Maybe The Best Modification I've Ever Made!

[Fishy Dave]

Do you know how reliable they M3 guy's have found them to be?

They seem a bit of a mixed bag, some have lasted 7 or 8 years whilst others have broken in 6 months. What I did notice was that money spent didn't always equal reliability. As someone mentioned earlier, for the price I paid if I had to replace a valve every year it would still be really cheap as I wouldn't need a complete kit each time and it's just three bolts to remove and an electrical cable. So far so good, the valve had a good work out today. :evil:

 

[Fishy Dave]

It's OBSCENELY LOUD :lol: and then back to standard at a touch of a button. 8) For the outlay I'd have to agree with Dave that's it's one of the best things you can do. It also doesn't have to be that loud as he has explained, it's a cool system.
The actual noise, hmmm, well it's how do I put it, perhaps not the most cultured of sounds but if it's aggression you're after on a spirited drive then it certainly ticks that box.
The ability to go back to a stock noise when required is really cool though and something I wish I could do with my SS sometimes.

I agree with that assessment completely. My wife drove the Z today with me in charge of the remote control When appropriate I told her to change down a couple of gears and give it some welly. She ignored me and just put her foot down in the same gear at 3k revs, this resulted in a loud, Saxo like bean can drone (from the car, not my wife) and sounded pretty rubbish, so I closed the valve up again at a press of a button and we trundled along quietly for the rest of the journey. Later on I was in the hot seat and between 5k and 8k I think it sounds very race car like (LOUD) with the valve fully open, I'm really happy with the contrast.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I think the S54 was designed to scream rather than rubble through the low rev range. I'm warming to the idea of race car loud when my current set up isn't quite enough!

Do you know how reliable they M3 guy's have found them to be?

They seem a bit of a mixed bag, some have lasted 7 or 8 years whilst others have broken in 6 months. What I did notice was that money spent didn't always equal reliability. As someone mentioned earlier, for the price I paid if I had to replace a valve every year it would still be really cheap as I wouldn't need a complete kit each time and it's just three bolts to remove and an electrical cable. So far so good, the valve had a good work out today. :evil:

So you don't need to visit an exhaust fitter to replace the valve if it fails?

 

[Beedub]

I think the S54 was designed to scream rather than rubble through the low rev range. I'm warming to the idea of race car loud when my current set up isn't quite enough!

Do you know how reliable they M3 guy's have found them to be?

They seem a bit of a mixed bag, some have lasted 7 or 8 years whilst others have broken in 6 months. What I did notice was that money spent didn't always equal reliability. As someone mentioned earlier, for the price I paid if I had to replace a valve every year it would still be really cheap as I wouldn't need a complete kit each time and it's just three bolts to remove and an electrical cable. So far so good, the valve had a good work out today. :evil:

So you don't need to visit an exhaust fitter to replace the valve if it fails?

can we swap exhausts!!! mine with the large bore pipe work and Race Cats is just really making me not enjoy the car!! i want as quiet as possible.

the RPI are super light and are in perfect condition and pass all the noise tests even with my setup....

 

[Fishy Dave]

So you don't need to visit an exhaust fitter to replace the valve if it fails?

I wouldn't, no, as the welded part remains and that's the bit I paid the exhaust fitters to attach for me. It's just three bolts to remove the only moving part, swap it for the new one and tighten up 3 bolts. It is in an accessible part of the car so a jack with axle stands or ramps would allow you to get to the motor.

 

[Viren]

This looks like a great mod and keeps a stock look! My only worry is whether any excessive heat would be sent somewhere problematic? Do you know if this is actually a problem or just a worry in my head!

 

[Fishy Dave]

This looks like a great mod and keeps a stock look! My only worry is whether any excessive heat would be sent somewhere problematic? Do you know if this is actually a problem or just a worry in my head!

Some of the hot gases still come out both back boxes, the rest is directed through the stubby exhaust down and to the back of the car. Surrounding the valve is a decent amount of free space with the ARB and other suspension components being closest. The fuel tanks are of course under the rear of the car but this valve is further away than the standard exhausts, so no heat worries on my part.

 

[Fishy Dave]

can we swap exhausts!!! mine with the large bore pipe work and Race Cats is just really making me not enjoy the car!! i want as quiet as possible.

the RPI are super light and are in perfect condition and pass all the noise tests even with my setup....

Hi Beedub,

I'd have possibly given them a try before adding this mod but the silence is too important to me now. Maybe sell on the RPI but keep the cats? We will meet up at some stage I'm sure, you're welcome to hear the difference.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

So you don't need to visit an exhaust fitter to replace the valve if it fails?

I wouldn't, no, as the welded part remains and that's the bit I paid the exhaust fitters to attach for me. It's just three bolts to remove the only moving part, swap it for the new one and tighten up 3 bolts. It is in an accessible part of the car so a jack with axle stands or ramps would allow you to get to the motor.

Excellent, I think I'll give it serious consideration

 

[BMWZ4MC]

can we swap exhausts!!! mine with the large bore pipe work and Race Cats is just really making me not enjoy the car!! i want as quiet as possible.

the RPI are super light and are in perfect condition and pass all the noise tests even with my setup....

Hi Beedub,

I'd have possibly given them a try before adding this mod but the silence is too important to me now. Maybe sell on the RPI but keep the cats? We will meet up at some stage I'm sure, you're welcome to hear the difference.

Beedub, Remus back boxes give a really nice sound and aren't seriously loud. With race cats, I expect it would be a little louder but I doubt it would be offensively so. They are fairly inexpensive too.

I need something modest for early morning starts / work / track day drive by noise tests etc and I'd like something raucous for those empty country road blats :evil: I think this could be my solution...

 

[goon]

An appalling looking lash up reminiscent of the type of crap that was sold in Maxpower magazine in the 90s.

 

[Fishy Dave]

An appalling looking lash up reminiscent of the type of crap that was sold in Maxpower magazine in the 90s.

Yes, I have to agree with you Thankfully I don't have to look at it, just hear it. :driving: At least it can be removed with no trace at a later date.

 

[goon]

An appalling looking lash up reminiscent of the type of crap that was sold in Maxpower magazine in the 90s.

Yes, I have to agree with you Thankfully I don't have to look at it, just hear it. :driving: At least it can be removed with no trace at a later date.

yes that's right I been looking for nice backbones for a while now but they're not cheap really like the stroking efforts.

 

[wspohn]

Guess it is a cheap way to get more noise, as well as power (but only so long as you have the cut-out open).

My preference is replacing the mufflers which gives you the added power all the time and sounds great all the time. Obviously a more costly way to go. To each his own. At least it is a step up from punching holes in the muffler with a drill like high school boys sometimes do.

I'll even admit to installing a cut-out on a car - in about 1972, and I used it for about a week until I tired of it (the neighbours grew tired of it much, much sooner....) Maybe it is like laying rubber - for some the smoke and noise will amuse them indefinitely. For others it is a brief giggle until they realize that they are paying for the spent rubber.

 

[idej_z4]

I love this mod, best of both world's imo. I want a Eisenmann back box but they're bloody expensive. Rally did this to his zed, and I really liked the results, and being able to quieten it down really appeals to me as I live in a quiet village and my car is my daily. Link to the one you bought? I've seen them for circa £155 so that's cheap.
Video soon please!

Have you looked at a longlife stainless steel back box? I've got one on mine and it more or less sounds the same as OPs in this post.

 

[bmwaddict]

It's being able to quieten it right down and go back into stealth mode which really appeals to me.

 

[Fishy Dave]

My preference is replacing the mufflers which gives you the added power all the time and sounds great all the time.

Therein lays part of the problem for me, I don't want the noise all of the time. I am borderline being able to get on track at Thruxton with the standard exhaust and on trips to the ring, or visiting my parents in Norfolk the ability to be in relative peace and quiet is pretty valuable to me. Now the initial novelty has worn off I only open the exhaust flap once every other drive, but when I do on an open road it sounds epic to these ears. 30 seconds later I close the exhaust cutout and return to listening the Eventuri and mellow, standard exhaust. The best part of 7 years with a Caterham has definitely helped me value my ear drums on long journeys!
No question that cost came into it as I'd rather spend £1000+ on my racing at present.
I will be at the Gary Feakins open day on Sunday (see events) for anyone who wants a listen on the open road. :driving:

 

[Fishy Dave]

It's being able to quieten it right down and go back into stealth mode which really appeals to me.

 

[mj2k]

Love it, my JCW has the Bluetooth exhaust & love it.

Wanted something for the M to make it louder but still remain quiet when required.

Time to find a local place that can do it for me

 

[Vanne]

If you like it, awesome!!

I gotta ask though how this works for when it's time to do your MOT? What's the guy gonna say when he sees that in your exhaust?

Is it legal?