I have other cars with valved exhausts and agree that it would be odd for it to default to a stuck closed position but I have heard of valves doing that although it is rare. While I would like to be able to switch the exhaust as long as it is stuck open it is at the bottom of my list. The sound is good but somewhat disappointing as Storm has stated. I am about to order some crossover pipes that will hopefully remedy this.

 

Thanks again, guys for the continued input. Really helpful. In re-reading the posts again I am now wondering the following. Is the quiet mode in PSE quieter than stock exhaust, or basically the same? A little bit of a **** question, but figured best to ask.

Thanks!

 

A closed PSE is virtually the same sound as a stock muffler. In another thread I recently posted a photo I'd seen in someone else's post of a broken PSE muffler cut open. I'm reposting it here. Note that it must be a 997.1 can though since the PSE outlet pipe is smaller:


You can see that the PSE has the extra outlet that takes sound from the first chamber. A non-PSE muffler still has the outlet position used by the PSE cast into it but plugged, another indication that they muffler cans themselves are likely the same.

The center muffler on both a PSE and a non-PSE are the same on US models. (I've seen some hint that Euro models have a different center on the PSE... PSE conversion kits for Euro models include a center muffler that has the same part number as the US models).

 

There should be a big difference.

PSE is also deactivated below 50 km/h if I am not mistaking. If you really have a egg under the pedal you can keep it quiet but if you push the throttle it is s huge difference vs stock. Even without other modifications.

 

Do you have a 997.1 or a 997.2? Reports are that for USA cars the speed cutout was eliminated for the 997.2 generation but still existed in the 997.1 generation.

 

On my PSE 997.2 even right after starting the car up in the garage, pressing the exhaust button creates a noticeable difference in idle sound. Helps to have a solid wall behind the car to have the sound echo off of, though, so you can hear the change more. But overall, the difference in sound while on the move isn't too drastic even at WOT to redline but it's definitely noticeable. Just picked up a sharkwerks bypass, hope it helps =D

 

SharkWerks is definitely gonna help. Louder and deeper sound with it installed and PSE 'on'. Addictive.

 

^^^^This...I can absolutely hear the difference pushing the button while idling in garage, and even hear the valves actuate....You are going to love the Sharkwerks center guaranteed!

 

Agh, you guys are killing me... Now I'm going to be looking to pick up a sharkwerks bypass. I love how its just bolt on an 100% reversible. Before I got my 997.2 I always loved how the 997.1 sounded more raw, sounds like this should do the trick!

 

In case it helps your decision, I've put some short videos of my PSE with the Sharkwerks crossover on Vimeo. I took them earlier this year using an iPhone.

A low speed maneuvering video is here:
A rolling start with a full throttle short dash is here. (Notice the nice wheel chirp even with the PDK when shifting to second!) Unfortunately my pickup truck couldn't begin to keep up:
Edit: Adding a third video of one of my autocross runs. This is using a GoPro. The car windows are open. This one will give you an idea of the sound in the cockpit:
These will give you some idea of the sound under load with the PSE open. You can see it isn't embarrassingly loud like some of the fart-can cars you here out there but does have a nice growl that is louder than stock. I do also have a Fabspeed dual-cone intake that may play a small part here but most of this is the PSE/Sharkwerks combo.

 

Thanks for this! Great samples. Obviously you can only hear so much via YouTube and vimeo, but this is a nice different perspective compared to the other stuff out there.

 

After community advice on what to look for I went back to look at the car again. Confirmed the PSE was working correctly by checking flow from the exhaust tips. Drove the car again...same impression...little impact. The PSE gives it a slightly deeper exhaust note, but unless you're on the throttle you aren't really able to enjoy the sound cruising much above 35 mph before the wind and road noise wash it out. Perhaps it would be better in a Cab.

Now I need to find a PSE equipped car to see the difference a SharkWerks x-pipe makes.

Many thanks to the community for its input. Really appreciate it.

Cheers.

 

Checking back into update this thread regarding the resolution to my issue. I installed some bypass pipes today. It took forever but made a large difference as to the sound of the PSE. Also, while I had the bumper off putting the pipes on, I found that the passenger side vacuum hose to the PSE passenger side muffler had come off of the nipple on the valve. Apparently the tech that installed the PSE exhaust (it was added after purchase at a Porsche dealership) didn't tighten the clamp properly. So, I had a vacuum leak for who knows how long. Glad I found it. Put the vacuum line back on and clamped it down hard. Now PSE works fine and the difference between the two modes is very noticeable.