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Aftermarket exhaust (AWE) question for the gurus!

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  #1  
Old 03-31-2013 | 04:58 AM
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Aftermarket exhaust (AWE) question for the gurus!

Hello all,

I just picked up a 997.2 that already had an AWE sport exhaust installed. The car runs and sounds like a dream! I simply want to know if what I noticed is normal. After test driving multiple C2S's (all with stock exhausts) I noticed that this car with the AWE vibrates a little when it's idling (can be noticed/felt on the seats). The seller (very honest and personable guy) pointed out that it is most likely due to the aftermarket exhaust. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone know if the replacement of the three silencers can cause this?

Thanks!!
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 06:16 AM
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I had a fabspeed exhaust on my 997.1S and never had this problem...maybe the hangers?
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 08:00 AM
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May sure the rear quarter panel is not touching one or both mufflers and make sure the center muffler if still installed or center cross over pipes do not have the band strap over tightened
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by CarreraS997Blk
I had a fabspeed exhaust on my 997.1S and never had this problem...maybe the hangers?
I'll check the hangers...what am I really looking for, possibly a broken one? Since hangers typically connect to rubber bushings, I'm not sure why the vibration at idle would occur?

Originally Posted by mdrums
May sure the rear quarter panel is not touching one or both mufflers and make sure the center muffler if still installed or center cross over pipes do not have the band strap over tightened
The car is currently on the transporting rig. As soon as it gets here I will inspect it. So you're implying that the mufflers can be mounted wrong and touching the quarter panels? The exhaust comes with cross-over pipes, what is this band strap you're referring to? Sorry for the ignorance, just got the car

Thanks!
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 10:38 AM
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I have the AWE cross over pipes on my 4S pdk and had it on my C2 6sp...

In both cases I notice a vibration when idle which is the cross over pipes 100%. I say 100% because when I removed them from my old car and put the stock secondary muffler back on, the vibration stopped...

I think it is the way the two middle supports attach to the engine...

Personally I feel it but I don't mind. I prefer the extra soundtrack that the system provides
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 07:28 PM
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Make sure you didn't tighten the bolts like crazy, back them off and retighten w/ less force.... I did this on my 09 PDK and the vibration lessened quite a bit.
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 08:08 PM
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Try and clean your mass air flow (maf) sensor. My last car 997.2 ran had a rough idle that caused vibrations. After cleaning the maf and reinstalling, the vibration and rough idle went away. The engine purred like a kitten.
 
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Old 03-31-2013 | 09:22 PM
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911stud, I copied instruction below from a previous post. Note the cautionary note between steps 14 & 15. As mentioned by Chris FL, over tightening of the bolts sometimes results in a vibration issue. Others obviously have experienced this same problem. Hope this helps.
Congrats and best of luck with your new toy.

Exhaust installation instructions: 997.2
(this guide was to install new sidecans as well as fabspeed center bypass X pipe, other systems should be same)


if you have jack stands i would raise both rears on stands... wheels can remain ON.


WAIT TILL CAR IS COLD, EXHAUST BITS GET HOT!

first steps are to loosen all hardware:

1: loosen and remove the 3 bolts that connect the CATS to the OEM center muffler (i believe 12mm or 14mm) (top one is difficult, but their is a bracket on that bolt that holds on the side cans)

2: loosen the 2 bolts on each of the 2 "clamps" that connect the center muffler to the side cans (these dont come off, just loosen until you can slide the "clamps"either onto the center muffler or onto the side can piping) (same 12 or 14mm)

3: loosen and remove the 2 bolts per side that hold the side cans onto the car (they are right by wheel well same size as rest (sorry i cant remember if 12 or 14mm)

4: remove the metal bar that connects the rear bumper to the car, one side is a ALLEN bolt the other end is a 10mm bolt

5: loosen bolt on exhaust tip, and pull exhaust tip off car (both sides)

NOW YOU WILL HAVE ALL EXHAUST STILL ON CAR BUT ALL NUTS REMOVED SO EVERYTHING IS JUST HANGING FREELY AND NOT CONNECTED

6: remove the side cans first (slide off the side bracket, and then weight will be on the other bracket by the cats)... it will then slide down when released of the bolts and u can angle it inward if needed to have it slide down... with the side bar removed as you did on step 4 it should slide out.. maybe pull slightly to have it fall out)

7: repeat on opposite side

8: remove bracket on oem and install on cans i sent you

9: remove the center muffler, two braces go around the muffler and are held on by allen bolt, remove bolt completely.. slide braces to the side and muffler pulls off. (do not reuse these braces on aftermarket center)

10: take the clamps that held the oem center muffler to the oem side cans, place these on the aftermarket center pipe on the correct sides..

11: install aftermarket center pipe, the cats slightly "sag" when you remove the oem center pipe so you might have to use a pipe or something to pull/push the cats slightly to line up the holes... i have "widened" the holes in the aftermarket center pipe to make this work easier, you can do the same if needed. ***note, please reuse the oem "washer" that goes between cat exit and center pipe (its triangle flat piece of metal)

12: put inner most bottom nuts on (at cat) to hold on temporarily, loosely just so center doesnt fall off on your head)

13: put on new side cans, sometimes tough to slip up into hole but its not bad... just angle em in a lil and slide up.. put can on bracket by the wheel well... then that holds it why you get the bracket that slips on the bolts by the cat...

14: put nuts on the side bracket, put nuts on the CAT bolts, slide clamps from center pipe over halfway between side cans and center pipe..

EVERYTHING WILL NOW BE IN PLACE BUT NOT TIGHTENED.

all exhaust nuts get tightened to ONLY 15 ft/lbs (this is pretty much just past hand tight, a little play is required on all exhaust bolts as if you tighten them too much it will cause a vibration in the car at idle, if you notice a vibration at idle, check these nuts...

15: replace the tips, these might take a little work as they need to be "spread" out slightly to slip back over the pipes... i kinda tapped them with a small hammer and spread the clamps a little so they would slip over the pipes on the car.. tighten this bolt (i always did it very snug as to not lose the tips off the car whilst driving)

16: lower car off jack stands, start car and have fun... no codes will be thrown because all the exhaust is after the sensors... some have stated they disconnected the battery terminal while doing the install, this forces the system to "reassess" all fuel/etc values upon startup.. which means the engine kinda takes notice of the new parts and adjusts the fuel/etc... i never did this and never had any problems.. you can do either way.

-Riley
 
  #9  
Old 04-01-2013 | 06:22 AM
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Originally Posted by kouzman
I have the AWE cross over pipes on my 4S pdk and had it on my C2 6sp...

In both cases I notice a vibration when idle which is the cross over pipes 100%. I say 100% because when I removed them from my old car and put the stock secondary muffler back on, the vibration stopped...

I think it is the way the two middle supports attach to the engine...

Personally I feel it but I don't mind. I prefer the extra soundtrack that the system provides
Thanks for confirming, I just wanted to ensure it was aftermarket exhaust related and not anything else

Originally Posted by Chris_FL
Make sure you didn't tighten the bolts like crazy, back them off and retighten w/ less force.... I did this on my 09 PDK and the vibration lessened quite a bit.
Will do, thank you sir!!

Originally Posted by SBPORSCHE
Try and clean your mass air flow (maf) sensor. My last car 997.2 ran had a rough idle that caused vibrations. After cleaning the maf and reinstalling, the vibration and rough idle went away. The engine purred like a kitten.
I will try this as well, as it can never hurt, even if it's the exhaust causing the vibrations.

Originally Posted by Hdultrac
911stud, I copied instruction below from a previous post. Note the cautionary note between steps 14 & 15. As mentioned by Chris FL, over tightening of the bolts sometimes results in a vibration issue. Others obviously have experienced this same problem. Hope this helps.
Congrats and best of luck with your new toy.

Exhaust installation instructions: 997.2
(this guide was to install new sidecans as well as fabspeed center bypass X pipe, other systems should be same)


if you have jack stands i would raise both rears on stands... wheels can remain ON.


WAIT TILL CAR IS COLD, EXHAUST BITS GET HOT!

first steps are to loosen all hardware:

1: loosen and remove the 3 bolts that connect the CATS to the OEM center muffler (i believe 12mm or 14mm) (top one is difficult, but their is a bracket on that bolt that holds on the side cans)

2: loosen the 2 bolts on each of the 2 "clamps" that connect the center muffler to the side cans (these dont come off, just loosen until you can slide the "clamps"either onto the center muffler or onto the side can piping) (same 12 or 14mm)

3: loosen and remove the 2 bolts per side that hold the side cans onto the car (they are right by wheel well same size as rest (sorry i cant remember if 12 or 14mm)

4: remove the metal bar that connects the rear bumper to the car, one side is a ALLEN bolt the other end is a 10mm bolt

5: loosen bolt on exhaust tip, and pull exhaust tip off car (both sides)

NOW YOU WILL HAVE ALL EXHAUST STILL ON CAR BUT ALL NUTS REMOVED SO EVERYTHING IS JUST HANGING FREELY AND NOT CONNECTED

6: remove the side cans first (slide off the side bracket, and then weight will be on the other bracket by the cats)... it will then slide down when released of the bolts and u can angle it inward if needed to have it slide down... with the side bar removed as you did on step 4 it should slide out.. maybe pull slightly to have it fall out)

7: repeat on opposite side

8: remove bracket on oem and install on cans i sent you

9: remove the center muffler, two braces go around the muffler and are held on by allen bolt, remove bolt completely.. slide braces to the side and muffler pulls off. (do not reuse these braces on aftermarket center)

10: take the clamps that held the oem center muffler to the oem side cans, place these on the aftermarket center pipe on the correct sides..

11: install aftermarket center pipe, the cats slightly "sag" when you remove the oem center pipe so you might have to use a pipe or something to pull/push the cats slightly to line up the holes... i have "widened" the holes in the aftermarket center pipe to make this work easier, you can do the same if needed. ***note, please reuse the oem "washer" that goes between cat exit and center pipe (its triangle flat piece of metal)

12: put inner most bottom nuts on (at cat) to hold on temporarily, loosely just so center doesnt fall off on your head)

13: put on new side cans, sometimes tough to slip up into hole but its not bad... just angle em in a lil and slide up.. put can on bracket by the wheel well... then that holds it why you get the bracket that slips on the bolts by the cat...

14: put nuts on the side bracket, put nuts on the CAT bolts, slide clamps from center pipe over halfway between side cans and center pipe..

EVERYTHING WILL NOW BE IN PLACE BUT NOT TIGHTENED.

all exhaust nuts get tightened to ONLY 15 ft/lbs (this is pretty much just past hand tight, a little play is required on all exhaust bolts as if you tighten them too much it will cause a vibration in the car at idle, if you notice a vibration at idle, check these nuts...

15: replace the tips, these might take a little work as they need to be "spread" out slightly to slip back over the pipes... i kinda tapped them with a small hammer and spread the clamps a little so they would slip over the pipes on the car.. tighten this bolt (i always did it very snug as to not lose the tips off the car whilst driving)

16: lower car off jack stands, start car and have fun... no codes will be thrown because all the exhaust is after the sensors... some have stated they disconnected the battery terminal while doing the install, this forces the system to "reassess" all fuel/etc values upon startup.. which means the engine kinda takes notice of the new parts and adjusts the fuel/etc... i never did this and never had any problems.. you can do either way.

-Riley
Thank you sir! Man I love this forum and the crowd already! Time to go back and give some reputation points to everyone!!

Thanks again everyone, I am counting down to Wednesday/Thursday which is the estimated delivery date by the transportation company! I can barely sleep at night lol
 
  #10  
Old 04-01-2013 | 08:30 AM
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Oh one more question, and please excuse my ignorance but I have yet to see exactly the parts in reference; when you say "loosen up and retighten the exhaust nuts/bolts", exactly which ones are you referring to? The ones from the center cross pipes to the side mufflers? The ones connecting to the cats, all of them? The more specific the better, as I just started learning about this car and I'm unable to visualize what we are discussing since I have yet to see them

Thanks!
 
  #11  
Old 04-11-2013 | 04:07 PM
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As it turns out, I thought the car was equipped with the AWE sport exhaust AND cross over pipes. After getting under the car and inspecting the canisters closely, the lateral mufflers are still OEM, only the center muffler was replaced with the cross over pipes. I never thought in a million years that replacing the center silencer would create such an amazing and drastic change in sound.

By the way, the vibrations I described on my original post have mellowed down on their own - the car still vibrates a little at idle, but I'm not sure to what extent it's normal, and if they even do it with a 100% OEM exhaust. Makes me wonder if the fact that the car was being used as a weekend driver and barely driven may have caused some of the sensors to get out of wack, and they have finally started to balance out now that the car is being daily driven. I have yet to loosen up the exhaust components and retorque them as suggested. Maybe that will give it the final touch?

This leads me to another question: how does having an OEM exhaust with cross over pipes compare to the Sport Exhaust option that Porsche offers? I always liked the look of Porsche's sport exhaust (indented inner tips) but I'm wondering if investing into the whole system is worth it or if I'm better off with cross over pipes and OEM exhaust.

Thanks!
 
  #12  
Old 04-11-2013 | 07:43 PM
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I have both - PSE with SharkWerks by-pass, and the car sounds excellent. I thought that I should change both mufflers but after only doing the by-pass, I personally don't think it's worth $3,0000 + or necessary. PSE with by- pass is my choice.
 
  #13  
Old 04-11-2013 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by MIkeGTS
I have both - PSE with SharkWerks by-pass, and the car sounds excellent. I thought that I should change both mufflers but after only doing the by-pass, I personally don't think it's worth $3,0000 + or necessary. PSE with by- pass is my choice.
Well I was wondering more along the lines of PSE (no bypass) vs. non-sport Carrera S OEM exhaust w/ bypass.
 
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