must be muffler month . . . Fabspeeds installed!

Well, that was kind of fun. Fabspeed MaxFlo mufflers arrived on time, and, with help from you guys, decided to do the installation myself. To paraphrase an old clich� "I will NOT be quitting my day job." This is the first time I have had my car on jack stands, so thanks to Orient Express for an illustrated guide. (rear tire underneath as a safety fall-back). There was one challenge, however. With my PSS10s the car was lowered a bit, so once I had the front stands in place there was not enough clearance for my very low-profile jack. So I raised the back tires again and placed some 2x10 scraps underneath to more clearance for the rear jack point. As far as installation goes, gota911's instructions were great! Thanks! I also remembered to spray the nuts and bolts with liquid wrench the night before. Need a well placed smiley here: Well, little remains on installation that is not already here on Rennlist. I would vote for the "tool of the year" for this job, should you do it yourself. A flexible head ratchet: The only bolts that were beyond wrenching were the bolts on the muffler clamps themselves. Luckily I had purchased the Fabspeed clamps as others have recommended. The factory bolts were carefully removed via a Sawzall. Felt good, actually. The C4S has a couple of extra brackets since the tubing to the tips is a little long. Both had broken (fatigue resistance, anyone) somewhere along the line, so felt no obligation to replace them. Anyway the true joy of the project is trying to get the tips lined up. Not too hard with the Fabspeed clamps. Finished up with a coat of lithium grease on all the bolts in hope that they will take longer to rust next time. Sound is great. I will admit that all I had to compare it to around here was the stock muffler, but, after reading about a million threads on this subject, figured I could not go too wrong with the Fabspeeds. Sounds like a sports car!

yeah, that flex head rachet is a necessity. Another thing to do is to hand insert the hex socket first onto the bolt, and then snap in the rachet part after. This way, you know you have 100% engagement of the nut.

First off, that is a beautiful car. Second - bravo for wrenching on the car yourself. Im ready for an exhaust mod too - and was thinking Tubi, but the Fabspeed is so much more reasonably priced. Is there any noticeable drone?

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First, thanks--almost a twin of yours! Regarding drone, I am not completely sure what "drone" even is. There When I think drone I think two harmonics out of sync--kind of a waawaawaa effect. I do not have any of this at all. I will say, if I screw up and have the RPMs too low, for example going up a hill, it gets loud, but it's my mistake for lugging the engine (and I fix it). Anyway, millions of reviews to read. I was afraid Tubi would be too loud. Lots seemed to like Fabspeed, so on they went!

Jon - good for you. I am glad my instructions helped you out!

good job... next mod, short shifter kit!

Nice Job! Great write up and pics, beautiful car and the garage is cool, HEAT TOO... NICE!! How is the volume? loud, not bad, OMG its really loud? Ed

Again, I give you big props for just picking one and going ahead! There are so many reviews and opposite opinions (sometimes on the same exhaust) that it is east to fall into "analysis paralysis". That is where I am. I guess I define "droning" as more of a buzzing sound that at certain RPMs makes the whole cabin feel like a resonating chamber. But by revving the motor a little more or less, you change the frequency and the drone goes away. On my old supersprint exhaust there was a slight drone but only when freeway cruising - a few mph up or down and the exhaust became much quieter. Fwiw. Were the Fabspeed cans pretty light weight in comparison to the OEM?

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thanks! Fixed up the garage after getting the car. The heat just went in this year. The garage is near the laundry room, and I can actually just put a hose on the laundry tub faucet and wash in the driveway with hot water, even in the winter. Now it will not freeze after the wash, however. (I live out in the country a ways, so no car washes close) Volume inside the car is really nice. From quiet to a low roar if you step on it. (The rest of the exhaust is stock)

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Hi again! I can make it resonate, but it takes a combination of a low (2000) RPM and high power requirement; in other words, lugging it. Just RPM no drone. Thus if I drive right no problem Regarding weight, I did not weigh them but they were much lighter in my hands anyway.

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hmmm . . . 2009?

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Jon, the SSK is a good winter project. It takes about 1.5 hours. Eric at Bumperplugs has the B&M SSK for $199.

Nice job and thanks for posting pics...I agree, after installing my Fabspeed a few weeks ago that tool is your best friend - I have about 400 miles on mine and they certainly sound great...I think the more you drive it the more you will like it! Congrats!

The SSK is a must, I do agree. I bought mine from Eric as well - and upgraded my whole center console (painted orient red) since I had to remove it anyway. I was nervous about ripping my car apart - but the install is SO straightforward that looking back, I would have been a total whimp to have paid someone to install it for me.

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do you keep the original shifter **** and boot? I was wontering about that Ed

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yes you do.

Good job! Thanks for sharing the pics

Just a followup . . . Today they passed the WAF *test! (FYI, WAF is Wife Acceptance Factor)

WTG - that's why I asked about the noise... I put fabspeed by-pass pipes on and failed WAF test, so now I am looking for some mutual ground..... E

Hi Jon996, glad to hear your install went smoothly and the car is looking and running great. Thanks to everyone who is using our products and the great feedback that were getting. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Alex@Fabspeed Fabspeed Motorsport USA 283 North Main Street Ambler, PA 19002 [phone removed]

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Question for any of you--think I should go painted bumperettes or leave them black to match some of the other trim on the car?

if you do paint the bumperettes... you should paint the black bottom trims all around the car as well...

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Im having the same issue... Im being urged (by fellow p-car nuts) to paint the bumperettes, but I think our cars are SO red in the rump (with the red reflector etc) that I personally like the visual contrast of the black bumperettes. Of course just my .02. I did install the front bumper plugs, the B&M SSK, and the red center console... and now, you've really got me thinking about the Fabspeed. Bastard.

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Funny you say that, I actually thought the black accents looked nice with Orient Red too. I did treat all the black plastic with a dressing from Griots that really makes it look new. Regarding mufflers--no kidding there are a million opinions out there. Also worth checking opinions on the 997 forums. Realistically, however, it' not the most expensive tweek either . . . (since I did not change the full exhaust)

Jon, painted bumberettes would look great on your car. This will help make the bumperettes less noticable, which is a good thing.

OK, had the new mufflers for a couple of weeks and really like them. Of course I did not have the chance to audition all the options, but really happy with these. Yesterday we had near record temps here in MN (74 F), so went for a drive. Just for fun, we found a nice smooth but deserted road so my wife drove back and forth a little so I could hear them. Really nice. Not TOO loud, but I think very nice "authoritative" sound . . . While I was at it I took a couple of photos. Next time I will try to remember to pull the front license plate. Now THAT should have been on someones election platform!

Considering Fabspeed mufflers as well. One question, do you lose any torque with the high flow mufflers ?

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Not from what I understand--perhaps someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

I just got a set of Fabspeed cans and can't wait to install them!