[fshubert]

Here's the exhaust and actuator. There's a golf-tee method posted in this forum section.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

It sure does! I was surprised. There's an electrically-actuated flap control (my E90 had a vacuum) on the driver's side. I'll take some pix and post in a minute.

interesting, even with the flap working tho it sounds better than stock? im sure with the flap turned off(fixed to the open position) it sounds really good.

wonder how hard it is to fix it in the open position.

Nice picks, thx! what did you do to prevent the flap from flapping around?

[fshubert]

OMG, with it wired open (aka golf tee) it sounds like magic. Makes the hair on my neck stand up thinking about it. Turns heads everywhere. Idles like it's got 500HP. Sounds fantastic between shifts, downshifting and just backing off throttle. Jump on it and it's really sweet. A simple removal of a spring clip and some wire/vice-grips and it's wired open forever.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

OMG, with it wired open (aka golf tee) it sounds like magic. Makes the hair on my neck stand up thinking about it. Turns heads everywhere. Idles like it's got 500HP. Sounds fantastic between shifts, downshifting and just backing off throttle. Jump on it and it's really sweet. A simple removal of a spring clip and some wire/vice-grips and it's wired open forever.

I will definitely be doing that!!!

Is the process the same to remove it as the stock exhaust?
Is it just removing that plug with the green, purple and red wire?

Hardest part for me will probably be securing the flap.

Also, you have any vids? sounds epic.

Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it.

[fshubert]

So you don't throw a code, don't unplug. If you look at my actuator picture, you will see two opposing cylinders in-line with one mounting screw. The spring clip comes out with a pair of needle nose pliers. You'll see on the upper cylinder the wire I wrapped thru it to keep it open. This way the car does what it wants but you've kept the exhaust where you want it. Just did a lousy recording with the Blackberry and will try to upload it. Apologies in advance for the poor quality.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

So you don't throw a code, don't unplug. If you look at my actuator picture, you will see two opposing cylinders in-line with one mounting screw. The spring clip comes out with a pair of needle nose pliers. You'll see on the upper cylinder the wire I wrapped thru it to keep it open. This way the car does what it wants but you've kept the exhaust where you want it. Just did a lousy recording with the Blackberry and will try to upload it. Apologies in advance for the poor quality.

Intersting. Not 100% sure what you mean when by two opposing cylinders...is it the part i put the purple box around? are you saying there is a spring that goes in that area that you removed?

And the wire you are talking about is coming out the circle on the right which i assume controls the flap...where did you attach the other end of the wire to? what kind of wire is that?

[fshubert]

That's it! Spring clip goes in there. Yes, that wire is heavy guage solid wire that I wrapped around the pipe and twisted it tight with a vice-grip. Tried to post video but was denied. Will try again.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

That's it! Spring clip goes in there. Yes, that wire is heavy guage solid wire that I wrapped around the pipe and twisted it tight with a vice-grip. Tried to post video but was denied. Will try again.

thanks a lot bro. really appreciate all the help.

last question lol, where do you have the rest of the wire going to(that part of the picture i can't see)?

[fshubert]

Crap. Won't go. Too large a file. Looks like 500KB is max size and I got a 13MB 50-second video from the Blackberry. That won't fit in Email either. Gotta lov technology!

[Number]

Posted this on another thread...
------------------------------------------------
Okay fellas. I finally had a day off to mess with the car a bit. Although the Golf Tee Mod is not the same as what I did, the outcome can be the same. I didn't take any pictures. Sorry. But it's quite easy to understand once you get under the car.

Although disconnecting the electrical harness can leave an error embedded in the computer, it will not give you an error in iDrive.

There are several ways you can do this mod. One is completely error free (at least in theory).

There are 4 important components to this mod.

1. Electrical wire harness
2. Actuator that turns exhaust flap hinge
3. Clip that connects the actuator to the exhaust flap hinge
4. Exhaust flap hinge


ERROR FREE METHOD (easiest)
- Remove the Clip that connects the actuator and flap with some needle nose pliers.
- Secure the flap with a wire of some sort in the open position.
- This method will keep the actuator plugged in and working. But it will not be mechanically opening the flap. But the computer shouldn't know the difference.

UNPLUG ACTUATOR
- Unplug electrical wire harness from the actuator.
- Secure wire harness out of the way so that it is not dangling.
- Unclip Actuator with pliers.
- Remove actuator all together. All you need is a 10mm socket wrench. 3 bolts.
------------------------------------------------


fshubert, I'm using your pic to explain my post. Thank you.

[fshubert]

There's someone with skills!!! Thanks Tremolo!!

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

Crap. Won't go. Too large a file. Looks like 500KB is max size and I got a 13MB 50-second video from the Blackberry. That won't fit in Email either. Gotta lov technology!

lol, technology is a pita sometimes.

thx anyways, appreciate all the info.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Tremolo

Posted this on another thread...
------------------------------------------------
Okay fellas. I finally had a day off to mess with the car a bit. Although the Golf Tee Mod is not the same as what I did, the outcome can be the same. I didn't take any pictures. Sorry. But it's quite easy to understand once you get under the car.

Although disconnecting the electrical harness can leave an error embedded in the computer, it will not give you an error in iDrive.

There are several ways you can do this mod. One is completely error free (at least in theory).

There are 4 important components to this mod.

1. Electrical wire harness
2. Actuator that turns exhaust flap hinge
3. Clip that connects the actuator to the exhaust flap hinge
4. Exhaust flap hinge


ERROR FREE METHOD (easiest)
- Remove the Clip that connects the actuator and flap with some needle nose pliers.
- Secure the flap with a wire of some sort in the open position.
- This method will keep the actuator plugged in and working. But it will not be mechanically opening the flap. But the computer shouldn't know the difference.

UNPLUG ACTUATOR
- Unplug electrical wire harness from the actuator.
- Secure wire harness out of the way so that it is not dangling.
- Unclip Actuator with pliers.
- Remove actuator all together. All you need is a 10mm socket wrench. 3 bolts.
------------------------------------------------


fshubert, I'm using your pic to explain my post. Thank you.

great write up! What do you secure the wire to thats holding the flap in the open position?

[Number]

BTW, there are 3 bolts to the actuator but only 2 are visible in that pic. Also, even if you unplug the wire harness and remove the actuator altogether, it still will NOT throw a code. I tested this with an OBD reader. No errors on iDrive. However, I read somewhere that the dealer has a more detailed OBD reader that does show an error. Just FYI.

[Number]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

great write up! What do you secure the wire to thats holding the flap in the open position?

It's really up to you. Securing the flap is really the McGuyver part.... ghetto even. I used a heavy gauge copper wire and just tied it around the exhaust pipe with the wire running through the flap hinge. The flap hinge has a recess like a flat head screw. Once you get under the car and actually look at it, you'll figure it out. It's really quite simple how it works. Good luck.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

OMG, with it wired open (aka golf tee) it sounds like magic. Makes the hair on my neck stand up thinking about it. Turns heads everywhere. Idles like it's got 500HP. Sounds fantastic between shifts, downshifting and just backing off throttle. Jump on it and it's really sweet. A simple removal of a spring clip and some wire/vice-grips and it's wired open forever.

Hey, any chance you can take a picture showing the right side where the current pic cuts off? (basically i am trying to see what you did with the rest of that wire)

thx

[fshubert]

Sure. Give me a sec.

[fshubert]

Back side of earlier pic. It's a heavy duty baling wire. Run it thru the groove in the flapper stem and twist it tight. It makes sense to check it every few weeks to make sure nothing's loosened up.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

Back side of earlier pic. It's a heavy duty baling wire. Run it thru the groove in the flapper stem and twist it tight. It makes sense to check it every few weeks to make sure nothing's loosened up.

thanks, that helps explain it. Im guessing that its one piece that you wrapped around the pipe, through the actuator(holding it in the open position) and the part i boxed in purple is where the 2 ends meet that you twisted to secure it.

[fshubert]

Yup! Twisted with a pair of vice-grips and then trimmed. I check it every week just to make sure nothing has loosened up.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by fshubert

Yup! Twisted with a pair of vice-grips and then trimmed. I check it every week just to make sure nothing has loosened up.

Thanks bro. Looks like i know exactly what to do when my car comes to get the most from the performance exhaust. Appreciate all the advice.

[fshubert]

Any time! Good luck with the new ride! It's gonna be a fantastic car!! And the stereo is nice!