Exhaust upgrade?

Thinking about changing the exhaust on my '04 C2. Am looking at Fabspeed and PSE. I have heard both and I like them both. Need some input from those who have switched. Thanks.

Have had Fabspeeds on the GT3 for 2 years, Quality is as good or better than the others. Sound wise it is agressive but not unliveable, in a standard 996 noise shouldn't be an issue. No fitment problems. There have been hundreds of replies made to this very question but it is really a subjective issue, pick a quality manufacturer and one you like the sound of and you can't go wrong. Just Enjoy

I have GHL which i bought from a rennlister and have been happy. Definitely search the forums.

I had a Tubi put on about a month ago and love it. The sound has gotten even better as time goes on. I think that now after a month it is pretty much what it will be. At idle it is only slightly noticble. With acceleration and RPMs you really get an awesome sound. At an autocross last week I had several people come up to me and comment on the exhaust. I know it is perfect for me because the wife hates it but will still drive the car, that means any louder and she would bitch all the time, any softer and I would be unhappy. I think the build quality is superb and they are light. The only downside is cost. One of these days I am going to get a sound clip up.

I have driven a 997S with the PSE and I have a Fabspeed. The Fabspeed has a deeper/lower tone and sounds more muscular. The PSE is higher pitched and louder at high rpms. The 997 PSE switches the exhaust at 3000 rpms, so it is very quiet where as the Fabspeed is more noticeable. The Fabspeed is quiet whenever your are cruising. If you are looking for an exhaust that can be quiet or loud at the touch of a button, go PSE. If you are looking for the best sound, go Fabspeed.

I have the Fabspeeds and they sound great. Just don't get the the tips from Fabspeed..... They are of inferior quality with thin chrome plating....

The 997 PSE sounds very differemt (and, frankly, a lot worse than) the 996 offering. The 996 PSE makes the car sound very powerful and is quite deep. The 997 version is more high-pitched and raspy - not unlike an E46 BMW M3 in many ways!! On a 3.6 996 the PSE is the way to go, on a 3.4 the Fabs sound awesome. On a 997 I wouldn't know where to start, but definitely not the PSE. Ian W

I have the GHL and utilize the stock tips. It sounds awesome! Idle is a bit louder that stock but under acceleration and over 3000 rpms it sounds like a "Cup" car. Well worth the price of admission.

Out of curiosity, how much was the exhaust? I thought my Rufs were pretty pricey...but worth every penny!

I knew this going in (Boxster experience), but I find the sound of the stock exhaust (actually, I have whatever the ss upgrade from the factory is) very disappointing. Even my wife commented how quiet the car is. I know that it's a difficult comparison, coming out of my 993 with Motosound. The Schnell CAI that I got from Patric helps a little with the sound (plus removal of the intake "muffler"), but I definitely need to get a more muscular sound with a better exhaust.

Installed the FABSPEED's 2 weeks ago. Couldnt be happier. A perfect balance. GREAT improvement over stock.

Almost embarassed to say. They were $1,890. I could not find anyone that had already bought them to compare price and can not find a price on-line. A local dealer wanted $1,850 with PCA discount; however, the convienience was worth the extra $40. In the end I have the perfect sound and feel the price was worth it.

I found GHL on eBay for currently $700 (Buy it now $900). If you were able to get those for $800, would the savings of $200 be worth it? (Vertex has the Fabspeeds for $995). What about Gembella? thx,

I'm thinking about an exhaust myself. I have a 02 911 C4S. If Fabspeeds cost about $900 (I assume this is just mufflers?) what does PSE cost? GHL?

I have a 3.4 with the PSE - no electronics, so it is always open. I find the sound more distinctive than the other aftermarket exhausts. The car now sounds like a Porsche should in my opinion.

The GHL's on my 3.4l make me giggle every time I get to have a large throttle opening FWIW.

I have the PSE with the electronics. I added the electronics after about 9 months. I rarely use the switch with the top up, but do use it from time to time with the top down. For the couple of hours it took to install the switch I thought it was worth while. I really like the sound of the PSE vs. stock. The stock was so quiet.

I really expected it to be louder. I did not hook up the electronics either, so it is always open. I went PSE to protect my warranty but sure could have tolerated a much more obvious change for the 2200.00 plus 350.00 install at my dealer. I do believe it is still "breaking in" for what that's worth. Not totally sure how a metal exhaust "breaks in" other than after driving it 30 miles home after the install it was producing a strong odor. My only other trip was a short local run where I didn't get on it much. The odor had practically gone away on this second run. I am hoping my next drive with it fully heated the odor will be gone and the sound may mature a bit. I suspect it will always be a bit too quiet for what I was expecting. Maybe I need to stand outside the car...

My Tubi changed over time. After you get about 200 miles on it you will notice a difference. I heard someone once say it i the carbon build up that changes the sound. Don't know, but I do know that I felt similar when mine was installed and after a month sounds perfect.

wow $2550 just for mufflers thats a massive gouging!! amazing what the dealers will pull off! regardless that price is up there for PSE!! makes the tubi look well priced

The tubi was reasonable well priced. I'd be eager to hear them and compare the sound to the Rufs which cost me about $200 more. But, unlike some of the other 3rd party sounds, the Rufs really did keep that German signature sound. What's funny is that in my car, the pipes growl but aren't too loud inside the car, but when standing behind the car, they are literally very aggressive. So, if you're pipes sound loud in the car, I can only imagine how mean they must sound outside the car.

I would agree that the PSE with the top up is not very loud in the car. Outside the car it sounds great and is plent loud for my tastes.

I am thinking of going with the Schnell CAI on my 01 C2 Cab with Tip.I just bought it with 29K miles. What is the intake muffler and does it say to remove it on the instructions? Thanks!

I bought a used "TechArt" Sport exhaust for $900 and the sound is very nice with rpm's. At idle it is slightly louder than stock with that distinctive deep rumble. My system also have that optional on/off valve switch but I don't have it installed, no need really. I would think it should compare to Edward's RUF system with that German sound. Mine had 5K miles on it so it was relatively new. A brand new one would go for close to $2K on TechArt website so I am happy with the used one I found I also have the Schnell CAI tube, so the combination is even better. Cheers,

I would like to hear that.

Other than the sound difference were there any performance gains just with the exhaust upgrade? My brother just bought a 02 C4S and we were discussing upgrading to Fabspeed. Thanks Andy

You got a GREAT deal, Bao. I've heard that the TechArt sound is pretty awesome and that it does retain the characteristic Porsche sound. Besides, we all know that TechArt makes some unreal aftermarket parts for the German car crowd. I'm certainly keen to add a CAI, but it'll have to wait until after the CPO warranty runs out in October.

For those folks with exhaust upgrades: What considerations were given to the replacement of headers & cats? There are lots of offerings out there. For someone with a limited budget, should I focus on muffler replacement for a "sport" sound?

I also have the GHLs and love them!

FABSPEED ! ALL THE WAY - The Sound Is Truly Wonderful !