GROUP BUY REDUX - 996/997.1 NA 200 cell x-pipe

Alright guys, let's try this again. Unfortunately, the previous group buy thread is now toast. Phoenix explained that they could not guarantee availability of the cat pipes and x-pipes set out in the original thread. They were very forthright, acknowledging that they are the middleman in that transaction for those particular products, and just could not guarantee the supply. Nevertheless, with Phoenix's help, I've been able to discuss another group buy with Top Gear directly (the manufacturer of the cat pipes and x-pipes in the original group buy). However, the group buy is for the big bore 63mm version of their x-pipe, and is slightly more expensive. Here they are: Some details of the product: construction is 100% stainless steel 200 cell catalysts are manufactured in Germany by Redback Catalytic Converters handmade in the UK should fit PSE the bigger bore is designed to counteract any torque loss in low RPM ranges Links to the product: https://www.topgear.co.uk/porsche-91...ecial-2-5-63mm https://www.topgear.co.uk/porsche-91...-cats-2-5-63mm Link to Redback Catalytic Converters: http://www.redbackconverters.com/ Some details of the group buy: 20% off via coupon code, will be time limited (details TBA) shipping by DHL exclusively, I believe it runs about 40 GBP to North America Important to note: Website price is 624 GBP, but that includes 20% VAT, customers outside EU will not pay the VAT Therefore, the group buy price should be substantially better than the website listed price. Details will be made public once available. I have inserted the names of the Rennlisters who previously expressed interest but removed any reference to x-pipe or cat pipes, as there is basically just one product now. As we are essentially starting the group buy from scratch and the price is higher, some people may want to get out. So if you’re new, please express your interest and I’ll add to the list, or if you are no longer interested, let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list. For anyone who is already on the list, please take a moment to review - if there’s a question mark, that means you were not entirely sure before, or I wasn’t exactly sure if you wanted a 996 or 997 product. Again, I ask the 996 guys to post up in the thread in the 997 forum, as I will keep the consolidated list there. List of interested parties: comprehensive list is in the 997 forum thread UPDATE, 15 March 2017: Okay guys, the group buy is LIVE!! Good news, there are basically no restrictions on what is available in the group buy. Punch in the coupon code at checkout and 20% off. Alex at Top Gear was very helpful in this regard. Limitations - the code can be used up to 40 times only, and is available for one month (counting from yesterday). I just ordered my piece, so I guess there are 39 more slots available. I am going to PM everyone who has responded expressing interest with the coupon code. I feel that is fair, as opposed to putting it out there in the public domain. If you are interested in participating, post up or PM me and away you go. Keep in mind, I will only PM the people who are on this list. I have tried to diligently keep it up to date as possible, so I'm hoping there are no errors but I'm not a database manager by any means, lol. Other than my involvement in distributing the coupon code, I won't have any more involvement. Thanks for everyone's interest.

I have a 2000 C2 with FisterD. I am interested in the 200 Cell Cat pipes.

still in here boss. Will post to the 997 thread per instruction.

Just curious. The site says that they fit 3.6 (996 MKII) and 3.8 L (997) engines. Do they also fit 996 MKI 3.4 L engines?

Would love to hear a sound clip.

Not interested in anything with cats.

pm'd, count me in

Any independent testing that shows what if any gains this yields?

Larger diameter exhaust almost always nets a loss of torque due to loss of back pressure, yet they claim they made theirs bigger to counteract loss of torque?

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There's a solution to your issue. Don't buy them. With the discount it basically shaves off the 20% premium on GBP.... .

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That's not a solution to misleading advertisement.

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You know what, thanks.. reading this I see the 200-cell, non-X pipe cats for 400GBP and they advert. 12-15lb-ft. But the X-pipe just says higher flow, no perf. improvement & they cost nearly twice as much.. whereas the non x-pipe, 200-cell cats advert. a basic "area under the curve" improvement. My main focus is to improve sound but all else equal I'll go with the system that has the highest potential to improve area under the curve. Non-xpipe seems to be the ticket..

UPDATE, 15 March 2017: Okay guys, the group buy is LIVE!! Good news, there are basically no restrictions on what is available in the group buy. Punch in the coupon code at checkout and 20% off. Alex at Top Gear was very helpful in this regard. Limitations - the code can be used up to 40 times only, and is available for one month (counting from yesterday). I just ordered my piece, so I guess there are 39 more slots available. I am going to PM everyone who has responded expressing interest with the coupon code. I feel that is fair, as opposed to putting it out there in the public domain. If you are interested in participating, post up in the 997 thread or PM me and away you go. Other than my involvement in distributing the coupon code, I won't have any more involvement. Thanks for everyone's interest.

It seems the regular cat pipes are still not in stock (only the xpipe). Any work on the regulars?

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High flow catalytic converters (aka 200 cell) are are nothing more than converters with very little material to do the scrubbing. They are high flow because there is less material in them but they usually won't last much more than your next emission inspection date if you use it as a normal daily driver. They are illegal in California because they don't last. All the group buyers should know this before buying one. As for performance gains published by the manufacturer, you'll be lucky to get half of what they claim. What part of the "area under the curve" are they referring to? Regardless as in this case that would be 0 gain in butt dyno.

What a bunch of nonsense. Mine shipped immediately and we're here within 3 days from Europe. I have fabspeed headers, a k&n and and ipd plenum. All made small incremental improvements, the headers more than the rest. These x-pipes took things to a whole other level. The car HOWLS above 4k rpms, it's totally amazing how good it sounds. I have fister d hacked mufflers so no drone. The x-pipes combined with the headers make a definite difference in power and acceleration. I say screw the haters and doubters. Exhaust mods ABSOLUTELY work.

Get these if you can, what a steal, great shipping and they sound amazing!

I just ordered mine today and the coupon was still valid! Thanks!!!

Code is now dead. Thanks for setting this up Saaboteur. "Warning: Coupon is either invalid, expired or reached it's usage limit!" The crossover 200 cell pipes are back in stock (20 sets) for a very good price.

Im trying to buy the 200 CELL Cat Non-X Pipe but the site says out of stock and I can't get the folks a Top gear to respond to my emails....hmmm

*** 3 May 2017 UPDATE *** Top Gear has agreed to extend the use of the group buy coupon code for a further two weeks. However, after those two weeks, that's it. I hope everyone has been pleased thus far. I am planning to mount mine this weekend or into next week.

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whats the code? Also hope 996 cat x pipe is in stock....

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Looks Like I will be trying to install mine tomorrow, How long did it take you and Are those 2.5" clamps you bought to fasten them? Did the stock clamps not work? Yours looks perfect BTW. Cant wait to Put mine on and Swap My Supercups for Maxflows.

Code Worked for me!

I installed mine yesterday and the fit and finish was better than expected. The sound that it gives the PSE is amazing!! With windows closed you can hear exhaust but it's still quiet enough. With windows open and anything above 4K rpm it's intoxicating. You almost want to find someone to drive the Porsche around you so you can hear the "sound". With milltek headers and EVO cold air intake along with PSE it sounds so good. This is what i expected a Porsche to sound like!! It's quiet when i leave the neighborhood and when i hit the open roads and punch it it justs screams! No drone, no CEL it's definitely worth purchasing especially with the discount. Thanks again to Saaboteur for setting this up. Mark

Just received my set of 200 CELL Cats (Non-X) today. Initial impressions are good build quality and a bargain for the price. Plan to install tomorrow afternoon. Will post photos and thoughts.

I am really impressed with the fit and finish of the 200 CELL Cat cross pipes. Installed in a couple of hours today. The installation was easy and straight forward. I agree with mlee2122, the sound is intoxicating above 4K. I also have FisterD mufflers. I created a video of the unboxing, install overview, and final installation. The video doesn't do the sound justice! https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...1l0VUVTdk1jMVU Thank you Saaboteur for setting up the group buy.

Are these 996 and 997.1 x-pipes the same?

Saaboteur can you please pm me coupon?

The group buy is over now, sorry guys.

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I have a 2005 997 base model and installed the Big Bore Xpipe from Top Gear, I already had speed tech mufflers with the gundo hack. I immediately got a CEL after installing the xpipe and called Top Gear to let them know. They sent me some o2 spacer/idolators that i installed. That helped with my CEL some what... just delayed it and eventually i got an error code saying the aft o2 sensor is running too lean. The engine also has a stumble at 1,200k and again at like 3k. I ended up getting a tune from EVOMS that got rid of the stumble at 3.8k but not at 1,200k. We have been doing data logs with durametric to find out whats going on but my ECU (711 varient) does not have Lambda bank 1 and 2 values that EVOMS is looking for. Has anyone else had any similar issues using these big bore cats? EVOMS has not come right out and told me the cats are the root of the problems but they did say they have talked to several peps that have had the cats fail in a very short amount of time. Also did you end up getting a tune after this mod? If so who did you use? More Importantly is the car a 3.6 base model? That seems to be an issue with a lot of Tunner's. the car is an October of 04 build date.

Damn looks like i missed out on this group buy. any chance Top Gear will be having similar sale on a 996 sport 200 cell cat anytime soon??

There are about 40 Rennlist folks with these cats, but I've only seen a couple of posts on them post-group buy. Mainly regarding CELs and installation problems. I'd be interested to hear from more in the group about their experiences. Search turns up very little. Were these giving many of you similar headaches? How about a few months down the road? Anyone put these on a dyno? Curious to see if anyone feels they lost power below 3k as you often hear about x-pipes.

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I have same x- pipe, just got an error code for 02 sensor left side running lean. First time, 8000 miles on x-pipe, Kline headers and Tubi mufflers.

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Ok...lots of headaches! I have been getting CEL lights even with the bung spacers installed. I also have a EVOMS tune. The biggest problem is at 1,100 to 1,200 rpm under light load to WOT the engine stumbles almost like a misfire. After talking to several different tuners I have learned that the 997.1 cars don't like the xpipe. From what I understand it's not just top gears xpipe but an xpipe in general. Maxspeed Motor sports know all about this issue and so does FVD. Several others also recommend staying with a crossover system for the 997.1 cars that are NA. I did notice tq loss on the low and mid rpm ranges. Also from what I hear it's only select cars and no one seems to know what the cause is. One thing is certain though the people that have experienced this issue staying away from the xpipe on NA 997.1's not only to avoid this problem but to avoid losing the torque on low and mid ranges.

For those that installed the cross-over sport cats (non x-pipe) did you experience any drone?