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987.2 Fabspeed Headers & Catback

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Old May 25, 2018 | 10:51 PM
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Thumbs up 987.2 Fabspeed Headers & Catback

I know I'm late to the party but I'm a happy customer of the Fabspeed Headers & Catback for my 2009 S. I had a Fabspeed catback on my 986 so I knew what to expect from them.

The stock 987.2 exhaust is almost silent (for my deaf ears) and I almost got accustomed to listening to music from the radio.

While there are cheaper alternatives out there, the units have very good welds, even comparing to the competitor's stock photo. Not sure if I'd settle for a lesser product on a Pcar.

Alec was very accommodating and offered lots of suggestions. Of course, not even a day after I got them installed, I called him again to order the IPD Plenum & GT3 TB and thus jump deeper into the rabbit hole.
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Old May 26, 2018 | 01:58 AM
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Looking forward to your feedback after you have installed everything. I’m still working out a good place to smog my car that might not notice shiny new headers. I also debate asking someone like Fabspeed to make a set of sport headers that have a “factory” appearance rather than being shiny.
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Old May 26, 2018 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ekam
I know I'm late to the party but I'm a happy customer of the Fabspeed Headers & Catback for my 2009 S. I had a Fabspeed catback on my 986 so I knew what to expect from them.

The stock 987.2 exhaust is almost silent (for my deaf ears) and I almost got accustomed to listening to music from the radio.

While there are cheaper alternatives out there, the units have very good welds, even comparing to the competitor's stock photo. Not sure if I'd settle for a lesser product on a Pcar.

Alec was very accommodating and offered lots of suggestions. Of course, not even a day after I got them installed, I called him again to order the IPD Plenum & GT3 TB and thus jump deeper into the rabbit hole.
Which combination did you go with? Sport Headers or Race Headers? Maxflo or TrackTec? Also is it PDK or Manual? Big different on sound with the PDK it gives a nice crack/pop changing gears haha. Don't forget a tune on that baby to maximize the potential of all those components working together, I know Fabspeed's tuner personally and he is a magician on these cars. Tell Alec I said to sell his Z06 and get a real car (he is one of my Fabspeed protegee's haha).

Originally Posted by Marine Blue
Looking forward to your feedback after you have installed everything. I’m still working out a good place to smog my car that might not notice shiny new headers. I also debate asking someone like Fabspeed to make a set of sport headers that have a “factory” appearance rather than being shiny.
Afshin it's been Years, come on buddy you've got to join the fun at some point. With a lift and some energy it took me less than an hour to swap out my headers, just do that once every two years it's no big deal and you'll even take the wear and tear of the factory headers so they'll pass smog for the rest of your life lol. If that's not convincing enough, I may have a lead for you on the "non-shiny" header option for you as well, just remember you have to find someone that doesn't check for the actual CARB certification on the headers which are numbers engraved onto the OEM piece that can't be duplicated. Give me a ring sometime we can chat about it a little more and catch up a bit : ) 484 883 6197
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Old May 26, 2018 | 05:57 PM
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Sport headers with Maxflo catback. Manual car. It cracks and pops too.

I got the Fabspeed headers/catback package with Cobb AP & a ProTune so I'm going to wait for the IPD & GT3 TB before applying it.

The AP doesn't recognize the ROM version in the ECU/DME. Contacted Cobb Tuning support and they said the car needs a ROM Update at the dealer, so off it goes Monday...
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Old May 26, 2018 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ekam
Sport headers with Maxflo catback. Manual car. It cracks and pops too.

I got the Fabspeed headers/catback package with Cobb AP & a ProTune so I'm going to wait for the IPD & GT3 TB before applying it.

The AP doesn't recognize the ROM version in the ECU/DME. Contacted Cobb Tuning support and they said the car needs a ROM Update at the dealer, so off it goes Monday...
Excellent street combination, you'll find those Maxflo mufflers will bed themselves in over several hundred miles and moderately improve their characteristics. Smart move, hardware then software is key. I had to update my ROM file as well, it's rare but does happen. You're pretty much all set from a power standpoint, if you ever want more you'll have to switch to Race Headers. Mods are always a slippery slope, but there are some nice improvements to be had elsewhere on the car as well in regards to brakes, suspension, and the shifter. You'll see more ROI on the brakes and suspension if you intend to track the car, but upgrading the shifter is pretty awesome regardless of street/track haha.
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Old May 26, 2018 | 06:22 PM
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Car won't pass the smell test and it's quite a fine for cars with no cats for street cars where I am.

I might do GiroDisc when my rotors need replacing, but it's more for the looks department than anything. Already got GT3 M/C coming from ECS Tuning.

Sadly we have **** roads here with gazillion potholes especially after freezing rain this past winter, so going to leave suspension stock.

Yes I already ordered the updated shift cable kit from the dealer. Still debating whether to get the GT3 shifter assembly or just swap out the plastic bushings myself with aftermarket solutions.
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Old May 26, 2018 | 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ekam
Car won't pass the smell test and it's quite a fine for cars with no cats for street cars where I am.

I might do GiroDisc when my rotors need replacing, but it's more for the looks department than anything. Already got GT3 M/C coming from ECS Tuning.

Sadly we have **** roads here with gazillion potholes especially after freezing rain this past winter, so going to leave suspension stock.

Yes I already ordered the updated shift cable kit from the dealer. Still debating whether to get the GT3 shifter assembly or just swap out the plastic bushings myself with aftermarket solutions.
Ah I see, just saw you're in Canada that makes sense. I know they are quite the sticklers up there in most areas.

Factory suspension is pretty great until you start tracking it, for mostly street use I typically just do a sway bar upgrade. Feels tighter and more responsive, but doesn't make any real difference in the compliance as you still have the factory struts/springs.

What is this "upgraded cable kit" they speak of? Shifter cables break all the time on these cars whether they're original or a OEM replacement. The only real way to resolve the issue that I'm aware of is with the Numeric Racing shifter cables, which are some seriously over-engineered pieces. You should consider Numeric's shifter as well. I would equate shifting their assembly to cycling the most well-lubricated bolt-action rifle I've ever shot. Super smooth, confidence inspiring, and just the right amount of throw with no slop.
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Old May 26, 2018 | 07:54 PM
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Porsche updated the shift cable design with 2 additional brackets to keep the cables in place.

https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/987SCAB.html
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK9872CABLE.html
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Old May 26, 2018 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ekam
Porsche updated the shift cable design with 2 additional brackets to keep the cables in place.

https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/987SCAB.html
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK9872CABLE.html
Well, unless someones changed it again within the last 6 months I've seen failures with the upgrade kit. The factory fixes have been bandaids to a poor design unfortunately, the Numeric kit is the conclusive solution and might be worth considering. Funny how they're over $300 less expensive than new cables from Porsche with the upgrade kit, but that's Porsche for you haha.
https://numericracing.com/store/cables-986987/
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Old May 29, 2018 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ekam
I know I'm late to the party but I'm a happy customer of the Fabspeed Headers & Catback for my 2009 S. I had a Fabspeed catback on my 986 so I knew what to expect from them.

The stock 987.2 exhaust is almost silent (for my deaf ears) and I almost got accustomed to listening to music from the radio.

While there are cheaper alternatives out there, the units have very good welds, even comparing to the competitor's stock photo. Not sure if I'd settle for a lesser product on a Pcar.

Alec was very accommodating and offered lots of suggestions. Of course, not even a day after I got them installed, I called him again to order the IPD Plenum & GT3 TB and thus jump deeper into the rabbit hole.
Hey Dickson,

Thank you for the kudos! Very pleased to hear that everything went well and that you are enjoying the Sport Headers & Maxflo Exhaust. I'm very confident in the IPD products as well and am sure that they will do the trick

Feel free to give me a shout with any questions or when you're ready for the Protune

Originally Posted by Marine Blue
Looking forward to your feedback after you have installed everything. I’m still working out a good place to smog my car that might not notice shiny new headers. I also debate asking someone like Fabspeed to make a set of sport headers that have a “factory” appearance rather than being shiny.
We can always do that, basically more of a brushed/OEM look than polished. I can also help you find shops that are more "performance oriented" too if that helps. Feel free to give me a shout with any questions!

Originally Posted by Autoquest Motorsport
Which combination did you go with? Sport Headers or Race Headers? Maxflo or TrackTec? Also is it PDK or Manual? Big different on sound with the PDK it gives a nice crack/pop changing gears haha. Don't forget a tune on that baby to maximize the potential of all those components working together, I know Fabspeed's tuner personally and he is a magician on these cars. Tell Alec I said to sell his Z06 and get a real car (he is one of my Fabspeed protegee's haha).
Sport Headers, Maxflo, IPD & GT3 82mm TB, Accessport w/Protune... awesome set-up!

+1 on the Numeric Shifter and cables too. We installed one on a 987.1 Cayman S recently and boy was I impressed. Your description of cycling a bolt-action rifle is spot on.

... and the Z06 isn't going anywhere
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Old May 29, 2018 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Alec@Fabspeed
... and the Z06 isn't going anywhere
Sorry to hear that lol Sounds good though!
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Old May 30, 2018 | 12:07 PM
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I got the car back but the invoice/worklog shows "Software for the DME was re-programmed. Software level was already up to date." I was charged 1 hour of labor for this.

Going to have to wait to get home to plug in the AP and see what it says...
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Old May 31, 2018 | 09:26 AM
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According to the dealer, the DME ROM is up to date. AP is still throwing the same Unknown ROM error. Waiting to hear back from Cobb. Any ideas?



Last edited by ekam; May 31, 2018 at 10:41 AM.
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Old May 31, 2018 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ekam
According to the dealer, the DME ROM is up to date. AP is still throwing the same Unknown ROM error. Waiting to hear back from Cobb. Any ideas?
There are so many different ROM revisions, sometimes you run into one where COBB has not updated their software to be compatible yet. Typically they can update there software given that number provided at the bottom of the screen. I had that same problem on a few Macans, it just takes a little time to do so. If they tell you for some reason it can't be accomplished, give me a call at 484 883 6197 I do have an alternate solution.
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Old Jun 1, 2018 | 10:13 AM
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Heard back from Cobb yesterday, they want me to do a ROM dump so they can look at the file. I'm unsure of the age of the battery (shows 12.2V when the engine is off) and I'm currently waiting for the mounting plate to install an Optima redtop. Going to hold off until then.
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