Top Speed's Cat Back System Installation

[Kenny Boxster]

Got a compliment at the stoplight the other day from a guy in a white 3 series. Said my exhaust was amazing.

[Meir]

thanks Bruce.
ordered the clamps.
looks like all of us has issues with the TS pipes.

[BruceH]

Yep, the included clamp just doesnt cut it IMO.

[jb92563]

I just took the plunge as well but being in CA I can't delete the CAT's, however I have heard that at least one person in CA removed the 2ndary CAT's and it still passes CA smog tests.

Anyone else in CA remove the 2nd CAT's?

[jb92563]

Got the System today from UPS at 1:30pm, (3 days from order) started the install at 2pm, finally had the old muffler out at 3pm and got all the new stuff installed, cleaned up the tools and took the car off the jacks by 4pm.

Its pretty easy using liberal amounts of WD40 so all the clamps slide easy and nuts come off without much trouble.

I did waste about 15 minutes trying to put the U pipe between the muffler and 2ndary CAT back in place backwards and wondered why it would not fit....duh!

Once I got that sorted out everything went together quickly.

Its an easy DIY and I did shim the muffler back towards the rear about 1/2" so the nice tips stuck out a bit more.

I did the before and after exhaust video and the shim pic which I'l post this weekend.

No instructions to add to this thread as it has everything well covered.

[Brad Roberts]

I have heard that at least one person in CA removed the 2ndary CAT's and it still passes CA smog tests.

It may pass the sniffer, but it won't pass visual! It's OK though. Most of them don't know what they are looking for.

I will say this: if your put shiny exhaust parts on the car? It will catch their attention!!

I hotrod the street cars with factory 996 exhaust pieces so it all looks normal under the car. I like to use 3.6L cats under the cars with the part numbers facing down, so again, it looks normal.

[jb92563]

I doubt the shop ihave been going to has ever seen a boxster.

My Wrangler with cracked headers passes there with flying colors.

Their usual clientel drive those minature red pickups with lawnmowers and ladders on the back.

[jb92563]

My morning commute was awesome this morning listening to my new exhaust.
Radio muted as the sound is too nice not to listen too while going through the gears.

The exhaust note has definately changed to a throatier, full bodied, but not overly load roar. Strangely sounding Lion like if that makes any sense.

It really sounds like I imagined a racy sports car should sound. With all 4 cats still in place the volume has not increased much which is also nice since its not obnoxious.

I also noticed the faster throttle response and found myself reaching shift points a bit quicker.

This is just the first day driving it and I'm quite pleased with my $320 investment.

Apparently the muffler needs to break in, and so the tone will continue to improve for the next ~100 miles I've heard.

Big Thumbs up on this easy DIY and modestly priced upgrade.

[Chard]

Thanks for the update!

Have you noticed any of the fiberglass spewing issues people have reported?

[BruceH]

I had the fiberglass for a few months but it has stopped.

[jb92563]

I did notice a bit of whitish dust on the lower part of the bumper.

I suppose thats the fiberglass dust.

Glass being harder than paint, you dont want to rub that off but rather wash it off so that you dont put micro scratches on your paint and dull the finish, or get glass particles embeded in your skin.

I also noticed a bit of a drone between 2000-3000 rpm yesterday but it is much less today so perhaps its temporarily part of the muffler break in.

[jb92563]

Here are a few pics:

Here is what I got for $320. Muffler, 4 bolts/nuts/washers, stickers and lic plate frame. Porsche 986 Boxster 2 5L 2 7L Boxster s 3 2L 97 04 Performance Exhaust System | eBay


Adjustment spacers at the attach bracket to get the tips to stick out a bit farther.


Need to adjust pipes alignment slightly

[HAUSIDMT]

I think I need to pull the trigger on this, great idea for the new exhaust clamp, it looks very clean!

[chipmunk]

That looks really good. Where did you buy it from? and did you install the cat bypass pipes as well (as in BruceH's pictures at the bottom of the thread).

[edc]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

That looks really good. Where did you buy it from? and did you install the cat bypass pipes as well (as in BruceH's pictures at the bottom of the thread).

This is the same exhaust that is all over eBay UK and typically buy it now £299. On boxa.net you will also find a load of owners who have this with/out the manifolds.

[navair]

Originally Posted by jb92563

I just took the plunge as well but being in CA I can't delete the CAT's, however I have heard that at least one person in CA removed the 2ndary CAT's and it still passes CA smog tests.

Anyone else in CA remove the 2nd CAT's?

I did! Secondary cat eliminator pipes, Fister/ Pedro mod. and I passed
smog in San Diego. Well below limits.

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by navair

I did! Secondary cat eliminator pipes, Fister/ Pedro mod. and I passed
smog in San Diego. Well below limits.

Was it still quite enough without the 2nd cats or does the sound level go up significantly?

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

That looks really good. Where did you buy it from? and did you install the cat bypass pipes as well (as in BruceH's pictures at the bottom of the thread).

I added the link to the picture post:
Porsche 986 Boxster 2 5L 2 7L Boxster s 3 2L 97 04 Performance Exhaust System | eBay

Make sure you are getting it from the Top Speed company from Addison, Texas so you don't get one of the potentially ill fitting, inferior china copy-cat products.

I did not install the pipes but there is another thread on this forum for the pipes if you search for "Top Speed Pipes"

There is also the Pedro's Sport Exhaust option.
http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/Make_the_Pedro_Sport_Exhaust.html

[jb92563]

Update.

After having this exhaust for 2 weeks the fiberglass particles have stopped and the muffler sounds good except for a drone between 2500 -3000 rpm.

So to complete the job and get rid of the drone I just ordered the 2nd cat bypass from Top Speed as well for $199.

Hopefully that gets the sound right, and will shed another 25 lbs by deleting the 2nd cats.

Pics and description coming soon

[BruceH]

Did you get the clamps that I linked to earlier in he the thread? The clamps that come with the kit do not seal the joint, the clamps I bought take care of that air leak which helped a lot with my drone. I also have the cat bypass pipes.