[dorschman]

Does anyone know of a source of a blank that could be used to unplug the exhaust valve controller solenoids and then have a blank male and female to plug in so water/ dirt do not get in? And to make it easy to re-enable them if desired at some point?

[powerplaymike]

Originally Posted by dorschman

Does anyone know of a source of a blank that could be used to unplug the exhaust valve controller solenoids and then have a blank male and female to plug in so water/ dirt do not get in? And to make it easy to re-enable them if desired at some point?

Not sure if it fits / is applicable for the M2C, but there’s this OEM item:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/18302411427/

And I’ve also seen this on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176716529191

But, at those prices, IMO for not much more you can either
1) buy a valve controller and have complete control of the valves rather than being forced to run them wide open …
or
2) do the free option most people do which is a zip lock bag or other DIY to protect the plugs.

[powerplaymike]

Another option i just thought of, is maybe contacting CG Precision and see if they’re able to just sell you unwired connectors they use for their valve controller

[dorschman]

I appreciate the ideas. I may just unplug and see how I like it first.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by dorschman

I may just unplug and see how I like it first.

Or just remove fuses F146 and F147 after cold start (or when both valves open) and leave the plugs connected. Easy to put fuses back in to re-activate.

[powerplaymike]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Or just remove fuses F146 and F147 after cold start (or when both valves open) and leave the plugs connected. Easy to put fuses back in to re-activate.

If i recall, doesn’t that potentially interfere with a charging system inverter or something (that may or may not even be on the M2C)?

[powerplaymike]

Originally Posted by dorschman

I appreciate the ideas. I may just unplug and see how I like it first.

If you haven’t even disconnected them yet, yes do that first to see if you like it. Takes seconds to do

Personally, and I’m super hyper sensitive to noises / drone / squeaks / etc … I like it a lot. Makes the exhaust note deeper outside, without being intrusive or really even that noticeable interior wise (there’s definitely times I open and shut the flaps just to see if they’re working / in the correct mode)

The only exception being right around 3000 rpm it does cause some minor vibration / resonance in the car, but again I’m hyper sensitive to those things. Others may not notice at all.

I say that cause while I like it … I don’t like it enough to leave it disconnected full- time … but definitely enough that I like having the ability to chose open vs “normal” when desired with a $200 controller. … and it’s a ton cheaper than a very expensive M-taxed exhaust that you don’t really know what you’re gonna get

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by powerplaymike

If i recall, doesn’t that potentially interfere with a charging system inverter or something (that may or may not even be on the M2C)?

Yes, 147 is parking assistant (which no F87 has) and 146 is the DC/DC converter power stabilizer for auto start/stop (which I have off).

Like anything YMMV, but I've run my OG without F146 for ~6 years with no issues.

[dorschman]

What controller do you use? I had been looking at this one-

https://burgertuning.com/products/ob...e-for-f-series

[powerplaymike]

Originally Posted by dorschman

What controller do you use? I had been looking at this one-

https://burgertuning.com/products/ob...e-for-f-series

My progression:

Disconnected rear valves and went for a drive to see if I even liked them open (which I did, but didn’t like the idea of the harness’s exposed to the weather)

So, purchased that BMS one secondhand as an easy-to-install proof of concept to see if I liked the ability to control the valves (knowing I prolly wouldn’t keep it though as I didn’t really like it tying up the OBD port)

After install of the BMS controller, I also didn’t really like the way it functioned with the control stalk (for the way I use the on-board computer) so I sold it and got the CG Precision VSC2.



Had also looked at the SST and MAD units, as those perform similarly (using a key fob which means can be programmed to homelink mirror).

Ultimately, each has pros/cons. … mostly viewable on the F80/F82 forums as not many F87 owners use valve controllers:

BMS = nice that it’s easy to install, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of having something basically tapping into the gauge cluster for configuration, nor was I a fan of how the BC stalk controlled it. Also has some “quirks” with the M2C digital dashboard and also BMS customer service is pretty abysmal IMO (basing on multiple personal interactions and also while trying to research some products for multiple cars on different forums)

CG VSC2 = nice that it’s intended to be mounted outside the car and has a bracket to install at the hanger itself and is wrapped in heat resistant shielding. There are some reports of reliability issues in the past. Also, only has two settings, and must be designated at time of purchase. That’s not an issue for me, since homelink has 3 buttons (and one of them is my garage door)

SST/MAD/Dahler (pretty much all the same) = nice that it has four settings. Seems to be the most reliable. But, ideally made to be mounted inside the trunk or hidden compartment (ie no mounting bracket) … which on the F87 platform isn’t impossible but isn’t as easy as the newer G platforms since the harnesses are larger than any known access holes. Also, and this is purely subjective, but IMO the Dahler units gives influencer vibes when you search for reviews on YouTube and forums.

[dorschman]

Thank you for the summary. Question- do you know if with the CG VS2 you can change the setting with homelink with the ignition on but before you actually start the car? Looking at their web site it's not clear to me. As in if I have the default setting open and the active setting closed can I hit the ignition button, closed the valves with home link, and then actually start the car?

[powerplaymike]

Originally Posted by dorschman

Thank you for the summary. Question- do you know if with the CG VS2 you can change the setting with homelink with the ignition on but before you actually start the car? Looking at their web site it's not clear to me. As in if I have the default setting open and the active setting closed can I hit the ignition button, closed the valves with home link, and then actually start the car?

Agreed their instructions are a little unclear with the language / terminology used for activated vs on vs open

But, I believe the answer to your question is yes, that’s doable (if you wanted and if you get the harness configured to the appropriate settings)

FYI, it’s detailed a little bit on page 5, bullet point 2 of the current instructions.

Basically when ignition is first turned on, the CG goes into it’s default setting (whatever configuration was built for “default”)

So, you would press ignition button one time to turn the car on (and automatically puts CG controller in default setting) … then press the key fob or homelink button for the valve controller to go into “activated” mode (which in your configuration would be closed if built that way) … and then depress clutch or brake as needed and hit ignition button to actually start engine.

In that process, since the car isn’t technically turning off going from acc/on -> start, I’m assuming the CG unit isn’t seeing enough voltage drop to shutdown and restart default setting

Now, there is a kicker:
At least on my M2C, it seems the car’s OEM default programming always has the valves open at start-up, even for a short 1-5 seconds.

So, while technically you could do what you’re seeking if you create order the harness for “activated = closed”, I personally wouldn’t because I feel you’re going against what the car is trying to do.

In my mind, it’s unlikely a bad thing to keep valves forced open because that’s basically comparable to running an open exhaust (which tends not to cause problems in cars) … but it *could* be a bad thing to force valves closed when the car prefers more flow.

Just my opinion, but a long way of saying yes what you’re seeking is technically doable with the CG VSC unit.

And, with the other units (SST, MAD, Dahler) … I believe they either store last setting and/or have a default (I don’t remember for sure) … if I recall, the BMS stores previous setting.

[dorschman]

thank you- that's helpful