GRP decat pipe and Milltek Valve Controller

[djprov431]

Not taking advatage of having the rear diffuser off and doing both upgrades at the same time is a huge mistake, unless you're really not looking to spend the extra money on one of the parts. The removal and install of the rear diffuser alone is worth doing this job once and being done. The cat delete treats some folks diffently, mine came off and straight pipe installed without too much hassle, the VC is as simple as it gets, routing the extra wire is the pain point here, if any. Do both, or you'll likely regret it later.

 

[allenyao09]

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.

The tone is a bit deeper and more bassy through the lower revs, and it opens up more in the higher revs. You would only get more howling sound at high revs.

 

[netsinah]

I’m looking for verification that I’ve correctly characterized the 3 Milltek valve control settings. With the car set for sport mode:

#1: this is the loudest, so 100% fully open valve. This is a no-brainer.

#2: this is somewhat quieter, but not much. I say this is the OEM setting.

#3: this is by far the quietest. I say it’s a 100% fully closed valve, which is why it’s so quiet.

Correct? If so, it’s another example of the manufacturer specified settings for #2 and #3 on the small control unit, being reversed. LMK and thanks.

 

[MiamiBlue]

If you decide to remove the Militek valve controller will the car throw a code and need the valves re-programmed by a Lotus computer?

 

[geoffbland]

I’m looking for verification that I’ve correctly characterized the 3 Milltek valve control settings. With the car set for sport mode:

#1: this is the loudest, so 100% fully open valve. This is a no-brainer.

#2: this is somewhat quieter, but not much. I say this is the OEM setting.

#3: this is by far the quietest. I say it’s a 100% fully closed valve, which is why it’s so quiet.

Correct? If so, it’s another example of the manufacturer specified settings for #2 and #3 on the small control unit, being reversed. LMK and thanks.

This is the info I have:

Buton 1 – opens the valve 100% on the back box, meaning it is constantly at the loudest possible.

Button 2 – closes the valve 100%, regardless of driving mode, the valve will be closed and in its quietest form (do not drive the vehicle at high speed or too hard with the valve closed)

Button 3 – should return the exhaust valve back to original functions and interact with the drive select modes once again.

The module should remember the last state it was left in, so the vehicle can start up with the valves open if it is turned off with the valve open.

You can send MIltek an email or call them - I've found their customer support to be very helpful.

 

[RyanGphoto]

I installed the VC and 3rd cat delete in my friends car.. It was the GRP 3rd cat and I had to use an extender to get the fit snub when installing the 3rd cat, some people didn't have to do this, but we did and it was a royal pain in the you know what..

The install other than having to use an extender for the 3rd cat was really straight forward on both the VC and 3rd cat though... Here are my thoughts on installing both...

1. When you are ON the gas in any gear, it sounds AMAZING.. with the valves 100% open in Sport mode.
2. When you are just cruising around in Sport mode and valves 100% open and between 2500 - 3500 rpms is doesn't sound much different than in sport mode without the 3rd cat and VC installed.
3. Revving the car sounds absolutely intoxicating.. It now sounds like it looks.

I love that his car can be put into various modes where you can choose what you want to hear. You need quiet, put it in OEM mode on the VC and Tour Mode on the car and it sounds pretty damn close to stock in Tour Mode. Want a little grumble put it in Sport with VC in OEM.. Nice and just a little better than regular sports mode with no VC or 3rd cat. Want a bit more grumble and burbles, yep they got that too.. Tour mode with 100% open on the VC. Want it to sound like a V8 with aftermarket exhaust (IMO) then Track mode (it increases the start up RPM I believe 200rpms higher) and 100% open on the valves.. It so good when you are on the gas..

Again this is my opinion and your mileage might vary..

Just to clarify though: Touring, Sport, AND Track do NOT sound much different at all when you have the VC 100% open, but there IS an ever so slight difference... Can't tell you why, I can just tell you there is.

If you want to read the whole thread it's located here:

3rd Cat Delete and Valve Controller Opinion

I just spent quite a bit of time in my car (factory) and a friends who just did the 3rd Cat and Valve controller.. My opinion might be a little different.. 1. When you are ON the gas in any gear, it sounds AMAZING.. with the valves 100% open in Sport mode. 2. When you are just cruising...

www.emiraforum.com

 

[allenyao09]

When you are just cruising around in Sport mode and valves 100% open and between 2500 - 3500 rpms is doesn't sound much different than in sport mode without the 3rd cat and VC installed.

Agreed. I went on a road trip with the VC off one way and VC on the other way back. Barely any difference in noise level. Majority of the noise came from the road and wind.

 

[wuster]

I’m looking for verification that I’ve correctly characterized the 3 Milltek valve control settings. With the car set for sport mode:

#1: this is the loudest, so 100% fully open valve. This is a no-brainer.

#2: this is somewhat quieter, but not much. I say this is the OEM setting.

#3: this is by far the quietest. I say it’s a 100% fully closed valve, which is why it’s so quiet.

Correct? If so, it’s another example of the manufacturer specified settings for #2 and #3 on the small control unit, being reversed. LMK and thanks.

Yes， for me was same configuration. But have heard on some remote 2 and 3 buttons were reversed. But was confirmed both by me and installer 2 is 100% and 3 is closed. There is testing method, which is set up VC on 2 while care is set to normal drive mode (tour). Rev slightly to 2 or 3K. Then change drive mode to track, rev to 2/3K and compare if sound increases. If if increases, then it's OEM configuration.

The tone is a bit deeper and more bassy through the lower revs, and it opens up more in the higher revs. You would only get more howling sound at high revs.

OMG this was completely night and day for me! The multitude of videos online did not do this justice. I can see why all the online reviews and feedback say it's worth doing, but it really pales in comparison and does not truly reflect the magnitude of change that this has on exhaust note and enjoyment / intoxication of the drive!

While in track mode + 100% open:

Casual driving is still very enjoyable and not overwhelming.

Low RPM's it's about 50% louder, but still very manageable, no droning, lots more gurgles, pops, and throatiness.

Mid range 2-4K, definitely louder, probably around 30-40% louder and deeper.

Upper range 4K+, OMG this is full on race car mode! The tone, volume, sound quality is fully intoxicating! It's a race car! The howling / roaring sound is comparable to an F1 car (the old V12's) especially if you're driving adjacent to wall, bridge, tunnel, it's fully enveloping you with sound and vibrations of pure gas loving adrenaline.

It's a completely different exhilarating and spellbinding experience. Love it!