Derek R has been bringing his 997.1 Porsche Carrera S Cabrio in for a couple months now, and it’s been quite enjoyable to watch the car evolve from stock to something custom tailored to the driver. Derek’s been working with Sr Mod Expert Alan to really make the most of the Carrera’s potential. We’ve previously fitted it with a few upgrades, like replacing the stock wheels with a set of Nitto INVO Tires, spec’d out at 235/30-20 up front and 305/25-20 at the rear. Of course, when you add a set of wheels, it really only looks its best when you lower the car as well, and so we lowered the 997.1 Carrera Suspension with a set of Eibach Pro-Kit Springs for Porsche Carrera.
With the appearance and handling dialed in, it was time to do something about the sound, which with the stock exhaust system, sounds a bit flat – and no, we don’t mean that in a ‘Porsche Pun’ way. It just sounds unexciting and kinda dull. It’s not exciting like a Porsche should be. That’s why Alan recommended Derek consider an exhaust from AWE Tuning to liven things up. Derek went with the AWE Tuning Exhaust for Porsche 997.1 Carrera S, retaining the stock tips, to give the car the sound it deserved without altering the ‘originality’ of the car.
Offering a significant power gain over stock, this exhaust system delivers a walloping additional +28-39 hp and +28-31 tq to the crank on S models (+12hp / 11tq for non S) as well as a sophisticated and refined exhaust note you’d expect of a Porsche flat six.
This system is a breeze to install, and as we mentioned earlier, this exhaust can reuse the OEM tips, though larger AWE Tips are optional.
Here’s how the exhaust looked mid-install, with our installers massaging the OEM Exhaust tips back into place.
After reinstalling the OEM tips and positioning them, we were ready to take a look at the finished product.
Here’s a look at how the system sits when installed on the driver’s side.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Under the rear bonnet, we’ve also upgraded the 997 Porsche Carrera intake system as well with a Carbon Fiber Intake for Carrera from Fabspeed.
Good for a +19HP and +21TQ gain at the rear wheels, the Fabspeed Carbon Fiber Intake for Porsche Carrera performs as good as it looks – the reason why so much power can be had in the intake and exhaust system of Porsche engines is due to the fact that Porsche has controlled the output of its engines in racing using the intake and exhaust systems for decades, leaving the potential for more untapped and restricted.
Enhancing the intake flow even further, Derek has also modified his rear bonnet, cutting away some of the rear liner to allow the filters a better flow of clean, fresh air, which he reports made the already sharp performance of this intake system even snappier.
Not to mention the carbon fiber and dual conical filters look bloody great and do wonders to dress up the car.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
With everything assembled and the car back on the ground, we got our first look at the end result, and it looks damn clean.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
The Eibach Springs bring down the cabrio just enough to get rid of the excess wheelgap while leaving enough clearance for the crappy roads of Southern California.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
It happened to be raining the day of the installation, making for some gorgeous shots like this one with the neat mirror effect.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Derek’s made a few tweaks to the front end of the car as well, fitting a carbon fiber front splitter to give the Carrera S a more aggressive appearance.
The front splitter really goes a long way in giving the car the ‘performance car’ look it ought to have. See for yourself in the rest of the gratuitous photo gallery below.
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
Ruger Mesh 20×8.5 ET45 / 20×11 ET52 / Nitto INVO Tires 235/30-20 / 305/25-20 on Eibach Springs
That’s it for now, we hope you enjoyed the photos and the video clip.
Have questions about modding or the right fitment for your Porsche? Ask our team of Mod Experts for their advice – Call 714-582-3330 (x8006 for Sr Mod Expert Alan Wei), chat live at ModBargains.com, or just stop by the ModAuto showroom in La Habra, CA during business hours.
Need something installed? Our shop, Mod Auto, offers full service installations – if it’s aftermarket and bolt on, odds are we can install it for you. Call 714-582-3330 (x8006 for Sr Mod Expert Alan Wei) or CLICK HERE to Use Our Online Appointment Scheduling System
Story & Photos Nick Gregson