Does anyone know how to install this thing? After spending hours removing ONE exhaust flange nut (angle grinder, drilling, etc.), we thought we were home with the install.
However,
1. we couldn't just lift and fit the mufflers / exhaust as this bracket at the backof the transmission "blocks" the muffler
2. we tried different angles but couldnt fit it
3. remove the bracket (with 4 bolts) and able to fit the exhaust / mufflers but no room to reinstall the bracket (or those 4 bolts)
Does anyone have experience with this install on a
987.1
? We concluded that we need to remove the rear bumper, etc. but wanted to check with the folks here. Thanks!
Sounds like its defective and your best solution is to send it to me for appropriate "recycling" and I'll send you a stock exhaust (at not cost to you!) that is guaranteed to fit
Sorry, I have no advice to offer except to say that bumper removal is fairly straightforward so I would just go ahead and do that, don't do final tightening of bolts till you have the bumper back on so everything gets alighed properly.
Cheers,
Julian
hahahahha, Funny you mention recycling as I suggested the same to my buddy who bought it
Actually, we just called them this morning (their US office), and indicated that they may have sent a "wrong unit" as the exhaust "should just fit" without removning anything - the saga continues as my buddy is taking some pics and sending them to the FVD US so they can ensure the invoice matches the labeling on the exhaust...
We are getting great assistance locally from Rhonda (talked to her this morning) who is part of our forum (and longer tenure here than I am
).
The part number is correct and the factory may not have "trimmed" the edges sufficiently, in order for the exhaust to fit - as
@Rhonda@FVD
is connecting with her German colleagues to help us out.
Still fingers crossed for not removing the bumper (and other parts?) to install it....not sure why I am more excited to complete this job as this is for my friend
Rhonda is the GOAT. Heard great things about her and her time at FVD-US from a lot of Porsche friends that have purchased parts from FVD.
Quick update..Rhonda did reach out to Germany and we have not heard back for a week while getting message "oh, by tomorrow." Since my friend needed the car and can't just wait for weeks, we "just did it" by:
1. removing the rear bumper - and of course, when we first tried, his spoiler switch didn't work and he replaced it
2. "bent" the heat shields - we initially removed it but you can't reinstall the heat shieldswith the exhaust
3. was able to squeeze in (barely) the exhaust / muffler - the excess "trim" is barely touching the tranny bracket and suspect that's going to cause any issues (e.g., increasing the tranny temp) but will see
Thoroughly disappointed with FVD's lack of responses (while recognizing Rhonda is also "waiting" for Germany to respond). I was also considering FVD for myself as well (as FVD doesn't seem to have droning compared to Fabspeed or Soul) but not sure anymore.
FYI, Soul is a clone of Topgear's exhaust. The Topgear exhaust is $1000 or so for the non-valved version and you can get it through Sierra Race Supply.
Deeply disappionted with FVD as they are now changing their story (from "oh sorry, we didn't trim enough" to "we sent you the right one"). Plus they suddenly increased the sound version of the exhaust by $300 or so. Thank god we didn't wait for them to respond, otherwise, the car would still be on jack stands...
