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I know that many of you won’t believe me, but my exhaust saga is over. Really…it’s over. (Well, unless Akra wants to send me an Evolution for free.) I’ve settled on the GMG. It’s on my car for several hundred miles now, so I think I can make a decent assessment of the difference between it and the Sharkwerks option.
First, let me say this. After all my messing with different exhaust iterations, I’ve come to the conclusion that the SW center bypass is the best “overall” solution. Let me emphasize overall. I get that I’m a bit of an odd dude and likes to subject himself to unneeded punishment always in pursuit of “better.” So the question one should logically ask is, “What does better mean to me?” I think this is largely subjective, but here are my observations on why I think the SW is the best overall, but the GMG is still the right choice for me.
With the valves connected (not important to me personally), neither one suffers from drone, but disconnected the Sharkwerks does so much less. The margin between the two is pretty wide. If I were to scale it:
The GMG does drone a bit, but I’m okay with this. I wanted more “nasty,” and apparently that is part of the price I have to pay. I loved the sound of the side muffler delete, but my threshold is probably a 6/10. There are also different resonant frequencies of drone and the GMG version of it is not bad to my ear. For me, the opening and closing of the valves is much more displeasing than some extra sound on the highway. If I were ever taking a long trip, I’d probably reconnect the valves with the GMG, but wouldn’t worry about it with the SW. So if you want the valves disconnected and a relatively drone free environment, the SW wins hands down.
The sound at lower RPMs is where the GMG shines for me. The main reason I decided to stray from the SW was due to the note sub 5,000. In my estimation, the SW bypass sounds about the same as stock with 25% more amplitude. The sound of the stock GT3 is certainly not bad, but gives me a hollow tone that I don’t care to hear. Now I’m nitpicking here, but I wanted the car to sound different when I’m cruising around town since that is what I do more often than screaming down a back road at 9K. Despite being pretty reserved, the adolescent in me wants to let everyone know I’m there, and GMG gives me that extra oomph as well as adjustment to the hollow sound that I was so desperately trying to accomplish. If I were guessing, I’d say the GMG is another 15% louder over what the SW does to stock with a slight change in tone. You can probably see why in the photos below. The size difference between the two is pretty significant. On a side note, if you can get over the single exit, the Chris Smith Racing offers the best tone vs. drone out of the three.
When it comes to aesthetics, the GMG also wins this one. Although, the black coated SW tips were certainly not bad, the GMG looks less bolted on. I know the SW is emulating the factory, but GMG with the single piece of metal that transitions directly to exit really appeals to me. They did a great job of choosing a great looking size to fill the rear bumper cut-out. I would absolutely recommend the black ceramic coated version as it matches the rest of the black trim much better than raw stainless. I will state that the SW does install and stay put more accurately. If you were to pull on the GMG it will twist upward. This is because it is not attached to the H-bracket with bands like the SW is. I’m not sure that this will present a problem, but I would rate the SW as a better design for installation.
Sharkwerks
GMG
Since the GMG is louder, a little deeper, more aggressive at lower RPMs than the Sharkwerks, it beats in the Sharkwerks and makes it perfect for me. So if you are anything like me and have that kid inside you clawing to get out every once in a while, the GMG is the way to go. The SW is more civilized option. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Great post and summary. For a decision that could be nothing but subjective I appreciate the data-like descriptions of the sounds, and the characterizations as well. I hate drone but given how outrageous the GMG sounds it's likely worth it.
Matt, you've done so many variations of the setup that it's hard to keep track.
So for clarification, you only have the GMG center bypass for now correct?
I may have missed it, but did you have the GMG center bypass with the side muffler delete at any one point? If so what was your conclusion with that set up?
Has GMG ever advertised any HP or TQ gain with any of the set ups? (I'll most likely ask James, but in case you know....)
Money2536, I'll make your life a bit more of a turmoil. I have a prototype exhaust i have been testing on 997 series for a year now. I'll send you one and give me feedback. If you like it, i'll make you one for free. Thus far conclusion from testing; 0 drone. Sounds very F1'ish, high pitch. PM me if you are interested
Money2536, I'll make your life a bit more of a turmoil. I have a prototype exhaust i have been testing on 997 series for a year now. I'll send you one and give me feedback. If you like it, i'll make you one for free. Thus far conclusion from testing; 0 drone. Sounds very F1'ish, high pitch. PM me if you are interested
Hmm... While I'm in agreement with your assessment on the GMG purely from reading and viewing your vids... I'm not sure how I feel about the installation note you made regarding it's lack of attachment points that the SW has. Any more info on that would be great
Thanks
08-24-2015, 09:16 PM
My Take on Sharkwerks vs. GMG Bypass
