on my face. A tight, complex baritone voice emerged full of beautiful mid bass and lower midrange fundamentals and overtones. This is when I realized why I preferred the RSS X-pipe to the Shark Werks. I will use an old school tube verses solid state audio analogy. The Shark Werks product was more solid state, leaner, more transparent, with 3rd order harmonics. The RSS X-pipe is more tube-like, richer, more mellifluous, more 2nd order harmonics. Fortunately I prefer the later and the RSS delivers it in spades.
As a joke (I thought it was funny) I asked my wife to come out to the carriage house. I had a surprise for her. From inside the car I asked her to stand behind the RS while I started it. Ignition, normal mode, nothing unusual, she was wondering why I asked her to come out to the garage. Next engage sport mode and blip the throttle to 7K rpm a few times in rapid succession. I wish I had a video camera because she jumped like a startled feline. After she stopped hitting me she did finally admit she not only noticed the difference but she actually thought it sounded cool! Driving I have this urge to accelerate more than before. A GT3RS is already a head turner, but combine the exhaust note of the RSS X-pipe with WOT acceleration, not only heads will turn but helpless villagers will be running for safety. I am, needless to say, a satisfied customer.
As I narrowed the field I determined that exhaust note was my primary selection criteria with weight savings as beneficial but secondary. In terms of complete exhaust systems (headers, cats, side and center mufflers, etc) of all the choices available the AWE and Akrapovic seemed most appealing to me. I had driven a 997.1 GT3RS with the AWE full exhaust and loved how it sounded. In addition to an exceptional exhaust note the titanium Akrapovic was even lighter. The build quality of both is exceptional.
Exhaust is not the only modification planned for the GT3RS. I have also budgeted iron rotors to replace the PCCB rotors on track, a DAS roll bar/harness mount, 5-pt harnesses, one piece track seats, suspension components and track wheels & tires. The cost of the least expensive full exhaust system is equal to the cost of track seats and the roll bar at minimum. I decided that the best value for me was not a full exhaust but a center muffler delete. The money I saved would be applied to the remaining mods on the list.
That narrowed the field considerably. Unfortunately I had no direct experience with the center muffler delete products available. Audio on the internet is not a great way to evaluate the exhaust notes. One product stood out for me both for it's sound and clever design and build; the RSS X-pipe. Perhaps it's the way the pipes cross over at the tips but it had a sonority to the exhaust note I found more appealing. It just edged out Shark Werks alternative.
I ordered one up (it arrived sooner than I anticipated) and just installed it. Both Bryan and Anthony were very helpful during the ordering and installation.
I've included some pictures for those curious about such things;
Here is the RSS X-pipe unboxed with the anxiously waiting recipient in the background
Fortunately I was not disappointed. In fact I was even more impressed with the exhaust note live. Inside the car, in normal mode (sport switch deactivated), I could detect a couple of dB of additional volume with a bit more tenor to the exhaust note. I was pleased with the subtle difference. Now activate the sport switch and I had a big grin on my face. A tight, complex baritone voice emerged full of beautiful mid bass and lower midrange fundamentals and overtones. This is when I realized why I preferred the RSS X-pipe to the Shark Werks. I will use an old school tube verses solid state audio analogy. The Shark Werks product was more solid state, leaner, more transparent, with 3rd order harmonics. The RSS X-pipe is more tube-like, richer, more mellifluous, more 2nd order harmonics. Fortunately I prefer the later and the RSS delivers it in spades.
As a joke (I thought it was funny) I asked my wife to come out to the carriage house. I had a surprise for her. From inside the car I asked her to stand behind the RS while I started it. Ignition, normal mode, nothing unusual, she was wondering why I asked her to come out to the garage. Next engage sport mode and blip the throttle to 7K rpm a few times in rapid succession. I wish I had a video camera because she jumped like a startled feline. After she stopped hitting me she did finally admit she not only noticed the difference but she actually thought it sounded cool! Driving I have this urge to accelerate more than before. A GT3RS is already a head turner, but combine the exhaust note of the RSS X-pipe with WOT acceleration, not only heads will turn but helpless villagers will be running for safety. I am, needless to say, a satisfied customer.
Great write up...a few questions:
-since you have last tightened up the claps have you had to re tighten them?
-is there any increase in HP with the use of the RSS x pipe?
-the pictures looks like the tail pipes are larger then stock..are they?
-do you still enjoy the sound?? lol...
I am trying to deceide to go with the sharkworks or rss x pipe for my 2011 gt3 rs..thanks for the post!
How about giving this man some bonus points!!
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Gates Mills, Ohio
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Great write up...a few questions:
-since you have last tightened up the claps have you had to re tighten them?
-is there any increase in HP with the use of the RSS x pipe?
-the pictures looks like the tail pipes are larger then stock..are they?
-do you still enjoy the sound?? lol...
I am trying to deceide to go with the sharkworks or rss x pipe for my 2011 gt3 rs..thanks for the post!
How about giving this man some bonus points!!
-since you have last tightened up the claps have you had to re tighten them?
-is there any increase in HP with the use of the RSS x pipe?
-the pictures looks like the tail pipes are larger then stock..are they?
-do you still enjoy the sound?? lol...
I am trying to deceide to go with the sharkworks or rss x pipe for my 2011 gt3 rs..thanks for the post!
How about giving this man some bonus points!!
- While I do not believe there is any power enhancement from the addition of the X-Pipe I have not yet dyno'd the car with and without the OE center section. When the track season is over in this part of the country (October typically) I will be taking the car over to my friends at Switzer Performance Innovation to do just that. We will get a base line with the OE center section and the RSS X-Pipe and then start tuning the engine to see what gains we can get. I hope to share the results when the work is done.
- Yes, they are larger than stock (3 3/8") and welded on. Here is a link to the complete spec on the RSS website
- Needless to say we still enjoy the sound. It has retained it's wonderful harmonic complexity. I have yet to attend a track event and not have someone seek out the car and comment about it's sound.
