PSE.....Disapointment

I have had the PSE(3.4 version) on my '00 996 for a couple of months now, it's a good exhaust but I have to admit I'm somewhat disappointed. IMHO it's heavy, expensive, and a bit loud. If I were to do it again, I would not have sold my former aftermarket exhaust(Ruf) for an upgrade to PSE. If anyone is on the fence, I would suggest you take a long hard look at Fabspeed/GHL etc. before you decide on an exhaust, PSE or otherwise. Anyone want to make me an offer??? (my wife is gonna kill me <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" /> )

What?? i thought you were waxing poetic over these a few threads back... I'm thinking of doing sport mufflers next. What is the difference (sound-wise) between the PSE, Fabspeed, GHL, RUF etc?

Wow, I was about to get PSE from the dealer last weeek but apparently there are none to be found in L.A. and they had to order from Germany. I guess I'll take a second look at Fabspeed.

It's not a bad exhaust, just a bit loud IMO, especially when the engine is cold, seems better when up to temp. Perhaps it's something I need to get used to hearing. Others don't find it that loud, I suggest you hear one for yourself before adding any exhaust, don't take my word or anyone else on the board. Before you spend a lot of money on a system,just look/listen to as many alternatives as possible.

I love the PSE, if anything it's a little muted..and there's always the on/off switch.

Ruf is very expensive but I have been told they sound great... Gemballa sound exotic... not as loudas PSE and they add about 5HP... fabspeed makes the car sound like a non-porsche (so I'm told... and from what I've heard on sound clips off the internet)... GHL... don't know about that one... techart also makes some nice sounding ones... cheers Pete

Doug and I have had a long standing, good natured "debate" on this issue <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> My own subjective opinion, having owned both the Ruf exhaust and my current PSE is that I prefer the PSE. It IS louder than the RUF when cold, and a bit heavier (21.5 pounds per muffler vs. 20 pounds each for the Ruf's), but I prefer the sound of the PSE. I guess I'd just say it's a true Porsche sound, not someone elses interpretation of how a Porsche should sound. The PSE absolutely does not resonate inside the car at any rpm and is unobtrusive when cruisng with steady throttle. The Ruf's had some resonance around 2700-3000 rpm and droned a bit at cruising speed. My seat of the pants evaluation is that the RUF's gave away a bit of mid-range torque with a good top end while the PSE drives just like stock. As far as quality is concerned, the PSE features good materials and workmanship....the Ruf's were beautifully made. Again, that's my car, my subjective ears, and my subjective seat of the pants. It just goes to show, as Doug points out, how important it is to hear these things for yourself before you buy, if you can.

Interesting. The pse imho is a bit too loud. I have the gemballa mufflers and at first I was bummed with them, but that's only becuase they take a bit to blow out and come into their own. Once they did I could not be any happier. I have been next to another 3.4 with pse side by side and went through redline. It was just loud. It sounded somewhat like mine but louder and a bit too much for me. I am pretty happy with mine and contrary to what people say I did notice a difference when I put them on both right when I put them on and after they got blown out. But I notice most things others dont's like &lt;5hp stuff. when I do the 100 5 gallons and bring the octane up for instance it is hugely noticable to me

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SPR: <strong>But I notice most things others dont's like &lt;5hp stuff. when I do the 100 5 gallons and bring the octane up for instance it is hugely noticable to me </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Ahh, the power of suggestion makes for an incredibly sensitive "seat of the pants". I've been there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Having briefly owned Doug's old Ruf exhaust, I agree with most of what Mike said. I would say, however, that in my experience the Ruf was FAR quieter than the PSE, almost to the point of the stock exhaust. While there was a very interesting tone, I could not hear it at all on the highway, windows up or down, RPM high or low. I eventually replaced it with the PSE, which is more to my liking. I wanted a louder exhaust, and I got it. A few months later, I got the chance to hear the Fabspeed, which in my opinion is a little louder even than the PSE, but much deeper. If I were to do it again, I'd get the Fabspeed. But I absolutely agree with what everyone has said about making sure that you listen (in person, if possible) before you buy.

LOL, I guess we can all agree to disagree, all sound perception is subjective by nature. From the comments to my post it appears we are all over the place in terms of what sounds good or what sounds louder. Some prefer the PSE, others Fabspeeds, Gambella, etc, etc. I'll agree with Mike on a couple of things , the PSE is louder than the Ruf, except at full throttle I think they are even. The resonance went away after about a thousand miles, kind of a long break in IMO, but top end pull was "definitely better" . The Fabs I have heard are about as loud as the Ruf, but less than the PSE, they have a more throaty sound. The Rufs IMO were fairly benign , but much (about 50%) louder than stock , unless you were under full throttle. So I had a different perception than Chris...on the very same exhaust The PSEs have zero resonance as Mike says, they are fine about 95% of the time, but they are loud. I guess that's all I'm saying, they are pretty loud....again IMO. The 3.6 PSEs are a different story, I have not heard one in person but they are designed quite differently from the 3.4 version. They don't have the "straight shot" bypass but have an extra outflow from the muffler.

Does anyone know if the new PSE for 2003 is better than the old 3.4L version? I have a 2003 cab with the stock exhaust. I'm thinking of putting in the PSE since it doesn't affect the warranty of the car. I've been told that the difference between the stock exhaust and the PSE is like comparing night and day. Any truth to this? thanks Chucksta

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Chucksta: <strong>I've been told that the difference between the stock exhaust and the PSE is like comparing night and day. Any truth to this?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">As far as my 3.4l '99 is concerned, I'd say that's a pretty fair statement. There is not a big difference at steady cruising speed....just a mellow "burble" from the PSE that's missing with stock....but any time you crack the throttle, yeah, it's night and day. Haven't heard a 3.6l with the PSE, so I can't comment on that. I will admit, that the very first time I fired up the PSE cold, I thought it was going to be too loud for me. Now, I love the sound when it fires up first thing, and the way it mellows as the exhaust heats up. An acquired taste. As everyone has said, this is all so dam* subjective. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

IMHO... the 3.6 with a PSE has about the same loudness and the tone is just a little deeper. LOL - YMMV <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Slightly used Gemballa mufflers for C4S available at bargain basement price. Selling '03 C4S and decided to take exhaust off so one of you lucky Rennlist members can get a great deal. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> If interested, e-mail me at [email removed]

In my very subjective opinion I think the PSE sounds great and was just what I was looking for. I don't listen to the radio much anymore and the windows seem to be rolled down most of the time now It is very quiet at cruise on the highway with no resonance. It is very loud (in good way) when the "go" pedal is activated. I think it was a good upgrade from the stock mufflers. These were the OEM PSE -19 exhausts that are now available for 3.6 and 3.4 model 996's. Did not install the electronics. Cost $ 1700 including installation. Gary <img src="http://www2.direcpc.com/gb/jpg_blue6.jpg" alt=" - " /> Myersville, MD 18" Turbo Look Wheels Pirelli PZero N4 PSE (no switch)

I have the 3.6 PSE and love it. I don't think it is too loud at all. With the top up, and the windows up, you can barly hear it cruising. As for weight, I'm not planning on entering any races with my car soon so the extra 5lbs is not an issue Roy

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Loren: <strong>IMHO... the 3.6 with a PSE has about the same loudness and the tone is just a little deeper. LOL - YMMV <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Loren, Are you indicating that the 3.6 PSE is about as loud as the 3.4, or is the 3.6 PSA about as loud as the 3.6 stock? I'm trying to decide on a new exhaust and my local shop strongly recommends the GHL, but I don't here it to much here so I'm leaning toward the PSE.

Mike, did you find the "morning loudness" mellows with time, that's really my biggest complaint, it is VERY loud (outside the car) when I leave the house at 0630 in the morning.It does mellow quite a bit when warm, which is exactly opposite to my Ruf experience. For clarification, I've not found it too loud at all from inside the cabin, it's the exterior noise that's a concern. But I'm just going to have to vget used to it, I really don't want to get into another exhaust change.

DJ 996, Why don't you get the electronics installed? That way you can hit the "silencer" switch when leaving you home early, and enjoy the full sound later. That is the major advantage PSE offers over other exhausts.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by DJ 996: <strong>Mike, did you find the "morning loudness" mellows with time, that's really my biggest complaint, it is VERY loud (outside the car) when I leave the house at 0630 in the morning.It does mellow quite a bit when warm, which is exactly opposite to my Ruf experience. For clarification, I've not found it too loud at all from inside the cabin, it's the exterior noise that's a concern.....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Doug, I don't think the "cold" exhaust note has mellowed, but I may have, meaning that I was surprised by it at first but now I'm used to it. Probably my morning routine has something to do with it too. I usually let the car warm up for a couple of minutes while I gather up my briefcase, morning paper etc. I realize this isn't "environmentaly correct", but in that brief time the engine has gotten some heat in it, the edge is off the exhaust, and I'm ready to pull down the driveway. If your neighbors <img border="0" alt="[sleep]" title="" src="graemlins/sleep.gif" /> are a concern, maybe a brief warm up would help. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />