[Simuse]

This thread was started due to my needing a new exhaust, getting a quote for $4,000 for a new OEM exhaust from Germany, and because I couldn't seem to find anyplace just a run down of available exhaust systems and what people might have to say about them...



Summary:



Positive:



RSBarn - http://www.rsbarn.com

BB - http://www.bbexhaust.com



Not Much Info:



Scart - http://www.scart-exhausts.com

Cargraphic - http://www.cargraphic.com

Porscheshop - http://www.porscheshop.co.uk

Essential Styling - http://www.essentialstyling.com/968_products.htm



General Notes:



RSBarn system also works in conjunction with other offered after market modifications and enhancements (chip, air box, etc).



Cargraphic system may result in some power loss?



Overall feedback is either the RSBarn or B&B systems are a significant improvement from the stock exhaust.



Make sure to vote in the exhaust poll under Modifications!



----------------------------------------------------





Thanks!



Chris

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[Dave]

I selected the RS Barn system and am quite happy with it. We ditched the CAT at the same time (which likely makes my system a bit louder). I really like the way it makes noise on throttle, but doesn't seem to drone on the highway.



That's my 2 cents.

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[flash]

i do not recommend ditching the cat - this could cause the O2 sensor to go into open loop - a good indicator of this would be black soot on your tailpipe tip



it also reduces the backpressure too much, causing a torque loss, which would more than offset any minimal hp gains up top in a street car - i've actually had to increase the size of the cat due to this very problem

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[Duckman]

I have a 3" exhaust from the cat back (that's why they call it that) to a MagnaFlow muffler. I did eliminate the resonator box. It's loud but I love it and it cost me about $750.

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[TheMirror]

2nd on the RSBarn. Fits great, sounds great, drops 30+ lbs. and no drone. It is louder than stock though, and not by a little, but makes the car sound "proper" in my opinion.



Cheers,

-Mirror

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[rustech]

[quote name='flash' post='36549' date='Jun 6 2007, 06:07 PM']i do not recommend ditching the cat - this could cause the O2 sensor to go into open loop - a good indicator of this would be black soot on your tailpipe tip



it also reduces the backpressure too much, causing a torque loss, which would more than offset any minimal hp gains up top in a street car - i've actually had to increase the size of the cat due to this very problem[/quote]



No, the O2 sensor won't go into an "open loop" with the Cat removed...the O2 sensor sits upstream of the Cat and couldn't care less what the Cat is doing.



I also don't recommend removing the Cat entirely...you should love this planet <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Maintaining the backpressure also means maintaining the torque.

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[badberry68]

Four thousand dollars @$#@%$?? Has to be the most common throw away item on our cars. Too bad shipping would be expensive, I'm sure there must be a bunch of stock systems laying around.

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[bob blackwell]

Yeah, there isa complete stock system on this forum for sale right now. Look at the bottem of the list of topics. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[flash]

eric - yes, it can go into open loop, even though it is upstream - if it does not stay hot enough, it goes into open loop - that is exactly the problem i was having when i had too small of a cat in there (besides the torque loss from the lack of back pressure) - the danged thing wouldn't stay hot

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[Simuse]

So exactly how much louder is the RSBarn system?



I generally like more of a purr than a roar...



Also how about the B&B system that it looks like some folks have also put on - good? Louder too?



So...right now:



RSBarn: 2

OEM: @$#@%$

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[flash]

wow - i can't believe how many times this question comes up - there are a ton of discussions about it here - as search will turn up a lot of info



ok - the rs barn is quieter, smoother and lower in note than the b&b (which is a bit higher note with a touch of rasp to it) - think along the lines of 302 mustang versus small ferrari (personally, i like the mustang sound better, but there are those who like the ferrari more) - the rs barn is not much louder than stock, and does not really show much change until you step on it - the b&b is evident immediately



they mount differently, and personal tastes play in here as well



those who have had and now removed the b&b and swapped out to the rs barn have seen performace improvement, particularly down low



hope that helps

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[94SilverCab]

+1 for RS Barn...I have a resonator and only slightly (but nicely) louder than stock. Weight reduction and reliable tested backpressure so no loss in Torque or HP (and we all hate losing torque and HP)...



BY the Way...for $4K I think you could do the whole RS Barn Header, exhaust, chip, etc...



Jay

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[rustech]

[quote name='flash' post='36565' date='Jun 7 2007, 06:02 AM']eric - yes, it can go into open loop, even though it is upstream - if it does not stay hot enough, it goes into open loop - that is exactly the problem i was having when i had too small of a cat in there (besides the torque loss from the lack of back pressure) - the danged thing wouldn't stay hot[/quote]



Bob, no it can't go into open loop do to lack of exhaust heat either.

Introduced by Bosch in 1982, this sensor adds a heater element to the original design so that the sensor achieves operating temperature in 30-60 seconds, instead of being heated by exhaust gases. It has a separate electric circuit for the heater, so look for 3 or 4 wire connectors to distinguish this unit. The heater reduces cold start emissions, as well as prevents the sensor from cooling off at idle.

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[968rz]

[quote name='rustech' post='36720' date='Jun 9 2007, 10:00 PM']Bob, no it can't go into open loop do to lack of exhaust heat either. Something must be wrong with your car.[/quote]

I haven't looked at it yet (no need so far) but if our O2 sensor is 3 wire, then it has its own heater built in to get it working faster at start up so this would not be an issue.

To comment on the rattle; when the system is cold hit the cat/muffler with a rubber hammer and see what rattles where, maybe it's just a heat shield thats lost a spot weld?

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[flash]

yes - it's 3 wire



i do know that the hi flow cats were causing the car to run rich - the bigger the cat, the better the mixture got, the higher flow and smaller the cat, the richer it got



i also know that as soon as we could get everything hot enough, it cleaned up enough

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[968rz]

Interesting, I wonder if a different sensor from another application might work better with the config?

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[Simuse]

My one PM did the rubber hammer tap which led to him pointing to baffles in the cat being the culprit. Like I said before though, I have gotten different opinions on this - and sadly though I am very good at some things I am no mechanic so I become a bit "baffled" myself.



On systems it looks like I have found these in the different threads - still not wanting to duplicate but am wanting to see everything in one place...



RSBarn - Best Recommendations, http://www.rsbarn.com

BB - Good system, http://www.bbexhaust.com

Scart - ?, http://www.scart-exhausts.com

Cargraphic - Power loss? - http://www.cargraphic.com

Porscheshop - ?, http://www.porscheshop.co.uk

OEM - You would know for yourself.



In general it seems like people think you can't go wrong with either the RSBarn or BB as both enhance the "exhaust" experience. Lean toward RSBarn due to overall sports car sound quality, power increase, and compatability with other modifications that create a "suite of enhancements" (proper chip, air box, etc).



I left off some comments from older threads as it appeared that some things had been worked out - such as RSBarn sound quality and soot issues (Run-Rite treatment helped solve the problem) a couple of years ago. Yes?



Thanks for the help everyone!



Chris

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[94SilverCab]

Must also add that the B & B has a history of Cracking Pipes...



And...RS Barn develops parts exclusively for our 968 (gotta support Performance Engineers dedicated to our cars or they will disappear).



Regards,



Jay

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[Harvey]

My B&B was so beautifully made that it would pass for a work of art...and it works absolutely wonderful as the sweetest sounding muffler I could ever hope for. Still looks new after. 1.5 years and, performance aside, the sound makes for a sophisticated sports car. The stock 968 stock muffler simply didn't do it for me. With stock exhaust, i don't find the 968 to be an interesting drive.



If you can find a better aftermarket custom muffler system, at any price, I would strongly encourage you to buy it. Sound may vary from make to make, and performance may vary a bit, but your car will absolutely sound better. I think the muffler total bypass route makes for a 968 that's not really street friendly (Note: although the rear muffler bypass works great on the 928...it's not really a power booster but the sound is wonderful).



But don't base your decision on an in-your-face endorsement of any single braggart with an obvious bias. Check around. B&B or RSBarn, either sound is way better than stock. Performance? Get the wrong pipe size or flow characteristic and your performance actually can be worse than stock.



Harvey

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[Mark]

Welcome back Harvey.

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