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

Product Description

The SOUL Long Tube Street Headers are designed for 2012–2016 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and GTS models, providing improved exhaust flow, throttle response, midrange torque, high-RPM breathing, and naturally aspirated flat-six sound while retaining a high-flow catted exhaust configuration.

SOUL replaces the restrictive factory manifold and catalyst assemblies with a purpose-built long-tube header system featuring 2-inch primary runners and large-diameter 300-cell performance catalytic converters.

The 2-inch runner architecture was specifically sized around the 3.8L naturally aspirated flat-six, making these headers particularly well suited to Carrera S and GTS applications. Long-tube runners, merge spikes, and freer-flowing catalysts work together to improve exhaust scavenging and reduce restriction throughout the usable RPM range.

The headers are compatible with vehicles with or without Porsche Sport Exhaust / PSE. PSE affects the rear exhaust system and does not require a different SOUL header configuration.

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 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 Street Header upgrade

• Designed specifically for the Porsche 991.1 Carrera platform

• 2-inch primary runners

• Runner sizing developed around the 3.8L naturally aspirated engine

• Long-tube architecture designed to improve exhaust scavenging

• Large-diameter, free-flowing catalytic converters

• SOUL-designed 300-cell performance catalytic converters

• Custom-specified precious-metal catalyst coating

• Triple-metal-matrix catalyst-core construction

• Designed to increase exhaust flow

• Improves throttle response

• Improves low- and midrange torque

• Improves high-RPM breathing

• Produces stronger naturally aspirated flat-six sound

• Engineered to provide increased performance without a catalyst-related check engine light under normal operating conditions

• Merge spikes incorporated into the collector design

• Merge spikes help smooth exhaust flow as the primary runners converge

• Constructed from T304L stainless steel

• Thick water-jet-cut flanges

• Flanges manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 standards

• Each set is assembled in a thick-gauge aluminum fixture

• Fixtures help prevent welding distortion and warpage

• Each header assembly is fixture-tested for fitment

• New high-grade header-to-exhaust flange hardware included

• Installation instructions included

• Direct bolt-on installation

• Designed and manufactured in-house by SOUL Performance Products in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

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

DESIGNED AROUND THE 3.8L ENGINE:

The 991.1 Carrera S and GTS use Porsche's naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six, and SOUL specifically states that its 2-inch primary-runner sizing was chosen to extract maximum power from the 3.8L engine.

That makes this application especially well matched to the header design.

The larger-displacement engine benefits from:

• Increased exhaust-flow capacity

• Improved exhaust scavenging

• Stronger low- and midrange torque

• Sharper throttle response

• Reduced high-RPM restriction

• Greater naturally aspirated engine character

• Increased performance throughout the usable rev range

Because the engine is naturally aspirated, optimized runner sizing and collector design are especially important to maintaining exhaust velocity while providing sufficient flow at higher RPM.

2-INCH LONG-TUBE RUNNERS:

SOUL selected 2-inch primary runners specifically around the performance requirements of the 3.8L Carrera engine.

Header sizing must balance two competing requirements:

Exhaust velocity at lower engine speeds

and

Maximum flow capacity at higher engine speeds

Primary tubing that is too small can become restrictive at high RPM, while excessively large tubing can reduce exhaust-gas velocity and weaken scavenging.

The 2-inch long-tube architecture is designed to maintain strong response while allowing the 3.8L engine to breathe efficiently as RPM increases.

300-CELL PERFORMANCE CATALYSTS:

The Long Tube Street Headers retain catalytic converters rather than converting the vehicle to a catless exhaust.

SOUL currently specifies 300-cell performance catalytic converters featuring:

• Custom-specified precious-metal catalyst coating

• Triple-metal-matrix core construction

• High-flow architecture

• Reduced restriction compared with the factory catalyst assemblies

This provides a strong balance between exhaust flow, street usability, sound, and catalyst functionality.

MERGE COLLECTOR DESIGN:

SOUL incorporates merge spikes where the individual primary runners converge.

Rather than allowing the individual gas streams to meet abruptly, the merge geometry helps guide exhaust flow smoothly into the collector.

The collector design contributes to:

• Improved exhaust-gas velocity

• More efficient pulse convergence

• Improved scavenging

• Greater throttle response

• Stronger midrange torque

• Improved high-RPM breathing

On a naturally aspirated 3.8L engine, these characteristics can be just as important as the overall diameter of the exhaust tubing.

DYNO-PROVEN PERFORMANCE:

SOUL independently tested its 991.1 Long Tube Street Headers on a Mustang dynamometer.

SOUL reports repeatable peak gains of approximately:

+9 wheel horsepower at peak power

and

+13 lb-ft of torque at peak torque

The improvement is considerably larger through portions of the midrange.

Around approximately 3,000 RPM, SOUL reports gains exceeding:

+25 wheel horsepower

and

+25 lb-ft of torque

This is important because it demonstrates that the primary advantage of the headers is not limited to a peak-power number near redline.

The additional midrange torque should be noticeable during:

• Normal street acceleration

• Corner exit

• Partial-throttle acceleration

• Highway passing

• Rolling acceleration without immediately downshifting

ECU TUNING:

An ECU calibration is not required to install the Long Tube Street Headers.

SOUL designed the catted system to function as a bolt-on upgrade without requiring tuning simply to operate correctly.

Additional performance can be extracted through appropriate ECU calibration.

SOUL specifically notes that additional gains may be available above approximately 5,000 RPM, where ignition-timing changes can better take advantage of the improved exhaust flow.

WITH FACTORY PSE:

The Long Tube Street Headers are fully compatible with the factory Porsche Sport Exhaust rear system.

With factory PSE retained, the headers provide:

• Increased upstream exhaust flow

• Greater midrange response

• Stronger naturally aspirated sound

• Retention of Porsche's factory exhaust valves

• Retention of factory PSE sound control

• Noticeably greater sound with the exhaust valves open

• Relatively restrained operation with the valves closed

This is an excellent configuration for owners who want improved performance while retaining the factory rear exhaust and Porsche's original valve functionality.

WITHOUT FACTORY PSE:

The same headers can also be installed on compatible Carrera S models without PSE.

Because the header architecture is located upstream of the rear mufflers, the physical header assembly does not change depending on PSE equipment.

On a non-PSE vehicle, the headers provide:

• Increased exhaust flow

• Improved throttle response

• Increased midrange torque

• Stronger flat-six character

• Retention of the original non-PSE rear mufflers

• No requirement to convert the vehicle to PSE

PSE DOES NOT CHANGE THE HEADER:

There is no separate SOUL Street Header for PSE and non-PSE cars.

The physical header system is the same.

PSE primarily changes the rear muffler and valve architecture downstream of the headers.

For DasMotoring, this allows the same POR.9911.STH manufacturer part to be listed specifically within the 991.1 S / GTS With or Without PSE category without creating unnecessary hardware variants.

SOUND CHARACTER:

With the factory rear exhaust retained, the Street Headers create a noticeable but controlled increase in exhaust character.

Expect:

• Deeper flat-six tone

• Greater mechanical engine presence

• Increased sound under load

• More aggressive midrange tone

• Stronger exhaust character above approximately 3,500 RPM

• More pronounced high-RPM wail

• Increased pops and crackles where factory programming permits

• Greater contrast between valves-open and valves-closed operation on PSE-equipped cars

For owners with factory PSE, the rear valves continue to provide useful sound control.

WITH PSE VALVES CLOSED:

On PSE-equipped vehicles with the valves closed, the factory rear exhaust continues providing substantial sound attenuation.

The headers increase exhaust flow upstream while allowing the vehicle to retain a relatively subdued cruising character.

This makes the Street Headers particularly attractive for drivers who want additional performance without giving up the factory car's dual-personality exhaust behavior.

WITH PSE VALVES OPEN:

Opening the factory PSE valves allows substantially more of the header-induced sound to reach the rear of the vehicle.

Expect:

• Greater exhaust volume

• Stronger flat-six growl

• More aggressive throttle blips

• Increased downshift character

• Stronger mid- and high-RPM sound

• More pronounced naturally aspirated wail approaching redline

STREET HEADERS VS. COMPETITION HEADERS:

Long Tube Street Headers

• $4,855.00

• 300-cell performance catalytic converters

• 2-inch primary runners

• Developed around the 3.8L engine

• Strong street-oriented midrange performance

• Designed around normal factory ECU operation

• Compatible with PSE and non-PSE rear exhausts

• Lower emissions and diagnostic concerns

Long Tube Competition Headers

• Catless

• Maximum available exhaust flow

• Greater exhaust volume

• Reduced catalyst-related heat

• Lower purchase price

• Greater emissions and diagnostic considerations

• Competition-oriented configuration

The Street Headers are the more appropriate option for customers seeking meaningful performance improvement while retaining catalytic converters and everyday street usability.

EMISSIONS NOTE:

The SOUL Long Tube Street Headers retain catalytic converters but replace the factory Porsche catalyst assemblies with aftermarket performance components.

They are not CARB certified.

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