Porsche 918 Spyder: exhaust for a hypercar, the complete guide
RogMotorsport expert guide
The 918 Spyder needs no introduction: a member of the holy trinity of hypercars, with a racing V8 screaming to 9,150 rpm through its top-exit exhausts, unique in the world. Every example is a piece of history, and every intervention must honour it. This guide explains everything you need to know before choosing your configuration: cat-back only or sport catalytic converter, the French MOT, the engine warning light, stainless steel or titanium, and the valve system. By the end, you will know exactly which exhaust system suits the way you drive.
The 918 Spyder: the hypercar with a racing V8, and the role of the exhaust
The 918 Spyder is one of the three hypercars of the holy trinity, and its naturally aspirated 4.6 V8, derived from the RS Spyder race car, screams beyond 9,000 rpm through top-exit exhausts above the engine, an architecture unique in history. On a car of this standing, every intervention must measure up: materials, fit, respect for the original architecture.
Our exhaust system for the 918 is designed in that spirit: saving weight, freeing up the V8's harmonics, and preserving the car's DNA. It is a craftsman's job, and we invite you to call us to discuss it in detail before any configuration.
The figures: what the exhaust system really delivers
At ROG, we always look for the best. That is why we always recommend an ECU remap at an approved tuning centre after installation. Our systems fit perfectly with or without, but it is with a full remap that your engine will express all of its potential.
| Factory | ROG system alone | Stage 2 + Remap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 887 hp | 895 hp (+8 hp) | 957 hp (+70 hp) |
| Torque | 1280 Nm | 1290 Nm (+10 Nm) | 1370 Nm (+90 Nm) |
Gains from the ROG system alone without a remap. Stage 2 with a full remap.
On a 918, the figures are not the point: the car is already one of the fastest in the world. The exhaust system brings weight savings, freer breathing and a whole new dimension of sound. Every 918 project is handled individually: call us and we will talk it over, enthusiast to enthusiast.
Cat-back only or sport catalytic converter: building your configuration
Let us start with a point many websites keep quiet about: you do not have to touch the catalytic converter. Our full post-cat exhaust system, the cat-back, is already a major transformation. It houses the entire valve system and removes a large part of the factory silencers. In sound, character and breathing, the gain is immediate, with the best results for the money. It is the ideal starting point and, for many of our customers, it is more than enough.
Replacing the catalytic converter is then for those who want the ultimate configuration: even more flow, even more sound. Here is exactly what each option means for your 918 Spyder.
200-cell sport catalytic converter
Passes the French MOT. The 200-cell converter cleans the exhaust enough to meet the emissions limits of the French MOT (contrôle technique), while delivering far more flow than the factory catalytic converter. No compromise on legality in France, and a real gain in breathing and sound. It is our recommendation for a car used every day.
100-cell sport catalytic converter
French MOT pass not guaranteed. With half as many cells, flow comes as close as possible to a decat and the sound gains real aggression, especially at high revs. Emissions control is still there but reduced: passing the French MOT (contrôle technique) is not guaranteed.
Decat
The decat pipe removes all emissions control: maximum flow, raw sound and the sharpest revving. It is the most extreme configuration we offer. To be completely transparent: under normal circumstances, a decat does not pass the emissions test of the French MOT (contrôle technique). The choice is yours, made with full knowledge of your situation and how you use the car. If in doubt, call us and we will talk it through.
Sound level, on a scale of 0 to 10
To give you a concrete idea, here is how the configurations rank on your 918 Spyder, valves open:
And remember: with the valves closed, every one of these configurations becomes discreet again. That is the whole point of the ROG valve system.
What about the engine warning light?
A question we always get, answered with figures. With a sport catalytic converter (100 or 200 cells), an engine warning light appears in around 15% of cases. A warning light is therefore very rare, but the risk is not zero. With a decat, the warning light is more common, as the ECU detects the missing emissions control. Either way, the fix is simple: a diagnostic tool session or an ECU remap will clear it. And if it happens to you, get in touch and we will help you through it.
Stainless steel or titanium: what difference does it make for you?
Stainless steel (304 grade): the benchmark for high-end exhausts. Tough, durable and corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. It offers the best value for money and is the choice of most of our customers.
Titanium: around 40% lighter than stainless steel, with a more metallic sound signature that turns crystal-clear at high revs. It is also an aesthetic choice: titanium comes in several shades, from natural titanium to blue burnt finishes. It is the material of supercars and motorsport. On a 918 Spyder, it brings an exclusive character that stainless steel cannot offer.
The ROG sound signature on the 918
The 918's V8 is already one of the most spectacular engines ever fitted to a road car. Our job is to lighten it and free up its highest harmonics, with complete respect for the top-exit architecture. The result is best enjoyed at 9,000 rpm, and cannot be described: it has to be heard.
The valve system: how it works, and why it changes everything
The principle is simple and mechanical. With the valves open, the exhaust gases run straight through: a direct path, no restriction, maximum sound and flow. With the valves closed, the gases are forced through the rear silencer: the volume drops instantly and the car becomes discreet again. Two personalities in one exhaust system, and you are the one who decides.
You have two ways to control these valves, whichever you prefer.
OEM valves: the exhaust system comes with mounts ready to refit your factory actuators. Your 918 Spyder keeps all of its factory management: drive modes and automatic opening according to the manufacturer's mapping. No added electronics, completely seamless integration.
ROG remote-controlled valve system: new motorised valves, independent of the factory engine management. A small control unit fits in the boot (very simple installation, full guide shipped with the exhaust), and a remote gives you two buttons: open and closed. You decide, at any moment, whatever the drive mode. Discreet in your street at 7h00 in the morning, spectacular on a mountain road at the weekend.
The tips: the visual signature
Final step of the configuration: the exhaust tips. A choice of shapes, diameters and finishes to match the exhaust outlets to the style of your 918 Spyder, whether understated or bold. Something specific in mind, a particular finish? Email us a photo or a description and we will work out together what can be done.
ROG semi-bespoke: why we ask for your VIN
Every exhaust system is assembled for your exact specification. That is why, before ordering, you enter your vehicle's exact details (year, model, engine, chassis) along with your 17-character VIN, shown in box E of your vehicle registration certificate. This is not a formality: it is what allows us to guarantee a perfect fit, with no nasty surprises during installation. Installation is plug and play, with no modification to the vehicle.
We are upfront about lead times: allow 7 days to design your exhaust system, then 10 to 15 days for free delivery, so 2 to 3 weeks on average between your order and delivery. Every exhaust system comes with a 3-year warranty.
A French brand, close to its customers
RogMotorsport is a French brand, and we built it around one conviction: with a product like an exhaust system, the support matters as much as the product itself. In practice, this means you can reach us by phone on 07 56 95 95 39 or by email at contact@rogmotorsport.com, before, during and after your order.
Before ordering: torn between stainless steel and titanium, between 200 cells and cat-back only, or want to know what best suits the way you drive? Call us, we will take the time. Do you have a specific request, particular tips, a special finish, or a question about your exact configuration? Write to us and we will give you a straight answer. After your order: tracking, fitting advice and support whenever needed, our after-sales service is extremely responsive. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a 4.9-star rating: that is no accident, it is this close relationship that makes the difference.
Configure my exhaust system for the 918 Spyder (from €3,290)
In short: our recommendations for the 918 Spyder
Daily driving, open road: cat-back exhaust or 200-cell catalytic converter, ROG remote-controlled valves, with looks and sound finally in harmony. No worries at the French MOT.
Enthusiast use: titanium, 100-cell catalytic converter and a Stage 2 ECU remap to unlock the full potential.
Ultimate configuration: decat, full Stage 2. The absolute maximum in flow and sound.
And if you are still unsure, that is perfectly normal: it is exactly why we answer the phone.
Frequently asked questions
PORSCHE 918 SPYDER (2013-2015): your questions
How much power does the ROG exhaust system add to a PORSCHE 918 SPYDER (2013-2015)?
The PORSCHE 918 SPYDER produces 887 hp as standard. With the ROG exhaust system alone, without an ECU remap, it rises to 895 hp, a gain of +8 hp, and torque rises from 1280 Nm to 1290 Nm (+10 Nm). With a full Stage 2 ECU remap, the package reaches 957 hp (+70 hp) and 1370 Nm (+90 Nm).
How much weight do you save on a PORSCHE 918 SPYDER (2013-2015)?
The factory exhaust system on the PORSCHE 918 SPYDER weighs around 18 kg. The ROG stainless steel exhaust weighs around 12 kg, which is 6 kg less. In titanium, it drops to around 9 kg, which is 9 kg less than the factory system.
Do I need an ECU remap after fitting?
It is not compulsory: the ROG exhaust system works with or without an ECU remap. ROG does, however, recommend one at an approved tuning centre, because a full ECU remap is what unlocks the engine's full potential: the difference is 895 hp without, against 957 hp with.
How do the valves work, and is it loud all the time?
No. The valve system controls how the exhaust opens: with the valves closed, the gases flow through the silenced path and the noise level stays within regulatory limits; with the valves open, they take the straight-through path and the exhaust sound comes through in full. You choose at any moment, so the PORSCHE 918 SPYDER can be used every day without putting up with the volume all the time.
Which configurations are available, and which one should you choose?
The ROG exhaust system is semi-bespoke: you choose the material (stainless steel or titanium), the manifold type (200 or 100-cell sport catalytic converter, or decat), the layout (standard, Equal Length or Z Pipe) and the tip finish. Every combination changes the sound and the character of the car. The guide above details what each component changes on the PORSCHE 918 SPYDER.
How much does a ROG exhaust system cost for a PORSCHE 918 SPYDER (2013-2015), and how long does it take?
For the PORSCHE 918 SPYDER, prices range from €3,290 to €5,500 depending on the chosen configuration (material, manifold, geometry, tips). As every exhaust system is built for your vehicle, allow around three weeks between order and dispatch: one week of design, two weeks of manufacturing.
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