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      10-03-2010, 09:21 AM   #1
roadkillrob
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Golf Tee Mod on 2011 no longer works the same way!

So I golf tee modded my 2011 X5 35i and it made no difference and no exhaust comes out the right side. I did the same mod I did to my 3 series, removed and blocked off the vacuum line, but it does nothing. Took a look at the setup and BMW has reversed the design (maybe to stop people from doing this?), but the at rest position used to be that the valve was open letting exhaust through, on mine, the exhaust valve at rest position is now fully closed, so removing the vacuum line will keep the valve closed 100% of the time and the mod is no longer as easy as it was.

Going to give it some though on the easiest way to make it stay open, may just remove the vacuum actuator as it is only 2 screws and then just zip tie the actuator arm in the open position so it can't move or rattle.

Just a heads up to all you N55 guys if you are planning on doing this, seems that it has changed with the N55/2011 models!
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      10-03-2010, 09:48 AM   #2
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Good info. I need to check my diesel to see if this is an option
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      10-03-2010, 12:16 PM   #3
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I thought I could reverse the linkage, but the flapper doesn't go all the way around, it stops at both positions, looks like you could remove the arm and reverse it on the flapper, but it is a press fit into the hole it goes through, but could be done. I ended up just removing the vacuum actuator all together, just 2 10 mm nuts and plugging the vacuum line, then moving the valve to the open position and using a zip tie to hold it permanently in that position so it can't move - took 10 minutes and should do the trick!

I will post up some pics later.

Rob
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      10-03-2010, 06:44 PM   #4
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Pics before and after - makes a huge difference, sounds like aftermarket exhaust, much louder than stock!

First pic is normal, 2nd is after removing the actuator and using a zip tie to hold the valve open.
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      10-03-2010, 10:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboFan View Post
Good info. I need to check my diesel to see if this is an option
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the diesel does not have the flap to begin with, and that the exhaust always flows out of both sides......If you look at the exhaust pipes, they have the same degree of exhaust residue on them, whereas the NAs will have one side that is black, and the other clean......
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      10-04-2010, 08:35 PM   #6
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Never heard of this before....What does this mod do? Will it work on a 2011 X5 50i? What are the downsides to it? Thanks
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      10-04-2010, 10:37 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X5Beemaah View Post
Never heard of this before....What does this mod do? Will it work on a 2011 X5 50i? What are the downsides to it? Thanks
There will not be enough back pressure to optimize the turbo to gain momentum to be able to propel the Kompressor side of the air in take.

Basically you will introduce a "turbo LAG".

As we all know that it is not a Conversional turbo, but uses dual mass/size turbine in a single axil to the Kompressor on 35i.

Please check if 50i has this setup or not, technically it should NOT since there are two separate turbo for each bank of the V8.
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      10-05-2010, 08:05 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rattmann View Post
There will not be enough back pressure to optimize the turbo to gain momentum to be able to propel the Kompressor side of the air in take.

Basically you will introduce a "turbo LAG".

As we all know that it is not a Conversional turbo, but uses dual mass/size turbine in a single axil to the Kompressor on 35i.

Please check if 50i has this setup or not, technically it should NOT since there are two separate turbo for each bank of the V8.
First, the wastegate controls back pressure, so you can run an open pipe and it won't matter - back pressure is a bad thing on a turbo engine and the flapper in no way is there to control back pressure. First performance mod on a turbo is typically to open up the downpipes and exhaust system to increase flow and reduce back pressure.

Second, having 2 turbos for each bank of cylinders has nothing to do with having this valve or not, the N54 has 2 separate turbos and 2 complete exhaust pipes all the way to the back to 2 mufflers, but as on the 5.0i, the mufflers are both connected and the entire design of that flapper valve is to control noise at lower rpm's when you don't need all the exhaust flow the system is capable of, then it opens up when you need the flow and you are above the EPA rpm level for noise measuring.

The whole point of this mod is to allow the exhaust to make a little more noise at idle and at low RPM's, nothing more, won't help or hinder performance.

FYI - this valve is only used in markets where noise levels are an issue, not all markets have the flapper valve - same is true if you buy the BMW performance exhaust, US has the flapper valve, most of Europe comes without it.
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      10-05-2010, 01:16 PM   #9
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Well said!
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      10-05-2010, 03:36 PM   #10
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I used a zip-tie to keep the rod at its open position just in case if I feel like getting it back to stock. I didn't remove the actuator.

It does sound a lot meaner, especially during cold start. However if you stay back during cold start, you'll notice that most of the sound is from the right side. The left side is still quiet.

What's good about this particular design is that it doesn't drone on highways.
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      10-06-2010, 11:07 PM   #11
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Can i do this on my 2007 4.8?
Anyone have pics or instructions?

I did this on my 335 and loved it.
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      10-06-2010, 11:17 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djeremya View Post
I used a zip-tie to keep the rod at its open position just in case if I feel like getting it back to stock. I didn't remove the actuator.

It does sound a lot meaner, especially during cold start. However if you stay back during cold start, you'll notice that most of the sound is from the right side. The left side is still quiet.

What's good about this particular design is that it doesn't drone on highways.
Will the Zip tie be able to take the heat without melting??
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      10-07-2010, 07:35 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rattmann View Post
Will the Zip tie be able to take the heat without melting??
Seems to hold up ok - the other option would be a little stainless steel wire, but with the flapper open all the time it doesn't get as hot as it did before and not hot enough to melt the zip tie anyway, sat in stop and go for an hour with it and it never melted, so looks to be up to the task!
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      10-08-2010, 06:57 AM   #14
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Garage List
that was discussed in this thread here- http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406709
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      02-11-2011, 02:31 PM   #15
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I left the actuator the way it is and pull back the arm and tied it
Now I have both exhaust but sounds not like before. Do I need to pull the tube out of the actuator? Please advise on this. Thanks
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      02-11-2011, 03:02 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X5Beemaah View Post
Never heard of this before....What does this mod do? Will it work on a 2011 X5 50i? What are the downsides to it? Thanks
no need to do this on 2011 50i. its already open!
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      08-09-2011, 06:58 PM   #17
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@roadkillrob How Do You Remove The Actuator??? I did everything else but now i just need to remove the actuator, but don't know how ... can you please describe how you took it off

thank you
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      08-09-2011, 09:23 PM   #18
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Once you remove the cir clip and disconnect the actuator arm, there are just 2 nuts (10mm I think) that hold it to the bracket, then just pulls off. You can see the nut in the first pictur at the top of the vacuum actuator, it is the little bit rusty part. In the second pic you can see the 2 holes the bolts go through and the 2 nuts are on the backside.

Rob
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      08-10-2011, 11:23 AM   #19
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i removed both 10mm bolts and disconnected the black hose and plugged it with a golf tee... the actuator is disconnected from the car its just hanging from the center piece that is responsible for opening and closing the flap. i can't manage to get it off that center piece... the flap is open and the exhaust sounds amazing specially in cold start... but now i just want to remove the actuator all together but can't manage to do it... when i pull down on it i feel like if i was going to break it, i don't want to break it just in case i have to put it back for warranty reasons. please help

Thank you
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      08-10-2011, 12:13 PM   #20
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Is this possible on non turbo set ups ? I have a 3.0 (2009) and would love a slightly deeper exhaust note .
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      08-10-2011, 03:09 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob View Post
So I golf tee modded my 2011 X5 35i and it made no difference and no exhaust comes out the right side. I did the same mod I did to my 3 series, removed and blocked off the vacuum line, but it does nothing. Took a look at the setup and BMW has reversed the design (maybe to stop people from doing this?), but the at rest position used to be that the valve was open letting exhaust through, on mine, the exhaust valve at rest position is now fully closed, so removing the vacuum line will keep the valve closed 100% of the time and the mod is no longer as easy as it was.

Going to give it some though on the easiest way to make it stay open, may just remove the vacuum actuator as it is only 2 screws and then just zip tie the actuator arm in the open position so it can't move or rattle.

Just a heads up to all you N55 guys if you are planning on doing this, seems that it has changed with the N55/2011 models!
On the 335 you don't even have to get your hands dirty to disable that actuator. Inside the trunk on the left side there's a little panel you pull off. You'll find a 2 wire plug. Just unplug and problem is solved. No codes either. I assume the 35i a
Has the same plug in the rear somewhere.
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      08-10-2011, 03:28 PM   #22
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there is a similar cable but i didnt pull it just in case thats not the right cable... now im just waiting to find out how to remove the actuator from mine
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