[Gfit]

I am by no means handy around cars. I can do very simple things and the controller was beyond easy. I backed my car to the end of the garage and since my driveway quickly drops off this allowed plenty of room to work underneath. Install was less than 10 min tops. Running the cable through the heat shield took all of 2 min.

There is definitely a change in the exhaust note. It's not dramatic but it's a nice change. A touch louder and deeper. Haven't noticed any drone but only drove about 10 minutes with it so far. Super easy and worthwhile mod.

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Gfit

Running the cable through the heat shield took all of 2 min.

I ordered one of these after my PEEM controller fail. Can you elaborate on the heat shield comment? Where does the actual controller mount?

[barryc365]

Did you find any videos or guides online on how to fit it? I have one sitting here that I might try fit later.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Glad you like it OP

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by barryc365

Did you find any videos or guides online on how to fit it? I have one sitting here that I might try fit later.

I just followed the instructions that came with it. If I could do it anyone can. Only tools needed was a socket set.

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by Murf

I ordered one of these after my PEEM controller fail. Can you elaborate on the heat shield comment? Where does the actual controller mount?

I just mounted the controller using an existing screw on the very top of the valve actuator on the drivers side muffler. I used a socket wrench to remove the bolt, attached the valve controller and replace the bolt. 2-3 min tops. It's mounted as high as it can go so not worried about heat or getting hit.

For the cable to the other muffler, I taped the connectors together so they don't get stuck while snaking them and makes it a little stiffer then just worked the cable under the heat shield. The heat shield has a small opening in the middle so it was easy to redirect the cable to the other side. Again, even this took 2-3 minutes.

[Steveo]

What happened to the PEEM?
Was looking into this…

Originally Posted by Murf

I ordered one of these after my PEEM controller fail. Can you elaborate on the heat shield comment? Where does the actual controller mount?

[moproblems]

I ordered one last night, hopefully it doesn't take ages to get here as I'm excited to try it out.

[kennejp]

I just purchased one also- thanks Mike!

[moproblems]

Works great. Best way to run the wires through the heatshield is with the two connectors plugged together.

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Steveo

What happened to the PEEM?
Was looking into this…

It doesn't seem to work on M3 Comps. Same issues as noted by Bimmercode - it takes control of the valves (and opens them) at rest but as soon as you start to drive the ECU takes back control and shuts them. I offered to work with the guy to try and solve it but never heard back (he has versions that interface with a pc via USB and I guess he can make coding changes). At this point I'm just going to ask for my money back.

[M3-san]

Originally Posted by moproblems

I ordered one last night, hopefully it doesn't take ages to get here as I'm excited to try it out.

I ordered one the other day and it is taking ages to get here via UPS. But I'll have it the day after I pick up the car so I can't complain too much.

[FISH22]

When ordering, any advice on selecting the activated/deactivated modes? Also, if you leave the valves in the open position does it maintain that for the cars next start after powering off?

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by FISH22

When ordering, any advice on selecting the activated/deactivated modes? Also, if you leave the valves in the open position does it maintain that for the cars next start after powering off?

I chose:

Default: Open - Valves are fully open at all times even after restart

Activated: Auto - Valves are factory controlled even after restart.

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by Gfit

I chose:

Default: Open - Valves are fully open at all times even after restart

Activated: Auto - Valves are factory controlled even after restart.

That’s what I was leaning towards, thanks!

[ashiifi]

Ordered this valve controller as well. Attaching some pictures, and possibly a sound clip. Im sure everyone knows by now, the G8X valves from factory do not open all the way even in the most aggressive setting. The valve controller is a must if you really want to have full control over the valves. I chose the following configuration, similar to OP but reversed:

Activated: Open - Valves are fully open at all times even after restart

Default: Auto - Valves are factory controlled(essentially a bypass) even after restart.

Installation Guide:

I had the liberty of using a lift, but this is totally doable on jackstands. There are 4 10mm screws holding the muffler heatshield in place. I have a valved exhaust installed on my car(will do a separate post on the exhaust ), so access to the screws were super easy as you can see in the pictures. (Side note: my valved exhaust uses a slightly different valve spring than the G8X OEM muffler, as you will also see in the pictures. You can ignore that if you are installing this on an OEM muffler, your valve spring area will look slightly different)

Once the 4 bolts are off of the heatshield, it gives you just enough room to pull the heatshield down very slightly and snake the wires across both of the valves. I decided to mount the valve controller on the Driver side(Im not sure it matters where you mount the controller though, but lmk if this isnt true and I just got lucky). Plug the controller in on both sides. Once it's all plugged in, I'd give it a test to make sure it works. I found that you have to start the car fully to actually activate the valve on/off.

Once everything is working, you will see the valves fully open in the open position. Not just the half open that the car does normally. Now you are ready to actually mount the controller. I found there are two E14 bolts that are above the muffler, almost right above the valves that don't seemingly hold anything in place(if this is in fact holding something in place, and I totally glanced over this, someone lmk). I used the one on the driver side, closest to the rear bumper, and it worked perfectly. I will also highlight this in the pictures. At first, it seems like the bolt doesnt go through the controller fitting, but with some slight finesse it goes through. Just use a power tool. Its pretty straight forward once you are looking at it, but you basically mount it so the bolt goes back into place where you took it out. This may be the most complicated step, but I hope this makes sense.

Once the controller is mounted to the car, you can reinstall the heatshield. Just make sure you aren't crushing the wire as you put the heatshield back into place. The heat shield should go back into place pretty easily, it has some slight give.

At this point, I zip tied some of the wires together, just to make sure nothing was hanging around under the car. I used regular plastic zip ties, but now that I think of it, Im probably going to go back in and use metal zip ties to make sure heat isn't an issue.

All of this to say, it really shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes

Thanks OP for the suggestion. The VSC2 Controller is awesome!

Oh and btw, pro tip: The remotes they provide with the controller are pretty lackluster, especially given the price of the car, you probably dont want to install that onto your keychain lol. SOLUTION: You can very easily program your car's garage homelink to take the action of the on/off of the controller. It programs just like you would program a garage door opener. Bring the remote close to the mirror, hold an UNPROGRAMMED garage button under the mirror and simultaniously hold either the on or off button, whichever you want to program. After holding the mirror button AND the remote button for a few seconds, the garage homelink light will turn green, and that will mean success. I programmed my middle garage homelink to the Off button, and the rightmost garage homelink to the on button. Works perfectly, and now I never have to look at $3 plastic remote. But to each their own, maybe you like plastic. It's 2021, I shouldn't judge. Speaking of plastic, people who order their cars without the full extended leather should be considered criminals. Okay, rant over.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for the detailed review and install guide

[moproblems]

Just know you can snake the crossover wires through the gap in the heatshield without even unbolting it. It takes a little fiddling but it works.

[moproblems]

Aand mine has already failed. Wamp womp.

[barryc365]

Originally Posted by moproblems

Aand mine has already failed. Wamp womp.

Any thoughts why?

I haven't fitted mine yet? I think my kit was made for the M2 but fits supposedly.

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by moproblems

Aand mine has already failed. Wamp womp.

Yikes, that sucks

[moproblems]

Originally Posted by barryc365

Any thoughts why?

I haven't fitted mine yet? I think my kit was made for the M2 but fits supposedly.

No idea. Trying to get ahold of somebody to get it replaced. No action when the button is pressed. Tempted to open it up...but I'll keep it closed for warranties sake.