Trying to decide on an exhaust and am learning the differences of the systems and pricing.

Who has done headers and exhaust? I see a lot of fabspeed headers with AWE exhaust combos

Many reason to do this all at once? Sound/ performance?

Any input appreciated.
Also who has the best deals?

 

I have the AWE exhaust with fabspeed race (catless) headers. The sound is insane, it is incredibly loud at full throttle. Some drone at low RPM, not unbearable. Zero drone when exhaust valves are closed. I might be selling the headers soon.

 

I don't think I'd go catless TBH. Why would you sell your headers tho?
Too loud?

 

The drone is tolerable, but grinds on you more as time goes on. Some people don't care about it. I used to be one of those young whippersnappers, now I feel like an old man that just wants some peace and quiet, haha. It is very loud though, no doubt about it. Haven't heard the sport headers so can't comment on them. If you want to scare the crap out of everyone in a 10 mile radius, catless is the only way to go!

 

I have the AWE with stock cats. The AWE is very loud -sounds like a full blown cup car WFO. Cant imagine the car being very practical going beyond AWE with the valves open. Hear an AWE in person before doing any headers/bypass.

BTW, I called Fabspeed twice and LM with some questions about a system for my 88 over a week ago, Fabspeed couldn't be bothered to ever call me back. If they're not returning a call to a prospective customer, I'd hate to see the service after they have your money.

 

Hello Max,

Just saw this thread and thought i'd chime in. The exhaust and headers are going to accomplish different things for you, and to start off it is important to know whether you have PSE or not as that will effect whether or not you have to purchase just an X-Pipe or a full system to run a valvetronic exhaust. Do you have PSE and if not do you have a base or an S model?

For your reference, our Valvetronic X-Pipe and that of AWE is very similar in design to the point you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference in sound. The difference is in the details, such as our investment cast X for optimal/consistent flow characteristics and welds placed in different areas. You can very well accomplish the sound you are looking for by sticking with the same brand products

The biggest restriction point on the 991 is the factory headers. Our Sport Headers are going the provide the biggest performance gains in the low-end/midrange for street use. If you primarily track the car, our Race Headers will provide the most performance gains in the higher rpms. The Sport Headers increase the overall sound level a nice bit, and add a slightly higher/exotic pitch. The exhaust system provides the biggest change in exhaust note and overall sound level, but this does depend heavily on whether you go with a valvetronic system or not.

Let me know is your have PSE and what model you have, and I can explain the appropriate exhaust configuration for your setup



Hello Gabe, apologies again for the issues in communicating with us. I have our tech support looking into the phone system issues, and I hope we are now on good terms! You have my cell now as well (484 883 6197) so you can reach me anytime there during or outside of business hours

 

+1!

 

Just had the Fabspeed race headers swapped out for the stock ones the other day, AWE still on the car. Wow, what a difference in sound! The car is incredibly loud with the race headers on, like scare-the-crap-out-of-everyone-in-a-3-block-radius loud, at least with the valves open. With valves closed it is still very quiet. It sounds neutered with the stock headers even with valves open, but there is no drone at all and it still sounds great. Coming from an E92 M3 with catless x-pipe and race exhaust, the AWE exhaust alone is not nearly that loud, so it sounds almost "quiet" to me. With the race headers, the AWE was even louder than the M3 was with that setup.

This short video is 100% accurate to how loud it is from a relatively far away distance when you have both the AWE and race headers:



If someone is looking to pick up a set of the race headers I am going to be selling mine and listing in the marketplace soon. Feel free to PM me if interested.