Installed Fabspeed bypass combo

[gost]

I installed the Fabspeed pre-muffler and muffler bypass last night and took her out for a spin today. I LOVE it!!! It sounds so agressively intimidating when I get on it and has this put you in a Zen state of mind when cruising at 3K rpm. It does sound a tad louder than the Fabspeed video/sound clip but I anticipated that as it's a given. There is a very noticable difference (quieter) than with the muffler bypass alone. I will play with the car for the summer like this and shop around for a freeflow muffler to tack on to smooth it out even more. Yes the backfire pop is awesome as well. It's just loud enough without grabbing the authorities attention. You could drive around all day keeping it under 4K RPM an no one would be offended but above that it screams like a Viper. The Fabspeed bypass combo is FAB-U-LOUS

[aigel]

Looks like nice quality, especially next to your PAINTED valve covers!

How much does this setup cost?

Isn't the lever a bit long, with everything just dangling off the heat exchanger flange???

Also, does this roast your tire without a heat shield (a-la factory)? Check tire pressure left to right. (Start with equal pressures left and right, drive it straight and remeasure when returning from a 20 minute trip).

Cheers, George

[gost]

George, yes the fit and quality is top notch. The combo with 3 copper gaskets was $335 but would have been $365 except I bought the muffler bypass for $25 from a Rennlist member. Also a universal 3 wire O2 sensor was $60 manuf by Denso.
The pre muffler is actually cooler than a stock cat and also thinner so farther away from the tires. Air = insulation and therefore the shield is not needed. Makes it a snap to do stuff on that side now without it.
thanks for the compliment on the looks and the valve covers. I'm gun shy to paint things anymore after the caliper episode, that was weird and frustrating. I thought brakes were so much stronger than a little paint, almost doesn't make sense. But the Fabspeed stuff is awesome although a tad louder than it would be hooked up to a performance muffler.

Thanks again,

Gordon

[aigel]

I'd still test the tire pressures. It's the radiation you are worried about. On the other hand, on 74 and earlier cars and the SSI, there is exhaust piping in the same spot too. I guess the cat gets extremely hot, compared to a through pipe.

I'd love to hear this setup, since I think it is a real easy install. My pal still thinks about what to do for exhaust.

George

[gost]

I'll check them and if they are off I'll post the info. There have been a few discussions on the board regarding the heat shield and it seems to be the concensus to toss it, especially with the cat replaced. The bypass runs much cooler than the cat and as a matter of fact the car runs cooler as a whole.
If you want to hear the set-up go to this link at Fabspeedhttp://www.fabspeed.com/911sc.html
scroll down to the cat and muffler bypass video crank up the sound and whalla! Hope you have decent speakers on your computer.
Again I love the sound though I think most would feel it's a bit too aggressive. A simple freeflow muffler would tone it down 5/10 db and then it would have that classic sports car sound.

Thanks

[Spede]

Did you add a support for the cat at the tailpipe end? Over time, this will add undue stress on your heat exchangers if not supported.

Looks like an awesome set up!

[jtratza]

That gives me an idea. Its probably been done before but I could take the cat bypass and cut off the straight pipe section and have a muffler welded on plus a tip and then take off the stock muffler. I'd have to put the cat and muffler back on every year for the day but I like loud and light. Thanks for the pics.

[gost]

Steve, no not yet but I plan to soon. I'm figuring out the best location for the support. It most definitely would be a good idea to do and wouldn't hurt in any way.
Tom, whozawhat? You don't need to cut anything off the cat bypass (actually it's a classic euro type pre-muffler that's reffered to as a cat bypass) to hook up a muffler of your choice. The bypass is the exact same length as your stock cat and the tail section you see is the muffler bypass which attaches to the pre muffler. All it is is a tube that attaches to the pre muffler instead of your muffler. You could hook up your stock 911 muffler to the cat bypasss or any other muffler you choose. No cutting required! Or did I misunderstand your post?

[HardDrive]

I listened to the video. Sounds loud.......oh baby do I want one.....

[gost]

It's a tad louder than the video as well. I drove her most of the day today and man am I digging it!

[eskimo]

I have mine, waiting to be installed..
the car is up on blocks, getting new shoes and socks..

damn, need more time in my life.

[jtratza]

Gost you're right about the misunderstanding. My thought was to cut the cat bypass and weld a muffler to it along with a tail and take off the stock muffler but after seeing what your set up cost don't think my idea is worth the cost. It would probably be more by the time I got it chromed like yours or coated.

[KillerDynoSoar]

gost: Buddy thats exactly the setup I am running on my own car. Its awesome!!!!
My car failed its annual inspection test due to the exessive niose though. Also because my car is backdated the stock exhaust will not fit behind the light RS bumper.
I am going to have to get one of those supertrapps, (that you replied to in another post) but need to find availability in the UK.
Do they do a Supertrap that will fit exactly this muffler bypass? You wouldn't happen to know the part number or model number would you?

Steve Wong suggested to me that this set up may cause the engine to lean out on the top end. Are you not worried about that?

Lastly do you have the part number to that universal O2 sensor? Did you get it from Pelican? Steve W has also suggested that I re-fit the O2 sensor as my cars O2 was dissconnected by a previous owner. (I wonder why people do that??)

[gost]

Hey Killer, Sorry but I don't have any info on the supertrapp stuff. I will research it myself though to see if it's worthwhile. I'll post info if I find it soon. I would think there is one that will fit as the bypass is a standard flange pattern and the exact same sive lenghtwise as the stock cat.
My next step to put this all together is the Wong chip. I have not spoken to him yet but will this week. I did not know that it may lean the top end out but I'm not worried as I Imagine his chip would compensate for this or I will install a freeflow muffler as well. The car sounds so awesome that I'm thrilled at this point and want to enjoy it for a few day's before I tackle the next task.
The O2 sensor I installed was manufactured by Denso which was reccomended by a trusty parts shop. Something about how they're made with an aluminum oxide trap and porous teflon filter making them more sensitive and accurate. What do I know, I trust him, has never steered me wrong. It was $60 and the part # 234-3000 which I believe is the same # for the Walker sensor and perhaps for all the universal sensors for the 3.2L. I bought it at a parts chain called Roadside here in New York. If you can't find it at your local dealer then contact Denso directly for their rep in your area. The car does run better than it ever has, then again I did a complete service on her at the same time.
Good luck Killer

[eskimo]

let us know what Steve has to say about it.

[gost]

I rigged up an exhaust hanger for the tail end of the Fabspeed bypass tonight. Was easy once I figured out the smartest way. I bought a exhaust strap hanger and modified it to fit onto one of the flange bolts at the end of the bypass.
The total length of the support was exactly 5 1/2 inches which was perfect to relieve some of the weight of the assembly off the exchangers.
I drilled a 5/16 hole through the engine skirt pan about 4 1/2" to the left of where the heat duct penetrates the pan. This was the most straightforward location and lines up perfectly with the upper right most flange bolt on the rear of the bypass. The left bolt didn't line up with anything really or you would have to fab some sort of heavy guage angle bracket and I think it would look like doody!



I fabbed 2 small strips of 14 guage steel and drilled holes for the bolt in each and used them for reinforcement on the pan which isn't made of very thick guage. I don't know if I needed to do this but it was easy so why not have some added insurance. The bracket came out excellent and you cannot see any kind of support from the rear of the car unless you put your cheek to the ground. I love this set-up and I love the way the car sounds, can't say it enough. Hope this helps you guy's with this set up.
You Fabspeed guy's have something you could either offer your customers or just let them know how to go about supporting the rear of the bypass. It's solid as a rock. Total tab- $ 8

[eskimo]

that looks great!

but I'm more of a zip tie guy.

[movin]

Looks great! Maybe Fabspeed will offer a resonator pipe in lieu of the straight pipe later. That's what I'd like to see. That would grab the rest of us with the noise issue.

[gost]

They should make Stainless Zip Ties then it would be a no brainer and as easy as Zip Zip Zip!

[gost]

Perhaps they will although if it sounded really good then that would reduce the demand for their mufflers so they prolly wouldn't. But it would be nice.