GHL Exhaust Good News and Great News

I purchased last week a GHL exhaust for my 99 996 during their special offer for Rennlist Members. I got the "loud" version. The exhaust came very well packaged and was shipped very quickly. The installation was very easy and took 1 1/2 hours doing it my self and a friend. Good News: At idle the sound is almost as stock. Between 2-4.5K rpm it has a deep and quality sound. After 4.5 it sounds like an air cooled 993 with PSE. Compared to a friend's 996 GT3 with fabspeed it sounds a bit less up to 4K but I believe that the GHL sound has more quality. After 4.5K they sound very similar. Now keep in mind that the stock GT3 Vs the stock 996 have a world of difference (GT3 much louder). In summary I was impressed with the sound quality and there is no resonance in the cabin. Great News: I have a g-meter and I did some measurements before and after the installation. Unfortunately while I was installing the exhaust it started snowing in Chicago so I couldn't tested it immediately after the installation and there is an ambient temperature difference for the benefit of the GHL exhaust. Stock exhaust readings were with ambient temperature of 25F and the GHL readings with 13F. Results based on 6 runs each time with WOT: STOCK 6th gear @ 2-2.5k rpm: 0.15 g forward acceleration 2nd gear max: 0.46 g GHL 6th gear @ 2-2.5k rpm: 0.16 g forward acceleration 2nd gear max: 0.52 g I don't know the effect of the 12F temperature difference but I am stating the results. I definitely don't believe that the max torque was increased by 13% but on the other hand I've never seen more than 0.47g on 2nd with the stock exhaust. I have no affiliation with GHL and even if there are no power gains, the sound of the exhaust is excellent and at the price is a great bargain.

can't wait to get mine..

Are you getting the normal or the loud? Seriously consider the the loud one. Although never heard the normal one I know that the loud sounds great.

I was considering the normal one.. I'm pretty conservative and didn't want to get something too obnoxious. You think I should get the loud one? Do you think there's a BIG diff between the 2? I really would like to hear it first..

with the ghl, you also loose 18 lbs of weight. not insignificant when you consider comes off the rear-most end.

I don't know the difference of the 2 but as I wrote before it sounds at high rpm like the 996 GT3 with fabspeed or a 993 with PSE which is pretty loud. Now at all rpm the quality of the sound is excellent and never sounds like Honda or Nissan that they are just loud. So it is never obnoxious. If you are just cruising (no load) it sounds just deeper than the stock but not loud. Unfortunately sounds are subjective and keep in mind that I am pretty conservative too. On the other hand Brian from GHL told me that only a handfull went for the loud one. In any case for my ears this sound is excellent and not disturbing at all. You can always get any of the 2 and try it for 30 days. Brian told me that if I found it very loud that he will exchange it. I guess he will do the same if you find yours too loud or not loud enough. Check with him. Finally exhausts might get louder over time and I can only report 100 miles. But even if it get's louder I don't think it will get disturbing because again it is a quality sound.

Never heard the gt3 with fabspeed. But thanks for your comments.. I guess I have yet another decision to make for the car..

What do you guys plan on doing with your old stock exhaust? Is there a place that buys old exhausts? I guess I could always try and sell it on ebay but I was just wondering if there is an easier way to get rid of them and make some money. Thanks,

I planned on saving mine unless you wanna give me 2k for it..

So I guess the answer is keep it or throw it away because it's a pain to try and sell it?

Maybe keep it and when you decide to sell the car put the stock in and sell the aftermarket

I originally purchased the GHL normal sound, and used it for a few months and it was too quiet for me. So I ordered the loud version and have been really happy since. Couple this with the "orange" plug in the airbox muffler, and the sound of intake and exhaust is unbelieveable! I am very happy with both. The only issue I had was a bit of an exhaust leak at the joining of the pipes. I was told that you should use new muffler clamps to eliminate that, but the dealer wants almost 100 bucks!! 02 coupe

I used the old clamps and it is fine for the time.

How much is the GHL loud exhaust?

Do a search for GHL and you will find the special offer for Rennlist members that is goind on. Or go to the sponsors page

It's the same price as the normal

Thank nv1271. I guess when the time comes I will throw the old stock mufflers away. I plan on keeping my car but if I do decide to sell it I will have to sell it as-is anyway since I didn't keep the stock front bumper that I replaced with the RUF aerokit.

bump.. My GHL regular should be coming via ups this week As long as its a tad bit louder then stock, i'm sure i'll love it.. I dont want the rumbling/roaring to attract the cops

Well it looks like "loud" it is for me . i want a bit more than stock and less than Fabspeed ( about PSE loudness but deeper in tone.it seems like the loud version is the right choice for me. I can't wait. BTW Thanks for the great/detail reviews/inputs by nv1271 , and Bford regarding the loud version.