JB911

I'm looking at AWE's Switchpath exhaust system, looks nice and in my case I'm still considering valved side deletes-but they don't seem to offer just the side deletes alone. Either you get the whole thing with center bypass or just the center bypass and use your OEM side mufflers.
Since I already have the FVD center bypass, I would consider the side deletes(TPC is the other choice)
These don't have the flexible section like the OEM sides or TPC sides, which I imagine are easier to wiggle into place during install(I put my own center bypass without removing the bumper, wasn't easy to slip it in place)

So essentially this is what some people have done with TPC and center bypass, practically a straight exhaust. Getting the side deletes gives me that option or using my OEM center muffler.
But there are a lot of threads about cracked center mufflers...OEM, Cup, titanium centers-there's a video of the rally 997 in New Zealand, and sure enough the center muffler cracked and practically exploded towards the serpentine belt, taking it out and the intake box which was pretty horrifying.

So it seems the AWE is fairly recent-most people went with Sharkwerks when these cars just came out, maybe M&M FVD(good track record with rallye)so it might be hard to find opinions from the 997 crowd. Site shows it fits both 997 and 991 GT3s
Their center bypass seems pretty "fat"-and a photo comparison between center bypass options might be nice-I'm happy with the FVD but still thinking of valved sides-
Thoughts appreciated, thnx

MJSpeed

Can't go wrong with M&M, TPC, AWE, or Sharky.

DYSL

GMG Sport Headers and Center Section....it's what I run and love every raspy moment of it. There was as set of brand new GMG Sport headers on RL last month for a steal. Not sure if there sold yet, but worth a look

John@Fabspeed

As it looks like you are looking for valved side muffler bypass pipes, I figured I would chime in with ours as it bolts right up to your factory headers/center muffler and maintains a mild/wild setting with your factory PSE controls

JB911

The concerns I have now are that I've seen many threads and one alarming video of a center muffler cracking-the GT3 Rally car in New Zealand where the muffler explosion took out the serpentine belt and even damaged the intake-

Also, many side deletes don't have the bellows like the oem side mufflers do. Which seem to aid in installation and perhaps adding flexibility which might aid in preventing cracks, not sure.
So since replacing a cracked OEM center is getting expensive I'm having second thoughts. I could go ahead and get the sides and leave the FVD bypass, having essentially a straight exhaust. I'm sure I'll be thrilled with the sound
But it could be too loud for the neighbors
I don't track, so I'm not considering the high end full systems which indeed show documented gains-

I'll keep thinking things over :thumbs:

Thnx

runet

TPC Racing side delete has bellows like the OEM side mufflers, so they should not strain the center muffler.
http://www.tpcracing.com/gt3-active-...er-bypass.html

Also, I used to have the Sharkwerks track exhaust on my car (aka straight pipes), and loved the sound. Loud when you push on a bit and magnificent outside of the car, and since there was no drone they are not to loud inside the car, and actually not to loud outside if you are very, very gentle with the trottle when crusing or sneaking out of the neighborhood.

John@Fabspeed

There does not seem to be any real correlation between the side muffler bypass pipes and the center muffler failures. The way the individual exhaust components are mounted and supported, there is no pressure from the factory side mufflers on the center muffler when connected. It doesn't matter if it is a 20lb side muffler or a feather connecting to the center muffler at that point. Eliminating them and replacing them with side muffler bypass pipes (regardless) provides no change as far as stress on the center muffler is concerned. If a center muffler fails, it was going to fail regardless of what side muffler configuration is being run at that time. This is a common problem and it has been happening from 997-991 for many years. The OEM is just not the strongest design for guys that are beating the cars on track. However, if you aren't operating the car at the edge of death every weekend you should be fine haha