Just got a picture of my new PPE valved exhaust. I loaned the car to PPE so they could build a jig for their unequal length headers and their exhaust system. The car has been dyno'd stock, with headers (EL and UEL) and stock exhaust, and with headers and the PPE exhaust. I forgot to ask if they did a dyno with the stock headers and the new exhaust only, though. I won't be sharing the dyno numbers - I will leave that up to PPE. I have driven the car with EL headers for a while now and the stock exhaust - it sounds meaner at WOT, but in normal driving you really can't hear a big difference. It does sound great at start up though. I will be picking the car up Thursday with the added exhaust. I'll post more pics and my impressions next week - I'm in the middle of moving this week, so it will likely take me a while to get some seat time. I'll end up getting the sound on video eventually... I'll be happy to let anyone local come by for a listen when I have the time.

As for the pic, the painted mufflers and powder coated tips look great imho, and fit with my black on red theme.

 

Oh Man, that is nice. Can't wait to see some dyno numbers. How loud is it?

 

I can't even make a guess yet. I'll keep you posted after I get her back.

 

What is the sound difference between EL and UEL headers?

 

I'm not the best person to answer this question. However, the way I understand it, the UEL headers have more of an American muscle car growl to them. The UL headers have more of an smoother, exotic, Ferrari like sound to them.

PPE told me that the first exhaust they put on my car (with the EL headers) was pretty loud, as it had no catalytic converters or resonators. I chose to go with the stock exhaust while they worked on perfecting the exhaust design. The exhaust I am getting has cats and resonators, as well as being valved. While I am sure that cost me some ponies on the power end, it hopefully will be a tamer sound. I didn't want it to sound like a Harley, in other words.

 

Nice! This is why PPE has been so busy.

-Josh

 

Ok, I now have about 12 miles on this exhaust. Initial impression: Perfect. Just what I wanted. With mild mannered driving behavior, it's not even noticeable. My Lexus is still a smooth, elegant ride. At WOT it's a kick *** sounding beast. The valved system is set up to be controlled by the ECU - in other words, when the airbox opens at 4k RPM, the exhaust opens simultaneously for a full on throaty growl. I can also switch the valve to remain closed at all times (still louder than stock, but with the cats and resonators, really not by much at all). I can also set it to have the valve open 100% of the time - I haven't driven it this way yet. I really like that variability. For now, driving with the ECU controlled valve.

With the way I configured my exhaust, I go from stock sound level to loud. It can be made without the cats and/or resonators, which would make it go loud to louder (similar to the other systems available). They can also build a drop out pipe to take the cats out and replace with a straight pipe and vice versa. I'm not going that route, but man, that would be a lot of versatility.

I am in the process of moving, so I may not have a ton of time to drive the car much right away. I will make some sound clips/videos by next month. Be patient.

The RC-F exhaust by PPE is not for sale as of yet, as Paul is wanting to improve the switch first. He didn't give a time table for that, but he did say that cost is expected to be in the same range as their IS-F exhaust system.

 

Jim, actually it's controlled by vacuum, not the ECU.

Lou

 

True - but the vacuum is in turn controlled by the ECU.

 

it flows better so sounds is cleaner, by the way gsf and rcf only have EL headers from ppe

 

^^^^Actually PPE is developing a more cost effective solution for those that want it. UL Headers.

Lou

 

nice that's good news 👍

 

Excellent news

 

Update on my PPE headers and exhaust experience:
Still loving it. Now have about 400 miles or so on it, including a 2 hour freeway trip.
At start-up: Beastly growl. Love it.
Noticeable regardless of window position.
When street driving, it has a nice rasp at low RPMs and then a growl when the intake and valve opens. Pleasantly noticeable but certainly not obnoxious or ear splitting in any way. It's more noticeable with manual shifting then in full auto mode.
Highway: Cruising at 80 MPH with windows up - not even noticeable. Zero drone. No difference from stock. No issues using my phone.

I have yet to take more pics or get any audio clips, but those will be coming.

 

Hey BossMoss - any update on the PPE exhaust? Both how you are liking it and when the hell people can buy it! I'm very interested and I would like to sell my current exhaust but need to know what they are doing. Also never saw a video/sound clip. Any chance you have that? Maybe they could shoot it for you.