987.1S - Catback Exhaust Replacement Options?

[SarlechS]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I've just been to my local Porsche specialist to collect my car from a 100k major service, the technician kindly advised me that the rear section of my exhaust seems to have rotted away and needs to be replaced ASAP, would you guys be able to advise what my best options are while keeping costs relatively low? i know fabspeed, topseed, miltek make "catback" systems for the 987S, are they worth the money? would it be best advised to look at OEM used systems on ebay or here?

If you could help me out it would be most appreciated! Is there a preferred option you all tend to go for?

I've looked at the forums and can see most people go for the Carnwell system but i presume that wouldn't be an option for me considering my rear section is rotten?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Motorhead]

Carnewal may accept your system on exchange - best to contact them directly.

If you're looking for something cheap you could consider a used example.

Sorry I can't help with other options other than to suggest that you look at offerings from Miltek, Borla, Fabspeed, etc.

Jeff

 

[JohnCRS]

In addition to the above, Topgear exhausts in Bridport seem to have a good reputation on some other forums.

 

[SarlechS]

much appreciated guys, so i got a response back from Gert and he cant do the swap out exchange if the original exhaust contains holes/rust spots

he priced me up at 795EUR for a good conditioned GT exhaust with 40k miles on it. All aftermarket kits i've seen are in excess of £1k but i'd imagine them to be a little more free flowing that a Carnewal GT exhaust?

The OEM section that connects the manifold to the first part of the catback system seems very restrictive along with the two pipes connecting into one near the tailpipes...?

 

[Motorhead]

Gert reworks the standard silencers to give a more sporty sound, so there’s probably less back-pressure.

Other aftermarket systems also will be designed to produce less back-pressure and will be louder than the standard system, which is fine if that’s what you want. However, the increased sound level may become tiresome on a long journey, and you need to be confident that they’re not boomy, especially at Motorway cruising speed.

Jeff

 

[SarlechS]

Gert reworks the standard silencers to give a more sporty sound, so there’s probably less back-pressure.

Other aftermarket systems also will be designed to produce less back-pressure and will be louder than the standard system, which is fine if that’s what you want. However, the increased sound level may become tiresome on a long journey, and you need to be confident that they’re not boomy, especially at Motorway cruising speed.

Jeff

really appreciate your reply Jeff, full of help and advice since i've started posting on here!

i think you are right, i wouldn't mind a PSE system but i think they are as rare as rocking horse ****, all i'm finding on ebay is ropey examples of OEM which i think is a bit of a lottery even if they do go for £2-400. The state of my current exhaust now is pretty bad, it sounds like i'm driving with a de-cat system, the drone on the motorway is so much its tricky to hold a conversation :|

Carnewal seems to be my best bet at the moment...

 

[Motorhead]

Glad to have been of assistance.

BTW you might want to contact a Porsche breaker to see if they have anything suitable. Here's a recent link, although I suspect that they'll be advertising on eBay anyway:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1059983

Hope you get something sorted.

Jeff

 

[Craiglm68]

I've yet to meet someone who regretted having one of Gert's exhausts put on (myself included)!

 

[SarlechS]

Glad to have been of assistance.

BTW you might want to contact a Porsche breaker to see if they have anything suitable. Here's a recent link, although I suspect that they'll be advertising on eBay anyway:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1059983

Hope you get something sorted.

Jeff

Thanks again, doesn't seem to be many about on ebay at the moment and my MOT is due in 8 weeks :S

I've yet to meet someone who regretted having one of Gert's exhausts put on (myself included)!

I'm going to take the plunge and get one of Gert's it'll be a little more than what i wanted to spend but you have the peace of mind don't you. I've been speaking with him over the last 2-3 days and he comes across as very professional and his recommendations speak volumes for him

Cheers all!

 

[Motorhead]

Sounds like a plan. The system will have been checked over thoroughly by Gert who has a good reputation to uphold, and you should have some comeback if there are any problems.

Hope it works out OK for you.

Jeff

 

[gmr911]

Hi Guys, recent new owner of a 2006 Cayman S (987.1). What a car! I have bought a stunning example, tons of money spent. It has an epic custom S/Steel Cat back system fitted, but resonates/booms unbelievably between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm – it’s got to go – ideal for a track car, but not a 95% of the time road car. It came off a crashed race car and was customised to fit the Cayman. It will be up for sale if you know anyone that is interested its 2.25” going up to 2.5” OD tube diameter with 115+- 5mm Dia rear mufflers and screams like a Ferrari (don't know how) at WOT!



The car is already fitted with:



· GT3 intake Plenum

· GT3 Throttle Body

· BMC cold air induction Filter



I am seeking advice on a nice Cat back exhaust system that will sound fantastic at the top end and not be unbearable at the low/mid range. I don’t mind too loud/sporty – it’s just the cabin buzzing head splitting boom/resonating that is not acceptable. I would like to be able to hold a conversation at motorway speeds!



Questions: should I seek a system that has a balance pipe between the rear mufflers. Milltek do a Resonated version, just worried it won’t sound sporty enough. I have also been looking at the DesignTek ones sold by 911Design with the vacuum activated valves. Soul Performance - too expensive.



OE Headers look awfully restrictive, but again I risk upsetting the status Quo , if I go tubular with sports Cats????



Do any of you guys have any experience in this area or know anyone in R4 (Lincolnshire & Humberside) or R8 (East Midlands) that have similar cars that I could have a chat with and even listen to their systems?



I have reached out to Gert at Carnewal too, as this may be a good solution and everyone raves about them.



Any thoughts, ideas, guidance, ones to avoid?



Thanks in advance, Gary

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to Cayman ownership and to the forum. Unfortunately I can't offer any first-hand advice on this topic, one which is raised regularly on here, as I'm running my 987.2 CS with the standard exhaust, but I'm sure others will be able to pass-on their own experiences.

However, one thing I have noticed over the 9-years+ on here is that I don't recall anyone here [or elsewhere for that matter] complaining about the Carnewal option you've mentioned. It may not be the most exciting offering but at least you can guarantee having a good 'sporty' sound without those dreaded booms and resonances you mention, and at a bargain price too compared with some other cat-back systems that are available, although I suspect that you may have to buy a system outright because probably you won't be able to offer your custom system in part-exchange.

Unfortunately, unless you can experience the result of fitting a particular cat-back system first-hand it's always going to be a shot in the dark. One man's meat, etc., and I wouldn't take any notice of any video evidence which invariably is very unreliable owing to the poor quality sound recording equipment used.

Good luck in trying to find your 'ideal' system.

Jeff

 

[SarlechS]

Hi Gary,

I ended up doing a load of research on this and like you didn't want a boomy/drony exhaust! After weighing up my options i've gone with Gert's Carnewal GT system - i'm getting it fitted this month by the man himself. Ideally wanted to refresh the tips too to give it a slightly better look than the originals but they aren't cheap by any means, for some basic tips you're looking at £500~ so i probably won't bother.

I might consider changing the Manifold / Cats at some point but i'll wait to see how the GT system sounds before i pull the trigger on that! Mani's are a very tricky /labour intensive job as you probably already know - if your manifolds are in good condition you probably will get just as much bang for buck swapping out the OEM cats for 200cels, plus it wont trigger the CEL. I've spoken to a few Porsche Techs who say the CEL is more likely to trigger if you play with the manifold cats, i'm not sure how much truth there is to that, i'm sure someone on here will be able to advise on that if they've got first hand experience.

Welcome to the club! Thanks Sandeep

 

[gmr911]

Thanks Jeff and Sandeep. I'm emailing Gert already and think that as my primary Cats are 14 years and 80,000 miles old it makes sense to get the OEM manifold rebuilt with sport CATs (€750 on an exchange basis is another biggie) - but hey Porsche ownership is never going to be cheap). Manifold bolts are pathetic - several are bound to shear-off - Stainless steel ones are the way to go after that heartache I know what you mean about the tips not being cheap - can't take it with you when your dead right! It's poor in this day and age that it's a leap of faith with exhausts, measuring and analysing the acoustics from the position of the drivers ears is what OEM's do all the time - I know I sell the kit to them..... Shame the aftermarket don't get a test facility to take the measurements and help them engineer out the crippling annoying resonances. Being able to prove that their system is better than X & Y would be a great marketing coup. Costs money....... Thanks again and open to any/all other suggestions. Best regards Gary

 

[Motorhead]

It's poor in this day and age that it's a leap of faith with exhausts, measuring and analysing the acoustics from the position of the drivers ears is what OEM's do all the time - I know I sell the kit to them..... Shame the aftermarket don't get a test facility to take the measurements and help them engineer out the crippling annoying resonances. Being able to prove that their system is better than X & Y would be a great marketing coup. Costs money.......

I couldn't agree more Gary. Coming from a sound and vibration consulting background myself [I may well have used your microphone and/or binaural measurement and analysis systems!] I know from experience how much effort is put in by manufacturers and OEMs to engineer a good boom and resonance-free environment/sound quality inside the car for a range of driving conditions, while meeting strict environmental exterior noise criteria. It takes a lot time and effort, and is very costly - probably beyond the scope or financial resources of the after-market suppliers who just rely upon past experience and their ears [!] to produce their products.

Jeff