Active exhaust: yay or nay?

[Vlad Soare]

As I understand, those three IFs are actually just one.
IF it fails,
then it will switch to fully open (regardless of what mode you happened to be in),
and fully open means Track, which we know is loud enough not to be in compliance.
Hence my worry.
If this is incorrect, i.e. if the valves default to closed in case of an electrical failure, or they remain exactly where they were previously, then my worry is of course unfounded.

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[Norm Peterson]

Hey Norm,

To clarify, he's talking about the active exhaust system in this context:

I was responding to bdm ("LOL!!!! The things that people worry about"), not Vlad.

A too-loud exhaust is something you should be concerned about, regardless of the specific reason for it being too loud or what reasonable definition of "too loud" you manage to exceed.

The concept of being able to control how loud your car's exhaust is, is fine. But there are still a couple of rough edges in the current arrangements.


Norm

 

[MaskedRacerX]

I was responding to bdm, not Vlad.

A too-loud exhaust is something you should be concerned about, regardless of the specific reason for it being too loud. The concept of being able to control how loud is fine, but there are still a couple of rough edges in the current arrangements.


Norm

We're talking about an outlier condition (has an incident of this even been documented anywhere?) with parameters that haven't even been clarified (i.e., is there some fall back or quick interim fix), and something that can be resolved through warranty/repair and in the interim handled by way of driving lightly.

We're NOT talking about a common, or a even verified issue (i.e., the exhaust failing and being stuck in the loudest mode), and then continuing to operate the vehicle over some long period of time.

it's no different than a headlight: it introduces an operation issue, it doesn't render the car inoperable, and it can be fixed.

The guy you responded to was talking about the FAILURE issue, not general use/loudness.

 

[Norm Peterson]

We're NOT talking about a common, or a even verified issue (i.e., the exhaust failing and being stuck in the loudest mode), and then continuing to operate the vehicle over some long period of time.

Seems AE at least starts up louder than necessary, which I would personally consider a designed-in flaw. It's way too picky to not consider that to be at least a temporary failure as far as the function of a muffled exhaust system is concerned.

There is no such thing as error-proof computer code.


Norm

 

[MaskedRacerX]

There is no such thing as error-proof computer code.

Well, now there's something we agree on 100%. I'm a 30+ year developer/architect/author, currently (in additional to other projects), engaged in machine learning for predicting outcomes in traumatic brain injury. Try debugging about 20, 000 lines of __that__ code in a day

 

[Norm Peterson]

Well, now there's something we agree on 100%. I'm a 30+ year developer/architect/author, currently (in additional to other projects), engaged in machine learning for predicting outcomes in traumatic brain injury. Try debugging about 20, 000 lines of __that__ code in a day

Heh . . . debugging and trapping errors in Lotus (and later Excel) macros cured me of any shred of desire to do anything like that.


Norm

 

[Elp_jc]

Hey guys, why all the speculation? One of you with AE, just go outside and look at the valves (ignition off, obviously). My bet is they'll be open (aided by a spring). If that's the case, close one (or try to), and see if it rebounds open. Most do, but most are vacuum operated. However, the AE's are servo operated, and that's why you can have more than 2 modes. Plus they move constantly (there's a good video of that somewhere here). My motorcycle also has a servo operated valve, and it's defaults to open, so my guess is the car also defaults to open, since you could damage the engine at WOT with the valves closed (a liability issue). So when there's a problem, that's the least bad solution. If you want further proof, just turn ignition on, put valves in quiet mode, then turn off ignition, and go check the valves outside. One of you just needs to spend 5 minutes (tops) tinkering with the system to have all the answers on how it'd default to in case of an issue .

 

[Norm Peterson]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+of+mustang+active+exhaust&&view=detail&mid=96DD11960DA439F62BE696DD11960DA439F62BE6&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=/videos/search?q=video+of+mustang+active+exhaust&FORM=VDRESM


I think at least some active exhaust systems (might be the Camaro's) cycle the valves to make sure they're working. If they don't open at high rpm/high power, damage to the exhaust system has been known to occur.


Norm

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Hey guys, why all the speculation? One of you with AE, just go outside and look at the valves (ignition off, obviously). My bet is they'll be open (aided by a spring). If that's the case, close one (or try to), and see if it rebounds open. Most do, but most are vacuum operated. However, the AE's are servo operated, and that's why you can have more than 2 modes. Plus they move constantly (there's a good video of that somewhere here). My motorcycle also has a servo operated valve, and it's defaults to open, so my guess is the car also defaults to open, since you could damage the engine at WOT with the valves closed (a liability issue). So when there's a problem, that's the least bad solution. If you want further proof, just turn ignition on, put valves in quiet mode, then turn off ignition, and go check the valves outside. One of you just needs to spend 5 minutes (tops) tinkering with the system to have all the answers on how it'd default to in case of an issue .

I'm not so sure that would work as the valves may go to a set position each time the car is turned off as you've still got power to them. I'd think the only way is to disconnect the harness to the AE near the muffler - that should equate to a loss of power and functionality right there.

 

[Mustang5ohMan]

You must be hard of hearing. The stock exhaust sounds perfect. Yes you can put aftermarket exhausts on and many just sound LOUD. And LOUD is annoying as hell. There's a difference between good sound and being loud. But saying the stock exhaust has "no volume", I guess means it's not annoying loud, which is a good thing.

Do you have active exhaust? If so then that’s a bit of a different story....
it’s very subdued rumble if you call that sound... then it sounds it’s slightly more aggressive sounding that your wife’s Toyota Camry...

I had a 2018 Mustang GT, with no active exhaust. Then I started looking into getting the exhaust replaced; looking at the usual culprits (Borla, Corsa, etcetera).
Then I had to consider, axel back, cat back, and all the other backs - LOL. In short, even after listening to videos and even listening to cars in person, I wanted a balanced tone. But, once the exhaust is on the car, you are stuck with it till you replace it.

In short, later in 2018, the Mustang GT was available with active exhaust; I traded for it. I love having the setting for quiet (between 21:00 - 09:00. After those hours, I adjust the active exhaust, depending on my mood

I picked up the MBRP race. I had a 392 Challenger and doing the mid reso delete added nice volume however these cars come stock sounding good. You traded in your car for what a newer year to get A/E?

 

[Mustang5ohMan]

I like my roush catback to be loud as possible so I do not want active exhaust.

MBRP race is just as loud but a little cheaper...

 

[ivantwilliams]

Do you have active exhaust? If so then that’s a bit of a different story....
it’s very subdued rumble if you call that sound... then it sounds it’s slightly more aggressive sounding that your wife’s Toyota Camry...



I picked up the MBRP race. I had a 392 Challenger and doing the mid reso delete added nice volume however these cars come stock sounding good. You traded in your car for what a newer year to get A/E?

Yes in addition to Premium. My initial Mustang was a few months old.
Is that okay, or?

 

[Mustang5ohMan]

Yes in addition to Premium. My initial Mustang was a few months old.
Is that okay, or?

you’d have to ask yourself is that’s ok... makes no difference to me.
All I am curious about is how’d they do the trade? what type of deal did they work out for the new one and the old one?
I thought about upgrading too. And either way someone else will get a sweet gently used ride!

 

[ivantwilliams]

LOL - I was being extra with my question.
I am certainly in total agreement with my trade-up. However, if I could do it all over again, I would have purchased a V8, with Premium and Active Exhaust, the first time round.

The deal was not brilliant; then again, I do not think they ever are, when it comes to car dealers.
Alas, I got the car I wanted, in the colour I wanted, etcetera, and have learned my lesson to buy the item I want the first time round.

PS: I had a V6 for a year, too. Here I was thinking the V8 would be too much for me to handle (cost and power).

you’d have to ask yourself is that’s ok... makes no difference to me.
All I am curious about is how’d they do the trade? what type of deal did they work out for the new one and the old one?
I thought about upgrading too. And either way someone else will get a sweet gently used ride!

 

[Dan243]

MBRP race is just as loud but a little cheaper...

I’ll stick with my roush, but thanks

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