[LACSTER]

Is this connector in the same place for the e93?

[ano0oj]

Have had it for 30k+ miles now, and no issues whatsoever on my 09.

[buit9110]

this mod is awesome! i don't have to worry about codes b/c i have the cable to clear any codes in my car.

[Mlevin2]

Just did this to my 08' 335xi sedan out of curiousity....Cant tell a difference really ...Car always had a nice sound to me!

[JavaG80]

Originally Posted by e92sydney

Hi, I unplugged the actuator control in the trunk today and I realised that it doesn't reset when you plug it back in. The butterfly valve seems to remain open all the time now (ie doesnt close when starting the car, or at low revs)

Has anyone else had the same problem? Mine's a 2007 e92 335i.

I have an 07 E90 335 and have the same problem. I unplugged it to listen for a difference, noticed some drone that i wasnt too happy about and plugged it back in after a few hours. But, the drone never went away. Hmm....

[garry1971]

Originally Posted by Revlis

OK I know I am not the first to do this, someone had to clue me in, but instead of plugging, crimping, or otherwise disconnecting the vacuum line under the car, just unplug the actuator in the trunk in front of the drivers side tail light. I was a little unclear as to how this works, but it's dead simple, easily reversible, and doesn't involve digging under the car. Win-Win!

So a big thanks to whomever it was that clued me in... I like the sound of the dual exhaust all the time without the bypass, but I also like being able to quiet it down if I am going on a long interstate drive... So here's a Barney Style Step by step to a better exhaust sound on demand. :rocks:

--------ETA: Perform at your own risk, Myself and many others have had no ill effects, but you never really know.---------------

Ok I know this was said, even though I didn't read the whole post... But why are we doing this and what is the point

[yoandry]

I have 330i, i can do it right

[BTTGMan]

turbos are driven by exhaust pressure. it is too simplistic to say that by opening up the exhaust all the time you would only increase turbo spooling. this is not how pressure works. there are times at cruising when you want to push pressure up, artificially, to keep some turbo spooling despite lack of full throttle acceleration. light compression at cruising will boost fool economy and keep engine smoothe. The whole purpose of the valve, as best i can tell, is to ensure that turbos can spool during full acceleration AND during mild cruising, so you get the benefit of forced induction under both scenarious (more power/speed for acceleration, and more fuel economy at cruising).

I agree that the engineers also designed the system to keep the valve closed for the first minute of warmup to heat up the cat quicker. this is just a bonus use though. that is why after a minute, teh valve opens back up and the car idles with both exhaust pipes open. (all of us who live with cold winters can verify this fact).

german engineers are very detail oriented see e.g. the windows that crack 1/8 of inch when the door is opened, etc. they wouldn't put the valve in for no reason. they might put it in for luxury reasons, but if that's the case they would have included an automatic override for when you are in DS mode.

[gtenedio]

wow....10times easier than golf tee

[AWe90]

just read 20 painful pages, but not so conclusive ;-)

Are there any long term damages that can occur to cats, ecu, or anything else as a result of doing this mod?

[laperacfo]

Originally Posted by BTTGMan

german engineers are very detail oriented see e.g. the windows that crack 1/8 of inch when the door is opened, etc. they wouldn't put the valve in for no reason. they might put it in for luxury reasons, but if that's the case they would have included an automatic override for when you are in DS mode.

I agree with German engineers being very detail oriented but the windows that crack 1/8 of an inch are also present on other coupes such as the G35/37. The G35 coupe had this when it first came out.

[bulldog_yyc]

Originally Posted by AWe90

just read 20 painful pages, but not so conclusive ;-)

Are there any long term damages that can occur to cats, ecu, or anything else as a result of doing this mod?

no

[kelvin2010]

Did this DIY on my 2008 335i yesterday. But got the "service engine soon" light on today while driving................
So, people who are going to do this DIY, watch out!
I am not sure if the light related to this mod, but big chance. My car just got certified by BMW a week ago....I am going to get my car to the dealer and check it out few days later.....

[floot_roops]

An update... I've now driven 18,000 miles with the actuator unplugged, a small amount of which were with a JB+. I've been to the dealer a few times for routine service and miscellania (top off coolant, burned out halo bulb) and no problems.

Never had a visible could or SES light.

Got an AP today (which I know isn't as good at reading codes at a BT cable, from what I understand), and no codes with the actuator unplugged.

I'm sure there is some random little code that is thrown, but I'm also pretty sure no one at BMW cares about it.

BTTGMan's post was interesting. There just seem to be an awful lot of good, technologically advanced turbo cars out there without this. I agree that BMW is detail oriented, so maybe there's a reason... Then again, the windows dropping 1/8" was brought up, and to me, that's an unnecessary detail and not necessarily a testament to them. You can build a frameless door that has just as good of a seal and doesn't need the window to constantly slide up and down like that... those of use who had WRX's know... (the WRX's entire door seemed to move up in the last millimeters of closing, such that the glass went below and then up under the "rim."

Bottom line regarding this "mod": It's not a big deal either way. Try it and see if you like it. If you don't, or you're even a tiny, tiny bit worried about it, then just don't do it. You're not missing out on that much. But if, like me, you think there's zero problem with doing this and you do like the very, very subtle change in exhaust note, go for it.

[E90Vader]

Wow, I just spent the past 2 hours reading every single page on this thread!! Very entertaining to say the least.

Bottom line, how many of you would upgrade your exhausts if you had 2K laying around?? All of you... How many tuners notice increased performance when there exhaust is upgraded??? Everyone...
How many upgraded exhausts have this Flap actuator??? None!!!

No harm will occur from this, its turns your stock exhaust into exactly what an aftermarket exhaust will be..

It quiets sound at low RPM and during start up. * Nicer for older folk who don't want droning *

It also helps heat up cat ETC Blah Blah.. But if you are smart you will drive your car slow until you at least see 1 tick on your heat gauge..

If you were to run out and buy an aftermarket exhaust what then?? You let your car heat up before you drive it hard.

Absolutely Zero consequences.

I'm going to test this mod out right now! I have a heated underground parking garage in my condo so I should really notice the difference.

I'll post in 15 minutes when I'm back!

[E90Vader]

Done and Done! Made a Huge difference, I noticed it was it screamed more 1500 - 4000 RPM, It sounds Worlds better!

Whole procedure was super simple, I unplugged it bent it back upwards and rested it on the other wires above, used Scotch tape and taped it around a bunch so it is taped to the other wire, thus means it wont bump around.

Fantastic no brainer modification to enhance sound of your stock exhaust.
I didn't feel like letting it hang there, didn't want to moving around when I drove my car.

[Leemot]

I unplugged mine it lasted 2 days then sent my car into limp mode so i stopped turned off the engine plugged it back in limp mode reset itself no problems dont recomend this mod your car can detect it so it must be a problem to the way the car runs

[E90Vader]

This doesn't make any sense... Say you bought a BMW sports tuned exhaust, or an after market exhaust. You won't have a valve actuator so would the car then go into limp mode?? I think not...

[YoungALaw]

Originally Posted by E90Vader

This doesn't make any sense... Say you bought a BMW sports tuned exhaust, or an after market exhaust. You won't have a valve actuator so would the car then go into limp mode?? I think not...

So if I'm reading this correctly, if you are running aftermarket exhaust this mod is essentially useless? I have the AFE "Cat Back" Exhaust (it's really axel back since it doesn't delete the secondary cats) and I tried this on my car last night after reading about half of the posts on this endless topic . I definitely noticed a slight difference in tone at startup and idle and a definite change at mid-upper rpms. Seems to work for me, but it could be because I still have all four cats on the car. Or I could be crazy and just hearing things.

P.S. Procede users: The guys over at Vishnu recommend unplugging this actuator/solenoid no matter what. Apparently while having the Procede in the vehicle and unplugging the solenoid will help disguise your tune and throw dealerships on a wild goose chase using the CANclear function. Check this post out on the Vishnu forum about "Diagnostic Invisibility:"

http://www.vishnutuningforum.com/vie...2d1ed99984d1cc

I think you have to register as a user to read it, but interesting nonetheless. IMO I don't have an issue with unplugging the actuator as a Procede user, I just would like to make sure there is no power loss in the process, which I'm still unclear on...

[zobr]

Does this throw a code?

[curvesurfer]

Great tip, I'll try today. Some motorcycles have this, primarily for sound control and slightly better low rpm performance. But they are NA and all aftermarket exhausts delete it. Same thing here I suspect.

[dcm52]

This threw a code for me. Took aweek or so but I had to reinstall