Hello everyone! First post from a Swede living in Japan. I have had my Cayman S for about 1 month now and it’s absolutely great!!
Spec:
Basalt Black, Black interior, Std seat, 18" Std Wheel, Stereo Plus, Auto AC, Sport Chrono, PASM, Bi-Xenon, Manual with Short/Sport Shift, Red Seatbelts, Sport Steering wheel, LHD (works great even if Japan is a RHD land), Floor Mats, and the Sport Exhaust (a.k.a PSE, option XLF). Mods: De-snork.
As there are not many members here with the PSE, I'll try to give a short review of it.
The PSE was installed about two weeks ago as it was not approved for use in Japan until then (the first install in Japan). So I have some experience with the standard exhaust but as I was (am) still working hard on the break-in I only used it to the limit a few times (I know, not good at break-in but it's so hard to keep the revs down). The PSE is a great improvement for sound and feel of the car, it becomes more of a sports car, I think. Sound when driving really slowly is better, at speed it's good, and at full throttle it's awesome. And I think I can feel some improvement but I did de-snork before testing the performance from the new exhaust only so it is really hard to tell. Probably just the placebo effect. Anyhow, now it is even harder to keep the revs below 4200 rpm as the sound is so great! In normal mode the sound and feel is about the same as before.
One problem with the PSE is that I have to push Sport button and then PASM button (due to bad roads) on every start to make it loud. Then there are some automatic changes of the exhaust valves that I really haven't figure out yet. I'll try to make the dealer take away this "feature" so I don't have to bother about it. If they can't/won't I bet there are DIY solutions available.
But is PSE worth the money? No, I don't think so, even if I am happy with it, there are less expensive, better looking and probably better sounding systems available. The only reason to go with PSE is if you have to use OEM (e.g. lease) or if you have no other option (this was the case for me; I don't speak or read Japanese so finding a dealer selling sport exhaust for Cayman seemed a bit too difficult). Then I think there is no reason of buying it for the option of normal and loud mode as almost all systems doesn't give a too high sound level at cruising speed (at legal speeds that is), and at racing speed/aggressive driving you always want it loud.
I will add more comments, pictures and sound clips to this tread later on. :burnout:
I have the 997S w/ PSE. I know the exhaust is different but I'm sure the design is similar. There is a connector that activates a solenoid to open or close the bypass pipes on the PSE. If you look at where the solenoid is connected to the muffler follow the wires and find the connector. Disconnect the connector and tape both ends. Your PSE will always be on. There has a lot of discussion about this in the ******** and Rennteam forums for 997. If you do a search, you will be able to see what the connector looks like. Hope this helps.
steve
Congrats and welcome!
Doesn't the sport tips come with the PSE, or is that a pic before the install?
I would LOVE to see a video showing the sound difference between normal and sport.....
There is a relay on earlier cars (996 and 986) which can be modded to eliiminate the speed based on/off system.
You can search on ******** or ppbb for the relay mod, you basically disconnect the speed signal wire, which is "orange" I believe.
Just to help you clarify the system, the PSE in the 997s automatically goes to quiet mode between the speeds of 25-40 mph to coincide with German city noise ordinances. I suspect the Cayman PSE is the same, and this is the 'speed based' characteristic that was mentioned by Kendapau.
If the cayman is like the 997S, they no longer use the relay method as they did on the 996. And it is true that on the 997S, the system goes into quiet mode above a certain mph. This is all eliminated when you disconnect the solenoid. The solenoid has a naturally open (loud) position and closes after the car starts. You will notice that the car is significantly louder at start up for a couple of seconds before the solenoid closes.
steve
The PSE doesn't come with sport tips, at least not here.
(the picture is from when I got the car, what a great day it was!)
The Cayman PSE behavious same as 997 PSE at start up, first loud and then normal.
I will play around with the PSE settings and solenoid this weekend, and hopefully I can make a video or at least record sound clips.
WHATS that orange car in the backround!
Carrera GT in Guard Red, just looks red in the sun
After some more driving I was getting really feed up with the automatic features of the PSE so I decided to disable it as recommended above.
So I just opened the engine cover and took a look. By comparing with picture of other exposed Cayman engines it was quite clear where the solenoid controlling the exhaust valves is located. There is a grey unit with one cable and two hoses going to it. Part number 996.605.123.01. (See picture Engine2.jpg). After disconnecting the cables going to the solenoid (picture PSE_control_cable_disconnected.JPG), the exhaust valves are now always open, i.e. loud. No more of automatic closing or pushing on Sport button for nice sound.
After driving I must say; Holy smoke! Now we're talking! :burnout:
I didn't realize how big impact the automatic features had on the sound. I am very happy with this mod.
(Yes that's a Carrera GT, there are two of them in the small city where I live (Kumamoto) out of total 20 in Japan! And when I was at the dealer today there was a new GT3RS ready for delivery. Big sport cars interest here, probably due to all the great roads around the big volcano/cardela Aso)
Carrera GT....oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
EVERYONES dream car.
But I would want it in Silver....no exceptions! Umm well on second thought I would take it any color if at a price I could afford. Like say $60k
I want to see the entire PSE system, anyone have pics?
How about this one?
I can take more pictures of my PSE later.
Thanks, that helps alot. now here is my question. It looks to me that if that valve wasnt there it would be like the standard exhaust on the Cayman S. On the porsche website it doesn't actually say that the sport exhaust adds HP. just that it controls sound. It looks exactly like the standard exhaust, just the corner pieces cut out and the valves there, I could be wrong. I thought the were cut off valves with a dump tube. (which means it completely bypasses the muffler) allowing better flow but decreasing back pressure.
PSE (Porsche Sport Exhaust) FAQ:
http://www.planet-9.com/faq.php?fa..._sportsexhaust
sorry to revive an old thread. I had a quick question and I hope someone has the answer to it. If disconnecting the solinoid turns the system always on, what happens if I just install the mufflers, and don't hook up ANY of the vaccum hoses or the wiring harness to the SPORTS button and the DME control unit? In theory, the system should always be on as well right ?
