26 captured repliesPartial discussion capture · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHFabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Leading reported evidence
Replace actuator, still the same problem
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Fabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'Replace actuator, still the same problem' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'valve itself' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace actuator, still the same problem' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
There was a thread on 911uk where someone used an aftermarket exhaust and used the OEM PSE button to control it.
Fabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Use oem pse button
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
There was a thread on 911uk where someone used an aftermarket exhaust and used the OEM PSE button to control it.
Fabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
valve itself
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause · Original poster
Though the guidance from two separate indies, based on the symptoms, is that it’s likely the valve itself that’s gone south, rather that the actuator.
Fabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Replace during the drive
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I could hear the exhaust note change during the drive.
Fabspeed 981 Valvetronic Exhaust System - any experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
26 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
PistonHeads: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T200546Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Folks
I'm seeking any experience or feedback on the Fabspeed Porsche 981 Boxster/Cayman Valvetronic Exhaust System.
I'm contemplating a (second-hand) complete unit as an alternative to my 981 Boxster GTS's broken OEM PSE setup.
I'm very happy with the OEM system but one of my valves has failed, and the replacement units are out of stock/not available/unobtanium across Europe, it seems.
This is the unit I'm considering:
https://www.fabspeed.com/porsche-981-boxster-cayma...
I'm NOT seeking a louder exhaust - merely one that works properly
I'm entirely happy with the aural characteristics of the OEM set up.
Headers and engine tune are otherwise standard.
Any thoughts or experiences shared would be appreciated. Thank you!
Christian P said:
Folks
I'm seeking any experience or feedback on the Fabspeed Porsche 981 Boxster/Cayman Valvetronic Exhaust System.
I'm contemplating a (second-hand) complete unit as an alternative to my 981 Boxster GTS's broken OEM PSE setup.
I'm very happy with the OEM system but one of my valves has failed, and the replacement units are out of stock/not available/unobtanium across Europe, it seems.
This is the unit I'm considering:
https://www.fabspeed.com/porsche-981-boxster-cayma...
I'm NOT seeking a louder exhaust - merely one that works properly
I'm entirely happy with the aural characteristics of the OEM set up.
Headers and engine tune are otherwise standard.
Any thoughts or experiences shared would be appreciated. Thank you!
I had the same problem with my valves and almost went down the fabspeed route then found an indy who plugged the vacuum line to keep the valves permanently open. Much cheaper alternative if you are happy with the sound of OEM exhaust
Yup - plenty of work-arounds for isolating one or other of the settings. With PSE 'off', both banks are balanced and the sound is 'correct'. I hate having broken features and redundant buttons though.
Good point.
As I understand it, Fabspeed use a different style of valve and actuator, from a different (UK) manufacturer. In their product videos they demonstrate the friable nature of the OEM valves (with examples!), so they clearly are well aware of the need for improved reliability. And I believe they have a good reputation for producing well-designed and well-made kit.
A few of us have seen this system for sale and its been discussed a few times. Just visually the silencers look a lot smaller so I am assuming it will be a bit louder - or a fair bit louder. Apparently the Top Gear system is well liked and costs about the same as this Fabspeed system bit it is brand new with warranty etc. So consider this too - maybe.
Milnsey - please could you elaborate on exactly what went wrong with your exhaust valves and exactly what your Indy did.
Please could you also confirm that you were/are running the optional but OEM Porsche sports exhaust system
My 981S has the optional OEM sports exhaust system , and is currently working just fine , but I would happily have the sports system set at LOUD permanently should the system fail sometime in the future as I like the pops and crackles a lot.
Are there any downsides to having the system permanently on LOUD (other than the fact that you lose the ability to choose a quiet setting ) ?
Snowy999 said:
Toi the original poster Design 911 show the valve actuator in stock in their warehouse if that's the problem.
Thank you. Yes - I’d seen that too. Though the guidance from two separate indies, based on the symptoms, is that it’s likely the valve itself that’s gone south, rather that the actuator. The actuator is sticking because the valve is sticking. So - likely to be the full replacement rather than a much cheaper hack-fix.
ATM said:
A few of us have seen this system for sale and its been discussed a few times. Just visually the silencers look a lot smaller so I am assuming it will be a bit louder - or a fair bit louder. Apparently the Top Gear system is well liked and costs about the same as this Fabspeed system bit it is brand new with warranty etc. So consider this too - maybe.
Mmm. There is far less silencing on the Fabspeed than the standard system, and I’d loosely drawn the same conclusion about volume!
Will take a look at the Top Gear system - thank you.
There was a thread on 911uk where someone used an aftermarket exhaust and used the OEM PSE button to control it. Their site is down at the moment, but if you search 991uk Latching Relay it should come up when the site if fixed. It involved a bit of DIY adding a relay and a few other bits and bobs but seemed to work of the OEM button in the end
[quote=carspath]Milnsey - please could you elaborate on exactly what went wrong with your exhaust valves and exactly what your Indy did.
Please could you also confirm that you were/are running the optional but OEM Porsche sports exhaust system
My 981S has the optional OEM sports exhaust system , and is currently working just fine , but I would happily have the sports system set at LOUD permanently should the system fail sometime in the future as I like the pops and crackles a lot.
Are there any downsides to having the system permanently on LOUD (other than the fact that you lose the ability to choose a quiet setting ) ?
Passenger valve would intermittently stick in the closed position despite being initially open, even halfway through a drive and with PSE button in "on " position.
I could hear the exhaust note change during the drive. Changed the actuator, still the same problem. Indy concluded that must be some problem with the vacuum system so I just asked him to plug the system. All is fine now. No downsides according to indy and posts on other forums
Yes running PSE as standard on 981 GTS.
Sorry for lack of technical terms, I am no mechanic!
Top gear sell replacement actuators and valves. A good exhaust fabricator should be able to cut out the to and weld in the new.
Not zero cost obv to be done well but....PSE may be saveable and they do sound bloody good when they work properly !
https://www.topgear.co.uk/50mm-2-inch-exhaust-vacu...
I just sold one with a broken PSE and had been waiting over a year for parts. When I was at the dealer I noticed a huge pallet box in the workshop which could have been a replacement, if they now have the parts.
It was ordered this feb. Turned up yesterday. They went to fit today, turns out its the wrong one they've been sent. Back to the drawing board again. Absolute joke, dont expect this when paying for a main dealer warranty
jhowlett said:
It was ordered this feb. Turned up yesterday. They went to fit today, turns out its the wrong one they've been sent. Back to the drawing board again. Absolute joke, dont expect this when paying for a main dealer warranty
Nightmare. So what was the OPC position on getting the correct one now?
jhowlett said:
It was ordered this feb. Turned up yesterday. They went to fit today, turns out its the wrong one they've been sent. Back to the drawing board again. Absolute joke, dont expect this when paying for a main dealer warranty
Oh dear. That sounds like a lazy parts department.
On the (selfish) plus side, it also sounds as though there might be parts availability once more…
andygo said:
ightmare. So what was the OPC position on getting the correct one now?
They said there are more bits coming next week so wait until then.
Porsche gb won't do anything until there is an end date.
Not really sure what the warranty is for if parts take this long.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
