S5 Exhaust Valve Mod

[R.A.G]

I've been watching the thread below with interest and decided to take the plunge and give it a go!

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s4-exhaust-valve-tweak.326088/

Very simple mod, start the engine, stick it in Dynamic and Sport on the gearbox, which opens both valves, turn the car off and then disconnect the connector from each valve, taping up the male and female ends to avoid water/dirt ingress.

The car sounds so much better, without needing to scream the knackers off it in sport mode all of the time.

Another benefit is you don't get the one dirty exhaust, you get four mildly dirty ones instead lol!

If you're after a slightly deeper grumblier exhaust note it's well worth the 5 minutes under the car!

 

[KBB]

Still waiting for my S5, but this sounds interesting. Are these valves hard to reach? Is this mod applies to B9 S5?

 

[R.A.G]

Still waiting for my S5, but this sounds interesting. Are these valves hard to reach? Is this mod applies to B9 S5?

Yeah relatively easy, I didn't even need to jack the car up, just slid under.

Yep correct, B9 S5.

 

[KBB]

Cool, do you have a picture or anything? The one on the other thread doesnt rly help much.
Also hows the sound when you cruising 70ish on the motorway? Isnt that annoying/loud a bit on longer journeys?

 

[R.A.G]

It's a very awkward area to get a clear shot of but once you're under there it's very self explanatory.

It's pretty subdued unless the engine is under load, certainly no obvious drone.

 

[Keef]

If you look at the link above to @Thundercliffe81 post that has a picture of the connector.

 

[AJ Jacob]

This can be easily achieved via VCD....which I find a easier solution, speak with @DJAlix for any VCD stuff.

 

[R.A.G]

This can be easily achieved via VCD....which I find a easier solution, speak with @DJAlix for any VCD stuff.

I wouldn't describe it as "easily acheived" unless you know the coding and fancy sharing?

Look forward to some insight on this as I'm not aware anyone has cracked the coding for this on the B9 S4/5 yet?

 

[Ridders71]

I thought you could just use "individual " mode on drive select to set exhaust to loud and leave transmission etc in normal?

 

[R.A.G]

Unfortunately not, in Dynamic (or individual with Dynamic set for exhaust) it still opens and closes the valves throughout the rev range and at cold start, hence the single sooty tail pipe. In Dynamic and Sport auto the valves are open all of the time, you just wouldn't want to drive everywhere in sport auto.

 

[Ridders71]

Ah, thanks for clarifying that. I had assumed that sports was only a gear box setting. Seems a clumsy implementation. I guess that's why the individual setting referees to engine noise rather than exhaust noise?

 

[R.A.G]

It doesn't make a lot of sense does it, you'd think they'd let you set it open through drive select like you mention.... Probably EU noise regs

 

[KBB]

I've decided to do this after I've finally found the jack for the car. After jacked it up it was much easier, but still needed to use a little mirror to see the top side of the plug: there is a little pin there that needs lifting(or pulling, depends on from where you look at it) after which the plug just comes out easily. The passenger side was a 1 minute job, the driver side was more difficult for me too, since the awkward position that is in.
Result? Amazing, sounds much nicer now, don't need to rev it to get that deep sound out of it. Thanks for sharing this!

Have you guys already seen what error messages this throws?
I was in the Audi dealership today to pick up a boot liner and those Audi rings exit lights and asked the guy there what he thinks about this mod. Of course he didn't know jack about it, so he asked the technician who said this wont work since the valve shuts off if there is exhaust coming out and the switch keeps it open apparently. But they also told me that it doesn't matter what I do with the exhaust, I can even replace it, wont effect the guarantee. So I'm not sure if I'll plug these back on when taking it to service.

 

[R.A.G]

Glad to hear we've got another valve modder lol!

There's an error logged for each valve, something along the lines of exhaust left bank pressure error, and the same for the right bank.

Takes seconds to clear with OBDeleven.

I'm sure someone will work out how to code them open eventually so we can leave them plugged in with the same effect, think the B9 platform is a bit new still, look forward to someone working it out!

 

[KBB]

Yeah, that would be awesome! Like programming the valve to open/close on the press of the "joker" button on the steering wheel, since the available options are unless anyway.

I have ODBeleven, so I can clear them codes, but whats the point when I'm taking it to service while its still unplugged?

To be honest there is not much a point to have that thing(ODBeleven), I couldnt find any useful app to use, and all the details it showed me either available on the dash or pointless information. Is there a forum for this, or can you tell me what do you guys use that for?

 

[R.A.G]

The idea of clearing the codes is in conjunction with plugging the valves back in, on the off chance having them unplugged caused any awkward conversations with Audi/dealer due to warranty claims etc (very unlikely though).

The most useful things I've used OBDeleven for is Scandinavian DRL (rear LED's on during the day along with fronts), bleep when locking, and extending the boot release time out from the key fob (kept opening the boot from my pocket by accident!)

There isn't specific forums for it as such but lots of individual threads across many different forums with useful info, the coding is the same as the B9 A4 and a lot of similarities with the latest Q7 so a bit of searching will dig up various content/instructions.

 

[KBB]

I see, I'll take a look then, thanks!

 

[KBB]

I've just finished messing around with OBD11. Managed to get the Scandinavian DRLs on, useful feature! But the rest you mentioned I could not find. Bleeping on lock would be amazing! What car do you have?

 

[R.A.G]

B9 S5 Sportback.

Have a read through the following, it's for the 4M Q7 but most of it's the same for our platform.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/archive/index.php/t-176518.html

 

[KBB]

Strange, I have the same thing, but cant find the bleep when locking in the apps. Is it somewhere else?

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look later.

 

[R.A.G]

Yeah they don't do an app for that so you have to follow the coding and adaptations.

It can be a bit daunting the first time you do some coding but take your time and follow the instructions and it's pretty simple stuff.

Worth noting you need OBDeleven Pro to access the coding UI.

 

[KBB]

Yep, I've realised that now. I can see where the adaptations is done for the lock chirp, but I cant do the coding. I go into long coding section on "Central convenience(46)" and it throws out a bunch of things not even related to the matter and basically I don't have clue what am I doing. Is there a tutorial for this somewhere?

I've got the pro btw.

 

[R.A.G]

You basically need to code the functionality so it's a visible option to enable in the MMI central locking settings and then set how it functions in the adaptation menu.

If you spend some time reading that thread in the link above it will slowly start falling into place, I'm not aware of a tutorial but there might be some YouTube vids knocking about.

 

[KBB]

Okey, I've finally found it! There is a little 0/1 icon at the top of the screen at "Long Coding" where it shows the bytes and bits. Thats the thing I couldn't find before.
So successfully coded the car, got the option now in the menu for the central locking beep! Changed a couple of things in adaptation, 2 beeps when locking, 1 when opening, 5ms beep time. So it works when locking, but doesnt beep when unlocking. Did you changed anything else on yours to do that?

 

[R.A.G]

Nice one, I set the sounder settings for beep time from 10ms to 60ms (the max). It turns it from an almost click like noise to a full on BEEP!

 

[thefunkygibbon]

Unclipping is simple when you understand how the clips work. Push the grey bits out and push down/pinch the now slightly extended bit. Pull.
Just not 100% sure at what point all valves are actually open!

 

[R.A.G]

As I understand it they are always open when the engine is off, which would make sense to reduce condensation in the system, but I put mine in Dynamic and Sport before I turned it off and then listened for any valve movement to be sure.

You'll know if you unplugged them while a valve is closed when you restart the car by holding your hand over all four pipes to feel for exhaust pressure.

 

[gldy_b]

Been following this thread for a while. I've collected my S5 and intrested in doing this mod. I can only see the valve opening and closing on one side. The other side I can't see the valve?

 

[KBB]

Been following this thread for a while. I've collected my S5 and intrested in doing this mod. I can only see the valve opening and closing on one side. The other side I can't see the valve?

On the driver's side it is quite easy to see, since it is very close to the end of the tailpipe. On the passenger side its a bit further in tho. If you go under the car you'll see where is the valve located and why you cant physically see it if you just look into the pipe.
I dont see why would you need to see it tho, just do the mod it has been described, you'll hear the difference

 

[KBB]

I've just wanted to give a little update and bump to this thread with a video.
So there are loads of videos on the the internet about the sound of the S5 but they hammer it like hell. The whole point of this mod, that you can enjoy the soundtrack with normal day-to-day driving. In this footage I've never went over 2500 rpm, most shifts were around 2000. Gearbox was in Auto and normal D mode.
Pair of headphones and hd mode recommended.

 

[Liddo]

Lovely and burbley, i really like that! Thanks very much for the post up

 

[SRB93]

Sounds great! Just the perfect amount of sound without being annoying.

 

[S32B]

I was in the Audi dealership today to pick up a boot liner

How much is the official Audi one mate? I have a invite for 20% off.

Thanks

 

[KBB]

How much is the official Audi one mate? I have a invite for 20% off.

Thanks

£95

 

[Liddo]

£95 for a boot mat will be scanning Ebay for mine

 

[ChrisH370]

I've got the exhaust valve done. Makes the car sound so much more sporty and fun to drive, even in Efficiency mode.
It brings the exhaust system alive.

 

[SRB93]

I've got the exhaust valve done. Makes the car sound so much more sporty and fun to drive, even in Efficiency mode.
It brings the exhaust system alive.

Did you just disconnect the cables and remove error codes using OBD?

 

[ChrisH370]

Yes, apparently its only the near side valve that needs disconnecting. There's no point in removing the error code, it can't be cleared whilst the exhaust valve is disconnected. My local dealer did it.

 

[SRB93]

Yes, apparently its only the near side valve that needs disconnecting. There's no point in removing the error code, it can't be cleared whilst the exhaust valve is disconnected. My local dealer did it.

Hold on, you only disconnected the one valve? I was under the assumption that you must disconnect on both sides.

 

[chanlon1]

Yes, apparently its only the near side valve that needs disconnecting. There's no point in removing the error code, it can't be cleared whilst the exhaust valve is disconnected. My local dealer did it.

Did your dealer disconnect the cable bit or did they clear the error code?