Originally Posted by Soul Performance

VALVED EXHAUST SYSTEM RELEASE!

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After months of development and hard work we are proud to release our Valved Exhaust System. The PSE muffler leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the valves closed as it offers little to no sound level and tone. Valves open it is relatively unrestricted all things considered but keeps the primary flow of the exhaust banks separate, resulting in what we consider to be a deeper and less refined sound than the 981. Even when uncorked and amplified with aftermarket over axle pipes and a valve controller the tone characteristics of the factory rear exhaust remain bland and lack a characteristic desirable higher pitched/smooth tone. I won’t go into too much depth here, you guys know what you don’t like and what you want to improve on as much as we do.

.Development Goals .

• Improve upon the factory design and achieve a throatier / smoother / higher pitched tone.
• Increase the presence and character of the exhaust note in the cabin while maintaining a reasonable level of resonance / drone while driving in both the valves closed and open modes through our signature drone fighting capabilities.
• Heighten aggressiveness with valves open while maintaining an overall sound level potential / quality that can still be reasonably driven on the street in combination with other complimentary aftermarket exhaust components – such as competition over axle pipes and header replacements.
• Offer the ability to notably reduce the sound level of the car outside to fly under the radar when necessary.
• Achieve an effective delta in sound between both modes for two usable, well engineered experiences – mild and wild.

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When we first started working on this platform, we tried a variety of non-valved and valved PSE muffler replacements. Straight pipes with and without an exhaust blend (X-Pipe), different tubing diameters, resonators, Helmholtz resonators (anti-drone tubes) in numerous lengths, volumes and locations, velocity cones, and combinations of many of these. In total we tested about 20 different designs / revisions of PSE muffler replacements. While some of these configurations hit the sound / tone we were looking for, none of them maintained what we considered to be a reasonable cabin presence in-cabin at cruising speeds in high gear in low rpms. At the end of the day, this car has an approximate drone range of 1,200rpm (1,800-3,000rpm) with a peak drone point of about 2,000-2,600 which the PSE muffler targets very well with valves closed. Though we could shift or reduce this peak in various ways, we determined that utilizing a muffler was the only way to reduce the drone level across the full drone range enough to meet our goals.
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With valves open, our Valved Exhaust System follows a similar design to our Race Exhaust System through an X-Pipe that merges the exhaust flow for a higher pitched, smooth sound. With valves closed, the exhaust is routed through smaller piping and a bespoke SOUL muffler we designed to fit with the X-Pipe in the confined space above the rear diffuser and meet our sound goals. This muffler was crafted to match our high standard of drone fighting mufflers like the rest of our existing Boxster / Cayman line that we have become known for.
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Internally this muffler is quite unique. It has little to no restriction in the flow path, using straight through piping that is perforated to allow exhaust gasses to escape and become muffled in the surrounding packing material of the muffler body. We incorporated a second internal X-pipe to allow the exhaust flow to merge smoothly. These characteristics combined were crucial towards reducing and smoothing out the drone in the 1,800-3,000rpm range while enhancing that higher pitched note we were after in both the valves closed and open conditions.
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In addition to the bespoke muffler design, there are several other unique characteristics we’ve brought into play on this system which revolve around the secondary flow path entering the muffler. The key thing to note here is that the valves open flow path is not limited to the 2.5″ external X-pipe flow path only, some of the exhaust flow is still going through the secondary flow path even though the valves are open. This design is essentially utilizing the entire secondary flow path and muffler design to smooth out the tone and drone while running valves open. Please note the carefully tuned length of the piping entering the muffler, as the sound waves and exhaust pulses have a longer distance traveled through the piping for a notable effect on sound attenuation. Utilizing this secondary flow path for honing in on the optimal cruising cabin presence, we were able to go aggressive on the design of primary flow path with larger diameter 2.5″ piping without incorporating resonators or mufflers.
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Changing just the PSE muffler with stock over axle pipes offers a superb change in tone. It is smoother and higher pitched, more in line with the flat 6 character we’ve come to appreciate with previous generations of Boxster / Cayman. The PSE running valves closed had no real tone to it, we’d describe it as tinny, hollow, and rather boring as you can hear more of the intake than the exhaust. With our Valved Exhaust System the exhaust now has real character, and you can hear more of it everywhere with valves open and closed. Expect a smooth transition between valves closed and open modes. With the rest of the exhaust stock, the overall sound level at WOT with valves open may not sound dramatically increased. This is due to how aggressive the flow path is with valves open on the new 718’s PSE muffler. However, on our system the larger tubing diameter, distance traveled, and blending of the X-pipe gives the sound more depth and changes the tone to a smooth / higher pitch song. It sounds incredible especially from the outside, offering a true sporty note one would expect from the high end 4.0L.
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We found that the particulate filters in the over axle pipes put a big damper on the overall sound level and how it carries into the cabin. Think of it like a cork in the middle of the exhaust, letting a PSE muffler replacement tease you but not giving you the full experience. Combining our Valved Exhaust System with our Competition Over Axle Pipes is when the skies open up, the sun shines down and the Porsche Gods have blessed us with the sound we’ve all been waiting for. Inside and outside the car, windows up and down, the experience is nothing short of transformational. At wide open throttle it sounds like a weapons grade symphony. Very reminiscent of a GT3 at 9k, and arguably better than any stock GT3 you’ll ever hear on the street. Ditching the factory over axle pipes finally allows the car to have some burble on deceleration but nothing too over the top, just enough and just right. When you do a hard shift, a visceral crack erupts to really put a smile on your face. Not like a shotgun blast going off, more like a reward for actually driving the car how it’s meant to be driven. The sound is aggressive, but not overly so like you just took an RSR off the track for street shenanigans. When you’re off throttle cruising around, it’s relatively docile and comfortable (that secondary flow path at work). If you want to fly under the radar and significantly cut down on sound level outside the car, you simply close the valves and away you go in stealth mode. However, even with valves closed the tone and character of the exhaust is still there, not dead muted like the PSE muffler. It has cabin presence, some ever so mild drone/resonance in low rpms that we consider quite reasonable compared to the other configurations we’ve tested – even with valves open it’s quite reasonable. We’d almost say it’s more a character of the system and it’d be a shame if there wasn’t any to tease you into squeezing on the gas to hear more of it. We highly recommend installing a SOUL Valve Controller Kit to override the PSE programming at your convenience, and hear what it has to offer under 4-5k rpm in the first few gears – it’s worth it!.
Here is where things get quite interesting. The mounting of the factory rear exhaust system is DIFFERENT between North American and European cars. Therefore, if you are looking at an aftermarket exhaust system that replaces the PSE muffler, it is CRUCIAL to know which vehicle mounting system the exhaust was designed for. Please review the photos below. European vehicles have a support system that connects to the over axle pipes and has two large band straps that go around the factory PSE muffler. North American vehicles have no connection to the over axle pipes, and use two primary posts and a secondary horizontal stabilizer. To install an exhaust system developed on the European mounting system on a North American car, you have to convert to the European mounting system. To install an exhaust system developed on the North American mounting system on a European car, you have to convert to the North American mounting system. We also hear the upcoming PDK models may have a different mounting system for the muffler as well.... That all said, for those fellows in Europe that would like to run our exhaust system, we have the part numbers for all the North American mounting components you would need and we can ship them with the exhaust. Total cost for the mounting conversion would cost about $550 USD.
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Valved Exhaust System Product Page: This system starts at $3,795 for use with OEM Tips and Factory PSE control.
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With Polished Tips: +$3,995
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With Signature Satin Tips: +$3,995
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With Brushed: +$3,995
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With Satin Black: +$4,095
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With Black Chrome: +$4,095
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Select Tips Are Available In Slash Cut or Straight Cut, and Dual Wall or Single Wall. We will have all options photographed on the car in due course. Please reference our product page for all pricing and tip options.
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Street Package Product Page: This package consists of what we consider to be the Golden Ticket setup for street use…our Competition Over Axle Pipes and Valved Exhaust System, with optional Valve Controller Kit. Depending on tip options, this package ranges from $,5445 - $,5845. Please reference our product page for all pricing and tip options.
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If you’d like to place an order, please feel free to do so on our website and reference “John Gaydos” as your representative during checkout. I’ll be sure to oversee the order as it moves through the fabrication queue. In the Notes section, we’d appreciate letting us know if you came from Rennlist and what your username is - we’re always interested in knowing who's who on here. You can also call/text/whatsapp me at 1-484-883-6197, shoot me a PM, or email me at johng@soulpp.com. I am always happy to chat cars and answer any questions to ensure you make an educated decision.
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For those that have been following this thread I’m sure you already know we have lead times. As of right this minute, we are bouncing around the 8-10 week mark with 311 orders worth 2,194 hrs of fabrication on the schedule. I urge you to be as proactive as possible to order early and get yourself in the fabrication queue so you can receive your system ASAP. Out of fairness to those that have exhaust systems on order ahead of you, we have to build their systems before we can begin on yours. We are always happy to provide as transparent an update as possible at any time during the production process, using the amount of hours left ahead on the schedule versus our average weekly output.
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We apologize for the wait guys, if this was March pre-Covid we’d likely have it out to you in a week. It has been a blessing how busy we have been since losing manpower for four months with the Covid shutdown, while orders nearly doubled. We are now back to full manpower, we are training four new fabricators that passed our skill tests and are looking to add more skilled fabricators/welders to our experienced team, and we are making huge strides in efficiencies in fabrication. We aim to double our output by the end of the year, to knock these lead times back down and get SOUL products in the hands of our valued customers as quickly as possible. However, we will not sacrifice our quality to do so and we appreciate your patience while we make that happen.
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Here is a photo of our team when we announced sponsoring PCA Club Racing for 2020, and we’ll be doing another one at the end of the year with a lot of new faces. I'm the fellow wearing the Porsche hat to the right of the header, Mike Spock our marketing guru is dead center giving the thumbs up. We all owe our livelihoods to you and the rest of our customers, and we never forget that. THANK YOU for your business and your support!
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Best regards,

John Gaydos
Mike Spock

Originally Posted by Soul Performance

Originally Posted by hmintz

Ok, ok! I used ARTR Titanium Lava Wrap from Amazon (2" X 50') for only $17. I wet it in a bucket to make it easier to handle, and I wore rubber gloves as I wrapped. Each end is secured with hose clamps: 46 - 70mm (SAE 36). I never did a header wrap before and the job took only 15 minutes. Prior to installing the wrapped pipes on the car I wrapped them again in aluminum foil so I wouldn't get fiberglass splinters. After installation the aluminum foil was easily removed. The wrap instructions say to expect smoke as the wrap beds in. I haven't driven the car yet; it's stuck on a friend's lift while his driveway is being sealed. Remember: this isn't necessary.....but neither is a GT4.

Howard

Originally Posted by MEM82

Thanks John! I'm all for loud so looks like I made the right decision on my race exhaust!

Originally Posted by Larry Cable

presumably @Soul Performance another alternative is to opt for the additional "jet hot" ceramic coating you offer?

Originally Posted by wizee

The valved system is great news, and it sounds awesome when paired with the over axle pipes! I also like that the transisions when keeping the factory valve controller aren't too drastic. I'll be ordering the "Street Package" next year in spring.

Originally Posted by Mojonito

what are lead times?

Originally Posted by iliveoncaffiene

@Soul Performance That looks awesome! I have a couple questions related to the tips.
From reading updates on JCR's page, they noted that the OEM tips are restrictive in exhaust flow. Does this line up with what you're seeing?
Also, are you going to make these different tip options available on the specific "exhaust tip" product page and/or for the Race Exhaust System? Right now the only option is "Reuse OEM Tips".

Thanks!

Originally Posted by blackholescion

Shut up and take my money!


But first, one small request. Can you please, PLEASE take an in cabin video of cruising on the highway with the OAP+Valved exhaust with valves closed and open? I want to gauge drone. I think the valved exhaust + OAP is my ticket for the best combo of minimal drone and best sound at reasonable pricing.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Soul Performance

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As of right this minute, we are bouncing around the 8-10 week mark with 311 orders worth 2,194 hrs of fabrication on the schedule. It has been a blessing how busy we have been ....
If you'd like to order a system with a particular tip setup that has not yet been updated on our website, just let me know and I'll take care of it personally
John

Originally Posted by DFW01TT

In spite of all the pending orders, you do a good job of making each customer feel like they're the most important one.

Originally Posted by Rennolazine

Well done guys. Like I said, u earned a PhD with that GT4 muffler. Literally thought of everything from an acoustics standpoint. No concern with this badboy cracking with alot of track use with race headers/opf deletes etc?

Originally Posted by Soul Performance

Thanks for the kind words! This is fabricated in house out of .065 T304L stainless steel and the welds are fully back purged. It’s built like a tank, we dare you to try and break it and it has a lifetime street and track warranty

Regards,
John

Originally Posted by Money2536

Um...yeah! I want that!