rs10

In particular, would there be a difference between sound with the normal ovals and the optional (Porsche/Tequipement) quad exhausts on a 996.2?

I've spent a lot of time driving two 996.2s which should be identical back-to-back, and one sounds better, more aggressive. This should be the only difference, so either it's the tips, or maybe one set of tips is loose and adds some metallic vibration noise, or it's one of the engines ... . Which is why I'd really like to figure this out - thanks!

Dennis C

Tips can change the sound, but not in a dramatic way.

kromdom

I could not discern any noticeable change whe I switched from OEM ovals to the current Tequipment quad tips I have on now.

OKB

I vote; no way

AWDGuy

maybe one of the mufflers has been gutted?

dan_189

Maybe one has the "orange cap mod"! When I took out my Helmholtz resonator it changed my exhaust sound although my exhaust is a cargraphic one

Cuda911

Add me to the "no way" list. Unless, it has this:

(Put one on my dad's Mustang once, he freaked)

Macster

Metal vibration noise is not a normal exhaust sound. With 996's it can arise from bad/loose heat shields, a failed exhaust hanger, and improperly installed exhaust system, to name at least 3 things, or (in one case with my Boxster) a converter with a loose brick. This knocked upon a cold start but after everything was warmed up it buzzed, made IOWs a metal vibration noise.

For the average person it is hard to near impossible to know from listening what is going on although an experienced tech can often identify what is going on. A careful inspection of the exhaust system is called for, too. Loose/damaged heat sheilds is bad enough but a buzzing converter brick can be a rather expensive problem to put right. In the case of my Boxster sourcing two good exhaust manifolds from a salvage company and having the tech install them cost me $900 in "parts" and probably an hour's labor plus any hardware like new fasteners, exhaust manifold gasket, etc.

rs10

Shame on you ;-)

rs10

Actually, I had a look yesterday, and I'm pretty sure neither car's tips are vibrating, and I have no other reason to believe of this sound difference is due to vibration noise. So either it's the tips, or it's the engine. I now also understand that if it's the engine, that doesn't mean there's a problem. Nonetheless, I'm hoping it's the tips. Then I know there's no problem. And I also know how to make mine sound like the other one :-)

rs10

After some experimenting (switching tips), I can confirm that tips do make a difference, and is the cause of my car not sounding as good as the other one. The Porsche double tips sound better than my standard oval tips. Not necessarily all oval tips, but my oval tips. It is not impossible that mine got a tiny bit bent from scraping the ground. I haven't noticed this from casual inspection. (The next time the car is on a lift, I'll have a closer look.) But after an incident which could have caused this, I did wonder if the engine didn't become quieter.

On the other hand, I saw a post on another forum where someone who makes after market tips said they found that tips with rolled ends sound better than tips with cut ends. Both Porsche tips have rolled ends, but on the oval tips, this roll seem flatter, more folded. So if it's not just mine and all double tips sound better, perhaps this is why.

wyovino

I'm skeptical. There is probably something more at play than just the shape of the tips.

kromdom

+996. To the OP: my car (02 C2, tip) had factory oval tips and replaced them with Tequipment quad tips. NO CHANGE IN SOUND AT ALL (FWIW, I did not expect the swap to do so).

rs10

I appreciate the feedback. I know it's for my benefit. But what can I say, I changed the tips, and as far as I can tell, it improved the sound of my car. If making the same change on your car didn't make a difference, then maybe my oval tips aren't quite right.

5CHN3LL

Just the tip can make a difference, eh?