Before I drop the hammer on doing the Carnewal modification on my base Cayman...are there aftermarket exhaust systems that would be comparable in cost to the approximately $750 I will be spending? There are numerous cheap exhaust systems I have seen but am wary of them. What ya' know?
Opinion is no. And, if I understand correctly, you also do not get drone with Carnewal. Others who have done that modification can weigh in on that......
I have a base Cayman with a carnewal exhaust, catless headers, and the x-tips and it has a slight drone around 2-3k if you really really listen for it. I also posted about it a while ago if you wanna see my review.
What are you looking to get out of your exhaust and what year is your Cayman?
So I have a Milltec exhaust (not Carnewal) and soon a Cargraphic catless header. I also have Evom air filter system, 82mm throttle body, a Function First Orange motor mount insert and Numeric shifter cables so what do these separate mods do to the engine noise, well I can tell you it adds a certain flavor to the engine noise, especially above 5000 RPM. Its intoxicating to say the least. For those who do not want to hear these noises, well to each their own. I love the noise, especially on down shifting with the Numeric shifter into 1st gear around 22 mph on the freeway in stop and go traffic using a rev matching double clutch system. The only noise missing is the crackle of a Cobb tune, which is not available for the 987.1's.
Just a shinny wide wheel base slammed black Cayman making increadable engine noises, downshifting along side those Priuses and Hondas daily drivers.
Been running a Carnewal modified exhaust on my 2010 2.9 Boxster Base for a couple of years now and love it. No other exhaust mods. No drone, enhanced the existing off-throttle burble, and sounds great at WOT.
SilentMike
Check out Fabspeed. I have their exhaust on my 987 S. Do the long tube headers if you can get away with it. For a Cayman you may want to stick with maxflow due to cabin design, my Boxster runs Supercup V2 with the X pipe near the tips. You can hear it full bore on youtube if you search "PCA Hawaii Drag" It's usually the 2nd pair of cars stoping the 997.
Unzie57
I did the Carnewal exhaust on my 987.1 Cayman S and it is by far the best bang for your buck. The sound of Gert’s exhaust is pure sweetness. It’s a perfect balance; while it still has a deeper growl and burbles at lower RPM’s it’s not overkill and keeps the misses happy. When you wind it out it sounds more like a GT3(awesome sound). I also wanted to point out that if you plan on going down that slippery slope of Mods the Carnewal exhaust may or may not be the right choice depending on what your end game is. For me I later installed a set of Fabspeed catless headers and although I loved the sound it was quite loud all the time. Not something the wife was keen on so I ended swapping the Carnewal exhaust for a set of valved cat backs (NHP). Now when I’m at the track or out with the boys I can open it up and when out for diner with the misses I close them; best of both worlds.
Chris
Carnewal exhaust and Soul Performance catted headers = zero drone.
