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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain, Tuning Modifications M550 exhaust flaps open = much better sound

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      06-17-2017, 09:20 AM   #1
daveschroeder
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M550 exhaust flaps open = much better sound

As many of you are aware, the M550 has two electrically-actuated exhaust flaps, one in each of the outer exhaust pipes on the rear exhaust. Given I can't see the inside of the rear muffler, I'm not certain what the characteristics of the muffler are for the outside pipes.

I removed the tensioned bow spring (7) between the actuator and the flap, and moved the flaps to the open position, held by zip ties through the slotted head connected to the flap (melting point of nylon is about double max exhaust system temp — just did this as a test).

The sound is much better at idle and normal city driving, and no error conditions are tripped. It's not a big change, but it's definitely an audible and welcome change, and is what I expected something like a M550 to sound like. Something worth considering for "free".

(Disclaimer: Yes, I am aware this is not a "BMW-supported" configuration, and may change the sound (duh), emissions, or other characteristics of the exhaust system.)
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      06-17-2017, 12:15 PM   #2
Sonny325gm
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Can we have a video ?
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      06-19-2017, 08:15 AM   #3
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Someone privately asked me for more detail, but I was not able to respond directly by private message...here it is:

Once the bow spring is out (and it's not fastened to anything -- it's just under tension), the flap moves freely between its open and closed positions. So freely, in fact, that it will rattle if it doesn't have something holding it in a position. So basically, the zip tie (or you could use heavy wire, or similar) just goes around the whole pipe where the flap is, over the external "axle" part of the flap where the spring used to be, to hold it in the open position. It doesn't take a lot to hold it, but it takes something. There is probably a better option than a long zip tie, but it seems to be working just fine for me.

Last edited by daveschroeder; 06-19-2017 at 02:56 PM..
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      06-19-2017, 03:05 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny325gm View Post
Can we have a video ?
Here is my attempt — sorry no "before" video:

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      06-20-2017, 09:07 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daveschroeder View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny325gm View Post
Can we have a video ?
Here is my attempt — sorry no "before" video:

Sounds amazing
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      06-20-2017, 03:09 PM   #6
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Ok, so no DIY video

But can you walk us through the process? The diagram is great, just wondering the sequence for all those parts on your spec sheet.
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      06-20-2017, 03:47 PM   #7
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Literally you are removing part "07" on both sides, moving the flap 90 degrees to the open position, and then putting something around the outside of where the flap is, touching the part where the bow spring used to be, to keep "pressure" on it so it doesn't vibrate and stays open. That's it. :-)

I removed the spring by putting a little pressure on it to compress it (using a screwdriver) in the axis perpendicular to the pipe (the way it flexes), and it came right out. Just be sure it doesn't fly off somewhere when it comes off. People have done this on other BMWs that have vacuum-actuated flaps, or unplugged the electric actuators when they are open. I thought this would be the "easiest" way on this vehicle.
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      06-20-2017, 05:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daveschroeder View Post
Literally you are removing part "07" on both sides, moving the flap 90 degrees to the open position, and then putting something around the outside of where the flap is, touching the part where the bow spring used to be, to keep "pressure" on it so it doesn't vibrate and stays open. That's it. :-)

I removed the spring by putting a little pressure on it to compress it (using a screwdriver) in the axis perpendicular to the pipe (the way it flexes), and it came right out. Just be sure it doesn't fly off somewhere when it comes off. People have done this on other BMWs that have vacuum-actuated flaps, or unplugged the electric actuators when they are open. I thought this would be the "easiest" way on this vehicle.
Ah! Sorry. Got thrown by the schematic drawing with the parts numbers -- thought all those had to be ordered.

Anyhoo, THANKS! Had a 2014 550i, and now in a '16 M4 -- yeah i know completely different cars -- but thinking I want to go back to the Executive Jet world
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      07-11-2017, 11:18 AM   #9
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Note that the flaps can also be coded open, including with apps like BimmerCode or BimmerLink.
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      07-11-2017, 03:56 PM   #10
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For the G30 there is not yet support for exhaust flap opening in BimmerCode. They responded to a post I made on Facebook yesterday asking if this is available.
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      07-11-2017, 03:57 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbapckfan View Post
For the G30 there is not yet support for exhaust flap opening in BimmerCode. They responded to a post I made on Facebook yesterday asking if this is available.
Ah, it appears to be there, but I did not try it since I had already removed the bow springs. Thanks for the update.
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      02-24-2018, 06:38 AM   #12
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Hello, I'm new here but reading posts for some time. I saw this post and decided I wanted to help a little. I did the same thing to my M550i exhaust flaps and I agree, the exhaust sounds a lot better! I did the zip tie method as well but one came loose and it started rattling again. Here is a much easier way to get this done, no coding required. When you start you ignition the flaps are all the way open for about 30 seconds. In that time you need to get under your car and remove the plug from the valve. Try removing it before to get an idea of how to open the clip with a screw driver. If the flap is open and you remove the plug, it stays open. I tied the plugs of and tied the cables to the bumper inside. I have been driving around like this for 4 months and no errors and issues. Don't put in Sport plus Mode and let idle, yes the flap is open but not completely, only when the throttle is pushed. Ignition start is easier. You don't have to remove the spring this way. Good luck...
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      02-24-2018, 01:34 PM   #13
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What would happen if left idling in sport plus by doing it this way?
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      03-01-2018, 10:40 PM   #14
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Can't you just push the sport plug button to get into Sport plug mode before starting engine to achieve the same thing?
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      04-02-2018, 11:11 AM   #15
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Flaps

Is the only Flaps , the flaps that you see in the outer exhaustpipe on each side ? Or is it any flaps that you can't see from the back. After following the tip, my flaps as I can see in the outside pipe is in total open position, and the sound is better when throttle but still most aggressive sound the first seconds after the engine has start. Do you have the same experiance ?
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      04-02-2018, 11:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by runstra View Post
Is the only Flaps , the flaps that you see in the outer exhaustpipe on each side ? Or is it any flaps that you can't see from the back. After following the tip, my flaps as I can see in the outside pipe is in total open position, and the sound is better when throttle but still most aggressive sound the first seconds after the engine has start. Do you have the same experiance ?
Yes, those are the only flaps...the ones you can see. And yes, it sounds that way at cold start because it is running at a higher RPM for a few moments until it goes to normal idle.
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      04-02-2018, 04:11 PM   #17
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Thanks for reply !
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      04-03-2018, 12:22 PM   #18
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Thanks for reply !
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      04-04-2018, 04:14 PM   #19
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I have an even easier way to accomplish this!

Did this on my previous F82 and while that was fun, the cold start of the F82 with the flaps open all the time was obnoxious. And this sounds better.

Ready for it.....


Pull fuse F203!
1) Turn car on, put in sport. *Ensure the flaps are open
2) Go into trunk, pull fuse F203 (while car is still on)
3) Verify flaps are still open
4) Close trunk
5) Enjoy

Exhaust Flap wiring diagram:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...use/1VnYS9CGy7
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      05-31-2018, 06:56 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capital10 View Post
What would happen if left idling in sport plus by doing it this way?
"Don't put in Sport plus Mode and let idle, yes the flap is open but not completely"

If I'm reading this right then the flaps would be mostly open, but not 100% open like within the first 30 seconds of firing up the engine. Can anyone verify if this is the case?
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      05-31-2018, 08:45 PM   #21
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So, is the coding in Bimmercode app for this?
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      06-01-2018, 12:57 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksoze View Post
So, is the coding in Bimmercode app for this?
I have BimmerCode but not yet M550 you should try it as it gets updates and you can code a bunch of other cool features.
BimmerCode is very user-friendly as well
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