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So after much research on mostly rennlist threads I went with the Fabspeed 997.2 x pipe. I think a case can be made for sharkwerks, billy boats etc. but I went fabspeed and will report back on findings (dyno later).
But first ... does anyone have step by step install instructions? Or video? Going to attempt install Sunday by myself with no lift 🙃
I installed mine a month back. pretty straight forward but: there are tabs with a 90 degree bend welded to the backside. I think they are supposed to hang from the metal sheet on the car but not sure. and it comes with a few squares of metal and I still don't know what for.
I did email fabspeed that, though it looks simple, instruction sheet would have been helpful. I don't know if they will include it. for a thousand dollars, I expect that!
I am about to do the gundo hack on my side mufflers and later will do the fabspeed x-pipe (please PM if anyone has one for sale).
As far as I know you don't need a lift to do the x-pipe. Ramps would help.
I would recommend you to buy a 13mm Half Moon Wrench. I have just ordered this set on AMZ:
Sunex 9935M Metric Half Moon Wrench Set, 5-Piece (993501M 8 x 10, 993502M 11 x 13, 993503M 14 x 15, 993504M 17 x 19, 993505M 21 x 22)
The install is fairly straight forward and can be done without a lift. However, the job gets interesting when you twist and break a stud off in cat outlet flange. Studs are pressed in so they can be hammered out, but access to do this is horrible.
Your best bet is to remove the rear bumper cover, then everything is in front of your face and the job becomes very simple. Bumper cover is designed to be removed easily.
The tabs that syzygy333 talks about get bolted to the cars sheet metal bracket that used to secure the factory center muffler band clamps. The square washers goes behind the sheet metal bracket , a bolt goes through the tab on the Fabspeed pipe and the square washer, when tighten secures the Fabspeed X pipe to the car.
Did this to my 09c2s several months back and here is my experience. I don't like taking time to remove things unless absolutely necessary, so I found no need to remove the bumper and don't think there is that much more access to make It worth doing. Ramps were a must for me. Remove the exhaust extensions and you can get access to the upper most cat bolt using a combination of socket extensions and a universal. Soak all bolts overnight with your favorite solvent. If bolts are seriously corroded, heat can help avoid twisting something off. Take your time and enjoy the diy.
Simple install assuming you don't have any rusted cat bolts. If they snap (highly likely they will if you are in the NorthEast), then all you have to do is hammer the studs out with a punch and replace with traditional nuts and bolts. Also, the clamp sleeves where the mufflers attach to the x-pipe can also rust at the bolt/nut, but again they are relatively cheap from Porsche. It's a fun and rewarding job overall. I removed my bumper as hammering the rusted cat bolts was easier and I needed all the space for the hammer swings.
Well ramps or a lift would have definitely helped. I soaked all the bolts overnight and still broken one off. Whole job took me 4 hours. Longer than I expected but would do it again.
Most of this time was spent doing two things:
1. hammering/ drilling out a broken cat bolt (it would not hammer out until I broke two bits and dremmeled the flat head side repeatedly. Fabspeed ships nice replacement hardware FYI.
2. trying to get at the top cat bolt nut on the drivers side. (If this one had broken off, I don't know how I could have possibly hammer/drilled it out. I couldn't find a good way to get up in there at all.
I did not hang the back tabs on the sheet metal but I might take another look at it some other day. Seems quite secure as it is though (I hope).
I am about to do the gundo hack on my side mufflers and later will do the fabspeed x-pipe (please PM if anyone has one for sale).
As far as I know you don't need a lift to do the x-pipe. Ramps would help.
I would recommend you to buy a 13mm Half Moon Wrench. I have just ordered this set on AMZ:
Sunex 9935M Metric Half Moon Wrench Set, 5-Piece (993501M 8 x 10, 993502M 11 x 13, 993503M 14 x 15, 993504M 17 x 19, 993505M 21 x 22)
I have one for sale lol. Would love to have you join the Fabspeed community when possible
Originally Posted by Wolfk
The install is fairly straight forward and can be done without a lift. However, the job gets interesting when you twist and break a stud off in cat outlet flange. Studs are pressed in so they can be hammered out, but access to do this is horrible.
Your best bet is to remove the rear bumper cover, then everything is in front of your face and the job becomes very simple. Bumper cover is designed to be removed easily.
The tabs that syzygy333 talks about get bolted to the cars sheet metal bracket that used to secure the factory center muffler band clamps. The square washers goes behind the sheet metal bracket , a bolt goes through the tab on the Fabspeed pipe and the square washer, when tighten secures the Fabspeed X pipe to the car.
Looks like you beat me to it! Took the owrds right out of my mouth and couldn't have said it better. Thanks for chiming in
Originally Posted by CTCOOP
Well ramps or a lift would have definitely helped. I soaked all the bolts overnight and still broken one off. Whole job took me 4 hours. Longer than I expected but would do it again.
Most of this time was spent doing two things:
1. hammering/ drilling out a broken cat bolt (it would not hammer out until I broke two bits and dremmeled the flat head side repeatedly. Fabspeed ships nice replacement hardware FYI.
2. trying to get at the top cat bolt nut on the drivers side. (If this one had broken off, I don't know how I could have possibly hammer/drilled it out. I couldn't find a good way to get up in there at all.
I did not hang the back tabs on the sheet metal but I might take another look at it some other day. Seems quite secure as it is though (I hope).
Glad you made it happen Cooper! What are your impressions so far?
You probably could have shaved an hour if you took that bumper off! Those top bolts were made in hell and put on this earth to torture us. Soaking them in your favorite penetrate does nothing. Anyone considering this job should assume the bolts will shear off. I understand it is actually the heat cycling that softens them.
I have one for sale lol. Would love to have you join the Fabspeed community when possible
Looks like you beat me to it! Took the owrds right out of my mouth and couldn't have said it better. Thanks for chiming in
Glad you made it happen Cooper! What are your impressions so far?
The build quality appears very good and was helpful to have the replacement nuts and bolts in the package. As far as change in sound I would say if stock sound was a 2-3 the increase is only to a 3-4. It sounds good, but not much change. I only went for a short ride though as it was late once I finished the install. I expect to do Fister muffler swap, as well to get a little more volume.
The build quality appears very good and was helpful to have the replacement nuts and bolts in the package. As far as change in sound I would say if stock sound was a 2-3 the increase is only to a 3-4. It sounds good, but not much change. I only went for a short ride though as it was late once I finished the install. I expect to do Fister muffler swap, as well to get a little more volume.
Thanks for sharing your impressions. I will attempt (if the evil nut permits) to remove my side mufflers this weekend and take them to the exhaust shop to do a 2" pipes gundo hack.
The build quality appears very good and was helpful to have the replacement nuts and bolts in the package. As far as change in sound I would say if stock sound was a 2-3 the increase is only to a 3-4. It sounds good, but not much change. I only went for a short ride though as it was late once I finished the install. I expect to do Fister muffler swap, as well to get a little more volume.
Appreciate the kind words and feedback on the build quality and sound. The difference is much more prevalent on a PSE car, or when combined with a freer flowing muffler design such as our Maxflos. Fister modded mufflers as well will put the sound level to about the PSE level or a bit beyond. Either way it will accentuate the already improved exhaust note and free up a bit more performance. Very much looking forward to following your project!
Thanks John. Let me do the gundo and we will talk later. If I am going to buy new I will def buy it directly from you.
The gundo mod will make a nice improvement. Just did it to our maxflo mufflers on a 996 the other week as he didn't want the muffler bypass pipes combined with our catless x-pipe and sport headers. Turned out pretty nice haha.
10-07-2016, 10:17 PM
Fabspeed x pipe install ... maybe
lol. Would love to have you join the Fabspeed community when possible 
