Jul 6, 2009 5:30:37 PM
It was a cold start, so that explains the difference in sound at idle when switching PSE, because once it is warm the sound difference is not as big, that is for sure !!!
The start was without sport chrono plus and of course without PSE ( I dont know why, it is not available starting the engine with PSE activated.)..
And yes, it is a retro-fit, we got it installed about a week ago.....but it is strange the idle sound difference in cold is not as loud in your Carrera S, may be Gnil could give you a response about this...Or give a try in cold start, I am sure yours has a more throaty sound !!!!
Jul 6, 2009 5:36:48 PM
Thanks Alex, I sure will try the exercise with a cold engine! I also tried to activate the PSE button before I started the car, but it didn't come on!
The car being new also might have a bearing, as we know that the engine notes of these cars change over time, and so it might become more pronounced as I put on more miles on the car.
Liquid (or anyone else having bought a new car with PSE) any thoughts?
I took my car to the Porsche Centre yesterday to have the PSE fitted. Half way through the job they realised that the panel with the new PSE switch is not included in the kit and has to be ordered separately! This upset me a lot. They have already ordered it and will arrive by DHL. I hope it's not on back order. Anyone ordering beware of this "detail".
Another thing is that this retrofitting involves a lot of dismantling of the cabin in order to route the wire from the ECU to the front where the button will be installed. Both rear seats, rear side panel, all the centre console and other bits and pieces were removed . I keep my fingers crossed that everything will be fitted back properly and no noises will appear. A friend who runs an independent Porsche garage told me that the job can be potentially done with less dismantling of the interior but it is true that the factory manual directs this complicated method. I don't know why?
Anyway, I hope that soon all will be finished I'll be able to report on the PSE as such.
reginos:
I took my car to the Porsche Centre yesterday to have the PSE fitted. Half way through the job they realised that the panel with the new PSE switch is not included in the kit and has to be ordered separately! This upset me a lot. They have already ordered it and will arrive by DHL. I hope it's not on back order. Anyone ordering beware of this "detail".
Another thing is that this retrofitting involves a lot of dismantling of the cabin in order to route the wire from the ECU to the front where the button will be installed. Both rear seats, rear side panel, all the centre console and other bits and pieces were removed . I keep my fingers crossed that everything will be fitted back properly and no noises will appear. A friend who runs an independent Porsche garage told me that the job can be potentially done with less dismantling of the interior but it is true that the factory manual directs this complicated method. I don't know why?
Anyway, I hope that soon all will be finished I'll be able to report on the PSE as such.
I had the same issue with the switch. And it took ages to get it ( as a matter of fact I still have not installed it ), but I did not realy mind. In the meantime I just has my PSE switched on all the time ( with the plug disconected) And it takes only a few minutes to install the new panel as everything else is already done.
And yes, it was a big job to install everything. They even took the front seat off. But everything was put back perfectly.
Jul 7, 2009 5:01:04 PM
yes, the issue about forgetting to order the switch is very common !!!....
One other thing to have in mind, and really happened to us, was make sure the rear led lights are fully adjusted as they camed from factory....when our car was given to us, we could easily fit a finger withing the rear led lights and the the rear bumper......it is a very common mistake that they forget to adjusted again, it is only a 5 min work to get it right, but make sure you have a look before you leave the dealer.....
Jul 10, 2009 12:44:47 PM
I got the car back this morning. Everything is fitted except the new switch panel incorporating the PSE button. It was ordered on Tuesday afternoon and arrived this morning at the airport via DHL (good logistics!) but there was not enough time to deliver and fit. I hope it will be done at some time on Monday
I elected to leave the flaps closed until the button is fitted. But even with the flaps closed it feels like a different exhaust from standard. The engine feels more free to rev and less suffocated compared to standard especially after 4000 rpm. Also when cruising at steady speed the engine feels smoother. I haven't experienced the full noise yet but even at "off" it sounds more pleasant and sporty. I had some doubts whether my impressions were due to some sort of placebo effect, but the service manager had the same things to say. The side-silencers are a different shape and material and the third one across the bumper looks also different and much smaller than original. I would say it's a different system altogether notwithstanding the flaps.
I can't wait for Monday!
--
It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts
Ziggy:
Reginos,
thanks for the feedback. Just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you I love you current avatar, I believe your car is GT silver.
Thanks! Yes, GT-silver.
The installation of my PSE retrofit is now complete and I am happy everything was done perfectly by the people at the OPC here. I had a chance to travel on a variety of roads during the last 3 days, so I can write down some initial impressions.
First the appearance. The new tips look good on my silver car and what is more important they look clean because the deposited soot doesn't show at all on the inner black tips. The outer aluminum tips look nice too and high quality and they stay clean! Also I like that the twin end tips are not fake now because of the two pipes on each side instead of the standard one.
The sound with the switch at "off" is somewhat changed and resembles more the normal Carrera sound before 997.2. Definitely it's nicer than the original. When "off" gases come out of the two inner pipes on each side, only.
When the button is pressed all 4 pipes open even at idle. The sound changes and the more you rev the louder it becomes. However, because of the position of the engine, insulation and wind and road noise generated by the Carrera, the actual sound is not always clearly audible during normal cruising. You can enjoy the sound more on B roads mostly on hills where the sound is reflected and if you hold 3rd gear and rev to 5000rpm+. Sure now the engine noise is more present than before and nicer and sportier too but it is not the kind of exhaust that makes the hair at the back of your neck rise.
The main advantage I've noticed however, is the corresponding smoothness of the engine. All engine droning disappeared and the engine is now much smoother and very free revving in both modes and of course more so with the button "on". I look at the rev counter and I do 6000rpm+ without realizing it whereas before I could feel anything above 4500-5000rpm. Response is more crisp too. IMO this is the main advantage of this system and the noise is secondary.
I believe the PSE is very well engineered not only for sound but for better performance too. Whether it gives 5 or 6 or 7 extra PS is not significant, as is the improved quality of the driving experience. I know this aspect is not advertised by Porsche and I am not sure why, perhaps for type approval reasons
My conclusion is that if someone wants to stay with factory equipment (for warranty or other reasons) and doesn't want an ultra loud extreme exhaust, PSE is an essential option. In my case it was fitted complimentary as part of the original order agreement, but I would install it even if I had to pay for it.
Jul 18, 2009 6:30:59 AM
Jul 18, 2009 8:49:58 PM
@reginos: I'm happy that your PSE installation has been such a success Please share your impressions as it burns in fully
Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 C2S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection
I have the PSE on my new (to me) 2006 997 S. I have had two other 996 cars . Both had fabspeed mufflers. They sounded amazing on the 3.4 but I didn't care for them on the 3.6.
The PSE is cool because you can go in semi silent mode when you want to. The sound in Sport Mode is fantastic. I'm happy with it and I don't think I will mod it to get the sound on all the time. Kind of fun to push that button!!!
Cheers
Sep 10, 2009 3:04:39 AM
Sep 13, 2009 11:29:16 AM
Sep 28, 2009 5:40:30 PM
reginos:
Ziggy:
Reginos,
thanks for the feedback. Just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you I love you current avatar, I believe your car is GT silver.Thanks! Yes, GT-silver.
My favorite silver color
Actually my favorite color of all time.
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
I'm looking forward!
listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dpizr-Iuj8
love it!
--
Porsche Carrera 3.6 pdk (2009)
Muffler also, and a switch to turn on and off the sound. In my case the difference is there, but not that much, especially at lower revs. Certainly not as much as the car in the video above!! Maybe that's not a PSE, but an after-market fit?
I may add that the difference is not only the sound. In both on and off positions the engine revs in a freer way, more so when the flaps are open.
Also the 3 mufflers are stainless instead of galvanized steel as standard. Another difference is that the 4 tips correspond to 4 pipes coming from the side mufflers. In standard form the 4 tips are fake in that they are fitted to a single pipe.
IMO it's a very good addition if you want to stay with factory parts. Mind you, many aftermarket exhausts might be louder but they may actually reduce power, create lots of back pressure at lower revs or have irritating boom periods. Some aftermarket are very good though. I had a Techart sport exhaust on a Boxster and it was very good in all respects.