New Header Disappointment

[steve00s]

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.

[blinkwatt]

Who's headers did you buy?

[steve00s]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Who's headers did you buy?

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?

[j.fro]

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

[LowFlyR]

Originally Posted by j.fro

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

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

[steve00s]

Originally Posted by j.fro

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

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.

[Back2DTM]

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

Originally Posted by steve00s

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.

, how can that be, post a sound clip

Originally Posted by steve00s

. By the way, not much difference in power.

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.