Exhaust System Upgrade Options Available for Turbo I4 AMG Engine Yet?

[F1 SML8R]

You’ll probably need to get the exhaust valve re calibrated at Lotus if you change the exhaust. The valve is super sensitive to the slightest difference in the open and closed position. I had CEL after changing my I4 Exhaust, after recal, no problem.

I am curious about this and will report back. If you go through all of the exhaust posts, it seems that it was a few early cars that had this issue. However, later designs on several different exhausts and perhaps a loosening of the calibration from Lotus have contributed to not hearing about this anymore. I'll certainly post here as soon as it's installed, with pics and if I had any dash warnings.

 

[lynchy73]

What does this mean exactly and how do they do this

It’s just a page in the Lotus diagnostic software. They go to the page in the Lotus software, select the exhaust valve calibration and press go. The valve goes to full open, full closed and the car learns the new open/closed positions of the valve. That’s it, very simple with the correct software.
I believe the Milltek Exhaust valve controller avoids throwing codes.
I have a V1 Ti Aerie I4 exhaust. The valve arrangement is actually designed to match the OEM Valve’s open/closed positioning, but it still threw codes. Only the recalibration resolved it, no problem since. I also have their sports cat.

 

[lynchy73]

I am curious about this and will report back. If you go through all of the exhaust posts, it seems that it was a few early cars that had this issue. However, later designs on several different exhausts and perhaps a loosening of the calibration from Lotus have contributed to not hearing about this anymore. I'll certainly post here as soon as it's installed, with pics and if I had any dash warnings.

I think a lot of people also use the Milltek valve controller when they do an exhaust. Apparently the V2 Aerie is better regards not throwing exhaust valve codes, however the system is super sensitive so don’t be surprised if it does. Just get the valve recalibrated if it does happen, or run the Milltek, although personally I think the recalibration is no harm, as you know then it’s right (not being masked by the Milltek).

 

[F1 SML8R]

Agree, I definitely prefer the OE functionality.

 

[F1 SML8R]

So my exhaust got installed today (Quickjacks, me, and my buddy) and man it was work. More importantly, fired it up and drove around the block all good. Then after a few minutes on the highway, engine light! So, I guess the calibration is going to be needed. The good news is it's going in Monday for an oil service (1100 miles, need to get any micro metal out), software updates and I'll mention the calibration needed. I'm hoping they do it as part of the software update and there's no charge. Pics to follow, stay tuned...

 

[F1 SML8R]

Ok, besides having to now have the valve calibrated that @lynchy73 and others have mentioned, it’s important to note that doing this on quickjacks, is a pain. I would say if you have access to a lift, use it!

First obstacle, the OE i4 exhaust is big and has an additional mounting bracket dead center. See pic…

Next problem, the OE decat pipe (no third cat on i4) has a spot weld that unfortunately goes through the pipe making it essentially un-removeable. See pic…

Now next problem, because we couldn’t remove the decat, we couldn't squeeze the exhaust out. So after an hour of twisting and turning, I made the call. Reciprocating saw! See pic…

After that, getting it out was a cinch! Oh yeah, I skipped one other big headache, the V band clamp around the down pipe and decat. Getting that off was super hard because of the placement of the bolt. I don’t know how many extensions, elbows, etc. we used, but we finally broke it loose.

All in all, it was cool we did it, but it was a pain. BTW, you if you watch the cool install video on one of the other threads for the GRP titanium v6 exhaust install, it seems straight forward. However just know that the i4 is at another level of complexity if you don’t have a lift, the V band clamp on the down pipe to decat connection access, the spot weld that went too far on the decat preventing its removal, and finally the center bracket that got in the way of removal because the OE box is so big.

Lastly, as a reminder I got the v2 and it is beautiful(see pics earlier in this thread), even more so after a little blood (knuckles were busted), sweat and ok maybe one tear of joy when done!