Unplugging S3 Exhaust valves

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J0sh93

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I just followed this video and unplugged the valves on my S3 8V FL.



I've been out for a blast in it and really cant tell any difference? Should there be any noticeable difference and is there any way to tell if the valves are in fact open?

Cheers
 
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Start it up when cold. Put your hand over each pipe at one side fumes should be coming out both ?
 
You did remove them with the engine running and in dynamic yes?

There is more of a subtle difference when your exhaust is standard but you can hear it when you become familiar with the car. When you pull off a standstill your valves close until 3000rpm! So between 1000 and 3000rpm, that’s where you will find the biggest difference.
 
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I remember someone also saying as well as putting tape on the plug you can also buy a blank for the female side to keep the muck out of that.

*Hope he had a mate with him in the video to make sure nobody jumped in and drove off! :)
 
I did mine thru VCDS and used a inspection mirror in the tail pipe to see if they were open. Make sure u use some type of anti fog like rain x on the mirror..
 
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I didn’t think there was a difference but after around 5 k miles with it unplugged I plugged them back in and it is noticeable were as before it didn’t matter what Drive select it was in it was always loud
 
Ahhhh I see you found my video on YouTube :)

You can tell a difference only below 3000rpm.
The valves in dynamic mode are open at idle, they close when you start to move and open again at 3000rpm.
This mod means they are open all the time.

Drive it for a week like this, then close them for a day, you will think "where has my exhaust sound gone"
 
Stupid question, does this make a difference cruising down the motorway then in 6th gear ?.... can't think what RPM get in the S3 at motorway speeds.

Sounds like a good mod - assume unplugging and the VCDS way basically achieve the same thing also?
 
oli356 said:
Stupid question, does this make a difference cruising down the motorway then in 6th gear ?.... can't think what RPM get in the S3 at motorway speeds.

Sounds like a good mod - assume unplugging and the VCDS way basically achieve the same thing also?
Click to expand...

Motorway sounds fine, no drone as the resonator is still there, unless you have that cut out too.
The flaps are there to reduce the exhaust flow below 3000RPM and stop the gurgling and popping for low speed driving, espcially in eco modes etc.
All this does is give the exhaust more flow and allows the crackling etc at lower speeds.

Yes this and the VCDS is exaclty the same.
This does throw up a soft code but not a hard code fault, so nothing to worry about.
 
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Thanks for all the responses. After driving it for a week or so with them unplugged, I can 100% tell the difference now!

Time for a res delete aswell I think, might get in touch with BCS for the anti drone pipe.
 
LeeDaviesS3 said:
Motorway sounds fine, no drone as the resonator is still there, unless you have that cut out too.
The flaps are there to reduce the exhaust flow below 3000RPM and stop the gurgling and popping for low speed driving, espcially in eco modes etc.
All this does is give the exhaust more flow and allows the crackling etc at lower speeds.

Yes this and the VCDS is exaclty the same.
This does throw up a soft code but not a hard code fault, so nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Thanks Lee.
This is the right cable then yeah? Not sure if slightly different on PFL (mine).
IMG 20171130 WA0040

Connects to this thing, can't see anything else so it must be.
IMG 20171130 WA0042
 
LeeDaviesS3 said:
The flaps are there to reduce the exhaust flow below 3000RPM and stop the gurgling and popping for low speed driving, espcially in eco modes etc.
Click to expand...

Any chance the are valves are also fitted to keep the noise down when you're driving in residential areas? There's an M4 fitted with a mod exhaust about 8 doors up from my house. I really don't need to hear him taking the kids to school or leaving for work.
 
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Well my neighbors will be getting upset when I fit my Milltek and you know what!

F**K THEM they don't t worry when they make loads on noise waking my son early hours etc so....

I know two wrongs don't make a right but my wrong will sound right oh and loud !
 
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cheers for this buddy, did it yesterday before i gave her a goold ole snow foamin ;)
 
Chris43 said:
Any chance the are valves are also fitted to keep the noise down when you're driving in residential areas? There's an M4 fitted with a mod exhaust about 8 doors up from my house. I really don't need to hear him taking the kids to school or leaving for work.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that extreme, it isn't like fitting a non-resonated exhaust.
It's merely the exhaust note from 3k rpm onwards but from 0rpm onwards.

The exhaust doesn't change it's still stock.
 
Got round to doing this at the weekend. It makes a noticeable difference that's for sure. Though I haven't yet driven in none town traffic yet to see what the difference is like on open roads, but on the commute can get some nice sounds.
 
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oli356 said:
Got round to doing this at the weekend. It makes a noticeable difference that's for sure. Though I haven't yet driven in none town traffic yet to see what the difference is like on open roads, but on the commute can get some nice sounds.
Click to expand...

If you wouldn't mind, and this goes for anyone else who has used my video above.
Could you please like and comment on it to boost the youtube rankings for it?

Would be greatly appreciated.
 
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LeeDaviesS3 said:
If you wouldn't mind, and this goes for anyone else who has used my video above.
Could you please like and comment on it to boost the youtube rankings for it?

Would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Done mate

Is it worthwhile plugging this back in before the car goes in to Audi? I seem to remember someone says it throws up a minor error, is this something they should just glance over? Maybe for the service its worth putting it back in for? At the moment they are looking at software issues so shouldn't be related.
 
oli356 said:
Done mate

Is it worthwhile plugging this back in before the car goes in to Audi? I seem to remember someone says it throws up a minor error, is this something they should just glance over? Maybe for the service its worth putting it back in for? At the moment they are looking at software issues so shouldn't be related.
Click to expand...

Thanks oli,

I would personally.
It only throws up a soft code so no it won't affect warranties etc, but it's just evidence in the future if you start to remap etc.
 
Hey guys, I started the car and put it in dynamic and then the gearbox in sport and switched the car off. Started the car again and then switched it off. Then I unplugged the valve cables. Is it possible for one side to stay closed? I ask this because the left outer exhaust is clean still but the rest are dirty, so I know the right side is open. Any ideas? It also doesn’t sound as deep as I was expecting when I drive around. Maybe I was expecting too much though.
 
A9001 said:
Hey guys, I started the car and put it in dynamic and then the gearbox in sport and switched the car off. Started the car again and then switched it off. Then I unplugged the valve cables. Is it possible for one side to stay closed? I ask this because the left outer exhaust is clean still but the rest are dirty, so I know the right side is open. Any ideas? It also doesn’t sound as deep as I was expecting when I drive around. Maybe I was expecting too much though.
Click to expand...
Well if all 4 were open before you unplugged the cables, then you shouldn't have a problem.

But if you start the car and then don't toggle out of dynamic and back into it , I'm not sure if all 4 are open. I unplugged mine with the engine on after sticking my fingers up the tips to make sure they were open (feel the heat..)
 
I unplugged mine at the weekend and purchased the 2 x valve delete modules and 2 x dust caps. Got them used off eBay for about £25.

You will know if they are open simply by putting your hand over the outer tips and you can feel the exhaust gas. Not sure how you’ve managed to open only one and not the other?!

I would suggest perhaps reconnecting the side that you think is still closed and repeat the process. E.g put into dynamic making sure the valve is open. Then turn off engine. Then disconnect the valve once more. Plug in the connector. It should be fairly simple, took me 10 mins max to do both sides.

For whowever is interested... it is louder under 3k as people have suggested and I was worried about drown which it’s seems fine (I do decent motorway miles) But you still need to have in dynamic to get the full benefit of the exhaust noise/pops etc. However cruising in comfort there is definitely more exhaust noise. Perfect mod for me at little cost.....
 
I bought a cheap usb phone camera attachment, from aliexpress, to check mine were open :smiley:

Valve
 
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I've just done this on my pfl s3 8v. WTF there not connected and the valves shut. Don't ask me how. Got the delete plugs. Deep burble on idle Rev it and two close. LOST!
 
Leevr said:
I've just done this on my pfl s3 8v. WTF there not connected and the valves shut. Don't ask me how. Got the delete plugs. Deep burble on idle Rev it and two close. LOST!
Click to expand...
Its getting ridiculous now...lol
 
I was hoping someone could explain this. Car sound better in efficiency setting although no grunt from the engine. Guarentee all four are open in efficiency from idle.
 
Do you have to do this for both sides? Left was easy. Couldn’t manage it on the right...
 
ldn said:
Do you have to do this for both sides? Left was easy. Couldn’t manage it on the right...
Click to expand...
Suppose you don't HAVE to, but yes you should. For the right one, I sit behind the car and put my hand straight over the exhaust tips and remove it that way. Sometimes they can be a real pain to get out!! Though the left usually gives me more grief.
 
A9001 said:
Hey guys, I started the car and put it in dynamic and then the gearbox in sport and switched the car off. Started the car again and then switched it off. Then I unplugged the valve cables. Is it possible for one side to stay closed? I ask this because the left outer exhaust is clean still but the rest are dirty, so I know the right side is open. Any ideas? It also doesn’t sound as deep as I was expecting when I drive around. Maybe I was expecting too much though.
Click to expand...


Did you end up getting this issue fixed?? My left most exhaust tip never got dirty like the rest of them while in dynamic mode (used it for almost a month in this mode). Tried the "unplug" method today, let's see if it got fixed.

BTW i have a MY17 S3
 
Just unplugged mine and can hear a subtle increase in noise. Most noticeable when gearbox is in d as it tends to stay below 3k

Only at 2300 miles so imagine the exhaust will get louder as it gets some more miles under its belt.

Are there any negatives to doing this?

Does it effect fuel consumption, or power and torque?
 
winrya said:
Just unplugged mine and can hear a subtle increase in noise. Most noticeable when gearbox is in d as it tends to stay below 3k

Only at 2300 miles so imagine the exhaust will get louder as it gets some more miles under its belt.

Are there any negatives to doing this?

Does it effect fuel consumption, or power and torque?
Click to expand...
You could get crap in the plugs if you have not taped them up. I am sure you can buy end caps so that could be an option. I done mine via coding so didnt have to worry about that. Yes it does get better with age. Don't think it makes any difference with fuel etc as unrelated.
 
I’ve taped the plugs up so hopefully should protect them.

I wanted to do them with obdeleven but flapper mod doesn’t appear to work on 2018 cars. That would have been a far cleaner mod.

I’ll test it for a while and see what I think. Researching the mod I stumbled across a golf r forum post and there was a massive amount of moaning about drone. Didn’t notice any drone so far
 
winrya said:
I’ve taped the plugs up so hopefully should protect them.

I wanted to do them with obdeleven but flapper mod doesn’t appear to work on 2018 cars. That would have been a far cleaner mod.

I’ll test it for a while and see what I think. Researching the mod I stumbled across a golf r forum post and there was a massive amount of moaning about drone. Didn’t notice any drone so far
Click to expand...
There's no drone from just opening the valves, thats bs...

A resonator delete can cause it though.
 
audi upgrades
I went out for the day yesterday and under normal driving the car sounded so much better. It sounds sporty when driving normally, not ott, just how I would have expected it from the factory. No extra noise once cruising, just when accelerating through the gears. Didn’t seem to effect fuel consumption and weirdly made the car feel more responsive at low revs which I assume is because it doesn’t sound so muted.
 
Thanks Josul
I presume doing it this way will not result in error codes? Otherwise you need to invest in deletion modules and caps
 
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