When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Before I begin, I do own a 991.2 Targa 4 GTS, so this is my experience. The 992 T4GTS is just so far ahead in terms of speed, and really tech is where the big leap was made. The 992 makes the 991.2 feel ancient. However, what always erked me was the sound, hence why I need some clarification.
I've heard so many conflicting things and I just need the air to be cleared. Let me first say that the 991.2's sound (PSE) is vastly underrated. Anyone that says it sounds BAD hasn't heard one in person. It is loud AF and the pops and bangs are crazy, and the stock engine note is pretty good actually. Now onto the crux of this discussion
Post #1 of the above thread states:
"The outside exhaust note is much quieter on 992, and nearly no pops and crackles. The 991 had a deeper exhaust note. But the 992 sounds incredibly better inside the cabin though so I prefer the 992 sound overall"
Any YouTube video very clearly proves the first assertion, 992s sound absolutely awful from the outside (Excluding NA 992's obviously). The soft limiter combined with the significantly hollow, almost vacuum-like sound seals its fate, whereas the 991.2 does not have a soft limiter, has a very deep and raspy tone, and pops and bangs like crazy in sport mode. It is worth pointing out that 99% of 992 videos (or any new German performance car period) are in Europe so I haven't heard one without an OPF.
As for the 2nd point, the 992 and the 991.2 sound pretty much the same from the inside, as you can hear by watching the video below which records the interior sound of a 992 with PSE. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but having driven the Targa (with the top UP) for many many hours, it sounds the same as the 992s below. The pops from the video sound like a significant downgrade from the 991.2 but it's hard to hear things accurately via interior mics so I take that with a large pinch of salt. https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2021...ere-24875.html
The following thread is why I wanted to make this one, EVERYONE is saying something completely different about the exhaust. 992>991.2(Post #16), 991.2>992(Post #82), even 992>991.1(Post #1)! However a major point I have seen is that the 992 really fixed what was lacking with the 991.2 3.0 TT, specfically the headers on the 992 are apparently lightyears better than the ones in the 991.2.
However, if anyone simply goes on youtube, I cannot fathom how the 992 sounds better than a 991.2 even with the better factory headers.
Can we please settle this issue once and for all? I would prefer to hear opinions from US owners as we don't have OPF filters for the most part over here.
Another bonus question if anyone would answer. 991.2's with equal length headers (kline, vektor) sound INCREDIBLE. Unfortunately, there is basically 0 content on 992s with equal-length headers. How do 992s with equal-length headers sound? Do you get the same distinctive howl you get with 991.2's with headers? Or does it sound like something else?
There is no settling this issue because of personal bias and personal preference.
With that said, as a 992 S owner, I have always found the stock 992 exhaust to be lacking. Even with valves forced open 100% of the time, it's mediocre at best. I think the stock 991.2 sounds better and 991.1 sounds even better b/c it's N/A.
I would agree with the OP's initial assessment. The 991.2 sounds better outside (a little more "raw") but the 992 sounds better inside the cabin. The interior intake noise in the 992 feels closer to the ear than in the 991.2 for some reason IMO.
I should have asked not which one sounds better, but rather how they differ which is really what I was wondering. If the 992 sound is even somewhat similar to a 991.2, I can get past the less "raw" and quieter sound, aftermarket exhausts exist for a reason lmfao.
I had a 992 base coupe without PSE and now a 991.2 S Cab with PSE. Not an ideal comparison, but The 991.2 sounds way better, more raw, more crackles and has a deeper exhaust note even without the valves open.
I would agree with the OP's initial assessment. The 991.2 sounds better outside (a little more "raw") but the 992 sounds better inside the cabin. The interior intake noise in the 992 feels closer to the ear than in the 991.2 for some reason IMO.
I'm so glad you said this because now I know I'm not crazy. My real problem with the 991.2 is that it is very apparent that the engine noise is in the rear when you hear the engine from the inside (top down). The tone is wonderful, but you almost feel removed from it. With that being said I've had a buddy cram in the backseat, and he said from back there the interior engine noise was bonkers LOL.
It's tough - 992 is such a good car, but the noise is certainly disappointing. Even with PSE it's not really much of an 'occasion', especially when you compare to some of the more fruity sounding Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc. And certainly not a patch on some of our Italian cousins. There is still a hint of the howl you'll hear in the GT3 at high revs but it's very short-lived! I created a little kit at www.992noise.com which makes it sound a bit more interesting at lower revs although I suspect the howl I had in my 996 C4S and even 987 I owned for a while is still going to be a bit elusive ...
991.2 has more contrived fake pops and burbles which was in fashion at the time. The 992 sounds better for today, less fake pops and actually more blow off valve subtle whistles. There is no better, the engine sounds are a reflection of cotemporaneous trends. The 991.1 sports exhaust sounds amazing today but again too many contrived fake pops and burbles which are entertaining but seem a little over the top and anachronistic today.
They all sound good in their different way, no single GOAT in this area.
>> 991.2 has more contrived fake pops and burbles which was in fashion at the time. The 992 sounds better for today, less fake pops and actually more blow off valve subtle whistles <<
FWIW the tune from M Engineering will allow you to customize the about of noise you wish… from “a nun’s fart” to full whoopie cushion. Between that and dialing in fully open valves higher revs you can really wake things up with just factory parts.
03-28-2024, 04:25 PM
991.2 vs 992 Sound
