Exhaust sound after 5000 miles

10945 Views 35 Replies 23 Participants Last post by JazzCatGab, Mar 23, 2020

photonscience

Discussion Starter · Dec 10, 2017

Every Porsche I've owned (now, around 20) has had a noticeable run-in period for an improved exhaust sound and I think my 718BS with PSE is no exception.

I think the engine/exhaust sound has changed for the positive. Deeper sound below 3500 RPM and more urgent mechanical sound at higher revs.

Anyone else notice this?

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

Choppen

· #2 · Dec 10, 2017

Yes photon, my 718 (no pse) sounds different at 4400 miles than it did new. There are spectrum analyzer apps in the app store that could be used to quantify changes in sound from week to week. I haven’t tried that (yet), so cannot recommend one over another.

ZuffenHouseRules

· #3 · Dec 10, 2017 (Edited)

Just coming up on 3k miles with my S (minus PSE). Short of tracking, this car has been 'given its head' with repeated pulls to redline just about every time out (local freeway on-ramps of the long, uphill variety make that possible). Here are my 3 main observations:

1. Clutch operation has gotten smoother and more progressive, now matching my long-term 987 for ease-of-use and feel at the feathering point.
2. Power feels enhanced with engine 'opening-up' -- esp. once allowed to rev freely to redline (of course possible this is partly just the result of feeling more of the peak power band at high revs, post-break-in).
3. Engine/exhaust sound more pleasing (perhaps as result of opening-up per above; in any event I find myself using Sport mode at most every opportunity now whereas initially Normal was the default).

On that last point: I think part of the psycho-acoustic effect dictates that over time, the more this powerplant impresses with its sheer over-sized competence at all points of the tachometer, the more its characteristic sound (whether changed or not) is apt to be found pleasing....

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Reactions: 2

GregW

· #4 · Dec 10, 2017

photonscience said:
Every Porsche I've owned (now, around 20) has had a noticeable run-in period for an improved exhaust sound and I think my 718BS with PSE is no exception.

I think the engine/exhaust sound has changed for the positive. Deeper sound below 3500 RPM and more urgent mechanical sound at higher revs.

Anyone else notice this?

718 Boxster here, now at 6500 Km. I'm sure I'm noticing the exhaust sound more--I thought it was just me noticing or more top down driving.

However, I certainly found the exhaust sound on my motorcycle to improve as it ran in, so I'm happy to think there really is an improvement.

Anyway, it's great.

TEST DRyVer

· #5 · Dec 11, 2017

Are you guys blowing smoke up my keester, or is this a real thing? ?

Gallatin

· #6 · Dec 11, 2017

TEST DRyVer said:
Are you guys blowing smoke up my keester, or is this a real thing? ?

No keester smoking here.

I also have about 5000 miles on my Boxster base with no PSE and my exhaust definitely sounds better now. I would have to agree with the OP on the sound--deeper at lower revs and aggressive when really letting it out.

Cinnamon

· #7 · Dec 11, 2017

My CS was new in August, now with 6800 miles, standard exhaust. I think there's been a change in the sound, though it's been gradual, difficult to characterize. Louder, lower pitched, more "open" sounding. I rarely use Sports Mode. Always has been rougher and louder than the inline-6 of my former BMW M3. I know some will disagree but I wouldn't mind if the Cayman S were a bit quieter! But after all, and unlike the M3, it's a sports car. Certainly sounds business-like though.

Doug

nineball

· #8 · Dec 12, 2017

all exhaust systems get a little "deeper" once the carbon builds up inside. it happened to every car and bike i have ever owned from new, or replaced the exhaust on. even my 83 targa needed some time when i switched to SSIs and an M&K muffler.

GregW

· #9 · Dec 12, 2017

nineball said:
all exhaust systems get a little "deeper" once the carbon builds up inside. it happened to every car and bike i have ever owned from new, or replaced the exhaust on. even my 83 targa needed some time when i switched to SSIs and an M&K muffler.

That was my speculation about the reduction in the "hollow" sounds. I also think that the carbon probably smooths out any joints or wrinkles in the bends.

Porsche2018

· #10 · Dec 17, 2017

GregW said:
That was my speculation about the reduction in the "hollow" sounds. I also think that the carbon probably smooths out any joints or wrinkles in the bends.

Sounds like some fanciful speculation, though, I can state unequivocally and emphatically that cars drive better after they are washed and waxed.

Reactions: 3

Gallatin

· #11 · Dec 17, 2017

Porsche2018 said:
Sounds like some fanciful speculation, though, I can state unequivocally and emphatically that cars drive better after they are washed and waxed.

Oh,so that's why my Boxster sounds so much better now!!!

TEST DRyVer

· #12 · Dec 17, 2017

Gallatin said:
No keester smoking here. I also have about 5000 miles on my Boxster base with no PSE and my exhaust definitely sounds better now. I would have to agree with the OP on the sound--deeper at lower revs and aggressive when really letting it out.

Well I'll be a donkeys uncle! ? Maybe I don't know this because I haven't bought a new car in years... Last brand new car I remember buying was a 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4. I totalled that car in the first 6 weeks of ownership. Since then, I've bought nothing but pre-owned performance cars. That would be a good reason why so many of you know this as fact, and I have no clue what you're all talking about. With some luck, maybe I'll have a chance to experience what you all seem to know so well...

GregW

· #13 · Dec 18, 2017

Porsche2018 said:
Sounds like some fanciful speculation, though, I can state unequivocally and emphatically that cars drive better after they are washed and waxed.

I do agree about washed--but waxed, never. I had it coated.

About the exhaust:
At the Porsche Special Event the other day (see separate thread) I was talking to the service manager and he confirmed that the sound does change for the better. It's a result of a fairly decent carbon layer forming that: damps the 'metallic' sound of the raw steel, reduces the diameter of the pipes, and smooths flow.

Porsche2018

· #14 · Dec 18, 2017 (Edited)

GregW said:
I do agree about washed--but waxed, never. I had it coated.

About the exhaust:
At the Porsche Special Event the other day (see separate thread) I was talking to the service manager and he confirmed that the sound does change for the better. It's a result of a fairly decent carbon layer forming that: damps the 'metallic' sound of the raw steel, reduces the diameter of the pipes, and smooths flow.

Well.....I think the 718 with Sport Exhaust sounds fantastic as is, and, if like fine wine the sound improves with age then all the better! I have over 4500 miles and haven't noticed a change but that maybe because I always have the volume on the music a tad high......

Reactions: 1

gowthamn

· #15 · Feb 6, 2018

I test drove the 2018 S model, and I think it sounds much better than what I hear in the videos. Did Porsche tune the sound?

agent 86

· #16 · Feb 6, 2018

gowthamn said:
I test drove the 2018 S model, and I think it sounds much better than what I hear in the videos. Did Porsche tune the sound?

If more sound detractors would take a test drive they might come to the same conclusion.

FiscNad

· #17 · Feb 7, 2018

I know I'm not the OP but have a related question... if its ok to ask...

I ordered a CGTS. Some speculations say that the sound of the PSE is different than the S with SPE. Anyone had the opportunity to compare both?

Sails Call

· #18 · Feb 8, 2018

My old Stingray's chambered exhaust mellowed out after several hundred miles. It sounded good when the exhaust was new, but after breaking in, it definitely sounded better.

panda

· #19 · Mar 17, 2018

I haven't hit 1K yet, but already the sound has slowly been changing. I think it's easier to notice if you turn off the Sound Aktor.

Porsche2018

· #20 · Mar 17, 2018

I am approaching 6K miles and there is a distinct improvement in the sound with more/louder backfires. In sport mode when you accelerate then take your foot of the gas it sounds pretty cool.

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