ShaneSaw

A buddy loaned me his '07 GT3 for 4 days. On the second night he called for my opinion on this and that and then asked if i had turned on the "Sport" (exhaust apparently) button. I admitted I was a still a little intimidated of this beast and hadn't played with that or the suspension control. He said I should go try it out asap and let him know what i thought. About 2 hours later I just couldn't take it any more and went outside to check it out (around midnight). Wow is an understatement! I got back from "checking it out" about an hour later. That is maybe the coolest single button ever, although the neighbors were less amused and it's always bad when the wife meets me at the door.

Now for the question. What was the first year of that magical sport button and is it only available with an option package?

This will greatly affect the year models I'm in the market for now.

Thanks

yasuro

i think that's the PSE (porsche sport exhaust) that you found. IIRC, it was an option in all 996 models.

redridge

I love the magic button.... sneaking out on early Sunday morning drives makes it to easy. You can install the mk2 PSE, the mk1 is discontinued.

Edgy01

I drive my 997S in Sport mode nearly ALL the time because of the PSE sound. I flip off the suspension tightening control however,--it's just too harsh for my tastes.

Many 997 owners with the PSE have elected to actually disconnect (do a 997 search for that) the electronics that control the pneumatic controller to the mufflers leaving it in the default 'sport' condition all the time. Because of Swiss anti-noise pollution laws these cars have a short range around 50 kph (31 mph) where the non-sporting sound is all you can get.

russo

+1, I had mine disconnected so that I can always hear the sweet music.

dirtrack49

My 2002 C2 came with no PSE button on the dash. When I first got the car, the sport exhaust would not kick in until you reached 30-35 mph. I understand this set up was meant to meet noise pollution laws in Europe. Gee, I thought we had some pretty stupid laws here in California.

First thing I did was disconnect it. Now it sounds good even at idle.

Tom L
2002 C2

JCortney

My 04 C4S came with the option. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was in "Sport" mode by default and you had to push the button to get it quiet. +1 to Redridge, with the button pushed, it is quiet as a mouse.

deckman

When I bought my 03 the first thing I did was go to disconnect the cutoff that happens at 30mph and discovered the previous owner had already done it! Mine is never is quiet mode.

medtech

That's some buddy! I wish my friend would loan me a GT3.

redridge

I put a small toggle switch in between the speed signal..... so if I can control it via button or with a flick of a switch.... have it controlled via speed signal.... takes an extra 5 min work.

ShaneSaw

That GT3 has just sprung its third oil leak! It has already spent 2 months of the 24 he's owned it at Park Place Dallas. He not happy.

sjfehr

Is there a noticeable difference in power with it on/off, or is it just the sound?

ShaneSaw

Sjfehr - I don't think it has any effect on power since it only opens the baffles below 30-35 mph. Above that speed they open on their own. That car is so stinkin fast that it was too hard to tell.

Gradus Futura

No ****. Wheres this friend, ill get lunch next time!

gota911

Shane,

You are correct. Porsche makes no claims for increased HP with PSE.

I am nor certain about how the GT3 PSE works but for all other naturally aspirated 996 cars the PSE, with the wiring, works like this:

PSE OFF - car runs in QUIET mode (similar to stock or non-PSE mufflers)

PSE ON
- from 0 to 30 MPH (approximately) car runs in LOUD mode
- from 30 to 45 MPH (approximately) car runs in QUIET mode **
- from 45 + MPH (approximately) car runs in LOUD mode

** This is known as the "cut-off" (or "cut-out") mode. It is required to be compliant with some Euro noise abatement laws. There is a "hack" or modification that can be made to the electronic controlling unit to eliminate the "cut-off" mode completely.