New Header Disappointment - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

JP-s-in st. louis · 09-26-2007, 06:29 AM

Steve

I live in Seattle also, I have been thinking about doing the 2nd cat by pass aswell. Would you care to share with me where you had those done? PM is good!

Thanks
Josh

steve00s · 09-26-2007, 07:59 AM

Josh, I had them done in my garage. Its a very easy swap of the bypass pipe. Loosen up the J pipe in the back, 3 bolts in the front, and install in reverse order. I bought the Fabspeed pipe which is available all over the place. Normally sells for $495 but I think I have seen it for $395 somewhere. If you don't want to do it yourself, its an easy enough job that I'd trust just about any shop to do it. If you want the best to work on your car, I'd recommend Gerber Motorsports in the Ballard area. A peek at their collection of vintage race cars is worth the trip. I'll be at Pacific Raceway tomorrow for DE. If you have time I'd love to see your car.

JP-s-in st. louis · 09-26-2007, 09:41 AM

Steve
I can not make it to the DE I have to go up to Bellingham for the day My car is in the shop having a few things done anyway. I will let you know as soon as the car is back from the shp so you can take it for a spin. I already have a guy who does a lot of my work local out of a private shop. he will be gone over the next month as he is has a team testing at daytona. Yep he works on Porsche cup cars! Oh and he only charges 60 or 70 bucks per hour plus cost on parts. Let me know if you ever need anyone he does a great job.

Josh

steve00s · 09-26-2007, 12:04 PM

I actually live in Bellingham. I state Seattle as more people know where that is. Do you ever participate in any of the other PCA events?

I talked to my mechanic about my problem and am stopping by his shop later this afternoon to try and diagnose. The fit of the header was not perfect and they may have moved something else closer to a heat shield causing a vibration/rattle that may explain the rotary similarities. Also he stated that cats quiet a lot of high frequency sound. At any rate we are going to put it up on the lift and take a look.

As far as the lack of additional power, it really is hard to tell around town. I think I will be able to tell a little better tomorrow at the track. Besides, I was a little preoccupied with the horrible sound and wasn't too focused on the performance aspect.

rule1 · 09-26-2007, 05:02 PM

It sounds like @#$%% because of the cat bypass pipes. Maxspeeds headers delete the first set of cats, so you are really running strait pipes which is illegal. I would put your 2nd cats back on. I have these headers with maxspeeds muffler and it sounds amazing!! 2000 986

boxstar · 09-26-2007, 10:56 PM

rule1, you do know that removing the 1st set of cats are also illegal

porsche986spyder · 09-27-2007, 06:43 AM

You guys talking about all this illegal stuff like he even cares. Obviously he wouldn't have done it, if it had bothered him. Yes, it's illegal, but he, like everyone else is just probably tying to get the most power out of his boxster. The nice thing about the cat bi-pass pipes is that they can be put back on for an inspection.

If the sound really is that bad and bothers you, I would just remove them and put the cats back on. Use the Maxspeed headers and after market exhaust and you can keep it all legal.

porsche986spyder · 09-27-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxstar

rule1, you do know that removing the 1st set of cats are also illegal

When you say 1st set which are you referring to? The ones built into the stock headers, or the ones on the down pipe? It's probably illegal to remove either one of them. But I think it would be okay, as long as you kept at least one set. Most of the after market headers delete the cats connected so there are very few options there.