Muffler Bypass Pipes

Hi, I've been looking into exhaust systems for my 4S and I think I fancy a set of muffler bypass pipes from Fabspeed. I do really love to hear an engine and will only be using the car for fun (no track days). I also don't do the Porsche extended warranty scheme so there are no issues there. I just thought these looked as if they might vocalise the car a little! That said the last thing I want to be doing is have to sneak around at very low revs wherever I go. I suppose I'm looking for pretty aggressive without absolutely over the top (if that makes sense). Has anyone had any experience of these or owned a set? If so maybe they can help with the following questions: 1) Are they outrageously loud or just pretty loud. 2) Do they give off a lot of resonance at certain speeds (that can be pretty draining on a long distance). 3) Does anyone know of a UK or Europe manufactured equivalent? They would seem to be pretty straight forward things to make. I look forward to your comments guys. Thanks. Nick

John McEnroe had a catch phrase that would seem appropriate......... I've never heard them, but Mega-loud, I should think. See here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16838

I've not heard them on a 996, but if the 993 is anything to go by, they are obscene! A friend of mind had them on his 993 and they were really no louder than the 996 PSE at the top of the revs, but silly loud at idle and droney as hell everywhere else. You couldn't hear yourself think in the cabin...never mind speak. And that was when cruising. Not for me...they also sound a little like on of the local 'Yoofs' has got a straight through exhaust on his Saxo/Corsa. Not for me, at all. The thing that sticks in my mind is that they were loud with noise...not a loud spectrum of sounds which the likes of PSE builds to...just loud with lots of noise. All the time. Not tuneful...just loud. Yeuck. [:'(]

Ohhhh. I don't want loud with noise I want a deep dark growl. I'm more used to V8's I'm afraid, they've been my play things until now. My last car was a V8 with a Tubi exhaust and a huge sound. I like that gutsy gurgle that gets you deep down. It was loud, but not headache loud. You just knew it was powerful. I'm afraid the tune the 4S makes is lacking big time. Doesn't even really give a hint of ferocity. I like a bit of a snarl. [ ] Erm, whats the solution then guys????? Without spending silly, silly money.

Do a search for Oettle 996 mufflers on Ebay, a few of us have had them or equivalent systems fitted...fantastic!

That is a thought but I think I'd sooner go the stainless steel route if possible. Has anyone got the design 911 system? http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod1557/Exhaust-Muffler---Silencer-Sport-Super-Sound-996 That looks reasonable without being crazy money. The problem always is knowing what sound it'll give before purchase. It's alittle late when they fixed to the back of your car!

A couple of topics below this one: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=413357 The Oettle ones are stainless. Factory boxes, modified with bypass pipes.

Same 993 owning friend has modified a spare set of standard 993 boxes, by having a local fabrication company weld a bypass pipe in to do the same as the 'RSR' 993 boxes you can buy or the Oettle boxes for the 996. He actually has a set of the 'RSR' boxes anyway, but wanted more noise (larger diameter bypasses) without going back to the silly Fabspeed noise makers...but that's another story entirely! Just ask one of the lads if they'll weld a couple of 2" diameter sections of exhaust pipework in for you...if you can find a local welder/fabricator. Most places I know will have those done over a couple of lunchtimes for the price of a crate of beer if the bartaring currency is used £10 notes. Of course, this means you'll have to be without your car for a few days whilst the back boxes are off...or get hold of a spare set and modify them?

I went the Design911 route and am very pleased with the result. I did fit the twin Turbo look end pipes and a K & N induction kit. A little more expensive than second hand conversions but I liked the idea of (new) stainless steel etc. And you will be able to negotiate a discount if you speak to Karl.

Hi Nick, I actually ran these for about a year and even though they are LOUD, they are great fun and everyone looks to see what is coming. I even did a journey from London to Exeter with them and had the missus in the car the whole time and it is amazing how you get use to them. Like you i only use the car at weekends and everytime i drove anyway i loved it. I have actually just removed them as had PSE fitted but am looking to put them on ebay or something in te next week. If you are interested in wanting to know more about them and maybe looking at making me an offer then that would be good. Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris, I must still be a bit of a boy racer at heart to have thought of it, but I think due to the "Wise Men" of the Porsche Club I've been talked out of the mufflers now. I'm going to act my age and go the route of some kind of sports exhaust. I have to say I'd like to have heard a set in real time (one mans meat is another mans poison), but can't see the reasoning in buying these and only running them for short periods of time. I would presume you've come to the same conclusion???? I also don't need anymore headaches as I've plenty of those at the moment and it does seem (by consensus) that they're pretty loud. I'm looking more for a cruise exhaust with a bit of edge and attitude, the sort of exhaust that says "Hi I'm Here" without waking the dead!! Thanks for the offer, twenty years ago the cheque would have been in the post, but sadly I'm a bit older now (and unlike then listen to advice!). Nick

I had thought of buying the "Olette" system as advertised on ebay, and which many members have already bought. These cost £350.00 plus £25.00 postage. But when I read Glens idea my thoughts were that this was worth looking into. It seemed well worth a look at as the cost was small, and the down side if it turned out badly wasn't horrendous. The car is just used for high days and holidays and I was prepared to buy a new system anyway. It would have mean't I just had to pay for fitting twice. So I looked at removing the pipes myself, skinned my knuckles a couple of times and thought better of it. So I then went to plan "B" and arranged to take the car to a local garage who took off the mufflers for me. Three of the six studs came off the mufflers whilst being removed. The mufflers and a picture of the "Olette" and the "Sommerfield" ebay mufflers were then taken to a local engineering shop. They welded the "Bypass" pipes as the pictures and rewelded back all the studs. We used 30mm. pipe as a bypass which we think is slightly larger than the ebay versions. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Porsche-Carrera-911-996-Sport-Sound-Muffler-Exhaust_W0QQitemZ370089205632QQihZ024QQcategoryZ10408QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem The result is a brilliant throaty rasp that is just lovely. Fully gurgles and fairly aggressive without resinance. I am very, very happy. The garage charged £40.00 and the engineering co. £80.00. The total cost...... £120.00. The smile I now have when I drive it..... Priceless. So much better I cannot begin to tell you! Long live the little local garage and engineering business's of the UK! They couldn't have been more helpful. And thank you to all who posted. You helped me come to the least expensive and also the right solution! Nick

Good news Nick.. A good result all round, and for that price, even better! Glen.