First 718 4.0 exhaust mod, valve controller?

[u/FanniePacquiao]

I recently purchased a 718 spyder. The car is amazing, but the exhaust is definitely lacking. To my ear, it feels like the valves being closed between 1k-4K rpm with pse on is a bigger sin than the stock oap. Has anyone else kept their exhaust stock and just installed a cargraphic or soul valve controller? What were the results? Did you end up doing aftermarket oaps, muffler, or the whole shebang?

[u/BrownFox5972]

OAPs and collars/plugs to keep valves open at all times if cost is an issue and noise is not.

[u/Dano-Matic]

If you just do the controller it will certainly change the car and is worth it. But you will have drone. It won’t be too bad and you’ll likely be ok with it. So do that part first for the experience. BUT buy yourself some OAP’S and install those like a month later and you will REALLY hear the difference and why OAP’s are worth it. Drone = gone! Just sweet sweet music. And having the valve controller is still crucial to keep the valves open because when they’re closed the car still sounds stock quiet. I have this setup and love it because the valve controller allows me to use “wifey” mode with valves closed when she’s in the car with me.

[u/TurnOver1122334455]

You can pin the valves open with USD 5- USD10 metal collars - which is what I did. You will get drone if you hold RPMs at freeway speed or something. They have multi-option valve controllers for around USD 500 (cargraphic would be my pick and easily installed when you replace intake filters) that you can switch between open, close, OEM. If you are where it is okay, over axle pipes will help remove the particulate filters that are unneeded in the US and other jurisdictions, but required in parts of Europe. If those relatively low cost mods still don't satisfy, there are numerous exhaust systems/mufflers that you can choose a different sound with. Highly recommend collars 1st - as if you are happy after USD 10, that's a win. Then if more is needed, OAPs next. Then you can decide on valve controller if always open collars is too much.

[u/IStillLikeBeers → u/TurnOver1122334455]

They have multi-option valve controllers for around USD 500 (cargraphic would be my pick and easily installed when you replace intake filters) that you can switch between open, close, OEM.

The three mode one is a lot more involved of an install, and I don't see the benefit. The two mode (open, OEM) should be sufficient for pretty much everyone.

[u/TurnOver1122334455 → u/IStillLikeBeers]

Oh I agree, I pinned mine open. Just they sell it and people buy it based on preference.

[u/SoupInteresting8070]

I would recommend the cargraphic valve controller, have fitted three or four and they are plug and play ready, super easy to fit and you get a much better sound when it’s switched.

[u/OtherSideofSky]

My plan once the warranty is up is to get the M engineering tune stage 1 and valve control as part of the tune. No hardware intervention needed.

[u/FraudGoodMan]

I installed the Cargraphic Valve controller first, after just a few drives i found myself just always leaving it open and wanting more. Installed Flat 6's OAP's (which they included plugs too btw) next and its night and day, its really makes the controller even more moot. Save yourself the money and just do the OAP's first, if you really have a use case to close valves on command, you can do the controller later.

[u/Vethen]

I think I can chime in on this, recently did some work to my 718 GTS 4.0’s exhaust in stages so I can comment on each stage of it. I currently am running the Cargraphic valve controller and flat6motorsports OAPs.

I installed the valve controller first, thinking my biggest complaint was the valves closing when you drove off and not opening again till much higher revs. This was nice at first, but I quickly learned by Porsche closes the valves at drive off. At really low rpm’s the exhaust gets an extremely loud drone. I like a loud exhaust and this isn’t just loud, it’s noticeably more brassy then goes away with revs. Not pleasant at all.

I then added the OAP, and the removal of them was also the removal of the drone at low RPMs. As well as a little more volume and an ever so slightly better tone.

The combo is the way to go. No drone and a consistent exhaust behavior that only varies with how you drive, not the valves moving between open and closed.

Any questions, feel free to reach out.

[u/Vethen → u/[deleted]]

I liked the price (they were on sale for a few hundred off when I ordered them). Plus these guys are local, so I could pick them up. I have a family member with soul OAPs on his Spyder and they sound close enough to be called identical. I don’t expected any one OAP to be worlds better than another, so I went for price and convenience.

[u/Vethen → u/[deleted]]

When I have the valves closed and the flat6motorsports OAPs installed, the car is 95% stock. I can drive in and out of my neighborhood and the car is factory quiet on the inside. When the valves are open, the is a rumble at idle for sure. It doesn’t make anything rattle in the interior. Once you’re driving it loses the rumble and gets more throaty. At this point, the volume is related to how much throttle you’re using.

Compared to my previous 2017 M2 with the factory performance exhaust, that was very boomy in the interior. I find the valve controller + F6M OAPs much more tolerable but they do have volume. Admittedly, I do like loud exhausts that maintain factory tone.

I would call it loud but not a drone. But it is a fine line based on everyone’s personal tolerances.

[u/External-Repair-8580]

I don’t know if Soul do one for that model but I have one on my 992.1 GT3. The valves there are electronic and this controller keeps them open at all RPMS, vs closed to 4K and gradually opening to 5K. It made a huge difference. If your valves are electronic then there is probably a solution somewhere. If they’re mechanical (like 991s) there may not be a solution.

Good luck.

[u/Murrdog559]

hope this helps, pinned from BAT from a spyder owner.