Exhaust flaps (S3) - modify?

Got mine plugged back in while mine "hibernates" during this lovely weather.

I did think it made it quite loud, but after plugging it back in it sounded no different. It's loud either way. Think it makes it a bit throatier at lower speeds and at idle definitely.

Will probably pull the connectors back out come spring :)
 
I tried this for a few weeks but really didn't like it. Sounded too drony ( if thats a word ). At low speeds was too noisy and I think it make the S-Tronic blurps sound worse. In short I wasn't a fan and won't be trying it again.
 
Tried it today but couldn't even get the ports out. How is it done?
 
Nawaid said:
Tried it today but couldn't even get the ports out. How is it done?
Click to expand...

It's a lot easier if you can get the car off the ground, I reversed my car up onto a high kerb on one side so I had easy access.

It's just a case of pushing down on the clip and pulling them apart, don't be scared to be a bit rough, as they can be tight and fiddly.
 
RYuill said:
It's a lot easier if you can get the car off the ground, I reversed my car up onto a high kerb on one side so I had easy access.

It's just a case of pushing down on the clip and pulling them apart, don't be scared to be a bit rough, as they can be tight and fiddly.
Click to expand...

The Challinor said:
As above, I did mine on the drive - literally a 2 minute job.

Didn't like it though, so swiftly went back in.
Click to expand...

It's a lot easier when your not doing it from underneath the car lol, it took me a minute. I've left the cable hanging though ... Will need to tape the end up at some point I guess.
 
Done this mod at the weekend, wrapped electrical tape around the end of the plugs then gently pushed them back in.

Pleased with the results! Nice grumble at around 2k now
 
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audi upgrades
Mine still done. Garage asked me about it recently when changing tires and told them to leave it.
 
Am quite tempted to try this out now. If rain stays off today then will give it a bash when go home tonight. :)
 
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Done mine tonight, not much louder, but a nicer note!

S3 should be like this from the factory.
 
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Rob-1991 said:
Didnt think it left a Error ????????
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Yes it creates an open circuit. Nothing to worry about though, just plug them back in and the garage will clear them for you or clear them yourself if you can get a hold of someone with a cable.
 
Forgive me if this has been mentioned in this thread already, I have been following this thread for a while, had my exhaust flaps disconnected and then found this VCDS mod on another post in this forum...

I have done this, not 100% sure if it is working though.... would be interested if anyone else has done this and confirmed if it works

Exhaust flaps all open

===================
1 – Engine module
Exhaust Flaps deactivate
Byte 9
Bit 2 - Exhaust Flaps installed check box default activated – deactivate it and save as usual.
 
I forgot to unplug mine!! Must try it soon... or if the above mod works then maybe @RYuill could sort it for me next time he is passing. lol
 
@RGS3 I will be trying this tomorrow so I will let you know how I get on and whether I notice a difference.
 
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Unplugged mine about two weeks ago now. Had a little trouble getting to my left side connection initially, but only took a few minutes to get both done and tied off with cable ties so they don't move around.

The car definitely has more of a growl at low rpm, tone seems a little lower overall. Sound isn't noticeably different at high rpm, pops are possibly a little more profound but nothing to shout about. I have a lot of high walled lanes near me, easy to hear a difference in the sound! Difference at high rpm might just be in my head though as they should be fully open then anyway. Ha!
 
Was just speaking to a couple of the guys in the office who have Golf R's and they have turned off the flaps using VCDS.
There is a check box for flaps installed in the coding which they have unticked and the flaps are now open.

I can't check till Sunday but anyone want to have a look and see if we have the same option? Would save messing around with physical plugs!
 
I tried unplugging mine for a bit the other day, it made a tiny bit of difference (I think??) but put it back in the end. My car is just reaching 2000 miles and is getting a bit louder by itself anyway.

If someone can confirm the VCDS trick works that would be great
 
AndyB-S3 said:
I forgot to unplug mine!! Must try it soon... or if the above mod works then maybe @RYuill could sort it for me next time he is passing. lol
Click to expand...

Would do that for you, no bother. I just wonder if once disabled they are always open or always closed?
 
RGS3 said:
I have done this, not 100% sure if it is working though.... would be interested if anyone else has done this and confirmed if it works

Exhaust flaps all open

===================
1 – Engine module
Exhaust Flaps deactivate
Byte 9
Bit 2 - Exhaust Flaps installed check box default activated – deactivate it and save as usual.
Click to expand...

I have done this and can confirm that it does work. I have been driving around in efficiency for the last hour and the exhaust is definitely louder.
 
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Forbzeeee said:
I have done this and can confirm that it does work. I have been driving around in efficiency for the last hour and the exhaust is definitely louder.
Click to expand...

Ok - thats great, I wasnt too sure it was working on mine - so it saves unplugging the sensors - good news
 
sorry to drag up an old thread... are these flap just on the S3, not A3?
 
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pburv said:
S3 only as far as I'm aware...:yes:
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Correct matey :rock:

The two outer pipes on the S3 are valved - inner pair are permanently open which is why they soot up the most.
 
Last edited:
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Rob2k68 said:
Correct matey :rock:

The two outer pipes on the S3 are valved - inner pair are permanently open which is why they soot up the most.
Click to expand...
Grrrr. I hate that...:grumpy:.
 
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pburv said:
S3 only as far as I'm aware...:yes:
Click to expand...

Ahh ******, thanks.
Want to make the A3 sound better (and perform ideally..) but i have limited options - company car...:sob:
Any suggestions...?
 
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Max-Robbo said:
Ahh ******, thanks.
Want to make the A3 sound better (and perform ideally..) but i have limited options - company car...:sob:
Any suggestions...?
Click to expand...

DTUK box, and remove it before it goes in for any work!
 
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RO65ERS said:
DTUK box, and remove it before it goes in for any work!
Click to expand...
AS RO65ERS says above..That's your best bet...Better bangs for you 'bucks'...lol:friends:
 
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Been toying with this idea for a few months - am I right in saying these can be retuned when I change cars? and I'm not sure of employer repercussions.. i'll just have to make sure i dont crash! haha..
 
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Max-Robbo said:
Been toying with this idea for a few months - am I right in saying these can be retuned when I change cars? and I'm not sure of employer repercussions.. i'll just have to make sure i dont crash! haha..
Click to expand...
Always good not to crash..lol
I can't help you on the tuning box as it's something I have ever tried but I'm sure some one will come along with some proper advise... :friends:
 
pburv said:
Always good not to crash..lol
I can't help you on the tuning box as it's something I have ever tried but I'm sure some one will come along with some proper advise... :friends:
Click to expand...

Spoken to someone on the DTUK site and providing the looms are the same with my next car (can't see it not being VAG though) they'll put the right software on for no charge other than postage! I'm almost sold..
 
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Max-Robbo said:
Spoken to someone on the DTUK site and providing the looms are the same with my next car (can't see it not being VAG though) they'll put the right software on for no charge other than postage! I'm almost sold..
Click to expand...

they can "remap" the box to suit your next car, or additionally you can buy the loom if its required.
these boxes really are versatile!
 
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Maybe a stupid question but if you disable the exhaust flaps via VCDS does it matter if the car is running or not e.g. does it check what state they are currently in or just stop controlling them?
 
I keep meaning to try this, but ideally I don't want to raise a fault which may ask questions at the dealer - especially if I dontn like it and plug them back in anyway.

What is putting me off is that people don't really describe a noticeable gain. I want something that others will notice and comment on to make it worthwhile difference?

Are there any videos or a video someone is willing to make with the valves connected then disconnected?

People mention there car gets "louder" as is it beds in also. Again, is this noticeable? I am still under 1k miles. Sometimes I love the sound and others I struggle to hear anything.
 
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