advice for better sound and alittle xtra HP

[disfin]

I have a stock 87 3.2 and I'd like to enhance the sound of the exhaust and add a few estra ponies. I think the stock exhaust is too quite as most of you do too based on the threads i've been reading and I'm trying to decide what to do.

My porsche guy is recommending I:
1. Swiss cheese my air box cover
2. Add a chip
3. Leave the cat as-is but put on a Fabspeed or GHL muffler

At a $1-1.5K pricetag, I'd like to consider your expert opinions before spending this kind of money or cutting up my air cover.

Based on what I've read it sounds like there are several more lower cost options for the exhaust. Cat bypass. Hollowed out stock muffler. What will this do to the sound? I'd like a volume of 3-4 on a 1-10 scale, 1 being bone stock, and 10 being no exhaust. And like everyone else I'm looking for that sweet deep tone and no rattles.

Thoughts on chips? Sounds like everyone seems to like the SW chips from our host.

Thanks

[Dan in Pasadena]

The airbox cover is noise only. Don't bother.

Everyone's going to tell you the same thing, I may as well be first. SSI's is what you want. Mated to a good performance exhaust. Doable for $1.5K if you do it yourself, SSI's only if you have others do it....probably.

[mschuep]

For fun, you can go to the fabspeed website and listen to different setups. I wouldn't buy all the propaganda in between the takes, but it is definitely somewhere to start if you don't have a clue what non-stock setups sound like.

[JV911SYDNEY]

From my extensive research (i have too much spare time), the consensus for the 3.2 in the US seems to be:

1. fabspeed cat bypass
2. M&K muffler
3. SW chip

Holes in airbox dont do anything besides adding a bit of induction noise.
SSI's are aparently too small in diameter, therfore restrictive on the 3.2

There are various SW chips so if you order one be sure to tell steve what exhaust set-up you will be running.

I've got a fabspeed bypass and monty muffler on my 2.7 and i'm happy with the power increase and MEGA happy with the sound

[disfin]

Thanks.
I listened to the sounds on the fabspeed website, and tell you the truth, even the cat bypass mated to the muffler bypass sounded sweet, but in reality I know that has to be 10x louder in person than it sounded on the website, hahaha.

[Facey]

i might have a set of 1 3/4" B&B long collector headers w/heat for sale.

slightly used (less then 3000 miles), combined with a nicely mapped SW chip and M&K muffler u'd be :
making a MUCH nicer noise
loose a ton of weight
still have defrost etc..
and making noticeable more power, should be very noticeable.

feel free to pm...

[JV911SYDNEY]

Originally posted by disfin
Thanks.
I listened to the sounds on the fabspeed website, and tell you the truth, even the cat bypass mated to the muffler bypass sounded sweet, but in reality I know that has to be 10x louder in person than it sounded on the website, hahaha.

yea muffler bypass would be sick but too loud for the street

[dmwallace]

Disfin,

Here's another suggestion. You could replace the cat with a cat by-pass / euro pre-muffler like the Fabspeed, change the chip, and keep the stock muffler. The Fabspeed will change the exhaust note somewhat, and you will get rid of all that heat from the cat coming out of the left rear wheel well. Once you make the cat bypass/chip change you will have spent ~ $625 and have improved the car and added some HP. Then if you want to change the stock muffler later you can always do so.

Regards,
David.

[KCinBR]

My 2 cents:

Fabspeed euro premuff
M&K 1 in 1 out
SW chip

I did it about a year ago and have not regretted a penny spent. You are gonna be suprised how much difference the chip makes.
If you have not already check out 911 chips there is some good info there.

[Zef]

The consensus seem : a free flow exhaust + a cat bypass + SW chip...and I have to second that...!

[livi]

I have a 85 ROW Carrera. Besides adding a SW chip the set up is stock, that is I have a euro premuffler, no cat.

I must say I am very pleased with both the sound (pretty loud but not obnoxious) and the performance. Granted the euro has 231 bhp and the chip adds a few more.

[bigrubberjeep]

I though the same when I first got my 85 911, unfortunelty my only experience with mufflers back then was american cars or imports. So I figured a fair price for a muffler wa sno more then $200. What a surprise when I found out different. So I said screw it, I went and had a custom one made with a magnaflow muffler and had a "extra" cat hollowed out. The outcome was a very good sound, a bit more response and about $250 extra in my pocket ( I spent about $350 total)

[NY65912]

I'm loving the sound (not to mention performance increase) that I get with my Euro pre-muffler (in place of cat) Dansk single in single out SS muffler and SW chip on my 3.2 Turbolook. Money very well spent.

PS: it's not too loud at all ....and my wife dosen't mind at all.....we both never listen to the radio..at all!

[JV911SYDNEY]

Originally posted by NY65912
we both never listen to the radio..at all!

r-a-d-i-o ?

what is this remarkable contraption of which you speak ?

[KCinBR]

With my set up I can still listen to the radio..

considering i'm in a Targa, over the hill, with a hearing loss, that's pretty good.

The M&K really sounds off for those outside the car but from the drivers seat it's just right

[disfin]

Thanks for all the advice. I think i'm going to start with the fabspeed and SW chip. Both sound like good investments. Then, I may move to a M&K down the road. I have a feeling I will talk myself into it sooner than I think.

Anyone selling a fabspeed????

Oh, and after reading postings on this board including the technical forum, I gathered the courage to do a full maintenance to my car. The most I've ever done to a car is change oil and brakes, but now I'm going to be adjusting valves and a few other things to my Porsche. Who knows, maybe I'll be dropping the engine by this time next year.

[Por_sha911]

Originally posted by Facey
i might have a set of 1 3/4" B&B long collector headers w/heat for sale.

No connection to Facey but, I get compliments at virtually every PCA event when they hear my `87 with B&B headers, dual in/single out muffler. I have a SW chip which helps compensate for the lower back-pressure and gives me more low end torque.

[disfin]

What is the real difference in sound and performance between a cat bypass and the fabspeed euro pre muff?

[GOOD HANDS]

Originally posted by disfin
What is the real difference in sound and performance between a cat bypass and the fabspeed euro pre muff?

I just ordered a fabspeed pre muffler and they are basically the same thing. The main difference being the premuffler DOES ( according to them ) give you some baffling on the way out and has a place for a sensor. Has anyone used the just the fabspeed pre muffler with no muffler ? i plan on trying it. it sounds wicked on their website.