MotoJB

I have FVD Brombacher sport muffler exhaust on my 2013 981 S. Sounds really good at WOT but my wife says it has a bit too much drone and is too loud for her. She is used to quiet cars.

Any more nearly drone-free exhaust options you can suggest?


So far, I've been contemplating adding Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE), or going with the Fabspeed Tracktec Valved system. Weight is not really a big issue for me. Sound, NO DRONE, power and no California smog issues are the priorites for me. Adding Porsche PSE is also $700 cheaper than going Fabspeed. Should I expect CA Smog issues if I went Fabspeed?

Thoughts?

Porsche PSE
Fabsoeed Traktec Valved Exhaust system


THANK YOU!

Pep!RRRR

PSE all the way for OEM quality and fitment.

brandobot

Don’t have input, but I’m in Cali and will buy your old exhaust. Pm me

Four Ring Circus

I have the FabSpeed and there is no drone at highway or part throttle when running through the mufflers. When it’s opened up, it goes straight pipes and is amazing. Opened up, its probably too loud for your suburban cul de sac, but out on some open roads or the track, it’s amazing. In my “extensive” 3 months of ownership so far, I feel the biggest issue with highway cruising with the Cayman isn’t the exhaust but instead a rather short 6th gear (mine is 6MT so not sure if ratios are the same on the PDK).

storii

I retrofitted the PSE on my 2015 BS and couldn't be happier. No drone and very civil with the valves shut. With the valves open, it's quite lively but not obnoxious. I think the sound is what Porsche intended it to be.

MotoJB

Thanks, likely the route I'll go if I switch.

Lively is what I'd want with a Boxster, not obnoxious. Obnoxious just doesn't fit with the Boxster IMO. Obnoxious should be reserved for significantly faster GT or TT/TTS cars.

Did you do the install yourself? If not, what did your shop charge you to do the install, wiring, and reprogram?

Also, where did you buy the duckbill? Spoiler Nation? Directcartoys.com? Was the paint match/quality good?

Soul Performance

Would you consider an option in between?

Our Valved Exhaust is like PSE plus and is well known for its limited drone in both valves open and closed mode. If you plan on pairing your rear exhaust with aftermarket headers in the future the volume will also be at a good level. With valves closed you'll get a refined, reserved sound and with valves open you'll get a nice authoritative tone that isn't obnoxious or raspy.

We'd be happy to discuss all options with you.

-Mike

storii

I had a dealer to install the PSE. As my car was still under the warranty, I went to that route. I paid $1,400 including a PCA discount and tax. I could probably have gotten it done for $1,200 or so if I shopped around among the dealers.

I bought my ducktail from Spoiler Nation. The paint match is very good and I have no complain about the quality for the price. There is a detailed review of this ducktail somewhere in this forum.

MotoJB

Thanks...will consider it.

DFW01TT

I have the Soul Valvetronic on my 981BS and just love it. Sometimes I take a drive just to listen to the symphony.
No hesitation on my part to buy from Soul again.

CaymanCarver

Aftermarket Valved Exhaust Systems and California Smog Tests do not compute.. its actually the California Noise Laws that declare it illegal.
The Smog Test is one place where you get caught.

What's confusing is the valved systems direct from the manufacturers somehow get a pass.. unless...?

I think the PSE is the only way to go for a valved system in California.

MotoJB

Along that same vein, then pretty much any after market exhaust doesn't "compute" in CA too, right? Doesn't make a difference if it's "valved" or not.

My 981 just passed smog with an after market FVD system, as did my 911tt. They looked for cats and that's about it. I guess it might depend upon the smog shop and tech.

As far as noise laws, Smog shops are not measuring DB ratings from what I know.

Are you hearing otherwise?

saabin

Another vote for PSE. I have it on my '14CS and have no desire to change it, and I have/had some form of aftermarket exhaust on all my previous P-cars (987, 997S, 997TT). Especially being in CA I would just stick with a factory option.

CaymanCarver

First off here in California, the new enforcement teeth of the pre-existing noise laws was a huge deal at the beginning of the year. But it really seems to have died down a lot.
I haven't heard much about the issue in a long while.

N' I think the short answer is - an aftermarket exhaust is OK as long as it doesn't exceed the noise limit of 95db.. but its a little more complex than that.

The Police will never perform a roadside noise test of your car. They'll write a ticket and send you to the State Referee.
The State Referee will perform the noise tests under controlled conditions. This is called (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169).

The basic rule is a 95 decibel(db) limit under these test conditions:

* Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter placed 19.5 inches in-line from the tail pipe, 45 degrees off axis.
* SPL Test at Idle => ~700 RPM
* SPL Test at 2500 RPM
* SPL Test at 75% of redline => 5625 RPM for the Cayman (not certain but they might increase the distance from the tail pipe on this test.??)

I don't know what to say about the subject of the "Valved Exhaust System".
There's this law on the books:

CA. V.C. 27150 (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

But Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Dodge, Ford, Chevy etc..sell new cars with a valved exhaust system! How are they getting around this part of the California Vehicle Code?
I have no freakin idea!! AND I never found any information that addresses this particular matter.

Maybe our friends from Soul, FabSpeed etc.. can tell us what they know. Considering this is part of their business and product line n' all.

Hope this helps.

p.s.
yea the Smog Test facilities tend to focus on
(1) cursory visual inspection.. checking exhaust manifolds, CATs, valve systems(?). Beyond that I don't think they care much.
(2) OBDII readings.. Checking sensor "Readiness" states etc..

I think they would only get involved in the noise issue if the car gets REAL loud at 2500 RPM. But they won't perform any "noise tests".
They'd send you to the State Ref (I think).

MotoJB

Got all of that...been watching it closely...have friends in both the automotive/smog service industry and in law enforcement.

By and large, there is little to no enforcement of the noise restrictions going on. It's another one of those things the cops might write you up for, in order to screw with you (if they heard you going fast but missed writing you a speeding ticket, etc).

SMOG shops vary in their enforcement of aftermarket exhausts. Some completely look the other way, some are very strict.

My smog guy told me there are certain cars where he's supposed to inspect more closely for after market and noise restrictions...Mustang's and a list of others I can't recall (Porsche's weren't on the list so I largely ignored). He said he has a sound meter. I was surprised to hear he might in fact be sound testing some cars.

As far as OEM valvetronic exhausts, they will not in any way shape or form cite you for something that came OEM.

When it came to my 996tt, with LOUD 3" Unotbainium exhaust with 200 cell HJS cats, he looked the other way. So as long as my readiness codes were all A-Ok, it passed with flying colors (and a little donation).