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Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:08 am
by Optionman1
I absolutely love the sound my 03 4S factory sports exhaust puts out and have posted elsewhere about how glorious it sounds. After racking up over 33k miles in 2 years I recently stopped driving it regularly while I put break-in miles on a 997.2 4S FSI Stage II 4.0. The 997's PO put on aftermarket headers, IPE valved exhaust mufflers and a Sharkwerks bypass. To say the car is loud is an understatement. It's louder than any Harley, sounds like its spitting fire at times, almost like a dragster. Being twice the age as the kid who installed them I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to keep but I've come to like it, even enjoy it. The sound going thru a tunnel is beyond insane, I will have to get a video posted.
Now here's the problem:
Went for a few spirited drives in my 996 and the car now sounds totally quiet compared to my last 2 months driving the 997. The difference between the 996 factory SE and the 997 aftermarket is night vs day. I got home and told my wife that the 996 now sounds like an electric car when compared to the 997. Have I spoiled a good thing? Never thought of this as a possible downside to getting a second 911.
Will try to get some audio recorded and uploaded.
Re: Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:20 am
by 5chn3ll
I _REALLY_ love the combination of Fister cans and sport (200-cell) cats (I own "the shittiest sport cats ever" as purchased third-hand from Rennlist many years ago).
I don't run the 200-cell cats very often because (a) I never bothered to dial in the O2 sensors, so I have to be willing to ignore the check engine light, and (IV) smog every two years and I'm a lazy, fat bastard.
The sport cats add just enough treble to make the exhaust sound COOL - and when the cats are still cold, the rumble and crack during downshifts is epic.
And when you rip the band-aid off the rev limiter in a tunnel...yeah.
Re: Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:35 am
by gnat
Optionman1 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:08 am
a 997.2 4S FSI Stage II 4.0. The 997's PO put on aftermarket headers
Aftermarket headers on Jake's engine? WTF??? I thought when he builds these he takes care of the headers too so everything is in tune for optimal performance?
Re: Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:58 am
by Optionman1
I have the stock headers. Not sure when PO installed them, but he put on GMS Hi Flow Catted Headers along with the bypass and valved (remote control) mufflers. Assume it was installed post build. Car passed NJ inspection and there have been zero CEL or other codes. The car performs at a level I still haven't adjusted to.
Re: Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:11 am
by Optionman1
Here are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde:
- IMG_0982.PNG (272.66 KiB) Viewed 1055 times
- IMG_1026.PNG (297.65 KiB) Viewed 1055 times
Re: Exhaust Sound Dilemma
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 10:49 am
by 32wildbilly
My opinion is the 996 probably sounds great, but the 997 has gifted you permanent hearing damage...
SHOULD I SPEAK LOUDER?
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? 
Optionman1 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:08 am
I absolutely love the sound my 03 4S factory sports exhaust puts out and have posted elsewhere about how glorious it sounds. After racking up over 33k miles in 2 years I recently stopped driving it regularly while I put break-in miles on a 997.2 4S FSI Stage II 4.0. The 997's PO put on aftermarket headers, IPE valved exhaust mufflers and a Sharkwerks bypass. To say the car is loud is an understatement. It's louder than any Harley, sounds like its spitting fire at times, almost like a dragster. Being twice the age as the kid who installed them I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to keep but I've come to like it, even enjoy it. The sound going thru a tunnel is beyond insane, I will have to get a video posted.
Now here's the problem:
Went for a few spirited drives in my 996 and the car now sounds totally quiet compared to my last 2 months driving the 997. The difference between the 996 factory SE and the 997 aftermarket is night vs day. I got home and told my wife that the 996 now sounds like an electric car when compared to the 997. Have I spoiled a good thing? Never thought of this as a possible downside to getting a second 911.
Will try to get some audio recorded and uploaded.