987.1 2.7 Boxster. Looking for some experienced/expert advise please... header/exhaust choices

[Spartan1-6]

Hi All,

I have a 2008 987.1 Boxster 2.7l, which I use as a daily and for spirited driving – but not track use, here in the United Kingdom.

Needing to pull on your expertise.. I’ve spent hours trying to understand a few things at once, but not getting very far..!! forgive me if I make a hash of explaining my questions.. 

I’m going to need to change out my headers and exhaust soon, followed by a plenum upgrade and ECU stage 2. 

My car has the PSE system – which I’ve grown to like as there are times and occasions when quieter or louder are appropriate. 

I’d like to get a setup which, I understand, is a ‘valved’ system. 

1. Are there valved systems which can be connected up to the existing PSE to be able to operate from the switch just like the original system? If so.. please can you tell me of any systems which would work?
2. I understand my car has 4 catalytic converters.. each side having one built into the headers, and one in the ‘back box’ section – is this correct?
3. Are the header-cats known as the PRIMARY cats, and the back box cats ..the SECONDARY cats?
4. Is a ‘DECAT’ exhaust meaning a CATBACK system which does not have cats in the back boxes?
5. Is it possible to fit headers without cats – that would still pass an MOT, or is it a case of getting what I’ve read about.. 200 cell cat headers?
6. What would be the preferred complete set up? No header cats? No back box cats?
7. Are different manufacturers of headers and cat back exhausts using THE SAME dimension pipework?

I’ve probably not been very concise, but hopefully you ‘get’ what I’m after.. ideally I’d like to get some headers and exhaust which sound nice, fit together size-wise, reduce where possible restrictive cats, is valved and can be connected to original PSE vacuums/wiring etc.. but also that will be beneficial for a planned plenum upgrade (deciding between 74mm and 82mm with GT3 throttle body) and ECU stage 2.. hopefully, all brought together to work complementing each other by some tuning wizard who I haven’t located yet..!! 

I do like the sound of the Borel exhaust – but I don’t think that is a valved system. I’d like to get something which sounds deep and throaty – like a 1980’s air-cooled 911..LOL.. , rather than high-pitched and raspy. 

Any insights, recommendations or general advise or help I’d be really grateful for, please.

 

Many thanks 😊

[Loren]

What is your goal?

More horsepower? Better sound?

 

You are not going to get much more horsepower out of a normally aspirated Porsche. Maybe 30 BHP with all those options. That's a lot of money for very little that you will feel.

For sound nothing beats or matches the Porsche PSE system to my ears. I would rather listen to a good PSE than the radio.