Exhaust sound test

Hi, My wife has temporarily lost her mind and has agreed to allow me to plunk down the $$ for an exhaust system for my 2000 C4 Cab. However, I don't want do this without having heard some of the various exhaust systems live in person. I've been to quite a few web sites with sound clips and I don't feel comfortable basing my decision on sound clips. Whenever I've stopped by the local dealerships, there's never any 996s on the lot with anything but a stock exhaust. I'm located in the south SF Bay Area. There must be some local rennlisters that would be willing to meet and show off there PSE, Fabspeed, RUF and/or Gembella? If we can work the meeting place appropriately, I'd be more than willing to treat for a greasy burger and a beer for the sound test! At the very least, I'll let you check out my Nav system. Let me know and I'll try to organize something over an upcoming weekend. Thanks.

you have mail

I'm in south bay as well, looking for the same. Audio clips are good. But I'd really want to hear it in person first! I have an '02 C2 and am thinking PSE or fabspeed.

PSE sounds. Courtesy of Poursha <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/StandardExhaust1.wav" target="_blank">Standard Exhaust 1</a> <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/SportExhaust1.wav" target="_blank">PSE 1</a> <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/StandardExhaust2.wav" target="_blank">Standard Exhaust 2</a> <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/SportExhaust2.wav" target="_blank">PSE 2</a>

what kind of nav do you have post some pics!

Just the stock PCM 1 <img src="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/BirdPlugRingsWEB.jpg" alt=" - " />

I work in Mountain View and recently installed the PSE on my 99 coupe. I wouldn't mind meeting up to give you a chance to hear it. Also, if someone else has a Fabspeed and can join us, I'd love the chance to hear one. Send me PM if interested.

I have the Fabs on my '99 C2. As long as I don't have to drive too far, I'm willing to meet if the time is convenient.

I work in Mountain View & would love to hear PSE and fabspeed in person. If you're up for it, send me a PM. I have ROW M030 on my C2, so you if you're interested you can see that.

Epilogue: First of all, I'd like to thank Chris and John for taking part in the sound test. Clint, if you can catch up with these guys, by all means do it! Well, after the Redwood City police and I arrived, we hung out for a while checking out each other's cars, in particular the exhausts, one a PSE and the other a Fabspeed. I must say that for anyone seriously interested in purchasing this type of stuff, you must hear it in person. The sound clips posted by/from Poursha are indeed very accurate but the analogy I'd make is seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon versus actually seeing it in person. If you've ever been there, you know exactly what I mean. My initial impressions were that the Fabspeed immediately caught my attention with it's deep rumbly growl. I had come into this sound test heavily favoring the PSE (reading all the reviews and buying into the "Porsche built it" mentality). At low RPMs the PSE sounded to me just like stock. The Fabspeed was different with a louder sound at low RPMs. We did some highway time and then a run down a surface street while I listened as the cars went by. Someone somewhere wrote that the Fabspeed is the biggest bang for the buck and I can attest to this! Although I would say the PSE has a more "sophisticated" and sexy sound whereas the Fabspeed is a brute. In terms of the equipment, the PSE appeared to integrate perfectly with the car (fit and finish wise). The Fabspeed, with all of its polished metal, looked like it was a shame to keep it hidden in the body of the car. :-) Personally, I want LOUD. I'll never forget the moment I was done breaking in my car and first did some high revving with the top down - that engine sound had me hooked. Now I just want more of it! I'm going to poke around and see if I can get a listen to any other exhausts but I'm now heavily leaning towards the Fabspeed (sorry Chris!). A main concern for me with the PSE was the lack of any difference to stock at low RPMs. I really liked the fact that Fabspeed had a deep throaty grumble upon startup. Again, thanks to those who participated and once I pull the trigger on an exhaust system, I'll be sure to post more impressions as I have them as well as "pass the tourch" to anyone else interested in hearing what I eventually get. Cheers,

B&B makes a system for 996 <a href="http://www.bbtriflo.com/porsche.html" target="_blank">http://www.bbtriflo.com/porsche.html</a>

I just listened to the PSE 2 and I believe my Fabspeeds sound very similar. I would seriously consider them as they are cheaper, easier to install and save over 40 lbs. I've had them on my 90C2 Cab, 94 Speedster, 98 993CS and now on my 02 Cab, and I think they are the best deal for the money! (no relation, and I know Joe is not a sponsor, but his product is a good one)

Don, the fab exhaust saves 40lbs from stock or PSE? Or does PSE and stock weight the same?

Tezta, PSE and the stock exhaust weigh about the same. In fact, the PSE may be ever so slightly heavier because of the added hardware. The Ruf's, for example, were much smaller (and easier to install) than either of the Porsche exhausts. Joe, No apologies necessary. Despite being very happy with my PSE, I think I like the Fabspeeds more. The PSE is a "perfect compromise" exhaust - quiet when tooling around, and loud when you get into it. It also has the more "ragged" sound, in my opinion. However, if all-the-time loud is what you want, I would go Fabspeed. When John pulled away, I just imagined that I heard a race car fly by. Very cool. That said, though, I felt like the Fabspeeds would definitely attract more attention from "California's Finest". -Chris

Joe and Chris, it was nice meeting you both. I should've asked one of you to drive my car so I could hear how my Fabs sound away from the driver's seat. Driving behind Chris, I thought his PSE sounded great. Joe, if you do intall the Fabs (or PSE for that matter), you'll find yourself revving to redline every chance you get. It's intoxicating to hear that motor whine at full throttle. Let us know what you decide to do. Chris, I wanted to hear your upgraded stereo but I completely forgot about it yesterday. Maybe next time.

John, I'd be happy to drive your car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> , since I was curious as to what it sounded like from the inside. If you get interested enough to hear the stereo, let me know and we can meet up again for a quick demo.

Final: I ended up buying the Fabspeed. Chris was nice enough to come by my house last Sunday and help me with the install. It took three or so hours but I only cut two fingers doing it! :-) First of all, I must say it seemed a shame to hide such a beautiful piece of stainless steel under my car. I felt like I should be eating off the Fabspeed not attaching it to my car. But, then I heard the sound... From the startup, the car sounds completely different now. Different in a loud rumbling way. Startup was so cool sounding I almost wanted to just keep starting it up and shutting it down to hear it! After the install, we took my car for a quick zip up 280. The initial sound upon acceleration is loud!, dropping a bit between 3 and 4K RPMs and then a loud aggressive roar again. That maybe just my car adjusting as the sound seemed to smooth out over the day (yes, I took the car out for more runs later in the day...). Some things I learned: - The hardest part of the install was having soot (or whatever?) fall in my face as I was trying to get the stock exhaust out. - If you've lowered your car, it'll be hard (not impossible but hard) to readily find a jack to jack up your car. My car is not lowered and a standard 2 ton jack *just* fit. - Deep sockets (wasn't he part of Watergate?) are key. Some of the bolts you have to take off are on long threaded screws and my standard socket set was not always doing it for us (thank God for a neighbor with tools). - aligning the tips is a b*tch! All in all, this was a really fun experience and I'm very happy with the new sound to my car. Special thanks to Chris for helping with the install and John for demoing his Fabspeed. Thanks to all the others who helped via email too.

pourscha, Are frequently around the palo alto area? I just saw a new E55 like yours driving around university ave about two weeks ago. Very nice ride. I was driving my dad's black SL55 there, dunno if you remember. Whether it was you or not, a nice eye catcher your car is for a good 4 door.