DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Hey guys -

I bought one of these a year or two back and tried it with mixed results. Today I put it back on and got it going properly.

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about -



First off, this is NOT a cutout. This is a butterfly valve that goes in-line in your exhaust, when open you're free flowing, when closed it restricts flow and sound.

The part I used was their 80mm system, part number 155-A023. It's a flange with the butterfly valve, an external spring and arm, a long cable and a hand controller for the cabin. You put the ECV in between your midpipe and cat-back, run the cable into the cabin, and there you go.

There are a few snags I ran into with the installation. I have a SMB high-flow metal cat and a GP Sports cat-back, both 80mm piping. Even so, the butterfly valve in the ECV touched the piping so it couldn't open and close smoothly.

Best way to install is to remove the cat-back. Test fit it to the cat-back and grind the edge of the butterfly plate so it clears, didn't take long at all. After that clears, do the same with the midpipe on the car. Make sure there's enough room so carbon buildup over time and heat expansion won't make it stick in place.

Next, there are basically 4 ways it can go in there. When I first installed it a few years ago, the spring was at the bottom on the passenger side with the cable coming straight into it. With this arrangement the slight angle of the midpipe forced exhaust gasses at the butterfly so that it would push against the plate and push it closed at full throttle. I noticed a dropoff in power in the top end as well as the car getting quieter . Today when I reinstalled it I have the external spring flipped to the other side (driver's side) which makes the control cable loop around to it but it stays full open at full throttle no problem.

The cockpit controller is a small device, push a button on the top and pull it out to close, push in to open. Mine is just tucked between the center console and the driver's seat, I haven't found a spot I like to permanently mount it.

So, how does it work? Great! With the valve fully closed, the car is SUPER quiet - like you have a stock exhaust all of a sudden. Idle and cruise are whisper quiet. If you try and get on it, you get pretty much no boost of course and the car goes nowhere fast. Open it up and it's like regular, loud and plenty of power.

You can fool around with the amount that it's opened to make a compromise between power and sound for daily driving. I like it for long interstate trips, close it up for super quiet no-drone highway cruising then pop it open for fun times.

PROS:
- Quiets the FD down to eliminate highway drone and police notice
- Easy no-weld install, totally reversible
- Instant cockpit control, no need to get out and remove a silencer
- Reasonable price (about $150)

CONS:
- Mild grinding of the butterfly required to fit
- Control **** is awkward and hard to mount
- Does hang down a little, could scrape on VERY lowered cars

BTW, I will be rockin' the ECV at Deal's Gap Rotary Rally this year if you'd like to check it out (and hear it) in person. If you're on the east coast you GOTTA go to DGRR, it's one killer weekend!

Dale

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Boy, no comments

Fired up the car yesterday and was temporarily shocked by my car not being loud, funny times .

Apexi also has a weld-in ECV if you have a weird or custom exhaust. But, I think most people have the flanges still.

Dale

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

nice review dale, i was looking into this last year but i believe they dont offer anything for 4" exhaust =( your review is convincing me to go back on the hunt for one! does it affect your mpg due to back pressure or anything?

GodSquadMandrake

I was kind of thinking about something like this for the circuit actually because my class is limiting me to 96db and they only measure the sound as you pass the control tower. So in between it would be nice to have the option to increase the exhaust flow a little bit. I guess it's either that or one of those super quiet high flowing mufflers that are really expensive.

The only thing I am worried about is the temperature capabilities and if the extreme heat of the exhaust would start to warp the valve and cause it to get stuck. I have heard reports in the past about this happening on rotary engines, but of course no problems with piston engines.

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

True, True....
Would like to find one of these for the 4" exhaust as well.
My car's sound attracts Babylon all the time.

Montego

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Dale. I'm gonna have to look into this.

My car isn't loud (at cruise) but the stink from my exhaust is a dead give away. Since I live in CA this would be great when a cop is behind me. This is pretty awsome as it would solve a huge problem for me; Spot the cop, close the flap and continue on my merry way

2RotorsNaDream

iTrader: (7)

A lot of my friends have these and yes they work great, if my car was louder I would invest in one.

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

Moose- If youre interested in this im looking at QTP's "electric cut out" from the quick research ive done, its essentially the same except people connect the mechanism to a cut out pipe (like a y pipe) so when its open it acts like theres no exhaust, when its closed its just your regular exhaust.

now what we would do is make it inline to get the "noise reduction" function... only thing is the flange is different.... to me that doesn't matter since mine is a custom 1 piece.... this will be the perfect opportunity to add flanges and have my exhaust/mp be 2 pieces..

but then again my cars not running so that could be a while ahhaah

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

I'm curious as to the affect this would have on EGTs and turbo performance...... having that much backpressure isn't a good thing IMO. Hard to tell in the picture, does the flapper door have a pair of holes in it?

AzEKnightz

iTrader: (24)

you know, if this system can be used with a vaccum solenoid to control the flap then it'll be good and lower noise. All newer bmw models 05+ have exhaust flaps at the end of the catback. They are all vacuum controlled so at idle they are really quick, but once you step on it the noise level is totally different. Just another thought ^__^

-AzEKnightz

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

^^ Nope, those holes in the picture are bolting the flapper to the rod.

I'm with you on the back pressure concern... you can always drill holes to allow more airflow..

I think the general mistake people make about these is that when you "close" the valve its NOT fully shutting it. the flapper is just angled more towards "closed" position but doesn't actually close all the way.

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

azeknight- yupp ATP use to make them but they apparently sell out like hotcakes since theyre never instock...

http://www.atpturbo.com/mm5/merchant...egory_Code=BCS

http://www.atpturbo.com/mm5/merchant...egory_Code=BCS

Aeka GSR

iTrader: (4)

I had an electric one in line with holes drilled in the plate. It lasted about a week before I burned out the motor =(

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Apexi does make a doodad called the DECS that is an electronic controller for the ECV. It has a stepper motor that controls the cable going to it and you can set it up by (I believe) RPM to alter the angle by RPM and such.

The ECV is VERY well constructed, I doubt the rotary heat would chew it up. Might if you put it really close to the engine, but putting it at the midpipe/catback flange takes a lot of heat out of the equation.

I haven't driven the car enough with it to see if it affects MPG at all. A good test will be driving to Deal's Gap this year and see how it does on the interstate MPG-wise.

BTW, for stink, get a good highflow cat. I have an SMB metal cat from Australia, top quality instruction and gets rid of the stink. You really can't pass emissions with it, but it flows great, de-stinks the car, and makes great power.

Dale

efinimazda

iTrader: (29)

how about a demo video?

AzEKnightz

iTrader: (24)

that's exactly what I am talking about. I believe this is the best method rather than using a stepper motor to control the flap.

-AzEKnightz

GreatShamanGT

iTrader: (9)

I think the DECS is discontinued, or is anyone able to source one???

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

aze, i agree, now only if the HAD some to sell AND made em in 4" =/

id prefer a cable method, i rather not have an electric motor but if thats the only option i may have to settle...

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Bumping this up, Phil Sohn (Herblenny) drove my car this weekend and checked out the ECV. He was amazed at how well it works, drone on the interstate is GONE, you can actually hold a regular conversation in the cabin at 80mph. This is just a great way to easily and inexpensively quiet your car down when you don't need it loud!

Dale

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

This thing was quite good. I drove Dale's car last night and actually heard the difference. All I can say is, I'm buying one of these.

phrost

iTrader: (14)

this thing looks pretty cool. any word on excess EGT's when it's in "closed" mode due to more back pressure?

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

hmm this is interesting
I have a greddy SP and it drives me bonkers
over 5000RPM it's a nice sound, but not so nice in a drive thru

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Not sure on increased EGT's, would make sense that it would. Really, this is only for when you're babying the car around, you loose ALL power with the ECV closed. But, you don't need mad power y0 when cruising on the interstate to an RX-7 get-together or even creeping up to your house at night and not waking the baby/neighbors/all of Canada.

It's also a nice simple install, you don't need major hacking on the car or cutting up your exhaust.

Dale

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

Dale,
the problem is that you will forget the butterfly closed once. it wont be a second time...

I used one that its an actuator instead so it works with boost. **** can happen again but you can adjust it to close up to a certain point

94RHDFD

iTrader: (3)

I dont see forgetting it being closed as a issue as i heard the differences between open and closed on Dales car yesterday and it is night and day, it is literally sounds more quiet than stock exhaust when closed so if you have ANY kind of aftermarket exhaust you will immediately know its closed once you start your car