Sound is important (981) - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I took my Carnewal exhaust off today and put the standard one back on, as it kept pinging the sound monitoring equipment at track days. Unfortunately, I had forgotten how tame the standard car is, and it's completely killed its character! The great thing about the Carnewal was it made a right racket at low speed/low RPM, meaning there was plenty of pantomime to be had when pootling about, whereas the standard car needs you to be on it before the exhaust comes alive and even then it’s quite tame. I don’t have a problem with this in principle as we all know manufacturers need to build cars in a certain way, but it certainly leaves me with a bit of a conundrum! Do I keep the standard exhaust on so I can take part in track days unmolested, but put up with the lack of sound day to day. Or do I put the Carnewal back on, enjoy the car more as a daily driver, and just stick to track days at the Nurburgring, where I’ve never had a problem? I'm probably leaning towards the latter! Lesson learnt I guess P.S. I know PSE is an option, but it's expensive and still a little tame in loud mode.

Hi, this is very interesting to me as I have a 981 S with no PSE and have just ordered the carnewal exhaust for it. I have done a couple of track days at Bedford which I believe is one of the more strict circuits and had no problems with noise - guess I won’t be going back there once fitted. Bit of a shame, but now sure how many more track days I would do anyway. Do you know what DB readings you were getting with the Carnewal?

CantDecide said: Do you know what DB readings you were getting with the Carnewal? This, and which days are you doing?… might be you just need to do loud days from now on…plenty of those, so no problem.

The other option is some bolt on additional silencers - look terrible but seen some GT4s and BMWs with these. 10 mins to put in or take off and get past all sound checks…

PSE tame? At high rpm it is glorious. It's the pops and bangs that become tiresome. Not cheap yes.

Really, you think the PSE is tame? Amazing how different people's perceptions can be. To me, the car sounds fantastic at full bore and still satisfying at lower revs. To be honest, the PSE can border on too loud when you're not in the mood.

Carnewal back on, and enjoy it PS as long as the pantomime you refer to when pootling isn't in town / villages. Nothing sadder than a Porsche making too much noise at 28mph.

Thanks for the comments all. I don’t remember the DB readings, but I’m not in the habit of arguing as I know the car is loud. Plus I’ve seen even standard cars removed from track (GT4) due to noise so I’ve always knew I'd be pushing my luck. I must admit I didn’t know “loud” track days were a thing, so I feel a bit silly now david-j8694 said: Really, you think the PSE is tame? Amazing how different people's perceptions can be. To me, the car sounds fantastic at full bore and still satisfying at lower revs. To be honest, the PSE can border on too loud when you're not in the mood. In my opinion it is, but as you say it depends what you are use to. I’m certainly not knocking PSE, I think it serves a purpose, but as per the comment in my original post, manufactures have to make something well rounded, third parties not so much.

SkinnyPete said: david-j8694 said: Really, you think the PSE is tame? Amazing how different people's perceptions can be. To me, the car sounds fantastic at full bore and still satisfying at lower revs. To be honest, the PSE can border on too loud when you're not in the mood. In my opinion it is, but as you say it depends what you are use to. I’m certainly not knocking PSE, I think it serves a purpose, but as per the comment in my original post, manufactures have to make something well rounded, third parties not so much. Oh, very true, hope my tone didn't come across as antagonistic. I'm amazed at how much an engine sound can be opened up by aftermarket exhausts. It's a big part of the car and very much in the eye of the beholder. I'll check them out on the Tube .

I am about to remove a Capristo exhaust off a 981. It works with the PSE button The sound is unholy ! It makes the GTS sound like a race ar But too loud for my tastes

Yes, Boxster gts

david-j8694 said: Really, you think the PSE is tame? Amazing how different people's perceptions can be. To me, the car sounds fantastic at full bore and still satisfying at lower revs. To be honest, the PSE can border on too loud when you're not in the mood. Must admit, I rarely drive mine with it on, rather savour it for when I want to properly give it the beans, whereas my mate always has it on from start-up.

Swine Enthusiast said: Must admit, I rarely drive mine with it on, rather savour it for when I want to properly give it the beans, whereas my mate always has it on from start-up. I have to admit, I’m in Sport+ all of the time, with PASM in normal or sport depending on the road condition. PSE normal for driving through residential areas but otherwise I’m in it for the experience. It isn’t my daily snotter, though. I do think the PSE is a good all-round option, but yes, some of the afternarket options are fantastic - if a little much for some.

Royal Jelly said: Swine Enthusiast said: Must admit, I rarely drive mine with it on, rather savour it for when I want to properly give it the beans, whereas my mate always has it on from start-up. I have to admit, I’m in Sport+ all of the time, with PASM in normal or sport depending on the road condition. PSE normal for driving through residential areas but otherwise I’m in it for the experience. It isn’t my daily snotter, though. I do think the PSE is a good all-round option, but yes, some of the afternarket options are fantastic - if a little much for some. I think Sport+ is a placebo. can you really tell its doing something, like really.

I don’t know anyone bothers with anything other than PSE on the 3.8 9A1 engine. It sounds magnificent and has the beauty of being turned off when you want to be a bit quieter.

julian987R said: Royal Jelly said: Swine Enthusiast said: Must admit, I rarely drive mine with it on, rather savour it for when I want to properly give it the beans, whereas my mate always has it on from start-up. I have to admit, I’m in Sport+ all of the time, with PASM in normal or sport depending on the road condition. PSE normal for driving through residential areas but otherwise I’m in it for the experience. It isn’t my daily snotter, though. I do think the PSE is a good all-round option, but yes, some of the afternarket options are fantastic - if a little much for some. I think Sport+ is a placebo. can you really tell its doing something, like really.

Royal Jelly said: julian987R said: Royal Jelly said: Swine Enthusiast said: Must admit, I rarely drive mine with it on, rather savour it for when I want to properly give it the beans, whereas my mate always has it on from start-up. I have to admit, I’m in Sport+ all of the time, with PASM in normal or sport depending on the road condition. PSE normal for driving through residential areas but otherwise I’m in it for the experience. It isn’t my daily snotter, though. I do think the PSE is a good all-round option, but yes, some of the afternarket options are fantastic - if a little much for some. I think Sport+ is a placebo. can you really tell its doing something, like really. You have to admire someone who tries to brighten each thread with a sprinkle of ‘comedy gold’…

Haribo Lecter said: I don’t know anyone bothers with anything other than PSE on the 3.8 9A1 engine. It sounds magnificent and has the beauty of being turned off when you want to be a bit quieter. I think he’s asking about the 3.4

I’ve just had the Carnewal installed on my 981 S as it had no PSE. Love it! Hasn’t ruined the relatively quiet nature in town etc so long as you keep the revs low, say below 3000, but open it up a bit more and you get a lovely growl. Drop it into 7th and it cruises along lovely and quiet. I am pretty impressed with the change and of course it looks identical.

CantDecide said: I’ve just had the Carnewal installed on my 981 S as it had no PSE. Love it! Hasn’t ruined the relatively quiet nature in town etc so long as you keep the revs low, say below 3000, but open it up a bit more and you get a lovely growl. Drop it into 7th and it cruises along lovely and quiet. I am pretty impressed with the change and of course it looks identical. Excellent! Glad you like it.