stebro exhaust
 

I think I've decided to purchase a Stebro race exhaust with the Fabspeed cat deletes. Does anyone own this setup? Or just the Stebro race muffler? What are your opinions? I fell in love after hearing the sound clip on the auction.:eek:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-S-RACING-EXHAUST-BY-STEBRO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33630QQihZ019QQi temZ290161876824QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I think its the coolest looking exhaust on the market, although most think it looks like two soda cans welded to some pipes. I loved the sound clip too, but the system is alittle expensive. Go for it, and post some pics please.

It is a tad on the expensive side although, the fabspeed cat deletes are $500 by themselves, so $1000 muffler isn't bad, that's what a GHL costs.

There's also a "make offer" button right under the "buy it now", my friend has an E46 M3 and just purchased a Stebro from them and he made an offer that was about $400 below what they were asking and they took it.

I just looked at this muffler. It's different from mine in that it has a pipe that equalizes the pressure between the sides, which may or may not reduce resonance.

I'm betting this thing is going to make your cockpit so loud between 2-3k RPM that you wish you had your previous muffler on the car. Do report to us how much resonance it really has.

As far as the cat bypass, how are you planning to handle the CE lights and/or sensor placement issues?

You don't get a CEL from the Fabspeed cat deletes. I'll still have one set of cats.

He's right, the cat deletes still have bung holes for the O2 sensors to go into. So no light come on. And there are the 2 cats still by the headers. Unless you remove those too when buying new after market headers with out built-in cats. ;)

yellowboxster01,

I'm interested to hear about your experience if you go with this system. It is funny; I've never really wanted an aftermarket exhaust on my Boxster although I thought the stock system was too quiet for such a car.

A couple of weeks ago I finally got around to desnorkeling and since then I've really been obsessed with making bigger, better sounds. I've been reading a lot of old threads that I previously ignored.

I tend to drive my car on long trips 4.5 hours - 12 hours so I am concerned that the sounds that will be fun to hear around home will becoming extremely annoying on these longer trips.

I've read about and listened to clips from most of the exhaust providers but have failed to read anything about this one. The system looks really light and easy to install, which appeals to me. If I read correctly $975 for a base 97-04 which doesn't sound too badly to me if the resonance isn't bad.

Randall, what are your thoughts on your system now that you've had it for awhile? Would you go with the same set-up if you had to do it over again (I realize you were part of the initial dyno testing deal)? Does the resonance bother you on longer trips?

Thanks,

ddb

Dang, that thing sounds wicked. I'm sure it resonates pretty bad, but if your box is a weekend toy and you are tired of the weak stock sound then I say go for it. It definately gives the boxster some balls in the sound department. This is the first system I really like...other than the Koensige(sp?) This setup with some fabspeed headers would be pretty sweet. I might have to add this Stebro to my wish list.

I use my Box as a daily driver but, resonance doesn't really bother me. For highway cruising you just upshift if the resonance gets too annoying or just go faster. :p

That exhaust is kind of Ferrariesque.

Hey guys, I have a Stebro Racing Exhaust for a 97-04 Boxster for sale, i'm not sure if it works for the S...anyone know?

I have it on my car now and it sounds AMAZING. Over 3k rpms it sounds like a Ferrari driving by. And its nice because its loudest under 3,000 rpm which means highway cruising is quite and smooth, and taking off it is loud and mean. I love this exhaust and am only selling it because I am selling the car.

STEBRO PORSCHE BOXSTER RACING EXHAUST
PERFORMANCE REAR MUFFLER FOR INCREASED POWER, REDUCED WEIGHT AND INCREDIBLE SOUND (Stock weights around 25lbs, Stebro weights around 7lbs, see the Stock vs. Stebro picture for reference.)


Local buyers ONLY here in Los Angeles. I am asking $650.

-Johnny
714 716 9992

http://www.stebro.net for details.

Your muffler will fit both the 2.7 and 3.2 but, will not fit the 2.5.

Looking around on the Stebro sight I saw a couple of interesting things:

1) They have two different systems for the Box. The Racing muffler shown in yellowboxster01's original post, and a Sport muffler in the link I'm adding.

2) They appear to have both the Racing and Sport mufflers specifically for the 986 and different models for the 986S. I don't know what the differences are other than the base car systems are less expensive, which is good for me since I have a base.

I sent Stebro an e-mail and asked a few questions and here are their answers (you can figure out the questions):


Hi Derek, here are the answers:
1)yes , we have a sport exhaust for your base boxster. Item number: 290163104069
2)The difference are larger mufflers for better sound quality
3)Weights (factory system 78lbs, Stebro Sport system 24 lbs, Stebro Racing system 14 lbs
4)Both systems are fine at cruising speed. The racing system has a resonance around 2K rpm

As you can see when you compare the pictures in the links the sport system has larger mufflers. I actually like the sound from the sport system better (as best as I can judge from the sound clips). I'm also encouraged they mention a resonance with the Racing muffler which I guess by default means there isn't any (or at least less) with the Sport muffler.

The down side to the Sport muffler is it costs more, and weighs more, but it is still more than 3 X lighter than factory muffler if the Stebro weights are correct.

I'm really thinking about making an offer on the Sport muffler. Would you choose the Sport or Racing muffler and why?

Thanks,

Derek

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-SPORT-EXHAUST-1997-2004-BY-STEBRO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33630QQihZ019QQi temZ290163104069QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

For what it's worth, I weighed my stock OEM muffler from my 01 base when I took it off (muffler only, and no connection pipes or clamps), and it was 28 lbs. My Dansk exhaust that I put on was 26 lbs. The OEM PSE is about 40 lbs. No way is the stock muffler 78 lbs. I don't know how they got that number unless they included the cats and all the pipe attachments.

Boxtaboy,

Thanks for that info. on the weights. I thought I had read the OE muffler was around 30 pounds. I also read somewhere the Stebro system was less than 10 pounds. I believe the guy replied to my questions too early in the morning. I will ask him again for the weight of their mufflers.
ddb

ddb,

I took a look at the Stebro website, and I really like their setup. Here's some more info :

BOXSTER S REAR RACING EXHAUST USD$ 1,175.00

Stebro is offering this brand new stainless steel performance racing exhaust system for the Porsche Boxter S. This system was specifically designed for the Boxster S models only. This system was specifically designed for the Boxster Racing Challenge under the following criteria: Increased flow(+75%)/ reduced weight(80% weight saving)/performance cross flow design(+25hp)/ enhanced sound quality that meets or exceeds the track racing 98 db limit. This system is also offered with a set of test pipes that replace the secondary cat-converters (for race applications only) Additional test pipe cost of $300.00 is applied.

1997-2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM USD$ 1,175.00

THIS SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE WEIGHT, INCREASE POWER AND FLOW OVER THE OEM SYSTEM. IT IS LESS AGGRESSIVE THAN OUR RACING SYSTEM AND CAN ALSO BE USED ON PORSCHE BOXSTER TIPTRONIC MODELS.

PORSCHE BOXSTER S SPORT SYSTEM USD$ 1,750.00

THIS EXHAUST IS SIMILAR TO OUR PORSCHE BOXSTER S RACING SYSTEM, BUT THIS VERSION HAS LARGER MUFFLERS TO MAKE IT MORE COMPATIBLE FOR EVERYDAY STREET USE AND TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS. EXPECT EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AND DRIVEABILITY.

Nick

I have the 1997-2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM ordered. I will document and post my experience.

78 lbs for the factory exhaust? I don't think so. Mine was about 39 pounds.

I know this because I sold one of my factory mufflers and the UPS scale was a tad over 40 lbs with packing material.

So the Stebro is not 3x lighter.

No bearing on the sound or quality of the thing, just changes the weight savings a bit.

Chris,

Awesome ! That is actually the one I am interested in :cool:

Looking forward to your review...

Nick

How much did you pay for it and where did you get it from? I think this is the route I'd like to go too. I don't want the resonance problems that people seem to have with most aftermarket exhausts. So far the PSE or a modified stock muffler like the PSE are the only options I've found without a resonance issue....

Please do post your experience once you get the PSE and take LOTS of pictures. :)

I asked Stebro to double check the weights they quoted in my post above and they sent me the following:

I took the time to get some accurate weights:
Stock system 39.5 lbs
Stebro Racing system 10 lbs
Stebro Racing system 18.75 lbs

I'm sure he means Stebro Sport system (instead of Racing) 18.75 lbs.

So the Racing system is almost 4x lighter than the stock system!

At more than 2x lighter the Sport system offers a nice weight savings as well. One that I will gladly accept.

ddb

I'm not getting the OE PSE, i'm getting the STEBRO Sport Exhaust. I don't expect to get rid of the resonance with this muffler. I have a GHL so anything will be better. I bought it from eBay and i used the "Make an offer" option. If your not in a hurry and your interested in this muffler wait for my posts. I just paid for it yesterday, it will ship from their Swiss office to Ottawa, then to me. I expect 3 weeks or so. He had 10 available on eBay before i bought. I notice he now has 8.

So how low was your offer? I will offer accordingly. :p I have a number in my head and if I could get it for that, I'd be thrilled but, cheaper is always better. Did you get the Fabspeed cat deletes with it or just the muffler? I'm going to offer on the race system with the cat deletes next week.

They truly just pulled some numbers out their ass for that one, not a single one of those is correct. :rolleyes:

Guys, you have to really READ the descriptions to get the weight differences
 

(And before anyone asks, NO, I don't work for STEBRO. I live in SoCal and bought a Racing Muffler from them a couple of months ago and I LOVE it. Big sound, meaty and aggressive.)

So here's the deal: STEBRO sells 4 "systems" for the 986 and they fit both 2.7 and 3.2:

* System 1: Sport Muffler - This one just replaces the stock muffler. And it is about 1/3 the weight of the stock. This is the bigger (thicker) of the two STEBRO mufflers, the one that looks more oval. It has double chambers, makes less noise and less resonance.

* System 2: Racing Muffler - Again, this one just replaces the stocker and its even lighter than the Sport muffler. This is the one that looks rounder, like two long cans. Its basically a straight-pipe with some baffling. Pretty darn loud

* System 3: Sport Muffler (same one as System 1 above) WITH Secondary Cat-delete pipe - this is the System 1 muffler with a straight pipe that replaces the pipe-and-secondary muffler. Connects to the pipe that leads to the Primary Cat and the Header.

* System 4: Racing Muffler (same one as System 2 above) WITH Secondary Cat-delete pipe - this is the System 2 muffler with a straight pipe that replaces the pipe-and-secondary muffler. Connects to the pipe that leads to the Primary Cat and the Header.

Now go re-read the STEBRO weight descriptions of the EXHAUSTS (not just the mufflers) and the weights start to make more sense. The stock muffler and both secondary Cats do weigh about 75 lbs.

Like I said, I don't work for Stebro, but I think they are a class-act. Dan Petschenig, who is the head of the company answered all my e-mails and annoying questions and could not have been cooler.

Guess what arrived at my office today....
 

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-5-07013a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-5-07017a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-5-07016a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-5-07021a.jpg

Not a thing of beauty, but the tips look decent, and that's all you'll see.

Scale at work was flickering between 15 & 16 pounds.

I hope I can get enough time this weekend to install it. I'll report back once it's on.

ddb

It looks like the right side inlet is damaged. Is that just the angle in the picture?

Good eye Adam. As soon as I removed the cardboard protective sleeve I noticed it hadn't done its job. Or it was damaged before it was packed. I do believe the pictures make it look worse than it really is. It shouldn't be difficult to fix before installation.

I received mine as well. I will hopefully get it installed this week.
I guess they ran out of decals.

http://members.shaw.ca/chris_craft/stebro.jpg

I finally wrapped up the install of my Sport Stebro exhaust this evening. It took days to install because I only worked on it for 1.5 hours or so after work, and I'm slow. I haven't driven it, but idling and revving standing still sounds amazing! I haven't had the privilege of hearing in person some of the other popular exhaust systems, so I have nothing to compare the sound to except the stock system. I'll report more after giving it a thorough test on Saturday.

Here are a few pics. I think I can get the tips better centered in the relief of the bumper cover, but don't feel like doing it right now. I also think I need to work on my spoiler. Does it look like the gap between the spoiler and the top of the bumper cover it too big?

yellowboxster01, thanks for starting this thread and turning me on to the Stebro exhaust. I think I'm going to like it a lot.

ddb

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-9-07004a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-9-07007a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...-10-07001a.jpg

Well, I spent a part of the day driving my car for the first time since installing the Stebro Sport exhaust. I really didn't realize what my car was missing (sound) until I desnorked about a month or so ago. Hearing the more pronounced intake noise piqued my interest in a more aggressive exhaust note.

The car now starts with an aggressive, slightly angry growl that was totally missing before. It really sets an audible tone to go along with all of the other benefits that come with driving such a great car.

In my opinion the exhaust is most boisterous right off of idle after starting in first gear. It is honestly louder than I expected, and oh so addictive. I probably drove around for an hour and a half today and never turned on the radio, which has never happened before. I've often read where people say why upgrade the stereo when you can just listen to the engine. I can now understand where they are coming from with the aftermarket exhaust.

It's fun to listen to the deep growl change to a howl as the RPM's rise. When you finally get to a cruising speed and the RPM'S settle to a rather constant speed the exhaust tone mellows to level that is definitely louder and different than stock. Is it offensive? I would say no, at least not after one day of driving. This may change after a 12 hour trip or after more weeks/months behind the wheel.

I did some highway cruising today and the sound really quiets down with the cruise control on and not much load on the engine. When I would bump the cruise up by hitting the stalk once or twice you can really hear an instant change in the exhaust note. This would also happen whenever reaching an uphill grade and the cruise would adjust to maintain a constant speed.

I'm looking forward to hearing what Chris_Craft thinks about his Sport system after switching from GHL. I know I've saved weight with this exhaaust, and hope there are some other benefits like a cooler running engine, etc. My main reason however was for sound, and so far, goal accomplished!

ddb

Is your car tiptronic ddb?

I was out bid yesterday on the no reserve auction for the stebro race exhaust. And by less than $6. I even used auction sniper. My max bid was $601.23 and it went at $606.

I'm thinking I'll just make an offer, the price of that auction.

I should have mine finished up today. We had some fun with the muffler off...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zKLxJCe7XU

Put some headers on and run without a muffler and it sounds 100 times better. Thats what I do. I still need to put my valves back on.... but no time...

yellowboxster01,

My car is a manual.

I think they will accept your offer in a second. You have nothing to lose.

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the race exhaust + bypass pipes.

ddb

Chris Craft,

That clip is funny! Thanks for posting it.

I thought about starting mine with the exhaust off. I guess I was so focused on the install I didn't get around to doing so.

ddb

"That's too loud daddy", "no don't do that". haha that's cute.

Workin on the Porsche with dad, awesome. You're raising a future enthusiast! :cool:

Post a video when you get that Stebro on. :)

The Stebro is a nice muffler. It is what i was looking for sound wise. Remember, i had a GHL on prior and the droan was unbearable...for me anyways. ddb's decription of the sound below is right on. I am really impressed at how quiet it is on the highway.

I did expect a bit better quality. My tips don't seem to be level to each other and the welds on the inside of the tips are not identical. Plus i didn't get any stebro decals. :mad: I will post pics to show you what i mean.

I also need to center the tips better but i'm not sure how i can do that.

Here's a quick video clip.

No offense, but it looks like those mufflers were made from 2 leftover Midas muffler cans hastily welded together. Are you sure the cans themselves are stainless steel? If not, they will end up rusting, no? I think the GHL muffler looks way better quality, but like you said, they resonate too much. Glad to hear the Stebro's sound quality works out better.

Chris Craft,

My tips aligned just like yours on my first attempt. They aren't perfect now but I was able to get them much better.

I loosened all of the clamps plus the fasteners that attach to the vertical mounts and then basically positioned the tips in the desired position. I used folded cardboard to help maintain clearance between the top of the tips and the relief in the bumper cover. I then proceeded to tighten the clamps and fasteners while applying force to the exhaust to lock it in position.

I was able to do this by myself, but it would be a lot easier with a second set of hands to help position and hold the exhaust.

I drove the car to work yesterday and was fascinated even more by the sound. Despite the fitment issues I'm glad I went with the Stebro Sport system.


ddb

I just installed the Stebro Race system. This thing is freakin' awesome! Theres resonance at 2500-3000, but it's bearable. Quality is good, and sound is the best I've heard. Worth every penny.

I have to agree that the system in the film clip sounds excellent. However, I simply can't understand how the company can justify the selling price. I'm well aware of the whole "Porsche tax" concept, but there honesty doesn't appear to be much in the way of materials or fabrication that would make these systems worth more than say, $400 or so.