Phase 2 of My Fabspeed 987.2 Performance Package- Valvetronic Exhaust System

Hello Everyone! As many of you know, I made it a goal of mine to piece together and document a complete performance package solution on my Cayman R to maximize performance of the 987.2 generation for like-minded enthusiasts. Phase 1 was the addition of our Catless Race Headers, Cobb Accessport, and Protune. Now I have finished up the exhaust by having our R&D department modify our Boxster/Cayman " Valvetronic Exhaust System " as necessary to fit the 987.2. This is the same system released some time ago for the GT4/Spyder and 981 platform, which has been extremely popular particularly when included with our GT450 package . Since installing a bit over a week ago I have put over 1000 miles worth of street and highway driving on this particular setup, as well as several hours of track time at New York Safety Track (NYST). It performaned flawlessly, has exceeded all of my expectations, and I will not be going back to to the factory PSE as wonderful as is sounded with the Race Headers. With valves open the car feels to have picked up a good bit amount more power across the rev range, most noticeable over 3500rpms. The engine also seems to be a bit snappier in regards to throttle response, which is an added bonus. More improvement than I was expecting as the factory Cayman R PSE has a larger inlet piping diameter than the Base or S models. That being said, those with a Base/S with a more restrictive PSE (or Non-PSE) system that upgrade to the Valvetronic Exhaust System will receive even greater improvement than what I have experienced. In regards to the sound with valves closed, there is some resonance in cabin between 2-3k in combination with our catless Race Headers I am running. However, after about 20 minutes of highway driving (3.5hrs to and from NYST) with careful throttle modulation and reading the traffic/road ahead, I found I could drive around the majority of the resonance between 2-3k. Above 3k it clears up remarkably to the point IMO it is negligible. I drove this same exhaust with Sport Headers (HJS 200cell cats) in the GT4/Spyder and our 2011 Spyder, and the resonance between 2-3k was minimal (less than half as much with the Race Headers) and above 3k unnoticeable to me. At the end of the day...a very small price to pay, and completely comfortable for a petrolhead trying to maximize the performance of their 987 given the animal that is unleashed when the valves are open. That being said, the sound with the valves open....Pure Cup Car combined with our Race Headers, as this system with valves open is essentially our Supercup Race Exhaust without resonators. It is astounding how incredibly raw and intoxicating the exhaust note is at WOT. I can't help but operate the car at majority throttle over 4k rpms and rip around everywhere I go. My neighbors undoubtedly hate me, although a few local enthusiasts shoot one of my fellow Fabspeed specialists an approving text every time I leave and return home haha. I can talk about it and praise the sound and performance all I want, but nothing will do it better justice on the forum than watching/listening to some videos of me putting the new setup through it's paces at NYST, and a tunnel lol. Without further delay...turn up the volume on some good quality speakers/head phones and enjoy :drivingskid: NYST Flyby (my buddy Ryan riding shotgun, decided he wants a Porsche now haha) Cabin video of my fastest lap at a 1:39.01 (cell phone quality sound unfortunately) Chase video from my buddy in his stock GT4

NYST Flyby 2 Tunnel run, obviously located on a detour to Mexico from the track day... Those with any questions or interest in taking their driving experience up a notch, please feel free to PM, Email, or Call (details in sig) i'd love to work with you

Looks like a nice step up from the factory PSE . Few questions: What's the piping diameter? (cat to muffler) - looks bigger than even the Cayman R With valves closed and stock headers will this pass SPL restricted tracks like Lime Rock or Laguna Seca? How about with your catted headers? Will this drop right in to a car that has the factory sport exhaust? Any additional vacuum line tweaks needed? Thanks

Certainly feels like it too that's for sure haha. Piping diameter of the inlet pipes are 2 1/4in, then they connect to the muffler assembly where the piping is stepped to a 2.5in all the way to the tips. The factory PSE system opens the valves automatically under heavy throttle at about 3800rpm, so the valves would not be closed on track when decibel readings are taking place. We cannot say for certain, but this system would likely not pass. For non- pse cars operating we include a key fob system that will have them either open or closed 100% of the time. However for this particular system the valves closed option is quite restrictive to try and reduce as much cabin noise as possible for cruising around, it would not be ideal to operate consitantly at track speed in the higher rpms. That being said, our TrackTec Valved Bypass Exhaust System with valves closed is turns into our Maxflo System which has been proven to be more efficient than the factory system and has less backpressure for optimal track use with valves closed. I have a GT4 client of mine that has our catless Race Headers, TrackTec, and Turn Down Tips and with valves closed he passed Limerock by 2DB the last time he was there. Yes both our valved exhaust systems are a direct hardware replacement for the factory PSE exhaust, you simply hook up the vacuum lines and functions exactly as the factory system. If I might recommend, the headers are the Biggest restriction point the these cars. I gained 27whp with just our Race Headers and Tune, and the sound is absolutely superb. Race Headers, Factory PSE, and Turn Down Tips should be a winning combination at the majority of track with DB limitations with the most performance gains and a gorgeous exhaust note.

Heading to NJMP this weekend to hit Thunderbolt with PCA, should get some more footage of the system in action. If anyone is around come stop by and say hello!

John, neat setup. I think this could be a viable alternative to the Capristo system I'm currently shopping - for a lot less money. I like your upgrade path as well, I'd like to start with some catless headers, stock exhaust and an AccessPort tune but I have a few questions: Can the cat inefficiency code only be programmed out with a protune? If thats the case, if one was to buy an accessport from Fabspeed with a protune, is it possible to tune remotely and safely without a dyno? Is a Protune even necessary with only catless headers or can the off the shelf stage one map handle the modification safely? Thanks! Justin

Hello Justin, I appreciate your inquiry, and it is a pleasure to work with you to meet your goals You are correct in assuming the cat codes can only be programmed out with a protune. The beautify of the Cobb Accessport is the ability to do remote tuning with anyone across the globe. The datalogging function of the Accessport provides all the information we need to provide you with a custom file to maximize your performance potential and drivability. Technically you can run our race headers without a tune at all and it is safe for the engine. Modern ECU's are quite advanced, enough to maintain safe operation of the vehicle running catless. However you will never see the full performance potential of the upgrade without optimized software, and while the Stage 1 OTS map from Cobb is good...it is not optimized for exhaust enhancements. Our in house protuner Steve is world class, and is protuning Boxster / Caymans across the globe everyday and on most weekends is flown to Porsche shops/race teams for on site tuning for vehicles not supported by Cobb . And that's just Porsche , I won't even get into the magic he works on the exotics, american muscle, and custom builds that in some cases exceed 2000whp. A protune from him is worth it Know you are in good hands, and starting with our Race Headers and Cobb Accessport /Protune will be enough to transform your car and leave some nice room for improvement when you are ready to take the next step. PM heading your way now, welcome to the Fabspeed community my friend :cheers:

John, I first saw your post on ******** and really liked they way you detailed your upgrades. It was so inspiring that I bought headers a couple weeks ago and installed them myself! Unfortunately they are not the Fabspeed catless headers but damn, do they scream! The feedback you've given as well as the other posters on ******** mirror my thoughts exactly regarding catless headers. If I were to get the Cobb Accessport /Protune from you guys, how would you tune it (I live in the Bay Area)? Your website mentions that it doesn't have "off the shelf maps" for the 2.9L motor. I also saw that the nearest Cobb shop is in SoCal. Thanks, Dennis

Dennis thank you for the kind words! It had been a blast unleashing the potential of this car, and I'm happy to document as much as I can for the forum community. Glad to hear you upgraded your headers as well and are enjoying it! No hard feelings on not going Fabspeed, there are a lot of good companies out there haha. In regards to tuning your car with the Cobb Accessport it is actually quite simple actually. You would need a Cobb Accessport to start, which we stock and provide for those that don't already have one. With the accessport you can record your unique ECU's datalog and send it to our in house tuner via email, along with an ECU tuning form we have you fill out with your vehicle information, modifications, and fuel octane. Our tuner then reviews the datalog and tuning form and builds you a custom file to maximize the performance of your car, and sends it back to you. You upload the file to your accessport and then the car, and enjoy the results! It is essentially receiving a dyno tune via email haha.

looks and sounds Fantastic !! great job guys

Thank you very much! How are you enjoying your setup so far?

I haven't gotten this system as of yet but contemplating it

Hi popov987, give me a call anytime for more info. As an owner, I can give you a real world review and insight. This system is officially on the website all ready for your order HERE . Get the most versatile and best sounding exhaust for your 987.2 Boxster / Cayman. Reasonable for us gearheads with the valves closed, but at the push of a button it turns your car into a snarling monster with burbles in abundance on decel, and the poor people you on the downshifts...lol. Instant smile generator. Just give this tunnel clip a listen for reference, my buddy in the mustang wasn't expecting it to say the least haha. Turn those speakers up! If you have any questions at all, just give me a call and lets talk. Thanks everyone!

Can you compare the sound of the Valvetronic and TrackTek systems with the valves open? I'm assuming it would be similar since its a "straight pipe" type situation with both of those exhausts with the valves open. Also, is the Valvetronic system not compatible with non- PSE cars unlike the TrackTek system? I did not see an option for non- PSE cars on the website. ~Justin

You made that GT4 sound timid and soft. And I can attest that in person, your can be heard screaming from a mile away! I wish I had done the catless headers and saved a few bucks.

Hey Justin! Just updated the website to include an option for the Non- PSE cars sorry about that, good catch! Although performance gains are similar, the Tracktec and Valvetronic Exhaust accomplish quite different exhaust notes with valves open and closed as the designs are very different. I have extensive seat time in both options in various configurations of headers, and although it would be much easier to express the varying results over the phone i'll give it my best shot. Keep in mind that sound is very subjective, but here is my feedback. As shown on our website we have two different “mild-to-wild” valved exhaust systems. The TrackTec exhaust system is essentially our extremely popular Maxflo exhaust with the valves closed, and allows an immediate bypass that allows the exhaust to release under the vehicle as quickly as possible for a more raw and aggressive sound. The Valvetronic Exhaust System with the valves closed is quieter than the TrackTec due to a more restrictive resonator assembly so I believe it has less cabin resonance but doesn't have the sporty exhaust note the TrackTec does. With the valves open the Valvetronic Exhaust System bypasses the resonator assemblies and exits the back of the car through the exhaust tips. At that point it is essentially our Supercup without resonators. The longer route and piping design will provide a throaty, loud, exotic, higher-pitched sports car sound that is very "cup car". Performance gains between the two will be very comparable with the valves open with the edge going towards the Valvetronic as there is still a good bit of flow going through the muffler assemblies on the TrackTec even with valves open. With valves closed the TrackTec will have better performance as it is our more performance oriented Maxflo mufflers. After driving them both in various combination...my favorite is the Valvetronic, I just love that more exotic pitch it has haha. I know this is a lot to take in, but for those interested I will work with you to ensure your goals are met appropriately. Just give me a ring to chat about everything and come up with a game plan for you. If there is a good number/time to reach out I would be happy to do so, or you can give me a call at [phone removed], just ask for John Gaydos.

I run the Fabspeed Valvetronic on my 987.2 Boxster (base, but IPD plenum, GT3 TB, Fabspeed ECU bench tune) and run the car with the valves open 95% of the time. The sound is intoxicating. When you get into the throttle, the car simply wails! Don't hesitate to order this exhaust system. It's perfect.

Hi there John, Nice to read your posts and like myself, obviously very enthusiastic about your exhausts. It's good that you mention the drone between 2-3000rpm as that will always be an issue with Cayman drivers as soon as you introduce a louder than stock exhaust - it's virtually impossible to eliminate it (although I have tune-able exhaust baffles and carefully positioned closed cell soundproofing in the cabin which does help reduce brain damage in that rev range). To me, the most important part of a new exhaust is what it sounds like inside the cabin. I'm not really interested in what it sounds like to the people outside. It might help your sales to create another In-Cabin video recorded in real world driving conditions, rather than at high revs round a track. I thought you did the job well in your in-cabin video (especially with a cell phone, shame on you, lol) and whenever I have tried this with specialised equipment the camera and mics pic up a lot of engine/drivetrain/induction noise and it's difficult to focus on just the exhaust note. Many thanks, Max

Thanks for the kind words Bozster! Very happy to hear you are enjoying the system as much as I am

Hey Max! I appreciate your kind words, it is a joy to be working here and be able to chat with fellow petrolheads like yourself. I'm not one to beat around the bush on the Boxster/Cayman tendency for drone, it is very subjective and each person is going to have their own opinion. I truly feel the factory PSE system with even our catless Race Headers has no drone that I can tell, but if you are after maximum power and a much more aggressive sound the rear catback has to go. What setup are you currently running? Agreed on the in-cabin experience, and i'd be quite happy to do some sound recording in the car but the rather poor weather has it away for a time. I'll see what I can do when the driving season returns. However, my combination of Race Headers/Valvetronic Exhaust is not tailored as much for real world driving conditions as it it for pedal down, full throttle maximum effort. I guess it all depends on what your definition of "real world driving conditions" is as the majority of guys running my combination wouldn't be driving very slow or in lower rpms haha. Thanks for the kudos on the cell phone vids haha, my Go-Pro wasn't cutting in the back hatch area with the windows down on track...way too much wind noise. May try a mic with some kind of baffling next time, like I did previously on my "Phase 1" videos.

Dyno Runs!

Still running our Race Headers/Valvetronic Exhaust System on my Cayman R and LOVING IT! :burnout: Pictures/Video from my latest track day at NYST run by TrackXperience. First time on track in a car in the wet, SO MUCH FUN! Also loving the new wrap from MC Designs, can't stop looking at it and snapping necks everywhere I drive it haha. [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfxVwV7kUCQ&t=38s [/video] https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18358576_10155152266050586_4238278520540965760_o_b 7accc3166db8f2d66cc72158b2283aa3a22796e.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18320900_10155152266045586_4106453890534929431_o_7 cd07d72ceb03f16a01806f53a35543ab12961f3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18319093_10155152266085586_4887488841223443231_o_3 e2713cefc3e84354d2e6afbe20f652ce5c2b1ea.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18402295_10155152266205586_1171681296293399846_o_1 0b627e40625764d31f85abb316f349443decdb2.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18278880_10155152266215586_3484266851769797304_o_f caf03223996068d8561997efe196ce19f92cf81.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/********.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-18401923_10155152266220586_6677615370352728556_o_a a7481963a1e3fa681a213fa129a4dd5f7b8024e.jpg