Preparing to install PSE - have some questions
 

I just ordered the Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE) from Suncoast Porsche. It's going to take about 3 weeks to be delivered because they first have to get it from Germany.

I've watched several videos on the install and it looks like it won't be too difficult. However, in all of the videos that I watched, they stated that the wire harness that goes from the dash to the valve actuator does not come with the kit. One guy said it's very easy to use a standard fuel injector plug that fits the actuator perfectly but he does not mention how the dash end works.

My issue. I know that the above method will be fine but my OCD is telling me that I will sleep better if I order the real wire with fittings included. Does anyone know the part number for this?

Questions:
1) My car has Sport Chrono and so the kit states that it uses the sport button to activate the exhaust valves: if the kit does not come with the wire for this, how is the wire connected to the sport button? Or, does the car already have wiring from the sport button to the engine compartment and I connect to that somehow.

2) I've tried to find the harness part number but unfortunately, I find 3 different numbers:
98761290502 - wire set for 2.7 (my car is 3.4)
98761290525 - Wire set for 987 2009, 10, 11, Spyder
99761290501 - PSE kit comes with wires but also comes with lots of parts I don't need and is $300

3) I Only am getting the muffler at this point but some day I may get something like Soul headers. I will need to save my pennies for that. My question relates to passing smog - must I get headers with cats or can you get headers without cats but still has bungs for oxygen sensors. And, if someone here has done that, does it add to the decibels? I want good sounding exhaust but don't want an aftermarket sound.

I appreciate any suggestions. I will probably also call Suncoast to inquire about the wiring issue. It would be nice to have this solved before the mufflers get here.

Thanks!

OK, I did the PSE retrofit on my "11 Cayman S. PSE pipes from Germany and a Carnwell remote kit from Gert. Pipes go in easy and can be done by any muffler shop. The Carnwell kit is a unit that connects between the harness connector (tied off in the engine bay) and the vacuum control valve (supplied) that controls the PSE thru vacuum lines (supplied) leading from same to vacuum diaphragms at the muffler. Operation is by key fob remote. A visual inspection of the vehicle that shows NO ARB approved cat (including 200 cell variety) will be an instant fail...................unless you like to swap back to OEM every two years. I passed on the R suspension to firm) and Giro rotors (happy with OEM). Gert supplies vacuum lines & wire ties but I went to the PET and ordered all the little clips for the vacuum lines........ All works fine.

The smell of a car without catalytic converters is quite obvious. Even if they didn't do a visual inspection they could let the car idle and know there is something wrong just from the obnoxious smell of unburned fuel coming out the tail pipe. Thus if you do swap the headers you'll want something with a catalytic converter, and as noted above it MUST have a visible CARB certification on it if you want it to have a chance at passing a visual inspection. Otherwise you're swapping out your headers prior to each emissions inspection.

If I were to install cat-less headers, I would still have the cats that are integrated with the PSE mufflers. I would definitely not be interested in swapping out headers prior to a smog inspection; that's not worth my time. I just noticed that they sell headers with and without cats and the ones with the cats are less restrictive 200 cell so it's probably some improvement. I am also not interested in adding non-catalytic smell as well as pollution. Mostly, this was me just getting more informed on the various options. It's highly likely I won't do anything other than adding the PSE.

Thanks

Umm........to my knowledge, cats are not part of the PSE as they are upstream and connected to the headers which are not part of the PSE. PSE bolts up to the cats......
Might want to check the PET for Caymans (unless your year is different than mine).

Well, I learned something new today. I was always under the impression that the Cayman mufflers had a 2nd set of cats, right where the exhaust pipe enters the muffler and has the funky ridged clamp. I'm not sure where I had heard that - I think it was on the FVD Brombacher site where they sell mufflers with and without cats. Just looked it up, check out this muffler - looks exactly the same as stock Porsche muffler but states it has 200 cell cats built in. This is where I was getting my cat info and is why I thought the Cayman has 4 cats (2 in the header and 2 in the muffler).

https://www.fvd.net/us-en/2101119870...cells-tuv.html

987.1 comes with 4 cats - 2 in the headers and 2 at the entrances to the main mufflers.
987.2 comes with 4 cats - all 4 are in the headers (2 on each side) and no cats at the entrances to the main mufflers.

This is why the modified stock exhaust system from Carnewal sounds WAY better on a 987.1 car. Carnewal modification removes the two secondary cats from the main mufflers, and makes small additionaly modifications. It sounds great and makes a big difference. But the Carnewal modified factory exhaust for the 987.2 makes very little difference because there are no cats to remove from the main mufflers, so less change to the system overall. Hardly any aftermarket exhausts have cats due to the 2 primary cats in the headers being sufficient on their own, for both 987.1 and 987.2 cars.

987.2 cars are much quieter than 987.1 cars. The M97 engine in 987.1 is just plain louder and has more of a higher pitch at higher RPM. More "exotic" of a sound. Blame it on DFI or whatever you want... 987.2 does not sing that way. 9A1 is more of a gutteral, throaty sound, less volume overall, and doesn't "sing" up top like the earlier cars. Porsche had to work harder to get sound from that engine.

If I had a 987.2 my first modification would be aftermarket headers, with a single, high-flow cat on each side. That would be sufficient to pass inspections, and would create more of a difference to sound and performance than anything you could do with the cat-back. Replacing anything after the headers would be secondary, and only if I wanted more sound after doing the headers.

FYI : The GT exhaust that we now sell for the 987-2 is far louder than the version made before early 2018.

Gert, I would be interested to see and hear some samples.

Ok, I keep learning more info....So, back to my original question. I have a 987.1 - 2006 Cayman S and I just purchased the PSE Exhaust which has cats built in to the mufflers. Has anyone replaced the headers without the cats and will it still pass smog since their are cats in the mufflers. How would this affect performance and sound? I will most likely be happy with my new setup but for knowledge reasons, I'm wondering what the effect would be by replacing the headers as some point in the future (either with or without cats in the headers).

Thanks

Vern,

Your primary catalytic converters monitored by the O2 sensors on the car are going to be the primary cats that are checked visually for CARB certification. I have many customers running just our rear exhaust and pass CARB/SMOG with the factory headers, simply because most inspection stations don't know there are unmonitored secondary cats in the rear exhaust section. If you have an inspection station that does Not look visually for the cats, and you are trying to get the car to pass the SMOG sniff test with just the secondary cats in the system...I am not aware of anyone that has tried that so I cannot say whether it would pass or fail, you are in relatively uncharted waters there. If you do delete the primary cats with a set of race headers, you should also know that in order to turn off the CEL most all the tunes on the market shut off the emissions monitoring. That will not pass the OBD2 computer test as the monitors will not be set. Some people have run O2 spacers without a tune to avoid a CEL but that is not a reliable means to turn off the CEL, results may vary and it's a 50/50 chance at best the CEL will still come on.

Headers and software are the biggest return on investment from a performance perspective on the Boxster/Cayman platform, most people find that swapping them on/off every 2 years for the test is well worth the investment in time to maximize their driving experience for the 2 years in between, and it is the most efficient and reliable method to accomplish what you are looking to do. If you'd like to have a more in depth conversation on this topic, please feel free to give me a call at 484 883 6197. I'd be happy to chat. I'd also be happy for you to buy me the cheapest round trip plane tickets available to enjoy California for a few days once every two years in return for a quick swap of the headers on jack stands at your house :thumbup:

Best regards,
John Gaydos

When the time comes, I will probably buy a set of Soul headers with the 200 cats. That may be my simplest option and I'm sure I'd be happy. And, I won't have to have you sleeping on my couch! :)

Tidybuoy, if I were you, I'd cancel the order for PSE, and use the money to buy Soul 200-cell long tube headers instead. This plus software tune and your car will sing and dance.
I have this setup (plus Carnewal modded mufflers) and I am very happy with it. You will notice a significant improvement in power and in sound.

I look forward to that time, I expect you'll be quite thrilled with the results. And it's fine I'll take the floor I'm not picky :thumbup:

Well, I can't disagree with you from a performance standpoint.

That said, when it comes to sound...what sounds better than SOUL Sport Headers with factory Non- PSE exhaust?
SOUL Sport Headers with the PSE. What sounds better than that?
SOUL Sport Headers with SOUL Valved Exhaust System. And that?
SOUL Competition Headers with SOUL Valved Exhaust System.

It depends on your subjective goals and what your investment is. I went with last setup on my CR and couldn't be happier haha :cheers:



Best regards,
John Gaydos

Well, I've already purchased the PSE so my decision is made on that point. Plus, all videos that I've watched (and I've watched hundreds), my preferred sound was the PSE. I will however, upgrade to the Soul headers in the near future but I gotta earn the dough-ray-me first.

This is a very subjective issue. What sounds good to some sounds terrible to others. I want great sound without sounding like I am 16 years old. Back then, I probably would have went with open headers. This same issue can be had with sound systems. I've asked for advice and some people recommend pulling out the back seat and replacing with a custom made 30 speaker subwoofer and 20k watts. I probably wanted that too at some point in my past.

Regardless, I am very excited to receive my new PSE which will be here in a couple of weeks. I will be sure to video the before & after.