LawguyNA

Had thought i wanted a C4S convertible but have been looking at a handful of certified 997 turbos as a potential option. I noticed none of the turbo cars have the sport exhaust button. I googled it and checked archives here but didn’t see anything definitive. Are they full time sport exhaust or is there some other control mechanism?

Also, anyone who has owned a C4S and a turbo convertible who could give me some “real world” feedback on the differences in the cars as daily drivers would be appreciated. I’m not a track guy - just a 12 month daily driver in the Midwest.

Thanks!

Hella-Buggin'

If it's got the Sport exhaust button, then it has two modes controlled by valves. Regular Sound and Fun Sound :-)
That's all I can give you as I'm not an AWD or Turbo guy.

snaphappy

Some advantages of the 4S: better exhaust note, easier to work on if you DIY, aftermarket exhaust options are cheaper, has a higher redline, um that’s about it.

Advantages of Turbo: insanely fast, like WTF fast, actually has low end torque and a lot of it, Mezger engine, which is invincible racing engine with nikasil cylinders - no bore scoring ever, rarer, less common, more prestigious, also sexy intake vents and spoiler.

The Turbo does have two weak points: coolant pipes need to be welded or pinned (many cars have already had this done) costs $1500-$2500 if I remember right, and the mechanism that lifts the rear spoiler dies from time to time.

If you can afford a Turbo get one, they don’t ever deprecate either

snaphappy

Sports Exhaust button was option right? Even on Turbos? The original owner had to purchase the option when ordering the car.

Im guessing very few people did go for that option BECAUSE the Turbo has a very quiet exhaust. You don’t need a button to make the exhaust even quieter 😂 The exhaust note is often described as pathetic until an aftermarket exhaust is installed. And PS those are pricey.

Skwerl

I don't think Sports Exhaust was ever an option on 997 Turbos. Sports Chrono was, and it stiffens the PASM, sharpens throttle and gives you some extra overboost for passing. (I think it also makes the Tip/PDK work way faster.) That option is extremely common to find, but can be replicated pretty easily with an ECU tune.

bschurr

Sport mode in a 997TT (activated via dash mounted button) provides exhaust and power enhancements.

Doug H

Are you looking at 08s and before?

I have heard some turbos recently that sounded absolutely insane. I heard a 2013, last of the 997.2 turbos, the other day and it sounded better in stock form than my 2012 GTS so I kind of disagree with the above. I was also behind what I think was a .1 Turbo the other day with my top down and his car literally made my ears ring.

I had a 2008 and a 2012 Turbos with aftermarket exhaust and loved the way they sounde, but it has been a long time since I had either.

jhbrennan

No PSE option on the 997.1 turbos (2007,2008 and 2009 models) - don't know about subsequent years.

Skwerl

No exhaust enhancement on the Turbos.

Hella-Buggin'

I could be wrong but the Sport exhaust option doesn't make it quieter but louder. The button activates valves that bypass part of the muffler. So when activated, 20% bypasses the muffler.
That's what the Gundo Hack is all about but w/o the valves. It's a bypass pipe welded in.

Skwerl

Turbos just simply don't have a valved exhaust like that, there's no button to hit that changes anything, nor can you Gundo Hack it. To improve the Turbo's exhaust, you need a new exhaust system.

bschurr

There are no valves associated with the exhaust on the turbo however, the changes to timing, throttle map etc associated with the activation of the sport button result in a NOTICEABLE change in the exhaust sound (on my 2008 997TT)

Skwerl

Just have to agree to disagree then, no exhaust change on my 09 Turbo.

Dennis C

I agree with the comments above. There is no factory sport exhaust option for the turbo. Sport Chrono was an option, but it does nothing for the exhaust. This is true for 996 turbos and 991 turbos too. Rumor has it that the 992 turbo will offer an optional PSE valved sport exhaust from the factory.

You’ll often hear that the turbo cars don’t need a sport exhaust button because it’s active all the time. Even salespeople at Porsche dealerships will sometimes say this. It simply isn’t true. The turbo factory exhaust is much quieter than a normally aspirated car with PSE.

Good luck with your search. I loved my 997.1 turbo cabriolet.

jeebus31

I had a 997.1 C4 and then sold it, picked up a 997.1 TT. The TT is more fun and a more comfortable daily driver in my opinion.