Description
DEVELOPMENT: We wanted to design a valved exhaust that would offer the ability to go from “Cruising Sunday to Track Day” at the press of a button with the default setting to be valves closed for a more refined startup experience. Following the extreme effectiveness of the mufflers used in our 987 / 981 exhausts to combat drone, we’ve applied the same design principles to a bespoke muffler for the 997 Carrera.
SOUND: The design of our exhaust channels exhaust gases through our bespoke mufflers for a sophisticated and sporty sound that is unmistakably Porsche with valves closed, and this is the default operation setting. With valves open, you’re getting a CUP–inspired straight pipe sound. With valves closed during cruising, there is no drone — even with aftermarket catalytic converters! Due to the aggressive, free–flowing nature of the valves–open mode, the volume is loud when paired with aftermarket catalytic converters or catless replacement pipes.
CONSTRUCTION: Each system is made in-house by our fabrication team from mandrel bent .060″ wall T304L stainless steel tubing, bespoke SOUL mufflers, and laser cut brackets – with well over 15 man hours invested in each set to make sure they are perfect.
BOLT ON AND GO: Each exhaust is built and tested in a thick gauge aluminum fixture (which prevents warping) to ensure perfect fitment. Every set is rigorously quality-checked prior to shipping and then foam packed to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.
LIFETIME WARRANTY: Enjoy your SOUL exhaust components for your Porsche with confidence on both the street and track as they are covered by our Lifetime Warranty! Our team will quickly work with you to answer any questions or resolve any issues that you may have.
Bob W –
After waiting several weeks, I received the go ahead from SOUL PERFORMANCE that their first production valved exhaust was ready to be installed. I dropped the car off late last week and it was finished on Monday. It has been hectic week and I am just beginning to really drive the car to experience this new “sound system” and it’s nuances. I intend to open a new thread soon to share sound clips inside and out during startups, idle and performance runs, but that will have to wait as the P car will be buttoned up during our summer vacation.
After 3 days of moderate driving, I will say that I AM BLOWN AWAY! In fairness, I tend to get excitable about every modification I do to my 997.1, but this exhaust is insane! First, starting up cold always defaults to the valves-closed position. The initial sound perhaps slightly louder than my stock mufflers, but very close in decibel level. I was really concerned about this quieter setting, but the SOUL mufflers are working well. Sound inside the car during spirited acceleration, especially past 3800 RPM is essentially the same. Note that I do have 200 cel X-pipes, a GT3 throttle body & plenum, as well as an air intake installed, which substantially increase the engine report in the power band above 38k. Back to the SOUL valved exhaust, at idle, the sound quality seems to have a bump in the low frequencies, just a bit more low rumble, which I really like. Absolutely no drone that I have detected.
The valved system can be actuated with the two supplied remote key fobs, but even better, the HomeLink garage button above the windshield was activated as the main controller. Pressing the left side button for a second, sets the valves open and the sound changes definitively. The pitch and rumble deepen and it is definitely louder, but not bothersome to my ear.
Step on the accelerator and the beast awakens. Wow! Race car sound levels. It’s really impressive. On the highway, the valved-open sound response is powerful and commanding. Passing thru gears is joyful and the downshift blips are wonderful. Approaching my neighborhood, I just return the valves to closed and nobody is wiser. Love this!
I chose to swap the stock tips for the SOUL PERFORMANCE, custom black carbon fiber tips, which (I think) are beautiful. I am really liking black exterior accessories to harmonize with the Meteor Gray color.
Last note: the guys at SOUL have been a pleasure to deal with. I have been working out the details with them for a couple of months and have visited their facility outside of Philadelphia, several times. They patiently answered all my questions leading up to the installation and managed a number of my crazy concerns. Overall, my expectations were greatly exceeded and I am a very happy customer.
Tim –
I bought 2005 997.1 with less than 30,000 miles a few months ago, after my C6 Corvette was rear ended, and totaled. I loved that car, but I think I love this one more…I just installed the Soul valved exhaust last week. It replaced the stock PES that rattled like crazy every time I came to a stop.
I had the exhaust and tips shipped by Soul, and everything was meticulously surrounded by foam packing when it arrived. I opted to install them myself, and the instructions were straight forward. I removed the bumper for easier access…not sure that had to be done, but it made it easy to get to everything. Everything fit perfectly without pursuation, and the new carbon fiber exhaust tips looked great as well. I am very pleased with the sound and the option for running with and without the exhaust engaged. With the valves opened, it sounds amazing through the gears…downshift rev matching has a great punctuation as well. With the valves closed, and exhaust routed through the muffler it is way tamer. The sound is consistent with the Soul website video clips, only so much better in person.
Dk27 (Rennlist) –
Thought I would add my experience with the Soul Performance Valved exhaust on my ’08 C4. I bought my car back in April and it just didn’t have the exhaust note I was looking for. I wanted something a bit more aggressive but also knew my wife would never ride in my car if it was too loud. I started exploring options on a valved exhaust and after listening to countless youtube vids and reading the forums I decided to go with the Soul valved exhaust and I am very happy I did.
Soul shipped the exhaust very quickly and everything was packaged nicely with not even a scratch when it arrived. I installed the exhaust with my brother and we found the included instructions very clear wand helpful. Overall the install took us about 5 hours taking our time. The hardest part was getting the old mufflers off the hangers as we needed to head to the store to get more extensions and universal joints. Once the new mufflers were bolted up, the electrical part required two wires to be installed for keyed power and ground. The last step was to tap the vacuum line and run that to the valves.
Firing up the car for the first time, the exhaust with the valves closed is nice and tame very similar to stock, perhaps with a bit more volume. Opening the valves for the first time put a huge smile on my face with a nice
burble. On the highway there was no drone with the valves open. The carbon fiber exhaust tips are a nice touch that really finishes off the package. Opening the valves each time I take the car out always makes me happy.