Testimonials

Posted by ABCararra :

Just thought I would let you know about a mod I have just had done.
I have fitted a GT Muffler from Carnewal. Basically it is a reworked
original Porsche catback section. I had similar RSR mufflers fitted to my 993
and they sounded bloody good, these though sound even better.
Louder than Porsche sports exhaust but with a lovely deep tone, no boominess
at speed. There is now a lovely burble on the over run or when down shifting
quickly.
I had tried a Tubi system but this beats it hands down, none of that high pitched Italian noise, just proper Porsche sound as it should have been from the start. My gut feel is that the car car seems to pick up a little quicker too.
I have no dyno figures expect the driving seat dyno!!
I have recorded a before and after clip which I will post as soon a possible.

I found Gert at Carnewal really helpful and I received the muffler in really quick time. Once I had he new mufflers fitted I just sent the old ones back to him. That is the cheapest way to get a great sounding exhaust.

Posted by Chris B. :

Being a bit stupid I didn't read this thread first - but just got my car back after having the GT conversion done on my 987 2.7. It sounds great.

I decided to send my exhaust over to Gert at Carnewal (who couldn't be more helpful). Cost roughly £70 for next day UPS to him, he takes 24 hours to do the conversion and the cost of return shipping is included in his cost (this is next day also). So for £370 and 4 days my exhaust is back on the car. Unfortunately the bolts had to be cut off my exhaust to remove the back section from the car because they were so corroded - but another hours labour and some new bolts and gaskets isnt too bad.

Had the work done by JMH Automotive in Holmes Chapel (who are also fab) - and a 4 year service and brake fluid change while they were waiting for the exhaust to come back - so time well spent.

Now sounds nice and mean at tick over with a fab howl past 3500. No droning and doesn't sound like a max power corsa - so all good. Oh and I kept the original tail pipe so it looks nice and standard as well.

Posted by Lurker :

I got back from my trip to Belgium last night so I thought I'd report on here for anyone thinking of taking the plunge with the Carnewal GT muffler.

I was expecting to just turn up at Gert's place, have the part fitted, stay at his guest house and then leave in the morning and drive to Bruges. What I actually had was a very nice weekend away from beginning to the end.

Gert and his wife are lovely people and Gert has been lucky enough to combine his passion for Porsche with a successful business. In his workshop he has a mint condition ultra-low mileage black 993 4S which I couldn't stop staring at. What a beautiful car.

In the evening Gert dropped us off at a local restaurant and the owner had translated the menus into English especially for us. The food & wine was fantastic. Gert also picked us up later - nice touches, and not what you expect when you take your car in to have some work done! Afterwards he invited us for a leffe beer or 3, and 8 hours sleep and half a liver later in the morning we were on our way to Knokke then Bruges.

Now on to the exhaust.... I am still getting used to it, and as Bruges is not actually that far from London I've not actually had a huge amount of time driving with it, but my first few days with it are only positive.

You don't get droning at 75/80MPH on the motorway when cruising - it's not THAT loud an exhaust. I also can't imagine failing too many noise level tests, but admittedly the jury is out on that as I'm not familiar with levels at tracks etc. I'm sure berty987 will be along with his SPL meter soon. The main noise on the motorway from the Boxster is tyre noise for me (new tyres fitted recently as well), and this is still the case with this exhaust. Gert knows his stuff, and the exhaust tweak wasn't the first he'd tried - he's experimented a lot to get it right. He knows that a Porsche owner is generally someone who doesn't want a droney boy-racer drainpipe on the back of their car....

The exhaust obviously allows it to be more free-flowing. Gert explained that the ECU on my car should adjust over time. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but I suppose it's possible that the MPG could rise a tiny bit now? Then again, maybe not as the sound is going to be more addictive!

The first thing you notice is that the tone is a bit deeper, more gruff. Other than that, it just gives you more of the distinctive sound of the boxer 6 engine that was there anyway - good! When driving slowly and accelerating smoothly, you don't hear much more at all. That's the way I personally like it. It now takes a little less throttle to introduce the sound we know and love. It's moved from pinot noir to a more full bodied cabernet.

If you're the sort of person who would drive around with the window slightly open to hear more exhaust noise (as I do!), then I think this will satisfy you. I didn't feel like a boy-racer with it installed, it simply sounds more as you'd expect a Porsche to sound. I've yet to check how the exhaust sounds externally other than on tick-over, though I did hear Gert driving it around the nearby roads and from a distance it sounded more "race car" than before.

If anyone wants to hear how it sounds, feel free to PM me. I'm in East London.

Posted by ChrisP. :

It’s been a few weeks now and I have to say that it is still a pleasure to hear that deep rumbling every time I get into the car. It’s just right – not too much to draw too much attention but also controlled so that it doesn’t compromise the ride. I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone that is thinking of changing exhaust.

Posted by berty :

Finally got to hear one of these Carnewal exhausts at the weekend and do a back to back comparison with the PSE I have on my car. Both cars tested were 2005 model year 987S models (3.2), so its the best comparison you can get. Bear in mind also that I have the overide mod , so the PSE was tested without the 20-40 mph cut out found on other PSE systems , and remained open or "loud" throughout the test. Both cars were driven is succession by each driver over the same 10 mile route.

Initial start up :

The Carnewal exhaust gives a nice sharp crackle at start up , and then settles down to a deep burble
The PSE exhaust doesn't seem to allow the crackles and pops to exit the tailpipe but seems just a little deeper in note at tickover.
With the PSE valves closed , the exhaust is quieter than the standard silencers but there is still a nice deep quiet but reserved tone
The standard exhaust sounds more turbine like than sporty.

Revving :
The Carnewal is sharp and crisp , when revved the exhaust allows all the crackles and pops to be heard but the exhaust never sounds harsh even at high revs.
The PSE damps the pops and crackles of the ovverun more than the carnewal , but they can still be heard. At higher revs the exhaust is a harder sound, more race car like.
With the PSE valves closed the engine sound seems louder than the exhuast , the exhuast allows very little noise to exit the car.
The standard exhaust has a tuned note , louder than the PSE with closed valves.

Driving :
Under load conditions (climbing a hill in 3rd) between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm the carnewal gives a nice deep note, not overbearing inside the cabin , certainly not boomy like a Remus. The engine sounds a bigger capacity than a 3.2 , much closer to a 3.4 or 3.6 996. Definitely a true "P-car" sound.
The deepness of the exhuast note seems to be apparent over a wide reve range from 2,000 to 3,500 rpm.

The PSE gives a slightly more resonant note , again not boomy , but doesn't seem to keep the deepness of the tone as the revs move from the sweet spot at 3000 rpm . On a motorway I prefer to switch off the PSE as 70 mph is the resonant point.

The PSE in inactive mode allows the engine note to be heard but is much more subdued. The standard exhaust allows the driver to hear the engine but only when at the sweet spot , at other times there is a tuned exhaust note but never deep.

Through the gears :
The carnewal scores points here, the exhaust is so well made and fettled that you could be mistaken for a 3.4 or 3.6 996 from the sound. The exhaust gives a clear sharp note through the rev range and a nice crackle on the overun. At higher rpms the engine and exhaust give a cohesive symphony though equally matched. The exhaust is louder when the engine is being worked , but returns to a quiet and less noticeable humm when being driven more sedately.

The PSE is a real Jeckyl and Hyde item. It gives a nice deep note but does seem to be less characteristic of a Porsche flat six sound initially. Certainly better than the standard exhaust. At higher rpms the exhaust allows vitrually all the engine sound to be heard, it sounds more like a race or rally car and allows the full frenzy of the engine to be heard. Drive at high rpm's in a PSE equipped car and everyone will hear you coming.
With the PSE switched off the engine note only really becomes apparent at high rpms , you need to work the engine hard to get any real effect from the exhaust.
The standard exhaust gives better feedback to the driver than the PSE when switched off, the exhaust works in harmony with the engine note but never really stirs the soul.

Overall Conclusion:
For the money we both agreed that the carnewal gives excellent results.
The sound is definitely more "porsche flat six" than the PSE or the other aftermarket systems I've heard.
It's possibly not as "race car" sounding at higher revs as the PSE and obviously isn't switchable but it certainly gives a good overall improvement. Both systems can be lived with on an everyday basis and are never boomy or tiresome at motorway speeds (with PSE deactive). Most people that buy the PSE leave it switched on, the fact it's quieter than the standard exhaust when deactive is probably the main reason why. The Carnewal seems to give a much more consistent sound improvment throughout the rev range than the PSE , which gives maximum effect at tickover and high rpms. Unless you can be bothered with the hassle of finding and fitting a full PSE, the Carnewal is by far the best improvment on standard I've heard to date. Not as extreme as other exhausts , but a lot cheaper, still giving good improvements , and accepatable for everyday use.

Many thanks to Robert for taking the time to bring his car over for the comparison.

Posted by CJFP on pcgb :

Just to let you all know that a few weekends ago I spent a great couple of days in Belgium with Gert of Carnewal - stayed in his lovely guest house, ate wonderful food and drank some nice beer. Oh, and I also had his GT Exhaust fitted to my Cayman, along with the Sport Exhaust Tip (had no intention of getting this extra bit, but it looked so good when it was in my hands!). The exhaust is great and I have saved so much money. The sound is a perfect rumble both at idle and when accelerating, and there is no deafening boom in the cockpit - I couldn't be happier. If anyone is thinking of getting this done then I would recommend this without hesitation - www.carnewal.com. If anyone wants any further info then please do not hesitate to contact me - alternatively, email Gert @ Carnewal and he will (usually) reply within a couple of hours.

Reported by M.J. July 2010

Hi Gert,
Had the exhaust fitted this morning & been for a spin & all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!
It sounds FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!
The videos don't do it justice, it sounds even better in the flesh!!!!!
This is how all Porsches should sound from the factory, it's transformed the car.
To say I'm pleased is an understatement!!!

I can't thank you enough Gert as the service, prompt replies to e-mails, quick delivery & the quality of the exhaust has all been first class!

I'll do my best to recommend you to everyone I know & I'll write you a testomonial when I get a minute, I'll probably stick a video up on YouTube once we get some more nice weather (back to cold & wet here at the moment!)

Reported by S.F. Aug 2010

I have now covered about 300 miles since fitting and can honestly say the
GT Muffler has far exceeded my expectations - it's the best £400 I have ever spent.
My Boxster now sounds like a "proper" Porsche!!
I have compared it against a friend's PSE and the Carnewal mufflers are definately more cultured. The throttle response is also more instant.

The only downside to all this is the extra petrol I use to hear that fantastic burble!!