Exhaust decision...need input

I want to upgrade my 996 exhaust, primarily because I can hardly hear my car at the track, I have narrowed it down to 3 or 4 possibilities. 1. Fabspeeds, a lot of people have them and swear by them. $995 2. Porsche Sport Exhaust, factory quality, but quite complicated install. $1400 3. Ruf exhaust, top of the line quality, well known name. Very expensive, almost twice fabs. $1650 4. Leave the stock exhaust, my neighbors will appreciate it and I really only track the car 3-4 times a year. Any input would be appreciated. TIA Doug

I have the GHL exhaust -- very nice, very heavy duty mufflers -- I like the sound. You can see info here: <a href="http://www.ghlmotorsports.com/" target="_blank">GHL Motorsports</a>

I have the Fabspeeds and it sounded a bit loud at first but as its broken in much smoother. I love it everytime I turn on the ignition/ at idle and full throttle. Did tracking time at Thunderhill and v8 pushrods loved the sound. Very deep and throaty. Regards. Mike

You could always do what I did and install the Porsche Sport Exhaust w/o hooking up the electronics and vacuum stuff. By default the by-pass valves are open. I love mine that way. It sounds like the Porsches I remember from the 70's. Loren (99 996)

I'll add my $0.02 and vote for the Fabspeed system with the airbox mods. It's pretty impressive to start with and just seems to get more mellow and impressive over time. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

I heard a GHL on a Boxster today. Not a 996 so take this for what it's worth. It was very nice at low rpm and idle/not accelerating compared to a stock Boxster. Intake sound above 4000 rpm was louder and more aggressive (better). Performance hard to judge since they also chipped the car and I think put in a short shifter. Someone who shall remain anonymous who installs the Porsche factory sport exhaust (and others) did not recommend it: overpriced, too complicated (software), better options elsewhere. I know Champion in Pompano Beach, FL has contracted with Tubi to make exhausts for new Porsche.

Thanks for the input. I'm still thinking about it.

I should get my 01 C4 back Friday with Porsche Sport Exhaust and a manual switch to close the dampers to make it quiet or exhaust wide open when the switch is not activated. FDR

Yesterday I heard a silver '00 or '01 996 with FVD exhaust, headers, free flow cats. It sounded very nice and growly with good intake song. They claim a few extra bhp. It heard this car at Gulf Performance in Ft Lauderdale (phone [phone removed] if you want details). They've maintained my Boxster for about 2-1/2 years and have a good reputation. Just one more exhaust to add to the choices.

This morning I ordered the Ruf exhaust. It was one of the more expensive choices but I think it might be the best for me. I want a quality exhaust louder than stock and without resonance. The people at Weissach Performance are great to deal with, $1650 free shipping / no sales tax. If I am not pleased I can return it and they'll pay the return shipping. I'll let you'all know how it sounds when I do the install! <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

I just picked up my 01 C4 from getting the Sport Exhaust installed and I had a switch installed in the location where the heated seat switches would go. We used a PSM switch with an additional relay since the PSM switch sends just a pulse. Sport Exhaust loud mode shows the orange light on, quite mode light off. Works great! If you have heated seats you install the switch in an available opening to the right or left of the stereo system or get the new panel for a 02 Targa that has 4 switch opens for heated seats and Targa top controls along with one blank. Now in my car PSM has two meanings "Porsche Stability Management" and "Porsche Sport Mufflers" An expensive way to go, however having a chameleon exhaust system is great. Look at as a dual purpose mute switch, one way mutes the exhaust and the other way mutes your wife or girlfriend. Or one way makes your neighbors happy and the other pisses them off. FDR

Been re-reading this thread, and I have a question which might seem silly to you guys. I have a 996 C4S, which already has the Porsche Sport Exhaust. Is there a significant enough advantage or change in sound to make it worthwhile to get Fabspeeds or Ruf? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">