LOUD Boxster causing headaches
 

I have had my first porsche for only a few weeks now but from day one i have been unsure about the sound inside the cockpit and outside from the muffs. It is loud between 2000-3000RPM. Like annoying loud. Sounds great before 2K and after 3K. I was at the dealership paying my monthly dues and the parts guy noticed the muffler, said it looked funky (not original). I didn't follow up on his comment because i was distracted by a beauty in the showroom. Anyways i borrowed a digital recorder and have posted links to 2 wav files. If your speakers have good bass i think you will get the jist of what it sounds like inside. I don't think it's normal and i think i may have a crack somewhere or need to replace the exhaust. I will snap some photos and post them as well. Any advise?

Wav File 1 - Top Down

Wav File 2 - Top Up

Thanks!

Sounds like you have an aftermarket exhaust setup on there from the previous owner...it's got quite a bit of droning to it. I've got a stock muffler for sale if you want it... PM me if you do.

Aftermarket exhausts can resonate bad around one rev range (it's actually kinda common). Go to stock if you want, that will get rid of it.

-David

OEM mufflers are cheap and available
 

on auction sites and craigslist. And you should be able to sell yours for more than it costs. Any muffler shop can install it, you don't need a dealer or Porsche specialist. Just make sure you have new bolts and gaskets.

Shoot, get a stock muffler, they're easy to swap.

I can say, a base Boxster's exhaust is not very loud at all. I think someday I'll try to find an S muffler and swap for my stock one... get a little more out of it, but not too much!

I've got a set of exhaust and headers from a '02 "S" for sale if you're interested. PM me if you are.

Should you put a stock muffler back on the car, don't think the aftermarket exhaust isn't worth selling. They are typically $600 or far more new. Someone will pay you hansomely for it. Actually, you'll probably make money on the deal swapping it for a stock muffler, including the cost of installation.

The sound files led me to believe your car is a tiptronic. If so, you can aleviate some of the droning noise by shifting manually and running it up to 4k before you shift as there's about a 1k drop between gears. This will keep you above the resonance area.

I was bothered by my aftermarket muffler's resonance between 2-3k for a short time before I got used to it. Now I can't live without it. However, it didn't give me headaches.

Pictures...i think it's got to go.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks like a GHL exhaust to me... which is pretty well known as one of the loudest boxster aftermarket exhausts.

I concur. GHL by the looks of it, or a very well made custom job.

I'm not quite in the market for it yet... Gotta worry about getting the top replaced, and then clean up the interior. Probably won't be until next year. Thanks for the offer tho! I'll probably just post here and find a muffler that someone's swapped out for an aftermarket.

Looks like a GHL to me too. If that is the case, they sell for $1K new and you could easily get 600 or 700 for it used. Just buy some metal polish and shine it up nice and put it in the classified section for sale.

Steve

Drove around today with 2 sound meters. Top up, windows up. The more professional one hit 96db. The cheaper one hit 110db. Both at 2500RPM. Definatley not safe levels for daily driving.

If I were wnting to replace the aftermarket exhaust you have I would definately go with the 02 Boxster S if the gentleman here will cut you a fair deal this is what I have on my 2002 Boxster S and I absolutely love the sound...by no means annoying but still deep and throaty I couldnt ask for a better sounding non annoying system....plus you could probably make money selling your aftermarket setup

Thats a GHL... and your car has seen a lot of Canadian winters by the looks of the underbody