ORIGINAL: Black80XSA
Best exhaust for 986 IMO is the supersprint one, glorious sound and a lot racier than the bass tone if the oettle and PSE. Janspeed are ok but a few people say they are boomy, perhaps just variations in QC ?
This is my Carnewal conversion which I am extremely satisfied with and I believe he does offer a system for your 986 model too. EXCELLENT guy and company to deal with. Good luck http://www.carnewal.com/
berty987
Many owners here will know of Gert Carnewal based in Belgium. He has been modifying porsche silencers for a number of years. The modification works out at a fraction of the price of an aftermarket item and by removing the catalytic converters gives both a sound and performance improvement. Another benefit of this option is that the rear silencers remain stock in terms of look and fixings so there are no fitting issues or flamboyant exhaust trims to contend with.
I finally got to hear one of these Carnewal exhausts at the weekend and do a back to back comparison with the PSE I have on my car. Both cars tested were 2005 model year 987 Boxster S models (3.2), so its the best like for like comparison. Bear in mind also that I have the overide mod , so the PSE was tested without the 20-40 mph cut out found on other PSE systems , and remained open or "loud" throughout the test. Both cars were driven is succession by each driver over the same 10 mile route.
Initial start up :
The Carnewal exhaust gives a nice sharp crackle at start up , and then settles down to a deep burble
The PSE exhaust doesn't seem to allow the crackles and pops to exit the tailpipe but seems just a little deeper in note at tickover.
With the PSE valves closed , the exhaust is quieter than the standard silencers but there is still a nice deep quiet but reserved tone
The standard exhuast sounds more turbine like than sporty.
Revving :
The Carnewal is sharp and crisp , when revved the exhaust allows all the crackles and pops to be heard but the exhaust never sounds harsh even at high revs.
The PSE damps the pops and crackles of the ovverun more than the carnewal , but they can still be heard. At higher revs the exhaust is a harder sound, more race car like.
With the PSE valves closed the engine sound seems louder than the exhuast , the exhuast allows very little noise to exit the car.
The standard exhaust has a tuned note , louder than the PSE with closed valves.
Driving :
Under load conditions (climbing a hill in 3rd) between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm
The carnewal gives a nice deep note, not overbearing inside the cabin , certainly not boomy like a Remus. The engine sounds a bigger capacity than a 3.2 , much closer to a 3.4 or 3.6 996. Definitely a true "Porsche" sound.
The deepness of the exhuast note seems to be apparent over a wide reve range from 2,000 to 3,500 rpm.
The PSE gives a slightly more resonant note , again not boomy , but doesn't seem to keep the deepness of the tone as the revs move from the sweet spot at 3000 rpm . On a motorway I prefer to switch off the PSE as 70 mph is the resonant point.
The PSE in inactive mode allows the engine note to be heard but is much more subdued
The standard exhaust allows the driver to hear the engine but only when at the sweet spot , at other times there is a tuned exhaust note but never deep.
Through the gears :
The carnewal scores points here, the exhaust is so well made and fettled that you could be mistaken for a 3.4 or 3.6 996 from the sound. The exhaust gives a clear sharp note through the rev range and a nice crackle on the overun. At higher rpms the engine and exhaust give a cohesive symphony though equally matched. The exhaust is louder when the engine is being worked , but returns to a quiet and less noticeable humm when being driven more sedately.
The PSE is a real Jeckyll and Hyde item. It gives a nice deep note but does seem to be less characteristic of a Porsche flat six sound initially. Certainly better than the standard exhaust. At higher rpms the exhaust allows vitrually all the engine sound to be heard, it sounds more like a race or rally car and allows the full frenzy of the engine to be heard. Drive at high rpm's in a PSE equipped car and everyone will hear you coming.
With the PSE switched off the engine note only really becomes apparent at high rpms , you need to work the engine hard to get any real effect from the exhaust.
The standard exhaust gives better feedback to the driver than the PSE when switched off, the exhaust works in harmony with the engine note but never really stirs the soul.
Overall Conclusion:
For the money we both agreed that the carnewal gives excellent results. The sound is definitely more "porsche flat six" than the PSE or the other aftermarket systems I've heard. It's possibly not as "race car" sounding at higher revs as the PSE and obviously isn't switchable but it certainly gives a good overall improvement from standard. Both systems can be "lived with" on an everyday basis and are never boomy or tiresome at motorway speeds (especailly with PSE deactive). Most people that buy the PSE leave it switched on, the fact it's quieter than the standard exhaust when deactive is probably the main reason why. The Carnewal seems to give a much more consistent sound improvment throughout the rev range than the PSE , which gives maximum effect at tickover and high rpms. Unless you can be bothered with the hassle of finding and fitting a full PSE, the Carnewal is by far the best improvment on standard I've heard to date. Not as extreme as other exhausts , but a lot cheaper, still giving good improvements , and accepatable for everyday use.
Here are some sound/ video clips of the two systems. Note both cars are 3.2 versions, the PSE is in active or loud mode.
This is the carnewal modded system
Carnewal modded system
This is the factory PSE (note : I have a different custom exhaust tip otherwise standard)
Factory PSE
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