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Do most people go with valved side delete or non-valved? Is there even a point to valved side-delete?
Unless the car is a dedicated track car, most people go with the valved smb due to the fact you can reduce cabin presence by closing the valves and it maintains the PSE function. The valves closed routes the exhaust through the more restrictive top entry of the center muffler, it does make a difference. Track guys don't need the valves closed at lower rpms, so they'd rather save the costs and extra 3lbs of the valves.
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Zero...absolutely ZERO drone with the Soul Valved by-pass pipes. This is because of the valves and the way Soul has designed the upper and lower pipe lengths Soul has explained. The car sounds fantastic, very stock like around town cracking the throttle open driving in traffic in the city and congested suburbs....not annoying at all. And above 4k rpm there is more sound and it screams above 6krpm to redline but not ear defining.
I'd say that this is the way the car would come from the factory if Porsche wasn't dealing with strict Euro noise reg's. The Soul pipes are extreme high quality, fit perfectly just slipped right on.
Zero...absolutely ZERO drone with the Soul Valved by-pass pipes. This is because of the valves and the way Should has designed the upper and lower pipe lengths Soul has explained. The car sounds fantastic, very stock like around town cracking the throttle open driving in traffic in the city and congested suburbs....not annoying at all. And above 4k rpm there is more sound and it screams above 6krpm to redline but not ear defining.
I'd say that this is the way the car would come from the factory if Porsche wasn't dealing with strict Euro noise reg's. The Soul pipes are extreme high quality, fit perfectly just slipped right on.
So would you say the soul by pass pipes add volume only, or has the tone/pitch changed. Higher or lower or same sound, just louder?
So would you say the soul by pass pipes add volume only, or has the tone/pitch changed. Higher or lower or same sound, just louder?
Tone really hasn’t changed.... I’m thinking tone is slightly more throaty mid throttle shifting around 5k....idle is just slightly louder...cursing at 2500-3200 rpm no exhaust drone or noise basically stock like...nothing in the cabin is intrusive....I’m shocked....really happy. I could stand it possibly a touch louder so I’ll just unhook the valves...plug the line the a golf tee and zip tie and see how that goes.
Those big heavy 45 lbs of side mufflers don’t do a whole lot they do some in making the exhaust too quiet...glad those are dumped off the car
It would help to have the two types categorized to start, bypasses and exhausts, as I have a difficult time identifying the differences.
As far as I can tell, the bypasses add some sound and retain the PSE function.
The exhausts also remove weight by reducing size of side mufflers, and add power.
Then, some exhausts leave the stock center section, while other replace the whole thing. Some exhausts do away with the cats completely but then require an ECU tune and tend to drone in exchange for significant power increases.
For me personally It’s quite confusing with this particular car, unlike others where it’s quite easy to drill down into the differences. I have a gmg center delete available to install but would be willing to buy something more complete if j understood the clear pros and cons of each solution.
couldnt agree more. So many options about this and about that. *I feel like I’m chasing my tail. *
Just driving around is where the exhaust volume needs the most improvement imo. Sure some extra volume at high load/high rpm is welcome, but the valves closed area is where I feel the stock system really lacks. This engine and car deserve so much better in the valve closed position. If valved bypasses don't significantly wake up that area, then it's missing the area I most want to improve. I'm wondering if something like catted headers with side bypass plus one of the more mild center deletes like SW is the way to go to get significant power/torque increase, weight loss, and sound increase hopefully without drone.
Just driving around is where the exhaust volume needs the most improvement imo. Sure some extra volume at high load/high rpm is welcome, but the valves closed area is where I feel the stock system really lacks. This engine and car deserve so much better in the valve closed position. If valved bypasses don't significantly wake up that area, then it's missing the area I most want to improve. I'm wondering if something like catted headers with side bypass plus one of the more mild center deletes like SW is the way to go to get significant power/torque increase, weight loss, and sound increase hopefully without drone.
have to wonder is best solution for sound only is SW with valves disconnected... most say the drone is not significant and sound is linear all through the rev range ... can anyone with this setup confirm? Obviously, Catted Headers and valved side deletes for power, weight and sound
Tone really hasn’t changed.... I’m thinking tone is slightly more throaty mid throttle shifting around 5k....idle is just slightly louder...cursing at 2500-3200 rpm no exhaust drone or noise basically stock like...nothing in the cabin is intrusive....I’m shocked....really happy. I could stand it possibly a touch louder so I’ll just unhook the valves...plug the line the a golf tee and zip tie and see how that goes.
Those big heavy 45 lbs of side mufflers don’t do a whole lot they do some in making the exhaust too quiet...glad those are dumped off the car
Thanks Mike, that's helpful. I think after reading all of these exhaust threads, its clear to me that there is no one size fits all winner. Part of this should be a credit to the stock system which sounds pretty damn good out of the box. Every one has different criteria to take into consideration (livability, cost, emission, etc.). For me- tone, volume, minimized drone are important. My state does not require emissions testing, but headers are not something I am interested in. I like the side deletes, but may do a side/center combo. We'll see. At this point, I'm waiting to see JC's "silenced" race pipe set up before I decide. Dundon's cat back system along with the various high quality valved side deletes and centers being offered by the vendors on our forum are all options. To the vendors, thank you for fielding all of these questions.
Question for me is knowing how the various offerings of valved side muffler deletes differ in operation, if at all? Is there a way to control whether the valves remain open or closed irrespective of the cars ecu / rpm's? If I recall isn't there a vendor that offers the option of affixing the valve open or closed via separate toggle?
On a sound only basis this is similar to expecting a group of people auditioning six different sets of speakers and expecting them to pick one as the best. The perception of sound is a very personal thing.
We have valved bypass pipes that you can control the valve as you would want. We do not suggest closing at high RPMs for long periods of time because of the restriction that it causes. Closing the valves at higher RPMs can cause an issue with the center muffler. There are really three options for the valve control on your Porsche. First, you hook it into the PSE button. Second, option we offer it as a key fob, most guys hook it onto the key chain or keep it in the glove box. Third, and lastly you can hook it into the home link on the visor you just have to click the visor everytime you want to open or close the valves.
Zero...absolutely ZERO drone with the Soul Valved by-pass pipes. This is because of the valves and the way Soul has designed the upper and lower pipe lengths Soul has explained. The car sounds fantastic, very stock like around town cracking the throttle open driving in traffic in the city and congested suburbs....not annoying at all. And above 4k rpm there is more sound and it screams above 6krpm to redline but not ear defining.
I'd say that this is the way the car would come from the factory if Porsche wasn't dealing with strict Euro noise reg's. The Soul pipes are extreme high quality, fit perfectly just slipped right on.
Originally Posted by mdrums
Tone really hasn’t changed.... I’m thinking tone is slightly more throaty mid throttle shifting around 5k....idle is just slightly louder...cursing at 2500-3200 rpm no exhaust drone or noise basically stock like...nothing in the cabin is intrusive....I’m shocked....really happy. I could stand it possibly a touch louder so I’ll just unhook the valves...plug the line the a golf tee and zip tie and see how that goes.
Those big heavy 45 lbs of side mufflers don’t do a whole lot they do some in making the exhaust too quiet...glad those are dumped off the car
Thanks for the feedback on our side muffler bypass pipes Mike. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the sound with the valves permanently open
Originally Posted by Vadaredevil
couldnt agree more. So many options about this and about that. *I feel like I’m chasing my tail. *
I would tend to agree, though each option can have it's unique characteristics. What you need is a clear goal of what you want, and an experienced fellow to review the different options at hand to help you make an educated decision. I'm always up for a friendly exhaust chat if you'd like to give me a call to discuss (484 883 6197).
Originally Posted by horns
Just driving around is where the exhaust volume needs the most improvement imo. Sure some extra volume at high load/high rpm is welcome, but the valves closed area is where I feel the stock system really lacks. This engine and car deserve so much better in the valve closed position. If valved bypasses don't significantly wake up that area, then it's missing the area I most want to improve. I'm wondering if something like catted headers with side bypass plus one of the more mild center deletes like SW is the way to go to get significant power/torque increase, weight loss, and sound increase hopefully without drone.
It sounds like you don't value the sound of the valves being closed at all, so why not try leaving them open? You're looking for improvements in the sound at lower rpms, which can be accomplished in many different ways (including bypass pipes). You can either eliminate or override the PSE valve function and run the valves open 100% of the time, or you can free up the exhaust in the valves closed position via bypass pipes and headers. Cabin presence is going to change with all of this, but generally these cars have less drone potential than the Boxster/Cayman platform so you can play around with it a bit more. I'll shoot you a PM we can discuss some options in more depth.
Originally Posted by ncp
Question for me is knowing how the various offerings of valved side muffler deletes differ in operation, if at all? Is there a way to control whether the valves remain open or closed irrespective of the cars ecu / rpm's? If I recall isn't there a vendor that offers the option of affixing the valve open or closed via separate toggle?
Maybe some of the vendors can chime in?
Exhaust manufacturers develop their products differently from others for various reasons. That said, typically none of us are going to publicly go out and say "this is why we do it this way, we are right everyone else is wrong", that's just not good business haha. If you're up for a phone call, I'd be happy to chat and we can discuss the various design characteristics of bypass pipes, and I'd also be happy to provide some insight on the various factors influencing why we chose to design ours the way we did.
As for basic valve function, all the different options out there that I have seen use vacuum actuated valves, which means it retains the exact same PSE functionality as before. That said, there is indeed a way to override the PSE control. We also offer a universal valve controller kit that utilizes the Homelink buttons to override the PSE for 100% open or closed. I wouldn't necessarily recommend running it valves closed with sustained high rpm abuse for muffler longevity, but sometimes you have no choice but to accept that as a wearable item in the event you need to pass DB limitations at various tracks. You can also tie in a GPS controller to the valve controller kit to close the valves at various points of a track, which helps pass sound checks given you know where they are recording.
Originally Posted by Alan C.
On a sound only basis this is similar to expecting a group of people auditioning six different sets of speakers and expecting them to pick one as the best. The perception of sound is a very personal thing.
Very well said Alan, I may use that analogy in the future if you don't mind haha
Last edited by Soul Performance; 01-15-2019 at 11:13 AM.
Thanks for the feedback on our side muffler bypass pipes Mike. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the sound with the valves permanently open
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Hi John, I have the valves disconnect right now. It sound awesome, slight little bit of drone around 2200-2800rpm under light acelleration but nothing loud or obnoxious. Put it this way...wife has been in the car with valves working and disconnected and she hasn't said a word. She has awesome hearing too believe me!!!!
I know now i owe you a video and i'll get it done...soon!!!
Guys, Soul makes an awesome product plus they are active on the forums, they are hear too help with your decision.. John is a Porsche guy, track guy great driver so he understands us....can't get better than that!
I need some funny bloke from Youtube with a cool accent to drive one of our cars, it's what all the cool kids are doing and now I feel left out haha. Anybody know a guy?
Mike that's great feedback with the valves unplugged, thank you! This is also relevant feedback to what people can expect from non-valved, dual-entry side muffler bypass pipes like ours. Video would be great at your convenience, side muffler bypass pipes don't have many good videos out there in action for the community to make a sound comparison in their exhaust search.
That last bit was kind of you to say Mike, I appreciate that Speaking of the track, I'm pulling my hair out here in cold and snowy PA. I'm going to make an effort to catch a flight down for the PCA event on Feb. 23/24 at Sebring. My Cayman R is still down there, so if it works out I'll instruct both days, get a little seat time then drive it back up here. If you plan on going, it would be great to see you