Installing Circuit Werks v1 Catback Exhaust on 987.1

I looked for instructions on how to install this exhaust and could not find any, so I am writing up this "how-to." When I purchased my car the PO included a new "Sport Exhaust " that he had not installed. On researching the exhaust , I found it was a Circuit Werks that is often found on eBay. I don't have any paperwork with it to identify it, but it is similar but not exactly the same as CW v1 found on the Circuit Werks website , which lists for $349.99 on their site and eBay. It instead looks exactly like this one: That is currently listed on eBay for $1289. Same seller, so not quite sure what the difference is between them and the reasons for the price differential. The main difference visually is that the $349 one has a bracket plate with bolt holes along the top bar (which is how the 986 exhaust they sell looks). But it also looks a LOT like this one which is a v1.5 with an X-pipe and lists for $389. There are warnings on the eBay listings to lookout for knockoffs so I don't know what exactly is going on but it seems like generally Circuit Werks provides a sub-$400 aftermarket exhaust for 987s. That's a lot of front matter for a "how-to" but I want to point out that this is the installation for a very specific exhaust. First, obviously, remove the existing/stock exhaust. There are videos available out there, but a few tips: the heat shields interfere with access to one bolt on each of the flanges - they can be gently bent out of the way. I was blessed that my car was a Florida car and all of the bolts came off pretty easily. The worst for access was driver side top but a universal joint and extensions in the right combination will get to it. Also, do NOT remove the exhaust bracket, remove the exhaust from the bracket. 4 bolts. I took the whole bracket off as you can see in the photo, and I should have left it in place, because it gets reused. However, loosen up all the bolts on the bracket and hangers, because you will need a little flexibility. Installation is pretty straightforward from here. The exhaust comes with ALMOST everything you need. There are exhaust flange gaskets for both the connection to the header (I just left the stock ones) and the connection from the extension pipe to the exhaust, as well as bolts for that connection. What you don't get but will need - 4 M8 x 30mm bolts. The 4 bolts that attach the stock exhaust to the bracket are M8 x 15mm, and they are too short to be used with the Circuit Werks exhaust - a design issue - the plate that connects to the bracket should be flat, but instead is welded to round bar that keeps the two from mating directly. Longer bolts will let you get them together. Also, use a floor jack to hold the exhaust up in place while you get stuff bolted together. Leave things loosely threaded until all your pieces are in place. Having the bolts loose on the exhaust bracket gives you needed wiggle room. Loosen the bolts circled in red. Subtly different exhaust tips from stock. This took me maybe 6 hours total - if you were really dedicated to getting it done and already had your longer bolts and didn't take the bracket off and try to put all the pieces back at the same time, you might cut that in half!

Great post! Thanks much for a very clearly written and illustrated DIY..

Can I attache videos here? I have before and after sound, too.

If you host them on YouTube - you can use the "Share" feature on YouTube - select the simple link (our system does the rest) and just paste the link into a message here. The video will play within the link. Easy!

Let's see if this works. This is from my dash cam . Ignore the radio. - Edited to use YouTube embed and combined the videos.

Very nicer tutorial and thanks for posting this. But, can you tell us if you felt there was a noticeable difference with the new exhaust and, how do you like it?

Obvious difference is the sound! It sounds more like what I would expect a Porsche to sound like. And driven reasonably it doesn't have to wake the neighbors! But also I am pretty sure it translated into some extra horsepower - coming out of my neighborhood I wasnt on the gas more than usual - and the rear end kicked out and PSM cut in.

Thanks very much!

Would you say that the v1.5 is the way to go? I'm shopping for affordable exhausts and I think I may pick up the v1.5 exhaust soon for my 987S. Not too droney?

For what’s it’s worth: I’ve done a lot of research over the last six months regarding what type of cat-back exhaust system to get for my car. I have an 07 Cayman S . Circuit Werks is very tempting because of the price, but you should get the V2 generation. From the videos I’ve seen, the V2 has many quality improvements in it. I personally have decided to get a Fabspeed , and the cost is admittedly a killer. But I just don’t want to be concerned about quality. I’m not sure what is right and wrong about some of the comments you see or hear on Circuit Werks reviews, but I’m going to spend the big Fabspeed bucks because I’ll never have to do it again. I like the sound of the Fabspeed on their video as well - it’s not overpowering, but correctly, noticeable. Good luck.

I don't know about any other version. The X-Pipe in the 1.5 theoretically combats drone? I can't say. I haven't encountered drone yet, but haven't been on a top up highway speed drive, either.

Kinda the same answer as above - I can't really say. I only know what I have. I wouldn't have purchased it on my own. It came with the car so I put it on. The v2 list price is 2x the v1 price. Is it 2x better? Unknown. I am sure that none of the Circuit Werks exhausts are really comparable to a Soul or Fabspeed - but I bought my car so cheap those brands represent a significant fraction of the cost of the car!

@blaster88 - I'm about to attempt this install tomorrow. How do you go about installing the exhaust without removing the bracket? Sorry for newbie question, this is the first exhaust I've done DIY.

Sorry if this is too late for you I just saw it. The bracket attaches to the exhaust and to the car. Remove the exhaust from the bracket, but leave the bracket attached to the car. I think it was just the 4 bolts.

This 1.5 exhaust looks a lot like the Milltek design. Maybe made with cheaper materials, but the pipes look similar.

I would recommend to spend the extra money on a well known system. I just installed a complete system including headers from Fabspeed on my 987.2 . The quality of the pipes and welds are amazing. There customer service is also excellent.

I have heard a lot recently about Fabspeed's welds cracking. I think the most affordable "well known" system is the Topgear system which I've heard and seen installed in person and it is a treat. I'll be moving to a non-valved Topgear system by the end of the year.

How did this exhaust hold up? There seems to be a lot of mixed opinions on CircuitWerks . Thanks