New Header Disappointment
 

Just got my new headers on and from the first turn of the key realized I'd made a mistake. Gone is the wonderful distinctive Porsche sound. It now sounds hollow, weasy, and just plain @#^&$%. I do not understand how the tonal quality could change so dramatically. It used to be sweet music as it approached a rich, deep roar and now it sounds more like a cross between an old rotary Mazda and a piece of crap Honda. Its now embarassing to put my foot into it. Headers will soon be on sale cheap on Ebay. By the way, not much difference in power.

Who's headers did you buy?

:eek: , how can that be, post a sound clip

I bought Maxspeed headers. I don't question the quality of the workmanship they just sound like crap with the 2nd bypass and PSE. Maybe another exhaust combination would result in another outcome. For me it was a step backwards (the first in two years of modifying this car).

I do not know how to post a sound clip.

Sure there isnt an exhaust leak?

I know this is a bit off topic, but with the headers and the cat bypass pipes, what are you doing for catalytic converters?

good to know. Good excuse for me to keep it stock.

Funny, that was the first thought on my mind too.

I'm being socially irresponsible. Have set the tripmeter to see how far I get before tripping a CEL. It may be a non-issue as the headers will probably come off. I had my son drive behind me to get an out of car opinion and his immediate response was "your car sounds like ********************". I believe this is a case of going too far with trying to improve a good thing.

That sure is weird, my headers make my car sound better (when its open header and my valves are open). Im still thinking you might have a leak that makes it sound bad. But you still havent taken any video......

I might guess that without the cats, the ECU is getting some odd signals and trying to adjust the air-fuel mix. This could be the cause of your sound problem. When my MAF went, the car sounded "off".

Hey, I like the sound of a Rotary!

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

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.

That's surprising. Though it would've been nice to have the actual difference quantified. I have a gtech-pro if you'd like to do it :) Hit me with a PM if you want.


I was pretty sure the nasty looking 986 oem header hobbled the 3.2. The 2.7 has the more commom log type header (like 996) where number 1 and 3 aren't fighting each other. Looks smoother, and 2.7 pumps out more hp/liter. It's hard to tell with the shield, but 987 has a similar header which appears to have 1 merged with 2, then to 3, and merging looks more radiused, also the tubing is consistent diameter, whereas 986 has funky crimping at the joints. 987 has considerabley more power with same 3.2, albiet a slightly higher .3 CR and camming. But it can't be all that. Here's the 987 header



986 with a properly tuned header would bump up power by ~15 hp??



I wouldn't think that the sound would change so drastically, bummer. I really do like the sound of the box.

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

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.

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

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

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. :cheers:

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.

I am talking about the cats that are not intergrated in the headers. And that is not illegal in missouri as I had my car inspected after I put maxspeeds headers on.

agreed.

Actually, I prefer to have no cats. Of course, for "off road use only" ;)

Anyone know how the boxster sounds with headers, test pipes, and stock exhaust? Thats probably the route I'm going for.

Oh, and why the hell are these test pipes $500?!?!? They should be no more than $200. Ridiculous!!

An update: Wednesday got the car up on a lift and had my mechanic listen as I revved it. He poked and prodded but did not see anything amiss other than some of the clearances being very close. There defininately were no leaks. We bent a few things slightly to gain more clearance (plastic shield, heat shield). It certainly helped but the tone is still very different (higher pitched). I do believe the primary cat does eliminate those higher frequency tones. Funny thing though, another mechanic in the shop (a 30 year veteran) thought it was one of the best sounding exhausts he ever heard. Thought it sounded more like an old 911. I guess its all a matter of opinion.

On the track Thursday, I definitely had more power. Outmanuevered 993's and 996's on the turns and was able stay with and pass many of those same cars on the straights. The stock boxsters were outgunned. Another funny thing, Boxsters usually don't draw much attention but I had several people come over to talk about the exhaust on the car. All thought it sounded great and wondered about the setup. I guess I am less disappointed than my initial impressions but am still undecided about leaving the headers on or not.

As far as the legality of this, and I hate to debate it because I really just want to talk cars and enjoy them but.., everyone breaks the law at some point. If you have every exceeded the speed limit you have broken the law. Why you wish to pick and chose the laws to be obeyed and than sit in judgement of those who do not agree with you is simple hypocrisy. Environmentally, it is a matter of choices. Do you ride a bike to the store instead of drive? Do you drive a Porsche or a hybrid? Do you have two cats, four cats or no cats?

I'm liking the sound of that ;) ! So are you saying you have noticeably more power than stock 3.2 or was it possible you were running away from 2.5/2.7's?


Air coolers do have that signature thrash, can't say I prefer it, but I know a Porsche when I hear one.

There were more S's (3.2) there and between the HP and the suspension mods I would say that the difference between stock S and non-stock S was significant.

AWESOME!!!! Just the motivation I need to fab up some by pass pipes. :cheers:

I just passed inspection today. 99 box with headers.

So I take it you got that leak fixed?

What are you impressions overall? Power gains?

Still dont know if it has a leak, lol. I put cover plates on the valves so that eliminated any doubt there, but i still heard it. I think they just passed me. My car didnt even look to be moved (parked backwards in the spot far up) and my door was still locked, lol. Anyways, I got my piece of paper I needed for 12 bucks. Power, Still havent gotten on it hard enough to tell, lol.

I put the secondary cats back on yesterday and most of the original sound that I love is back. The cats do filter high frequency tones and give the exhaust a deeper, lower growl. I doubt I'll loss any HP gains from the headers by putting these back on. I think I am satisfied for now.

What I have learned:
Bypass pipes were good.
Headers were good.
Bypass pipes and headers not so good.
Headers better than bypass pipes.
Bypass pipes for sale.