GRP decat pipe and Milltek Valve Controller

[MiamiBlue]

Can anyone confirm if the militek valve controller makes any difference at high RPM's? Or is it just louder at idle/low RPMs?

I want to be loud when I'm 'on it' but not when sat in traffic or cruising along.

 

[netsinah]

Can anyone confirm if the militek valve controller makes any difference at high RPM's? Or is it just louder at idle/low RPMs?

I want to be loud when I'm 'on it' but not when sat in traffic or cruising along.

It's louder across the board, but moreso at higher RPM's. I wouldn't worry about obtrusive sound, at idle or a "set cruise speed", but that's just me. The nice thing is that you can switch it to OEM, if you'd prefer it quieter: giving you the best of both worlds.

 

[tnbuilder]

Anyone install V2 of the valve controller? Looks like it plugs in a different place. Wondering how much easier it is to install? I did not see any instructions on teh GRP site.

 

[MiamiBlue]

It's louder across the board, but moreso at higher RPM's. I wouldn't worry about obtrusive sound, at idle or a "set cruise speed", but that's just me.

That's good to know. My interest has peaked again

 

[ntingle]

I did the valve controller and 3rd cat delete and can highly recommend it, it sounds great! I used to switch modes between open and OEM but now don't even bother, i just leave it open the whole time. You can pretty easily control the volume with your right foot

What i do wish though was that there was a way to start up in sport mode - if you toggle the switch too early it doesn't notice.

Also i found the homelink option unreliable, for whatever reason the signal was too weak or the antenna in the wrong place (the remote works fine though).

 

[djprov431]

I did the valve controller and 3rd cat delete and can highly recommend it, it sounds great! I used to switch modes between open and OEM but now don't even bother, i just leave it open the whole time. You can pretty easily control the volume with your right foot

What i do wish though was that there was a way to start up in sport mode - if you toggle the switch too early it doesn't notice.

Also i found the homelink option unreliable, for whatever reason the signal was too weak or the antenna in the wrong place (the remote works fine though).

There's no need to start the car in sport mode with the Millteck VC, if the valves are left open (in last position mode) then the car will sound the same in touring or sport. The only difference you'll ever hear is from sport to track when the car increases RPM a touch at idle. If you haven't already, I highly suggest programming the Millteck to your homelink garage opener on the rear view mirror as well. (although I leave my valves 100% always, it's an easy switch if I ever wanted). Cheers.

 

[ntingle]

sport mode does other things

There's no need to start the car in sport mode with the Millteck VC, if the valves are left open (in last position mode) then the car will sound the same in touring or sport. The only difference you'll ever hear is from sport to track when the car increases RPM a touch at idle. If you haven't already, I highly suggest programming the Millteck to your homelink garage opener on the rear view mirror as well. (although I leave my valves 100% always, it's an easy switch if I ever wanted). Cheers.

Sport mode does other things -- throttle response for one.

 

[PatrickJS]

Anyone install V2 of the valve controller? Looks like it plugs in a different place. Wondering how much easier it is to install? I did not see any instructions on teh GRP site.

interested in this too

 

[allenyao09]

Having installed the Milltek valve controller I don’t think I’ll bother with the 3rd cat delete, the VC on its own makes more than enough difference - brilliant little mod to improve the exhaust sound.
Apart from an issue reinstalling the rear diffuser, (see separate thread) was simple even for an idiot like me.

I did the VC first and then the decat pipe. The decat pipe install was a PITA for me, since I struggled with the pipe expander. I think the VC made a bigger difference in volume than the decat pipe. But the decat pipe changed the tone and made it throatier. I can also hear more pops. Overall I still think the decat pipe is worth having.

 

[MiamiBlue]

. But the decat pipe changed the tone and made it throatier. I can also hear more pops. Overall I still think the decat pipe is worth having.

How's the tone changed? What I personally love most about the V6 is the "howling" sound at the top of the rev range. It's a sort of higher frequency sound compared to the bassy drone you get from an open pipe 4 cylinder engine.
I wouldn't want to gain more volume at the expense of losing the distinctive 'howl' of the V6.

 

[freefall_junkie]

How's the tone changed? What I personally love most about the V6 is the "howling" sound at the top of the rev range. It's a sort of higher frequency sound compared to the bassy drone you get from an open pipe 4 cylinder engine.
I wouldn't want to gain more volume at the expense of losing the distinctive 'howl' of the V6.

With a decat there is a lot more V6 howl at high revs but it remains civilised with no drone when cruising.

 

[Orchardbike]

I’m trying to decide between the 3rd cat and the valve controller or should I just do both? I don’t want any droning, I’s just like to hear the V6 a bit more.

 

[Nova]

I’m trying to decide between the 3rd cat and the valve controller or should I just do both? I don’t want any droning, I’s just like to hear the V6 a bit more.

You should do both. You are opening it up anyway and the costs are one good solid fancy meal for your family, and what have they done for you lately? Spend it on your exhaust.

 

[ADC]

@MiamiBlue , @Orchardbike if you are not a million miles away from Oxford (or you happen to be passing by), you could possibly have a listen to mine... I've done the delete pipe, and am unlikely to bother with the controller. IMO, not too much more aggressive when just tooling around, and then it sounds like Zeus blowing a damn trumpet when you go above about 4k RPM (windows down is a must!)

Awesome difference for a couple of hundred quid.

 

[freefall_junkie]

I've done the delete pipe, and am unlikely to bother with the controller.

Ditto. I'd say do the decat first. It sounds great, costs buttons, and unless you are a Motörhead fan you are highly unlikely to want it any louder.

 

[Orchardbike]

Any UK MOT issues from the decat

@MiamiBlue , @Orchardbike if you are not a million miles away from Oxford (or you happen to be passing by), you could possibly have a listen to mine... I've done the delete pipe, and am unlikely to bother with the controller. IMO, not too much more aggressive when just tooling around, and then it sounds like Zeus blowing a damn trumpet when you go above about 4k RPM (windows down is a must!)

Awesome difference for a couple of hundred quid.

Any UK MOT issues from the decat?

 

[ADC]

Any UK MOT issues from the decat
Any UK MOT issues from the decat?

<Stares at expansive undertray> ... what decat?

(important to note, the main monitored cats are still in place, and internet wisdom speaks of the secondary only being there to satisfy certain markets)

 

[geoffbland]

Any UK MOT issues from the decat

This is what I got from Milltek when I asked about this - they are very helpful FWIW

"There are 2 cats on an Emira, this removes the second cat
The vehicle still has a primary cat, so should still pass an MOT emissions test, as the UK ones are actually not very stringent.
However it is an emissions control part though, so it should be an MOT fail visually just for not being there, it depends how well your tester knows the vehicle."

Also

"On the Emira, deleting the secondary cat does not pull an engine management light, as it is not monitored by the system on this vehicle"

 

[Orchardbike]

This is what I got from Milltek when I asked about this - they are very helpful FWIW

"There are 2 cats on an Emira, this removes the second cat
The vehicle still has a primary cat, so should still pass an MOT emissions test, as the UK ones are actually not very stringent.
However it is an emissions control part though, so it should be an MOT fail visually just for not being there, it depends how well your tester knows the vehicle."

Also

"On the Emira, deleting the secondary cat does not pull an engine management light, as it is not monitored by the system on this vehicle"

Thanks Geoff.

 

[NorCalEmira]

I’m trying to decide between the 3rd cat and the valve controller or should I just do both? I don’t want any droning, I’s just like to hear the V6 a bit more.

Do both at the same time and gain the ability to tune your exhaust sound to your liking or revert to the factory valve control on demand.