There have been a lot of posts regarding exhaust systems, but relatively few user evaluations. I recently installed a complete AWE exhaust and Evo airbox on a 997S and have some comments to offer.

* After a considerable amount of time reading the manufacturer's propaganda on the net and corresponding with their tech support, I decided upon the AWE system. Mike at AWE was very helpful in providing information. Todd at Evo was similarly accomodating.

* The products arrived in perfect condition, individually boxed. Blow the plastic peanuts out with compressed air, they get everywhere.

* The AWE exhaust components: headers, catalytic converters & mufflers, were of high quality. The welds were first rate and ground smooth on the interior surfaces. Parts were all heavy gauge stainless steel tubing and plate, nicely polished. All necessary gaskets and hardware were provided.

* The Evo intake system was of OEM quality. The airbox was plastic composite and the intake tube welded up of aluminum. Complete small parts kit and installation instructions.

* Both systems were installed by TKX Performance of Huntington Station, New York. Taso Ktenas, the owner, complimented the fit and quality of the parts, as well as the purchase cost. (He also performed the installation for a good price.)

* The complete system sounds really good. The exhaust note from idle to 3000/3500 rpm is deeper than stock, without being too loud, unless the throttle is put down hard. The off-idle, described as woofly & flatulent by other sources, remains, but at a deeper tone. This is probably the sound of individual cylinders firing and unavoidable. It sounds good, but is different from other cars. At 4000/4500 rpm, the car is noticeably louder than stock. From 5000 rpm +, the car screams. The stock exhaust is also really loud at this speed. The aftermarket system is loud when you want it to be, but reasonable at moderate speeds. It seemed to get more mellow after several hundered miles of use. No annoying resonances were apparent. No Porsche enthusiast will ever complain about how this setup sounds.

* The exhaust system makes power and torque. I do not have any before/after dyno runs, but the car is noticeably faster. There is a boost in the 2000 to 2500 rpm range and from 3500 to 5000. From 5000 rpm +, there is a really strong top end charge. Throttle roll-ons are much harder. Total improvements at the rear wheels may be 25 to 30 horsepower/foot-pounds of torque. If I have the car dynoed or run it on the drag strip, I will post results.

* The damage for this upgrade has been $5000+/-, parts and installation. No flash reprogramming of the ECU, potentially voiding the warranty. Airbox and exhaust replacements do not influence engine warranty issues. A GIAC reflash may provide additional gains.

 

Excellent report. Thanks! I am planning to remain stock for now.

 

What tips did you use? Any alignment issues? Thanks for the report.

 

The stock tips were used. Some aftermarket, appearance parts are very attractive, but wildly overpriced($600-$1200 !). No real differences in look. After alignment and bolting, the OEM tips were tack welded to the muffler output pipes. It looks completely stock, but sounds worked.

 

Have same setup on my 05 S'. No issues. Still waiting on my friend's dyno to go on line. Running stock (warranty replacement) tips.

John J

SA Texas

 

please dyno and post!

 

Do you think the exhaust alone would produce 25-30hp? I would think considerably less, it would be interesting to see the dyno results.

 

Does anyone think Porsche would leave 25-30HP in the mufflers and air intake? No Way....Look at what the x51 costs, what parts are included(major components) and it only produces 25HP-30HP over stock. What you have is a very nice sounding car but I would be willing to bet major$$$$$$$$$$ that you have had little to no gain in RWHP and actually might have less than stock.

The best part is that you like it and that is all that matters.

My experience, 2000C2 Cab, Fabspeed mufflers and intake mods. Sounds great WO but has been proven time and again to do little other than lighten the pocketbook.

 

The stock system is quite heavy, 100 lbs sticks in my mind from some source. If you could maintain stock performance, remain within "acceptable" (not much more than oem) sound levels, and carve 40-50 lbs off the rear you would have a winner in my book. Losing 10 lbs is generally the equivalent of gaining 1 hp.

 

If there are any gains, 5hp is a much more realistic number.

 

Michael L-agree have exact same system on my S'. All these people talking about how smart Porsche is and they woudn't leave HP on the table...well those stock headers are crap. Never saw such junk. It's called a marketing ploy....the hp bulids after a few years goes by....give me a freakin break.

John J
SA Texas.

 

Maybe. Just don't quote "butt dyno" hp gains. Give us all a break

 

I'll buy the weight saving argument, but until someone shows me a before and after dyno result done by an independant shop and not the vendor, I remain a skeptic on any performance claims from exhaust systems on these cars. If Porsche engineers are so inept, why do the other manufacturers have so much trouble building a machine with as much performance and reliability? Is it possible to get more hp out of a Porsche engine? Sure, but I doubt it is all that easy, particularly if you want the car to remain reliable.

Still, I'd love to see some dyno results that prove me wrong. And while we're at it, some factual weight comparisons.

 

The best thing that all the "Tuners" have going for them is that the product they are selling usually has non-quantifiable results. "It feels faster" or "it's louder so it must have more power" is a load of crap. They are all selling snake oil and I would bet that rearely if any of the products do as they claim. As long as we keep buying they will have customers.

 

My car feels faster every time I wax it.