Porsche 911 Carrera 996.1 and 996.2: the water-cooled flat-six, the exhaust guide
The 911 Carrera 996.1 and 996.2 marked a turning point: they were the first 911s with a water-cooled flat-six. The 996.1 from 1998 to 2001 introduced it at 3.4 litres and 300 hp, and the 996.2 from 2002 to 2004 took it to 3.6 litres and 320 hp. Two phases, the same ROG valved exhaust, and the same regret: a factory exhaust designed so you barely hear this engine. This guide helps you configure yours.
Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated
Your ROG exhaust for Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2
From €2,490 in stainless steel, €2,990 in titanium
Configure my exhaust- Vehicles
- Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 (1998-2001) ; Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.2 (2002-2004)
- Engine
- Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1: 300 hp ; Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.2: 320 hp
- Exhaust
- Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
- Material
- 304 stainless steel or titanium
- Valves
- ROG remote, or factory control if your vehicle has it
- Lead time
- 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship
Closely related versions have their own guide: Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman 2.0 turbo type 982, Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 2.5 turbo type 982, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 4.0 type 982, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 type 982.
From 3.4 to 3.6 litres: the water-cooled flat-six of the 911 Carrera 996.1 and 996.2
Both phases get a naturally aspirated flat-six with four valves per cylinder, mounted behind the rear axle as tradition demands. The 996.1 has 3.4 litres, 300 hp and 350 Nm; the 996.2 moves to 3.6 litres, 320 hp and 370 Nm, with more sophisticated variable valve timing. In both cases, the power builds with the revs and rewards the driver who goes looking for it.
The displacement changes, but the engine layout, its position and the body are shared by both phases, hence a single ROG exhaust. On a naturally aspirated flat-six, the exhaust carries every climb through the revs to your ears; the factory exhaust, designed for discretion, smooths out its very distinctive tone. The ROG exhaust brings it back to the surface with the valves open, and gives you back the calm at the press of a button.
What makes up the exhaust on your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2
Here is what the ROG exhaust replaces, and where the sound is shaped.
The cat-back is the complete exhaust system
It is everything you can see under your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2, all the way to the tips: pipes, silencer, valves. This is where our research and development is focused, and it is what shapes the sound. It fits without touching the engine or the ECU.
Your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2 in figures
On a modern car, an exhaust system first changes the voice, the breathing and the weight at the rear. Power, on the other hand, comes from an ECU remap.
Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1
Power
Torque
Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.2
Power
Torque
Published factory and Stage 2 figures.
Our exhaust systems work perfectly with or without an ECU remap. On your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2, however, we recommend having it done at an approved tuning centre: it is what lets the engine reach its full potential.
Being naturally aspirated, this flat-six has little in reserve for an ECU remap: at Stage 2, the 996.1 is quoted at 336 hp and the 996.2 at 352 hp, gains that show up mainly in response and top-end reach. The ROG exhaust claims no part of this result; it lets you hear every climb towards the red line.
Configuring your exhaust, step by step
3 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.
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Step 1 of 3: Material: stainless steel or titanium
For your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2, the exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium.
304 stainless steel
2 490 €
- Weight
- Baseline
- Sound
- Full and rounded
The benchmark for high-end exhausts: tough, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The choice of most of our customers.
Titanium
2 990 €
- Weight
- Around 40% lighter
- Sound
- Metallic, crystal-clear
Around 40% lighter than stainless steel for the same design, with a more metallic sound that turns crystal-clear at high revs. Its finish ranges from brushed to blued tints.
Over time, both hold up: 304 stainless steel stands up to winter salt and damp, and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.
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Step 2 of 3: Valves: ROG remote or factory control
Two ways to control the valves on your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2.
ROG remote
A small control unit fits in the boot. Two buttons, open and closed: the valves respond at any moment, whatever the drive mode. Simple to fit, and we stay on hand throughout the installation.
Factory control
- Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
- Controlled by the drive modes
If your vehicle is fitted with factory valves, the exhaust keeps their existing control. The drive modes decide, just as they did from the factory, with no added electronics.
On the motorway, with the valves closed, the gases pass through the silencer, designed for cruising: no drone at a steady speed. You open up when you feel like it, not when the motorway decides for you. More about exhaust drone.
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Step 3 of 3: Tips: the visual signature
Match the tips to the style of your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.
- Stainless steel
- Black
- Carbon
- Blued titanium
The ROG sound signature on the flat-six of the 911 Carrera 996.1 and 996.2
The flat-six has an inimitable voice: a muffled, slightly uneven rumble at idle, which turns into a furious metallic shriek at high revs. On the standard 996.1 and 996.2, this transformation stays distant, especially from inside the cabin, filtered by an exhaust designed above all for comfort.
With the valves open, the ROG exhaust gives the 911 back the sound that made the flat-six a legend: every climb through the revs goes from a deep note to a high-pitched howl, without a break. With the valves closed, it becomes a discreet sports car again, happy to handle the daily commute without ever becoming tiresome.
From order to fitting
-
Configuration
You choose your exhaust and enter your VIN, found in box E of your registration certificate.
-
Check
We check compatibility with your VIN before manufacturing begins.
-
Manufacturing
Your exhaust is made to order, for your car.
-
Delivery
Free in Europe, insured to your door, tracked from dispatch.
-
Fitting
No welding or cutting: clamps and gaskets, around two hours on a lift.
20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of delivery
- Payment
- In instalments with Klarna
- Installation
- At the garage of your choice
What about the manufacturer's warranty on your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2? In Europe, a manufacturer cannot refuse warranty cover simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it has to prove that the fault comes from that part. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.
Our recommendations for your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2
-
Daily driving
2 490 €
- Stainless
- ROG remote
The best balance of price, sound and comfort.
View this configuration -
Enthusiast
2 990 €
- Titanium
A lighter exhaust, with a more metallic note at high revs.
View this configuration -
Style
2 990 €
- Titanium
- Blued titanium or black tips
An exhaust is seen as much as it is heard.
View this configuration
And if you are still unsure, that is perfectly normal: it is exactly why we answer the phone.
Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2: your questions
How much power does an exhaust add on the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2?
As standard, the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 produces 300 hp; the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.2 produces 320 hp. An exhaust system on its own mainly changes the sound, the breathing and the weight; power is gained with an ECU remap. The published Stage 2 figures for each model are shown in the figures table.
Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2?
For the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2, the ROG exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium. 304 stainless steel is tough, rounded in tone and the most popular choice; titanium is around 40% lighter for the same design, with a more metallic sound at high revs.
Is the ROG exhaust loud all the time on the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2?
No. With the valves closed, the gases pass through the silencer and the sound stays comfortable. With the valves open, the engine speaks freely. You switch from one to the other at any moment, with the ROG remote or the factory control if your vehicle has it.
Can the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2 pass the French MOT with a ROG exhaust?
The ROG exhaust replaces the rear part of the exhaust, without touching the engine or the ECU. Present the car with the valves closed: it is the most discreet setting.
How is the ROG exhaust fitted on the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2?
No welding or cutting, using clamps and gaskets. Allow two hours on average for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built for your VIN, which guarantees compatibility before it ships.
What price and lead time for a ROG exhaust on the Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2?
From €2,490 to €2,990 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Free delivery in Europe and a 3-year warranty.
Unsure about your configuration? Give us a call.
Stainless steel or titanium, ROG remote or factory control: the right choice depends on how you drive and on your Porsche 911 Carrera type 996.1 or 911 Carrera type 996.2. We take the time to talk it through before you order, with a reply within 24 hours. We are not here to sell to you over the phone: we help you choose, even if that means a cheaper option because it suits the way you drive.
RogMotorsport is a French brand built on one conviction: with an exhaust system, the support matters as much as the product. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Further reading
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