I built an exhaust valve switch... so much better!

[TulsaMike4]

After looking at options for either $350-750 for an aftermarket control for my exhaust valves (I wanted them closed, I dont want loud exhaust), and having everyone tell me once im tuned, they just stay open, I decided to grab the multimeter and go to town. All in all, im out 2 relays, some wiring, and an hour of my time, and now I can switch between factory connection (which defaults to always open), and closed. After a drive around the block, I am soooooooo much happier! Near stock exhaust sounds with valves closed, and beautiful sweet ECS exhaust noises when open! Happy to explain to others how to wire this, but I accept zero liability or responsibility for you burning your car to the ground, or not understanding 12v electronics.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vMMpixjM1OQ

[East_Coast_S4]

After looking at options for either $350-750 for an aftermarket control for my exhaust valves (I wanted them closed, I dont want loud exhaust), and having everyone tell me once im tuned, they just stay open, I decided to grab the multimeter and go to town. All in all, im out 2 relays, some wiring, and an hour of my time, and now I can switch between factory connection (which defaults to always open), and closed. After a drive around the block, I am soooooooo much happier! Near stock exhaust sounds with valves closed, and beautiful sweet ECS exhaust noises when open! Happy to explain to others how to wire this, but I accept zero liability or responsibility for you burning your car to the ground, or not understanding 12v electronics.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vMMpixjM1OQ

That's a lot of work but if you truly wanted control I can see it... B9s default open, you can always short the terminal to stay closed.
RS3s default closed and there's a cheap plug to short and default open.

Very easy to be one way or the other, but if you wanted a switch that's just another 2 wires ran anywhere you want for another $7

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[AldermanToffee]

One thing to keep in mind is that you really need to be careful to keep them open under high load unless you want to send your valves to orbit.

[TulsaMike4]

One thing to keep in mind is that you really need to be careful to keep them open under high load unless you want to send your valves to orbit.

I had thought about that, the exhaust is a full 2.5 through each pipe, and the valves open with the exhaust flow and are spring loaded, so I can’t imagine enough pressure behind them to cause issue. They will be opened at the track and such, but having worked with exhaust for 20+ years, I can’t see any situation where, with my current exhaust setup, these can cause an issue. Stock is a different story where they block off significantly more flow, but the ecs setup is just a muffler bypass basically.

[TulsaMike4]

That's a lot of work but if you truly wanted control I can see it... B9s default open, you can always short the terminal to stay closed.
RS3s default closed and there's a cheap plug to short and default open.

Very easy to be one way or the other, but if you wanted a switch that's just another 2 wires ran anywhere you want for another $7

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

I don’t see an hour being a lot of work, and I’d never short a terminal to something connected to the pcm. I just wanted stock like sound when cruising because I don’t care for loud exhaust unless I’m at the track, where the stock was so depressingly quiet that a gust of wind made more noise than my car did at WOT 😂

[AldermanToffee]

I had thought about that, the exhaust is a full 2.5 through each pipe, and the valves open with the exhaust flow and are spring loaded, so I can’t imagine enough pressure behind them to cause issue. They will be opened at the track and such, but having worked with exhaust for 20+ years, I can’t see any situation where, with my current exhaust setup, these can cause an issue. Stock is a different story where they block off significantly more flow, but the ecs setup is just a muffler bypass basically.

That’s good to know. Stock would be a big no-no lol.

[TulsaMike4]

That’s good to know. Stock would be a big no-no lol.

Yeah, stock seems like a train wreck, but I’m sure the goal was zero resonance and quiet. I drove it again and I’m so happy with the sound now… just need to get some videos up. I’d imagine it probably isn’t a ton quieter outside at wide open, but man does it tame it down inside!

[AldermanToffee]

Yeah, stock seems like a train wreck, but I’m sure the goal was zero resonance and quiet. I drove it again and I’m so happy with the sound now… just need to get some videos up. I’d imagine it probably isn’t a ton quieter outside at wide open, but man does it tame it down inside!

I really need to fit the harness for my controller. It’s so obnoxious on cold starts, literally makes the building shake.

[kmarei]

After looking at options for either $350-750 for an aftermarket control for my exhaust valves (I wanted them closed, I dont want loud exhaust), and having everyone tell me once im tuned, they just stay open, I decided to grab the multimeter and go to town. All in all, im out 2 relays, some wiring, and an hour of my time, and now I can switch between factory connection (which defaults to always open), and closed. After a drive around the block, I am soooooooo much happier! Near stock exhaust sounds with valves closed, and beautiful sweet ECS exhaust noises when open! Happy to explain to others how to wire this, but I accept zero liability or responsibility for you burning your car to the ground, or not understanding 12v electronics.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vMMpixjM1OQ

interested in how you did it
right now i have a switch that will disconnect the valves
so if i press the switch when in dynamic, the valves will stay open no matter what happens or what setting i am on
but the switch will not change the valve open/close
that still has to change from the drive select

[TulsaMike4]

interested in how you did it
right now i have a switch that will disconnect the valves
so if i press the switch when in dynamic, the valves will stay open no matter what happens or what setting i am on
but the switch will not change the valve open/close
that still has to change from the drive select

So I didnt have a "working" vehicle to test how it switches from open to closed, only that mine were open and would not close. My troubleshooting only includes closing the open valves by opening the circuit and supplying ground to the valve motor, and then reconnecting the factory circuit to open the valves. I used relays to do this, and then a manual switch to activate them. It does throw the codes for motor connections, but since it doesnt cause a SES light, I really dont care. I could just as easily purchase the simulators and wire them in for when the relays activate so it doesnt throw codes, but my only real concern was quieting the car down.