Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-07-2017, 04:37 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Hope, Pa
Posts: 59
Fleabay cat back muffler?

Hey Guys,

I'm thinking of adding this El Cheapo muffler to my 1998 base Boxster..... But am worried about the dreaded drone between 2000-3000 RPM (I know a Boxster should NEVER be driven below 3000 RPM!) I have read that some fellas have had good luck putting motorcycle Baffles in one or both muffler intakes....

I really just want a bit more sound.... And have desnorkled.... And was considering the Crios mod..... But kinda want to leave it in stock shape.... I figure for a $250 gamble life won't end if I don't like it..... But will the baffle idea work? Is it a bad idea?

Thanks!
Fred

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Boxster-Catback-Muffler-Cat-back/dp/B0042LLELW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512653177&sr=8-5&keywords=Stainless+cat+back+exhaust+Boxster

1096369fred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2017, 10:30 AM   #2
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
This muffler is sold under several different brand names around the interwebs, and yes, some owners have reported droning (mostly while cruising at freeway speeds). Do a search, there are a lot of posts and several different approaches to reducing or eliminating the drone.

Whether any particular drone "fix" will work for you is impossible to know because everyone has a different perception of drone and what level is acceptable and/or bothersome. This is an instance where "your mileage may vary" is a truism.

If you can afford a $250 gamble that might not pay off, then I'd say go for it because the exhaust will sound 100% better.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2017, 02:17 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Hope, Pa
Posts: 59
Hey Guys!

I think I am going to try one of these.... But I think a motorcycle baffle (or two)
May be the ticket to nice sound... But no drone.....

Does anyone know what size pipes the inlets are on the fleabay mufflers????

This is the kind of baffles I am thinking of trying....

https://www.denniskirk.com/khrome-werks/2-in-hp-plus-drag-pipe-baffles-202032.ph44563.prd/H44563.sku
1096369fred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2017, 06:20 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 170
i'm not sure why there's different reports.....from no drone to unbearable. I know everyones definition and tolerance is different but still.
2.7 engine 2ndary cats delete pipe and ebay 200 buck exhaust and I don't have any drone. It's a little louder than stock but nothing obnoxious. I wish it was more high pitched but it is what it is.

It seems like people that did the muffler only have drone but one's that did 2ndary cat delete combined with the muffler have no drone...just what i've observed
geetee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2017, 06:46 PM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1096369fred View Post
Hey Guys,

I'm thinking of adding this El Cheapo muffler to my 1998 base Boxster..... But am worried about the dreaded drone between 2000-3000 RPM (I know a Boxster should NEVER be driven below 3000 RPM!) I have read that some fellas have had good luck putting motorcycle Baffles in one or both muffler intakes....

I really just want a bit more sound.... And have desnorkled.... And was considering the Crios mod..... But kinda want to leave it in stock shape.... I figure for a $250 gamble life won't end if I don't like it..... But will the baffle idea work? Is it a bad idea?

Thanks!
Fred

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Boxster-Catback-Muffler-Cat-back/dp/B0042LLELW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512653177&sr=8-5&keywords=Stainless+cat+back+exhaust+Boxster
I just, last week, purchased the exact muffler but will install only in the spring. Please let me know what you did to alleviate the drone. The pipes are 5.5cm. I don’t know if I while have any or not, but knowing what you dud might be of help. Thank you!
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2017, 07:00 PM   #6
03S
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: OH
Posts: 20
I did the motorcycle baffle in a GHL boxster exhaust. It did help the drone that was really bad.

03S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2017, 08:06 PM   #7
Registered User
 
911monty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
Garage
Just my .02. IMHO I think it is counterproductive to purchase a free flowing exhaust only to restrict it with baffles. I'm by no means an expert but I did some research on the issue while trying to quiet high compression big block engines. The drone these things made was crisp, high pitch and ear bleed loud at cruising speed, at 6500 rpm? Glorious. Even 70 series Flowmasters designed to quiet motorhomes wouldn't help.
What I found is that drone is caused by the uneven firing order between banks causing unequal pressure pulses in a true dual exhaust that creates a harmonic distortion kinda like "clipping speakers" to your ears. To address this there are balance tubes and the Gas X crossovers that even out those pressure pulses between banks. This is not possible in these cars and is why the stock muffler has the balance tube inside it. But yes it's heavy. We really need someone to think outside the box and come up with some sort of crossover for these cars, but the additional pipe may negate the weight savings. Otherwise it's modifying the stock muffler although I think as bypasses get larger then drone will also start to increase. Porsche created the PSE so it can be loud when mashing the pedal and quiet when cruising, but it's even heavier with the additional piping and valves. Good Luck.

Oh Yeah in case you were wondering what happened to the noise of the big blocks? With the simple addition of the balance tube the sound went from the ear bleed loud to a nice mellow rumble. It was truly remarkable.

Last edited by 911monty; 12-08-2017 at 08:16 PM.
911monty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2017, 08:27 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Hope, Pa
Posts: 59
Thanks guys!

I almost wonder if a bypass pipe run pre muffler.... Would work best to tame the drone in these Chineasium mufflers. I'm also Not sure if motorcycle baffles would work best upstream of the muffler, or down stream in a conventional "tailpipe" location.

I guess I will have to get the muffler in figure out what size baffle to get.....

03S..... Do you recall what size you used?

(Thanks for posting your picture.....makes me think I'm on the right track!)
Maybe I should just "cool my jets" until I get my muffler installed.... And then see how they sound.....

Last edited by 1096369fred; 12-09-2017 at 08:33 AM.
1096369fred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2017, 09:20 AM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
Fred, please let me know what you find out in terms of droning (if any), and if so, if you remedy it with baffles, which ones you used, and where you positioned them for best effect.

As mentioned, while I received the muffler, the Pcar is stored for the winter so I can’t install it until April. But i’d like to be all ready.

I’ll have it install on the same pcar as yours, btw: 1999 base.

Incidentally, i inspected the muffler when I received it last week and was happily satisfied with the workmanship (same exact one as from your link, from same vendor). Very nice and solid welds, if that is any comfort to you. Looks good too (nice and polished).

Last edited by CDNIcecube; 12-09-2017 at 09:25 AM. Reason: Grammar!
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2017, 09:52 AM   #10
edc
550 Anniversary
 
edc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 747
Garage
Why not try a balance pipe joining the two boxes.
__________________
Current: 550 Spyder Anniversary- Carnewal exhaust - 100 cell cats - stainless manifolds - 4" underdrive pulley - poly gearbox mounts - rear lower alu brace - adjustable rear toe links
Sold: 986S - Zenith Blue - 18" Sport Classics - Black Zunsport grilles - Stainless silencer and manifolds - K&N panel - shortshift - M030 suspension - 75mm throttle body - custom 83mm intake - SmartTop - custom remap - MDS underdrive pulley
edc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2018, 04:16 PM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
So I installed mine. Easy installed but there is a strong drone (to me) between 2000 and 2900 rpm. Not at highway speed however. Super nice sound below 2000 (idle) and glorious above 3000. I have the 2.5l.

So to handle the drone, I just purchased 2 baffles and will install this weekend. Will report back. If it does not work, I’ll have to go back to the OEM muffler. I might try before a connecting pipe too.

Fred, how did it work out for you?

Cheers.
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2018, 04:53 PM   #12
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
All right. So I installed 2 baffles, one In each of the intake pipes (into the fleabay mufflers). The drone is 85% gone. It seems only to exist at 2000 to 22`00 rpm (while it used to be from 2000 to 2900 rpm). So much, much better. I need to tightens the bolds more as I have a air leak.

Not sure if I will keep it, however. I might go back to OEM. Seems a little too loud for me. I’ll drive around a little more and decide. Cheers.
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 03:17 PM   #13
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
Update. Today I took off the aftermarket muffler and reinstalled the OEM. I am getting quite good at this. Of course I remove the bumper to make my life easier.

I did this because I was worried my neighbors were less appreciative of my new sound. My wife felt I was overreacting but I wanted peace.

So, wow, the OEM is very quiet in comparison. All and all, I would reinstall the aftermarket muffler if I decide to track it because it is more high flow and the drone is 95% gone, but will for now stay with the OEM. I tried to crios mode but could get the drill bit to bite. Oh well.
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 03:53 PM   #14
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
Post #307...something to consider.
https://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/19770-diy-exhaust-mod-%96-gain-10-hp-16.html

Local muffler shop charged me $20 to weld small plates over the shell holes.
Has a decent growl at idle up to about 2700rpm. 3000rpm and up really howls. No significant drone. Neighbors happy, wife happy, I'm happy.
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 04:10 PM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: ontario
Posts: 377
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDNIcecube View Post
Update. Today I took off the aftermarket muffler and reinstalled the OEM. I am getting quite good at this. Of course I remove the bumper to make my life easier.

I did this because I was worried my neighbors were less appreciative of my new sound. My wife felt I was overreacting but I wanted peace.

So, wow, the OEM is very quiet in comparison. All and all, I would reinstall the aftermarket muffler if I decide to track it because it is more high flow and the drone is 95% gone, but will for now stay with the OEM. I tried to crios mode but could get the drill bit to bite. Oh well.
I had the exact same experience with the ebay muffler. Ended up taking it off the same day. Sounded crazy above 3k with my cat bypass pipes but way too much drone. A short drive gave me a headache.
boxxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 04:33 PM   #16
still plays with cars...
 
BoxsterSteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Baden, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,087
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDNIcecube View Post
I tried to crios mod but could get the drill bit to bite.
I had that problem too...

The drill bit caught just fine after punching a hole in the pipe first.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Six speed 2000 Boxster S
Arctic Silver on Metropol Blue | LN Dual Row IMSR | Arctic Silver console, spoiler frame & bumperettes | Crios mod | Technobrace | RoboTop module & modified convertible top relay for one-touch roof operation
BoxsterSteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 04:58 PM   #17
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
Boxstersteve,

Do you have a base? Because this is what I have and it seems to be a slightly different process to do the crio mode on a base, or is it?
CDNIcecube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 05:01 PM   #18
still plays with cars...
 
BoxsterSteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Baden, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,087
Garage
As far as I know, the only difference is the cosmetic muffler tip.
__________________
Six speed 2000 Boxster S
Arctic Silver on Metropol Blue | LN Dual Row IMSR | Arctic Silver console, spoiler frame & bumperettes | Crios mod | Technobrace | RoboTop module & modified convertible top relay for one-touch roof operation
BoxsterSteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 08:06 AM   #19
98 Arctic silver 986
 
tommy583's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 1,441
Garage
Installed a circuit works Ebay special muffler last night. OMG the drone between 2000-3000 RPM's is insane. It sounds like I have a pipe organ playing 50HZ sitting between the roll bars. I know one of my clamps is leaking, I have some new ones on the way. I guess when they come in i'll try to throw a baffle in one side and see what happens. My wife said when I left the house this morning is wasn't too loud and sounded cool. But if she heard it in the car she would leave me lol. I hope between the new clamps and baffle it calms down a little. On my test drive there were police all over the place. I thought for sure I was going to get pulled over for no muffler.
tommy583 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2018, 06:00 PM   #20
98 Arctic silver 986
 
tommy583's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 1,441
Garage
OK I was getting sick of the drone after 2 days. So i grabbed a big breaker bar and tightened all the clamps. I was surprised how much more I was able to tighten them with more leverage. I'd say the drone is 75% gone now. It is still really noticeable between 2,800 to 3,100 RPM's. Of course that's about 65 to 75 MPH in 5th gear. My next step is to install a baffle in one side. I'm not sure where i'm going to put it yet. I have a few more day until my new clamps get here.

Just to recap. I have a 98 base. 5 speed. One pair of cats in the mid pipes. Stock exhaust manifolds.

tommy583 is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page