ECS Vacuum Actuated Exhaust Cutout

[BeerBrent]

Someone install this soon and post pics & vids.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Global_ECS_Cutout_26356/


AudaciousS4 ordered one.
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...6#post13049696

[BMWManiac]

Being in Maryland where I had to have a cat installed, I'm actually thinking of running this on my M3

[A4x]

Yea this looks sweet! Just kind of a PITA to install and run all the connections.

Can this only be actuated when the car is not in boost? Says it requires 8 in Hg to actuate. So I guess only when idling can you turn it on/off.

Edit: on further thought, yes it can only be activated when the engine isn in vacuum. Which is not a big deal. Anytime at idle or coasting your engine will make more than 9 inches of vacuum.

I wonder how this product can hold up through the winters being baked in salt.

[Richieru456]

Yea this looks sweet! Just kind of a PITA to install and run all the connections.

Can this only be actuated when the car is not in boost? Says it requires 8 in Hg to actuate. So I guess only when idling can you turn it on/off.

I think I want this over my rear muffler delete

[Brandon K.]

Someone install this soon and post pics & vids.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Global_ECS_Cutout_26356/


AudaciousS4 ordered one.
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...6#post13049696

Maybe you should be the guinea pig...lol
It does sound interesting, pun intended. I would love to read a review on this for the B8. My car is too quiet other than the gnarly vacuum sound from the intake (that I don’t care for). My wife’s B9 S5 sounds way better, with or without the sound actuator engaged.


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[A4x]

I really want this in my life. I would want to install it between the large center resonator and the rear muffler, position 2 in my diagram below. Unfortunately it does not look like there is enough room there. The vacuum can on the ECS cutout sticks up quite high and there is no space above the exhaust pipe here. Also the rear differential might be in the way for the exhaust dump section. However that might be OK, the biggest problem is the vacuum can.

Position 1 in my picture below would likely fit, but I already have the front resonator deleted via a Borla downpipe, so this would act like a straight piped exhaust. Probably a little bit too obnoxious.

I will try to get some exact dimensions from ECS and take better measurements. I'm pretty sure position 2 is not possible...

[AUDacIouS4]

I really want this in my life. I would want to install it between the large center resonator and the rear muffler, position 2 in my diagram below. Unfortunately it does not look like there is enough room there. The vacuum can on the ECS cutout sticks up quite high and there is no space above the exhaust pipe here. Also the rear differential might be in the way for the exhaust dump section. However that might be OK, the biggest problem is the vacuum can.

Position 1 in my picture below would likely fit, but I already have the front resonator deleted via a Borla downpipe, so this would act like a straight piped exhaust. Probably a little bit too obnoxious.

I will try to get some exact dimensions from ECS and take better measurements. I'm pretty sure position 2 is not possible...

Position 2 is a go on the Allroad, I just looked. The overall dimension of the cutout is on the install PDF. It looks like the actuator is very close to the tunnel heat shield so I'm sure its been designed to fit in tight spots.
Screenshot_20180412-161313_Dropbox.jpeg20180412_161342.jpeg20180412_161354.jpeg20180412_155523.jpeg

[NickBurns]

I believe ecs said you need 12.5 inches total, but once installed is only uses 8.5 in. You need the extra space for fitting it in place, per the install guide.

I WISH they had a factory-like switch for the '15 S3 but nope.... all the manufacturers like the GolfR better than the 3.

CRAZY thought here but, what if you put the resonator back in section 1, then use it's space for the valved dump? It LOOKS like it might work from the photo, but not entirely sure.

It will take a little work, but you want what you want, right? :) Make a fun Saturday night of welding! Maybe an extra hour? And that's with plenty of beer breaks for ya.

I was going to build my own after I'm done recovering from surgery, but I just happened to pop into ECS's site last night and saw them. And for the price, it now doesn't make sense to build my own. I found the actuator on Amazon and its $60. Plus electronics/switches & piping. Then welding and grinding and polishing.... meh, I'll spend the 2 bills.

They're doing this to a lot of muscle cars right now - I've seen more than a few. But I'm DYING to hear it on the S3... or any audi at this point.

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[NickBurns]

Found out what it sounds like on the S3/GolfR.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=808220

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[AUDacIouS4]

The closer the cutout is mounted to the driver the louder and more ass vibrating it will be. Most cutouts are placed at the mufflers and in this situation it would make more sense to place it as far rearward as possible.

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[A4x]

The closer the cutout is mounted to the driver the louder and more ass vibrating it will be. Most cutouts are placed at the mufflers and in this situation it would make more sense to place it as far rearward as possible.

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If the valve is closed do you think it will still sound the same as it did without the cutout?

Does the Allroad really have a different exhaust setup than the sedan? Why is there more room there?

[A4x]

Position 2 is a go on the Allroad, I just looked. The overall dimension of the cutout is on the install PDF. It looks like the actuator is very close to the tunnel heat shield so I'm sure its been designed to fit in tight spots.
Screenshot_20180412-161313_Dropbox.jpeg

The dimensions I am looking for are not in the PDF. They only give the overall length. I need the height and the width. I contacted ECS to get this.

[A4x]

Gonna end up with this if I put it in position 1 lol. Although this video has a test pipe, I have HFC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krv2VDDUiOY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXIhDCumx4M

Ort this at 3 minutes. It's just too much rice lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5CgbsHEkac

[unmarkedA4]

I’ll buy one and install. Where would you guys install it? Downpipe? Would be really loud lol


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[A4x]

I’ll buy one and install. Where would you guys install it? Downpipe? Would be really loud lol


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Like I said, I want to install it before the rear muffler but it looks very tight for space there on the sedan. The only place it will fit is after the downpipe. Not confirmed, but these are my rough estimates. Please have a look for yourself.

[A4x]

This picture shows why, on the sedan, there is likely no room to install this between the large center resonator and the rear muffler, because I think the rear differential is in the way. Also above the exhaust there is no room for the top of the ECS cutout (the vacuum can). You would have to hang it lower which would cause the cutout to be very close to the road.

Thoughts?

[B8_Dude97]

I’d have to combine the ecs pipe(cause it’s better than China cutout pipes) with an ebay vacuum pump. I wouldn’t want it to rely on the engine vacuum.


There’s a couple vids on cutouts on the b8 and if you have the know how you can tie this into a oem button on your mmi(rear shade button is an option)

Here’s a vid that shows where he placed his on his downpipe
https://youtu.be/kn9WD9wUF64


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[AUDacIouS4]

Came across this strange method for how to locate a good spot for a cutout on a hotrod article. Anyone want to try it? I would, but my car will be at the shop.

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[AUDacIouS4]

Mine came today. 3" version. Measures 5 3/4" high20180417_143534.jpeg

I thought the switch had an exhaust graphic on it? Mine is blank. Does anyone know if you can get OEM switches? The Drive select switch panel has 3 blank slots on my Allroad.20180417_143701.jpeg20180417_143829.jpeg

[jrow26]

Mine came today. 3" version. Measures 5 3/4" high20180417_143534.jpeg

I thought the switch had an exhaust graphic on it? Mine is blank. Does anyone know if you can get OEM switches? The Drive select switch panel has 3 blank slots on my Allroad.20180417_143701.jpeg20180417_143829.jpeg

They have an upgraded switch you can buy


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[jrow26]

Never mind it’s just for gulfs it looks like


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[AUDacIouS4]

Its for the GTI though, the shape of the switch wouldnt work in the Audi, you beat me to it

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[Richieru456]

They have an upgraded switch you can buy


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Please post videos when installed


B8.5 gear shift retrofit | Led interior lights | Led license plate light | Led backup lights |Honey comb fog grille | Rs4 “quattro” grille | Afe dry filter | Ecs turbo inlet hose | Usp hfc | 245/40R18Y SUMITOMO HTRZ-III on Enkei EKM3 | Euro plate | Carbon fiber interior trim | Audi logo flog lights | Audi logo seat belt covers | “quattro” seat stopper |

[jrow26]

Its for the GTI though, the shape of the switch wouldnt work in the Audi, you beat me to it

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If I remember correctly there is a place that sells switches for our Audi’s and they might custom label them


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[AUDacIouS4]

Found this on Ebay, this is where I would want to put the cutout switch but I don't know if it would work. It looks like the back of the switch case has one input harness meaning its probably coded into vagcom and not something I can retrofit a switch into. ????? I'll have to take my dash apart when I get my car back at the end of the week.20180417_152458.jpeg20180417_152508.jpeg

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[Richieru456]

Mine came today. 3" version. Measures 5 3/4" high20180417_143534.jpeg

I thought the switch had an exhaust graphic on it? Mine is blank. Does anyone know if you can get OEM switches? The Drive select switch panel has 3 blank slots on my Allroad.20180417_143701.jpeg20180417_143829.jpeg

This with a S4 exhaust🤔🤔🤔

[AUDacIouS4]

This with a S4 exhaust🤔🤔🤔

My exhaust is not stock, it's all 3". For stock piping get the 2.5" version

[Richieru456]

Lol nah I was saying I’m thinking this with a s4 exhaust

[A4x]

Thanks for the measurement. I assume with the 2.5" version, the height would be reduced by 0.5". Would you be able to grab the measurement for total width, what point along the length that the cutout starts to branch off, and what point the valved tube ends? This will help determine if I can fit it near the rear diff.

Regarding the switch, you could probably just splice into the connector, or just make your own connection to the pins that go to the button you want to use. Just need to find a pinout diagram.

[AUDacIouS4]

Thanks for the measurement. I assume with the 2.5" version, the height would be reduced by 0.5". Would you be able to grab the measurement for total width, what point along the length that the cutout starts to branch off, and what point the valved tube ends? This will help determine if I can fit it near the rear diff.

Regarding the switch, you could probably just splice into the connector, or just make your own connection to the pins that go to the button you want to use. Just need to find a pinout diagram.

20180417_180330.jpeg20180417_180433.jpeg20180417_180202.jpeg
8.5" across

[Richieru456]

My exhaust is not stock, it's all 3". For stock piping get the 2.5" version

Which car? Kind of exhaust?

[AUDacIouS4]

Allroad: 034 HFC, milltek DP, magnaflow catback

Most aftermarket exhaust components are all 3"

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[B8_Dude97]

Allroad: 034 HFC, milltek DP, magnaflow catback

Most aftermarket exhaust components are all 3"

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It’s too bad too cause 3.5 is great for bt setups for anything pushing past 450wheel


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[NickBurns]

I’d have to combine the ecs pipe(cause it’s better than China cutout pipes) with an ebay vacuum pump. I wouldn’t want it to rely on the engine

ECS had mine on backorder, so I built my own with parts from Amazon and some good articles.

Here is the pump I'm using. It's off a Ford Truck, and us super simple to wire. I chose an "always closed" valve vs always open (in case the system fails, I would rather be quite than loud).because of this, i had to worry about the pump holding the pressure, even when it's off, otherwise the valve would stay open until the air leaked out.

Dorman 904-214 Mechanical Vacuum Pump for Ford Truck https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KQF6PC..._UPo4AbK6X92JP

So I got a 3way valve. Waiting for it to show up for sizing.

MettleAir 3V210-08-DC12-1PK Pneumatic Valve, 3 Way, 2 Position, Solenoid, 12V, DC, 1/4" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D0Q30G..._yUo4Ab7K4VCC6

If anyone want a full part list, let me know.

DO NOT USE ELECTRIC VALVES!!! Dont cut corners. Those things go bad within hours at that heat. Unless you get the $300 sealed system, which at that point, is it worth it?

Good luck to us all.

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[AUDacIouS4]

Screenshot_20180511-215019_Instagram.jpeg20180511_215151.jpeg

[hyperunion]

I don't see the point of this..unless the car will do a time of under 12.0.. it'll sound terrible..

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[AUDacIouS4]

I don't see the point of this..unless the car will do a time of under 12.0.. it'll sound terrible..

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Less restriction = more power , especially at higher rpm. My Cayman GTS has the sport exhaust with cutouts, its noticeably faster in sport/sport plus mode with the valves open

[A4x]

Less restriction = more power , especially at higher rpm. My Cayman GTS has the sport exhaust with cutouts, its noticeably faster in sport/sport plus mode with the valves open

It changes more than just the exhaust in sport modes. Like cam timing gets advanced, more boost, etc. I've always read that our exhausts have very little restriction after the stock catalytic. So how does it sound??!! I thought you were going to put it before the rear muffler, not on the downpipe.

[AUDacIouS4]

It changes more than just the exhaust in sport modes. Like cam timing gets advanced, more boost, etc. I've always read that our exhausts have very little restriction after the stock catalytic. So how does it sound??!! I thought you were going to put it before the rear muffler, not on the downpipe.

Your right about the tune changing in Sport modes, but that works becuase of the free flowing exhaust.

For Audi, I think the center resonator section is restrictive just because of all the material the exhaust gas has to pass through. The stock exhaust(with a downpipe) is fine for stage 2 and below power levels, but the 2. 25" diameter of the stock exhaust starts to choke the turbo and creates too much back pressure, which is what the k04 frame turbos suffer from.

I actually haven't even picked the car up yet...lol! I will get it Monday. I'm sure it will sound slightly different than everyone's since I have an equal length exhaust manifold. The shop that fid all the fab work suggested putting the cutout as close to the turbo as possible for the best performance. I bought an OEM multi switch hoping I can figure out how to make one of the buttons operate the cutout20180511_115630.jpeg
The issue is the left side switch is the only available multi switch. This is where my drive select button is, so I have to take this switch apart and swap out the Drive select button and the circuit board and then tap into the appropriate power wires for the cutout button.

[A4x]

For Audi, I think the center resonator section is restrictive just because of all the material the exhaust gas has to pass through. The stock exhaust(with a downpipe) is fine for stage 2 and below power levels, but the 2. 25" diameter of the stock exhaust starts to choke the turbo and creates too much back pressure, which is what the k04 frame turbos suffer from.

I think you don't have any evidence to support this claim of back pressure problems. The only thing I have read is about possible exhaust valve float which is caused more-so by the back pressure created at the turbine wheel of the turbo. There have been very little gains measured/advertised by many companies (AWE, etc) when replacing mufflers/resonators.

2.25" piping should be fine for any 2.0 liter engine.

Here is a cut-away of the stock downpipe resonator. It doesn't look very restrictive. I would love to see one of the middle resonator and rear muffler.