Porsche 991.1 Carrera S / Carrera 4S / GTS 3.8L SOUL Long Tube Competition Headers

Product Description

The SOUL Long Tube Competition Headers are designed for 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and GTS models, providing maximum exhaust flow, reduced restriction, improved engine response, lower exhaust-system heat, and a significantly more aggressive naturally aspirated flat-six soundtrack.

SOUL replaces the heavy factory manifold and catalytic-converter assemblies with a dedicated catless long-tube header system constructed from T304L stainless steel. Port-matched flanges, smooth-radius primary tubing, long runners, and performance-oriented collectors work together to create a substantially freer exhaust path from the 3.8L flat-six.

Unlike the catted Street Headers, the Competition Headers completely eliminate the factory catalytic converters. This reduces restriction and catalyst-related heat while providing the greatest flow potential within SOUL's standalone 991.1 Carrera header range.

The same header assembly is compatible with cars with or without Porsche Sport Exhaust / PSE, allowing owners to retain either their factory valved PSE rear exhaust or compatible non-PSE rear mufflers.

FITMENT:

• Fits 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera S Coupe – 3.8L

• Fits 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera S Cabriolet – 3.8L

• Fits 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera 4S Coupe – 3.8L

• Fits 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet – 3.8L

• Fits 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Targa 4S – 3.8L

• Fits 2015–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera GTS Coupe – 3.8L

• Fits 2015–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet – 3.8L

• Fits 2015–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe – 3.8L

• Fits 2015–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet – 3.8L

• Fits 2015–2016 Porsche 991.1 911 Targa 4 GTS – 3.8L

• Compatible with PSE-equipped vehicles

• Compatible with applicable non-PSE vehicles

• Compatible with manual and PDK-equipped vehicles where applicable

• Compatible with the factory rear exhaust

• Compatible with applicable SOUL rear exhaust upgrades

• Porsche Sport Exhaust / PSE is not required

DETAILS:

• Direct-replacement Long Tube Competition Header upgrade

• Completely catless

• Eliminates the factory catalytic converters

• Long-tube performance architecture

• Port-matched exhaust flanges

• Smooth-radius primary tubing

• Large-diameter primary bends

• Performance-oriented collector design

• Equal inputs from each primary runner into the collector

• Designed to maximize exhaust flow

• Designed to improve engine response

• Designed to increase performance potential

• Reduces restriction compared with the factory manifolds

• Reduces catalyst-related operating temperatures

• Reduces exhaust-system weight compared with the factory catalyst-equipped assemblies

• Produces substantially more aggressive naturally aspirated flat-six sound

• Particularly well suited to higher-output naturally aspirated and forced-induction applications

• Constructed from T304L stainless steel

• Precision-fabricated construction

• Every set undergoes rigorous quality-control inspection

• Each assembly is fixture-tested for proper fitment

• Installation instructions included

• Direct bolt-on mechanical installation

• Designed and manufactured by SOUL Performance Products

• Backed by SOUL's Lifetime Warranty for street and track use

CATLESS LONG-TUBE DESIGN:

The factory 991.1 Carrera header assemblies must balance performance with manufacturing cost, packaging, emissions regulations, noise requirements, and production efficiency.

SOUL identifies several limitations in the factory design, including:

• Pressed exhaust flanges

• Restrictive primary-tube shaping

• Generic collector geometry

• Large catalytic converters

• Packaging compromises

The Competition Headers eliminate the catalytic converters entirely and replace the factory manifold design with a dedicated long-tube system focused on exhaust flow and engine response.

LONG-TUBE ARCHITECTURE:

The length and shape of individual header runners play a significant role in the behavior of a naturally aspirated engine.

SOUL uses long runners and smooth-radius tubing to improve the path exhaust gases take from the cylinder heads to the collector.

The design targets improvements in:

• Exhaust scavenging

• Gas velocity

• Cylinder evacuation

• Throttle response

• Midrange performance

• High-RPM breathing

The benefits are especially relevant to the 3.8L naturally aspirated flat-six found in Carrera S and GTS models.

PORT-MATCHED FLANGES:

The transition from the cylinder head into the header primary can create turbulence and restriction if the openings are poorly matched.

SOUL uses port-matched flanges to provide a smoother transition from the cylinder-head exhaust ports into the primary runners.

This helps maintain exhaust-gas velocity and reduces unnecessary disturbance immediately as gases leave the engine.

PERFORMANCE COLLECTORS:

Each bank's primary runners converge through SOUL's performance-oriented collector architecture.

The collectors use equal inputs from each primary runner, helping the individual exhaust streams merge more smoothly.

Collector design can influence:

• Exhaust-pulse interaction

• Scavenging efficiency

• Exhaust-gas velocity

• Engine response

• Midrange behavior

• High-RPM breathing

SOUL combines the long runners and collector geometry as one integrated system rather than simply enlarging factory-style manifolds.

MAXIMUM EXHAUST FLOW:

Removing the factory catalytic converters eliminates one of the largest restrictions in the original exhaust system.

The Competition Headers provide:

• Reduced exhaust backpressure

• Increased exhaust-flow capacity

• Improved high-RPM breathing

• Sharper engine response

• Greater tuning potential

• Increased exhaust volume

• Stronger mechanical engine character

For customers prioritizing outright flow over emissions functionality, the Competition Header is SOUL's most aggressive standalone header option for the 991.1 Carrera platform.

LOWER OPERATING TEMPERATURES:

Catalytic converters generate and retain substantial heat.

By eliminating the factory catalysts, the Competition Headers remove a major heat source from the exhaust system.

SOUL specifically identifies decreased operating temperatures as one of the benefits of the Competition Header design.

This is especially relevant for:

• Repeated high-load driving

• Track use

• Modified engines

• Supercharged applications

• Vehicles operating for extended periods at elevated exhaust temperatures

WEIGHT REDUCTION:

The factory header assemblies incorporate large catalytic converters and associated hardware.

Removing these components reduces exhaust-system mass.

SOUL specifically identifies weight savings as an advantage of the Competition Headers.

However, SOUL does not publish a verified numerical factory-versus-Competition-header weight comparison, so no specific pound figure should be assumed.

WITH FACTORY PSE:

The Competition Headers can be used while retaining the factory Porsche Sport Exhaust rear system.

This creates a particularly useful combination because the car retains Porsche's electronically controlled rear exhaust valves despite the significantly more aggressive catless headers upstream.

With the PSE valves closed, the rear mufflers still provide meaningful sound attenuation.

With the valves open, the catless headers allow substantially more of the 3.8L flat-six sound to reach the rear of the vehicle.

PSE VALVES CLOSED:

With the original PSE valves closed, expect:

• Reduced overall exhaust volume

• Greater refinement during cruising

• Lower cabin presence

• Retention of factory Porsche valve operation

• More sound than a completely stock vehicle due to the catless headers

The Competition Headers therefore do not necessarily require the car to be extremely loud at all times when paired with a factory-valved rear exhaust.

PSE VALVES OPEN:

Open the factory PSE valves and the character changes substantially.

Expect:

• Significantly greater volume

• Stronger exhaust presence

• More aggressive throttle blips

• Increased crackles and overrun sound where vehicle programming permits

• Stronger midrange growl

• Much more aggressive high-RPM character

• Greater naturally aspirated flat-six wail

SOUL customer feedback specifically describes the combination of these headers with factory PSE as providing a strong difference between valves-open and valves-closed operation.

WITHOUT PSE:

The Competition Headers are also compatible with applicable non-PSE rear exhaust systems.

There is no separate PSE and non-PSE Competition Header.

PSE affects the rear muffler and valve architecture, not the header fitment itself.

This means one physical SOUL Competition Header assembly can serve both configurations.

PSE DOES NOT CHANGE THE HEADER:

For DasMotoring inventory purposes, this is important:

PSE does not create a header variant.

The same SOUL manufacturer part number is used whether the vehicle has:

• Factory PSE

or

• A compatible non-PSE rear exhaust

The PSE / non-PSE distinction becomes important when selecting rear exhaust systems, but not for this standalone header assembly.

RR RACING SUPERCHARGER COMPATIBILITY:

SOUL specifically worked with RR Racing to offer the Competition Headers as a catless exhaust solution for its 991 Carrera Supercharger Kit.

Forced induction significantly increases exhaust mass flow and thermal load.

Removing the restrictive factory catalysts provides:

• Greater exhaust-flow capacity

• Reduced downstream restriction

• Lower catalyst-related temperatures

• Increased performance potential

• Improved durability for high-output applications

The Competition Headers can therefore support both naturally aspirated and modified 3.8L Carrera applications.

SOUND CHARACTER:

Compared with the catted Street Headers, the Competition Headers produce a substantially more aggressive exhaust note.

Expect:

• Greater overall exhaust volume

• Deeper low-RPM tone

• Stronger midrange presence

• More mechanical engine character

• Sharper throttle-related sound

• Increased overrun character

• Much stronger high-RPM flat-six sound

• Greater distinction between PSE valves-open and valves-closed operation

The final sound level depends heavily on the rear exhaust installed downstream.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT:

The Competition Headers may trigger a check engine light.

Because the factory catalytic converters are removed, the vehicle's catalyst-monitoring system may recognize that the original emissions equipment is no longer present.

SOUL recommends an appropriate custom ECU calibration to address catalyst-related diagnostic faults for track applications.

ECU TUNING:

An ECU calibration is not required for the headers to physically bolt onto the vehicle, but it is strongly recommended for a complete Competition configuration.

Proper calibration can:

• Address catalyst-related diagnostic faults

• Optimize ignition timing

• Optimize fueling

• Better utilize the reduced exhaust restriction

• Support additional engine modifications

• Improve integration with supercharged applications

SOUL specifically recommends custom ECU tuning for catalyst-related CEL management.

COMPETITION HEADERS VS. STREET HEADERS:

Long Tube Competition Headers

• $3,055.00

• Completely catless

• Maximum exhaust flow

• Reduced catalyst-related heat

• Reduced weight

• Most aggressive header sound

• May trigger catalyst-related check engine lights

• Custom ECU calibration recommended

• Competition-oriented configuration

Long Tube Street Headers

• $4,855.00

• 300-cell performance catalytic converters

• 2-inch primary runners

• More street-oriented configuration

• Designed around normal factory ECU operation

• Lower emissions and diagnostic concerns

• Strong midrange performance gains

Both systems are compatible with PSE and appropriate non-PSE rear exhaust configurations.

EMISSIONS / COMPETITION USE NOTE:

The SOUL Long Tube Competition Headers completely remove the original catalytic converters.

This product is not CARB certified and is intended for off-road / competition use only due to removal of factory emissions-control equipment.

Use on emissions-controlled vehicles operated on public roads may violate applicable regulations.

Customers are responsible for determining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws before installation or use.