986 Boxster Headers Redux

[ronster]

I don't know why but I've had a long running desire to put headers on my '99 986 2.5L but can't decide which way to go. Sportech, in Campbell, CA swears by the cheap eBay headers but the muffler shop that just did my muffler mod says to stay away from them. Once you get away from the cheap eBay headers your looking at $1K+ for a set and since I can't do my own install it's about $1400 for a set installed. I'm aware that HP gains are not that great and I'm more interested in picking up low end torque at lower rpm. The more expensive headers are equal length and have a splitter built into the main collector that doesn't rob low end torque for higher speed power. So I'm curious to know what has anyone on this forum used for headers and what are your impressions of them. I've also got a Tiptronic and I understand there can be clearance issues if the headers aren't made for the Tip.
Thanks for any advice!

[Joel Lester]

Try looking at some from Vertex auto - an on-line store. the branch I got was Schnell. You can get a set of very good quality headers for less than $300. They went on fine to my '99 Box but I do have a manuel transmission. The biggest issue was taking out the old header bolts. I shot them three times over a weeks period with liquid wrench and had pretty good luck.

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Joel Lester

Try looking at some from Vertex auto - an on-line store. the branch I got was Schnell. You can get a set of very good quality headers for less than $300. They went on fine to my '99 Box but I do have a manuel transmission. The biggest issue was taking out the old header bolts. I shot them three times over a weeks period with liquid wrench and had pretty good luck.

Thanks Joel. How long have you had the headers? Have you noticed any difference in the sound i.e. louder, drone? Do you notice any difference in performance?

[Joel Lester]

I'm still waiting for the rest of the parts which will come tomorrow. So, I'm sorry to say I haven't even started it up yet. If you want a very cool sounding Boxster I'd suggest the hack on Pedros web site. I did it a couple of years ago and the car sounds sweet. When I go to track events guys ask me all the time... "what did you do to the exhust on that thing!" Sounds narly.

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Joel Lester

I'm still waiting for the rest of the parts which will come tomorrow. So, I'm sorry to say I haven't even started it up yet. If you want a very cool sounding Boxster I'd suggest the hack on Pedros web site. I did it a couple of years ago and the car sounds sweet. When I go to track events guys ask me all the time... "what did you do to the exhust on that thing!" Sounds narly.

I've already done something similar to the Pedro hack I did the Sportech hack which is to remove the top of the muffler and cut through the baffles so the exhaust is not restricted as much from inlet to tailpipe. It has a great sporty note without pissing off the neighbors, no drone and no emissions issues. I went that route because I didn't like the look of the tubes coming into the tailpipe and if you ever get a nit picky emissions inspector it probably won't pass a visual where mine will.

[Steve986]

Mine sounds gnarly... too gnarly! Headers with magnaflows. Loud and droney, it get's tiresome. Every once in a while I love the mean-ass roar, but mostly it's too much.

[Stiletto Pat]

Ronster,

Do you have a description / pictures / procedures you can supply on how you did your muffler modifications? I have an '03 S that might enjoy a bit less restriction...

Pat

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Stiletto Pat

Ronster,

Do you have a description / pictures / procedures you can supply on how you did your muffler modifications? I have an '03 S that might enjoy a bit less restriction...

Pat

First, you can't do the procedure if you have cats in the muffler and I don't know what year those appeared. I don't have any pics because a muffler shop, that was familiar with the mod, did the procedure but here is as good a description as I can give you. Remove the muffler and torch off the top. Inside you will see a series of baffles that cause the exhaust gases to move through the muffler like people in a snake line at an amusement park. Where the exhaust comes into the muffler it hits a baffle that is where you want to punch a hole through all the baffles, on both sides, so most of the exhaust gases go through the hole, bypassing the baffles, into the chamber that leads directly to the tail pipe. Re weld the top of the muffler on and install it. If you don't want to do that here is the procedure Pedro developed using tubing on the outside of the muffler. His procedure works much the same way but you do have tubing on the outside and can see it coming into the tail pipe. Hope this helps.
Make the Pedro Sport Exhaust