Ruf Exhaust

I installed my new Ruf exhaust this weekend, here are my observations FWIW: 1. Bought from Weissach Performance out of Vancouver, very nice to deal with, free shipping/ no sales tax. Ask for Andrew Sampson <a href="http://www.weissach.com" target="_blank">www.weissach.com</a> 2.The Ruf pieces have very high build quality and finish, just what you would expect from Ruf, (especially for the price). 3. Took me about 2 1/2 hours to install myself, and I have better than average skills. There were no instructions but thanks to the DIY section on P-car.com, it was no problem. I did not have to remove any body parts or wheels. 4. Biggest problem was lining up my stock tips at the end. 5. The sound, ah yes... it's great! The car has a deep burble at low rpm and screams like a race car at full throttle. In fact, it is VERY loud at full throttle. But, not too loud at all from the passenger compartment during normal driving. No resonance noticed as of yet. Overall sounds like a well tuned exhaust. When I spoke to Weissach about the sound they descibe it as similar to a '73 911S or a GT3, I haven't heard an old S, but it does sound a lot like the GT3. I guess it's the "the Ruf sound". 6. The car feels like it pulls a little harder at higher rpm, I'm not sure how much power gain is expected, if at all. Although Ruf claims a 10hp increase. Overall I am pleased, I would like to compare it to some of the other exhaust options like the Fabspeed or the factory Sport Exhaust. I did compare it with a buddy's '02 Cab and while the '02 is loud at full throttle from the rear, the Ruf is louder at full throttle plus it has that nice low rpm burble. Doug <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Hi DJ, Congrats on the exhaust. I've got Evo's exhaust and would love to compare the sound to yours. I've been looking for 996 owners who have done mods in Houston, but haven't found anyone. Do you plan to do anymore mods? David

I'm gonna be installing my Gemballa this weekend, maybe next. I was also using the instructions on p-car as reference but when I looked this past weekend, I can't seem to find that 3rd bolt that hold the muffler. I was thinking I needed to remove the wheel to get to it. Any advice would be appreciated! Rodney

Does anybody in the New York area have any modified exhausts; Gemballa, Ruf, Evo, Fabspeed? I would really like to hear some. It seems that most people who modify their cars are from the West or Southwest.

My 99' has the Fabspeed exhaust, headers, intake and Cargraphic Race Cats. The sound is incredible! If you want to hear the car I will be at Lime Rock on April 6th with NASA. Check out their site <a href="http://www.nasanortheast.net." target="_blank">http://www.nasanortheast.net.</a> I've done several events with NASA and I've always had a great experience. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Rodney, I did not have to remove my wheel or any body parts to access the bolts or remove the muffler. Get under the rear of the car and locate the mounting bracket. The three bolts are in fairly close proximetry with the third bolt inferior to the others. All three can be removed with a short 13mm socket wrench. Those three bolts and the two bolts on the clamp between the cat and the muffler( BTW, slide the clamp towards the muffler when loose, it's easier). That's all it takes and the muffler is ready to come out. I used a floor jack to raise the rear of the car from the jacking points just enough to slide the old muffler out at this point, otherwise I didn't have to jack up the car to work on the bolts. Hope this helps. Doug

Sounds like a great exhaust especially with the name RUF on it : ). By the way how do you like the row 030 suspension? I'm undecided between that and the h&r coil overs. I'm also debating on the GT3 swaybar too. Seems like from a cost standpoint and overall blend between street/track the row 030 is the way to go? Regards. Mike

Mike, For a street car I think RoW 030 is the way to go. My car is near neutral with no noticeable understeer at the track. The adjustable coil over plus the GT3 bars is a better handling setup, no doubt... but for a 90%+ street car the RoW 030 is the best way to go IMO. It is a completely engineered and balanced setup out of the box with no adjustment needed other than initial alignment. My understanding is whenever a height adjustment is made, a re-alignment is also needed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Doug

Doug, Glad you are pleased with your RUF exhaust. My experience with the RUF system, also purchased through Andrew at Weissach, tracks almost exactly with yours. I expected no performance gain, but the car does feel stronger in the upper RPM ranges....it may be psychological but it is fun! The sound seems just about right across the board for me. It is loud at full throttle with the windows down, but not annoying (very subjective, I realize). At part throttle or with the windows rolled up the sound is much more subtle. I was concerned about what my neighbors were hearing when I drove up the street so I had my son drive the car around the block and past me several times. For want of a better word, I was surprised at how refined the car sounded with this exhaust. Not raucous or objectionable at all with a very nice low burble. My install of the Rufs also mirrored yours except that I found it easier to remove the rear wheel and slide the old muffler out and the new ones into position from the wheel well. I was probably just being over-cautious about banging the muffs around under there while I tried to find the right position to get them past the engine and the bumper. Anyway I'm pleased with my choice. Mike <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

David, I think I'm about done with mods...for now. Seriously I'm quite pleased with the car on the street as a daily driver and at the track for occassional DEs. E mail me sometime and we'll hook up. I know there are a few guys in Houston who get together now and then for drives. Scott Watkins are you out there? Mike, Thanks for helping convince me to get the Rufs, yours and others opinions were helpful. Doug

Scott swapped his springs recently as well, and I think they're the ROW M030, too. I drove his car around the block & really liked it. DJ, are you going to be at the April DE?

Hey Robert, I'm going to try and go to either the April or the June DE. Right now my schedule is pretty busy and I'm in NY the week of the April event. Doug

Thanks alot DJ996 on the m030 suspension. If that is so with height adjustment on the h&r coilovers and warrants alignment each time that would be PITA. The ROW m030 seems to fill the ticket for me like you said which is 90%% street 10% track. By the way do you have a soundbite of the RUF exhaust-though I would like to hear it in person I'll have to settle for soundbites. Regards. Mike

Mike, Oh come on, Houston isn't that far from San Francisco, if you start right now you could be here for the weekend... hehehe. Seriously, I'm going to post a sound file soon, but I only have a PDA to record with so the quality will not be great. I think you will be happy with the RoW 030. Doug <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />