I have a 2006 Cayman S and my Father has a 2011 Boxster Spyder.

Drove them back to back and the exhaust sound from the Spyder is so much nicer (I realize this is subjective). Neither of us has the Porsche Sports Exhaust, just the standard stock pipes and cans.

I have not driven a 2012 Cayman S yet (987.2) so I'm not sure if the difference is sound is a .1 vs .2 thing or Spyder thing.

Anyone know?

 

Not sure if it's exactly the same, but with the all the weight reduction measures (top, etc) I'm sure there is a lot more resonating going on producing a louder, more aggressive sound in the cockpit.

 

I can state for a fact that there is a sound difference between a 987.1 Boxster with PSE and the Spyder with PSE. I'm not sure if it's due to the differences in the engine, the reduced sound deadening of the Spyder or both. I suspect its both.

 

The .1 and .2 have entirely different engines, so they do not sound the same.

I doubt the Spyder exhaust is any different than a 987.2 Cayman S with the same 320hp output.

 

Oh really? I thought it was the same engine just tuned differently...

 

The M96/M97 engine family was used from the introduction of the Boxster in 1997 through 2008 on all 986/996/987/997 Porsche sports cars except for the GT and Turbo models. The 9A1 engine family replaced the M96/M97 in 2009 (with the .2 facelift) in all Porsche sports cars except for the GT and Turbo models, with the Turbo getting the 9A1 in 2010. The 9A1 family continues on in the 981/991, and will most likely be the basis for the next GT car engines as well.

 

Oh duh! Of course. Forgot they switched to DFI engines. Thanks for the clarification.

 

If you want to be technical about it, the 2.9 version of the 9A1 does not have DFI.

 

All 987.2 models in a given country, with the exception of the Cayman R, have the same exhaust.

 

Did the exhaust change (aside from the tips) from 987.1 to 987.2?

 

Yes. 987 exhausts aren't interchangable between .1 and .2.

 

The exhausts are identical but you do have to wonder if the changes to the Spyder's top have an impact on sound. The area directly above the engine is far less insulated in the Spyder and more importantly the two humps are open direct behind the passengers so it's possible that engine sounds are coming up and being directed at the passengers.

 

They sound different when standing outside the car as well...

 

That would definitely have to do with the different engines as noted.

Maybe someone that has owned a 987.2 Boxster and a Spyder with equivalent exhausts can chime in and tell us if they sound different when driving.

 

I can't say whether or not they sound the same as I've never heard a spyder running. I'm speaking from the perspective of part numbers.