Hi folks, the discussion around header upgrades has been an intriguing read. I'd like to order the Vektor headers, but haven't seen comments or tests on a base 991.2 with PSE like mine. I worry that the benefits to a base with its smaller turbos will be less significant and not worth the upgrade. What do you think about header upgrades on a base, and has anyone used Vektors? Does the base ECU limit throttle and boost differently to make this upgrade less effective? At this time, I'm reluctant to void my warranty with Cobb.

A bit of background and motivation: My first 911 was a 996 4S that I miss, and now have a 993 with some mods (PSS10, LWF, RS engine mounts, Fister stage 2 exhaust), and a stock '85 Carrera 3.2 coupe in addition to the 991.2. I'm really sensitive to car sound. It messes with my perception of acceleration. My favorite daily driver sound is probably the PSE on the 997 because of its rich mix of mechanical and exhaust sounds that creates an incredible anticipation of acceleration. That's my limited experience, and point of reference.

The base 991.2 was disappointing (I've briefly driven a friend's GTS that I spec'd for him, and it made me feel like I got the wrong car for myself). My PSE open valve sound disappoints me when its throatiness briefly quiets during hard acceleration. This is a huge libido killer. I also find initial throttle response vague often enough to think that I have the wrong car.

When I read the motoIQ review of Vektor headers on a 991.2 S, it struck a chord with me. Throttle response noticeably improved and the sound is deeper, more "melodic," and turbos are more audible. This was an impressive review, and it seems like the headers are loved by the GTS owners who've bought them on this list. Can anyone share their experience with headers on a base 991.2 with PSE, and how does it compare to motoIQ's review?

 

I should add that my 991.2 is an MT.

 

Cyberbug installed them on his T which would have similar turbo setup as the base - seems like he’s delighted!

Fwiw, I plan to install them myself in the near future

 

Have them on mine and couldn't be happier. With a tune you will gain a good bit more hp in the higher rpm's..

 

I thought sport cats make a bigger difference in sound and performance than headers, if you had to pick only 1

 

+1 on the sound, also sports cats are considerably cheaper and an easier swap.

 

I’d also want to know what the headers are like on a base. Anyone want to comment more? Especially anyone who has installed the vectors.

 

I did the catless dp first and the headers after and felt of gains with the headers imo… Install was a breeze with the correct tools.

 

The cats act like a muffler. So going to high flow cats is like going to a more straight-thru muffler increasing the volume. The stock headers are double walled stainless, so the two layers act a bit to muffle the noise. The Vektor headers being single wall thick reduce muffling by removing one layer of sound insulation. They also change the quality of the sound by being equal length runners with the runners ending in a small volume merge collector vs. the stock headers which have each short runner dumping into a large volume log/plenum. So the equal length headers give a sound with more distinct exhaust pulses.

 

Delighted...so much so right now that I seriously thought yesterday that I don’t need a tune, after the first drive.

the difference between different modes Is much more pronounced in sound and feel.

 

So you installed the sport cats or ????

What delighted you????

 

Just in the process of throwing on sport cats right now. And having installed the headers a few months back, lets be clear here sports cats ARE NOT easier to install. Header installation was much more contained. Sport cats you gotta drop the entire muffler, take that part, and throw everything back on.

 

The new sound with the Vektor headers and Car Graphic high flow cats installed. And his wife's butt dyno says the car is faster too as would be expected. Start here with lots of great install pics and info:
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1143...l#post15908422

 

Here is where I show the difference in sound in going to Vektor equal length headers vs the stock headers. Other equal length headers will probably have similar results, though maybe at slightly different frequencies due to different runner lengths.

https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1138...se-change.html