I installed fister mufflers on my 997.2 and I was pleased with the sound, but I thought I wanted more. So I bought a center muffler bypass from BBE and I've had it on the car for about a week now. I'm torn on whether or not I should keep it. I just can't make up my mind. So I thought I'd make a pros and cons list and hopefully you guys can persuade me one way or another:

Cons:

• Sounds like complete garbage on cold start. Sounds like there's a hole in a muffler. Literally the worst cold start I've heard in my life.
• More ambient engine noise, not exhaust noise, I mean engine noise. The car is no longer quiet and sophisticated around town because of the additional engine noise in the cabin.
• Lots more ambient sound when the cruise is set to 70. Almost like a window is partially open. Only happens at high speeds. Is this drone?
• Worried I sound like a ricer. Now honestly, I have no disrespect for ricers. I think those cars sound appropriate for their genre. But I don't think a 911 should sound raspy and obnoxious like that. And frankly, that's how my car sounds sometimes

Pros:

• Sounds pretty spectacular near red line. Probably too loud, but actually sounds like a European race car when pushed to the limit
• I can actually hear the exhaust between 2k and 3k now. Prior, I could only hear the exhaust at 3k and above
• The car is a little more responsive and imo a little quicker. Kinda my favorite part of the whole situation.
• Call me crazy, but it almost seems to idle smoother and run smoother when the cruise control is set to 70. Maybe the engine is breathing better?
• The car weighs a little less now, always a good thing

 

Before you scrap the whole thing and start over with something else I would check the installment making sure everything is connected as it should be. I'm saying this since there's been more than one thread about fitment issues with the BBE pipes. One recent member ended up returning the whole thing for a full refund and getting Sharkwerks pipes instead (no affiliation).

 

It fits ok. I installed it myself. But I'm open to the idea of user error. Wouldn't be the first time. Not sure what I could've done wrong? Maybe recheck all the nuts, make sure they're tight?

 

Can't find the thread I referred to with the guy who ended up returning his Billy Boat pipes. As I recall it the fitment was only a few mm off but that's apparently enough to cause an "off" sound where like you he just wouldn't put up with it. So don't necessarily blame your own installation. As said before, a number of posts about poor fitment with the BB pipes. To repeat, I have no affiliation with Sharkwerks but as I recall it, that's what he got instead and it bolted right on with no issues.

 

About three years ago I installed a set of Billy Boat pipes on my 2009 997.2 C2 (not "S"). At that time and since the center muffler had to be removed, I decided to also remove the two side mufflers and take them to a local shop to have them do a 2 inch GUNDO Hack.

Three years later I'm still loving it and in all honesty I haven't experienced any of your "Cons". I guess that perceptions and expectations might have a lot with the overall satisfaction, which in my case has been very positive.

 

There’s a sharkwerks avail in marketplace. I have one myself

 

The most recent thread about "fitment issues" with the BB pipes where the poster considered returning them turned into him realizing he was.doing something wrong and when he tried a different installation method they popped right into place. The recurring "fitment issues" with BB pipes are more about recurring posters SAYING they READ about recurring issues, not an actual trend. My BB pipes fit fine and sound great. They also cost a helluva lot less than the competition.

As to the OPs disappointment with the sound, no one can decide that but him. I don't understand threads where an OP asks other random people about what the OP ought to think about a thing. If you like it, keep it. If you don't like it, take it off. Why does it take a.committee to make up your own mind?

 

Wisdom of the crowd?

 

I had an FVD center muffler delete with stock side mufflers and I agree the sound was awful on cold start. Also between idle and 1500 rpm when letting the clutch out it sounded very "slappy" and just not a good sound. I replaced it with another system that deletes the side mufflers and the sound is still there. I believe you can't "fix" as it's just part of the way the H6 engine sounds in these cars. You just have to get used to it or go back to a stock setup.

 

Or “Tyranny of the Masses” (de Toqueville, “Democracy in America”).

 

I have the same problem buying pants.

 

If you got the holes in the bypass to line up with the cat studs and you used NEW gaskets then it fits fine. If you reused the original gaskets then you may have a leak no matter how much you tighten the nuts.

 

This is really interesting. I think you’re right. I just did some reading and I think I have an exhaust leak. How do I test? Just get under there and listen?

 

Drive it enough and within a few days you’ll get black streaks on the metal where he exhaust is escaping. You can also feel an exhaust leak if it is big enough to hear that loudly. Just start the car and before the pipes get too warm, run your fingers around the area where you suspect it is leaking. You’ll feel it puffing out if you run across the spot.

 

Thanks!!