Thanks - Just installed fabspeed exhaust

[cmalana]

I just registered with the forum and I want to say thanks to Loren for the instructions on removing the stock exhaust. Only problem I had was finding those 3 bolts that hold the exhaust bracket, but now that I know where they are, it won't take me close to 2 hours like it did this time. I am not at all mechanically inclined so it took me a bit longer than the norm. I say an hour next time.

Fabspeed exhaust sounds great. Even at idle, the car sounds throatier, and when at wide open throttle at the upper rpm's, car sounds awesome! I especially like the fact that I can still soft-pedal it and have it be quiet, yet when I gun it, it sounds like a sports car. Some friends encouraged me to do this upgrade and I'm glad I listened...since I initially thought I'd be keeping the stock exhaust. Biggest deal for me was that I was having trouble hearing the engine rev when I blip the throttle on downshifts...now I can't miss it.

Looking forward to my next DIY project - most probably the garage door opener mod, which I may do along with the spoiler switch mod since I have a cab and both buttons will end up on the left center console. Might as well do it all at once.

Great forum!

Carlo

2000 C2 Cab

[turbosteve]

Hi Carlo - I am looking to change out my exhaust to the Fabspeed. Do you still have the links to the removal and any tips you can give for the install?

Thank you

[CO996C4]

B) Did you have to upgrade your ecu to take advantage of the freer flow muffler?

[KarlS]

No but the muffler doesn't add much, if anything, in terms of performance. Most people do it because they like the sound better, not as a performance enhancement. A muffler and headers may yield a total of 10 HP in ideal circumstances. However, poorly designed units have been known to reduce HP and cause flat spots in the torque curve.

Karl

[Guest]

Hi Carlo, and welcome to RENNTECH.. You will thoroughly enjoy your Fabspeeds. I've had them on my last 4 Porsches and they were great. Karl is right...probably no gain in performance, but it sure sounds nice. I was fortunate enough to live in Baltimore and Seattle where there are long tunnels in both places. Late night runs sounded great! In case you haven't checked Joe Fabiani's website please do at www.fabspeed.com He is a good friend of mine. :) Let him know you are happy with his product!

[CO996C4]

<_< Don since you know Joe Fabiani, he is touting his headers as better than stock manifolds especially in conjunction with his ecu reprogram and mufflers?

That true? I already have ordered the mufflers as my stock were pretty bad shape but I am hesitant on headers and ecu reprogram

Jim

[KarlS]

I did the Fabspeed headers, mufflers, and TRG Unichip on my 1999 996. The dyno runs showed about a 18 HP gain, almost all in the rpm range above 5000.

Karl

[CO996C4]

<_< Hi Karl, Great you got 18 hp above 5K but what about performance below that? HAs it changed, specifically had it worsened or stayed the same do you think?

Thanks for your comments it is helping me decide to do this or not.

[KarlS]

The performance below 5K was virtually unchanged. There was a small increase in HP and torque according to the dyno but it was not noticeable on the street or on the track.

Karl

[CO996C4]

:D Thanks Karl I am glad it did not adversely affect car below 5K. Anything gained is worth it though. My stock manifolds are pretty rusted up towards cylinder heads. Mufflers were pretty bad too.. Don't know what the guy who had it before me did to it!

[turbosteve]

As I have a 2001 Turbo - I have heard that there are gains to be had by adding the free flow exhaust. Anyone have any ideas if this is true or how much to expect?

:construction:

[KarlS]

A friend of mine with an 01 TT has removed the mufflers and cats and runs straight pipes off the Turbos. He also has a chip from one of the name brand tuners. He claims about 550 HP but I don't know if he ever had it dynoed. It's also very loud, as you might expect with no muffler or cat.

Karl