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Might Install Resonator to my FI Exhaust. Cause Cold Start Too Loud. Opinions?
Problem: My car has a FI Exhaust (midpipes and muffler) and the coldstart is very loud and very very unpleasant. I had my car's Engine Electronics software updated about a month ago and my car will not stop coldstarting. It will coldstart regardless of the engine/transmission temps as long as the car has been parked for 15-20 minutes. Before the car would only cold start once a day or if the car had been parked for 4-5 hours. Now it coldstarts virtually every time I start the car
What I tried: Benz cant/wont help me with the problem by rolling back the software update. I previously thought Eurocharged would be able to provide me a coldstart delete but that has lead to a dead end and I am pretty sure Jerry is tired of seeing my emails.
Resonator?: I heavily considered just removing my FI Exhaust and going back to full stock exhaust, but then I realized I could just install a resonator instead. From what I can tell, my FI Exhaust no resonator and a Valved Muffler. My original stock (non-PE) exhaust has 1 resonator and no-valves.
My questions are:
1. If I added a resonator, would my coldstart be more bearable? If there was a volume scale 1-10 (FI Exhaust: 10, AMG Non-PE Exhaust: 5) would adding a resonator atleast reduce the 10 to a 7?
2. Would my exhaust on WOT still be more aggressive than my non-PE stock exhaust? Comparable to the PE maybe? I think the PE Exhaust has 1 resonator as well right?
Are you sure the valves are staying closed on start up? Since the FI is a true dual system, you'd need to add dual resonators to it. Have you listened to any stock GLC 43s that have had this software update? The reason I ask, is that my exhaust is stock and I I've had the update. My cold starts are pretty loud. I don't know how they compare to yours with the FI installed. You say your FI system has mid pipes. Are you sure that down pipes and cats are still stock? From the description it looks like the FI system might replace the cats. https://autotalent.com/products/fi-e...xoCKl4QAvD_BwE
Have you listened to any stock GLC 43s that have had this software update? The reason I ask, is that my exhaust is stock and I I've had the update. My cold starts are pretty loud.
Adding the resonators will take away the raspy note on WOT and it should get rid of some of the deep undertone on lower rpm. I have actually thought about throwing a extra set on the glc63 as it’s pretty loud even with catted DPs
The FI exaust has a default setting that opens the valves based upon engine RPM. I think now that you have the software update that initiates cold start more often, the increased RPM is above the control point for your FI valve controller. So now the valves are opening on the cold start. Do you have the remote for your system? See if you can shut the valves on cold start and if that quiets it. If this works, then maybe there is a way to mod the default settings for the valve control software.
The FI exaust has a default setting that opens the valves based upon engine RPM. I think now that you have the software update that initiates cold start more often, the increased RPM is above the control point for your FI valve controller. So now the valves are opening on the cold start. Do you have the remote for your system? See if you can shut the valves on cold start and if that quiets it. If this works, then maybe there is a way to mod the default settings for the valve control software.
My rpm controller is set to 2500rpm. The coldstart is well under 2000rpm.
I think even with the valves closed the coldstart is still crazy loud. if they even are able to close during coldstart. I notice the remote controls are much slower to react during coldstarts
Are you sure the valves are staying closed on start up? Since the FI is a true dual system, you'd need to add dual resonators to it. Have you listened to any stock GLC 43s that have had this software update? The reason I ask, is that my exhaust is stock and I I've had the update. My cold starts are pretty loud. I don't know how they compare to yours with the FI installed. You say your FI system has mid pipes. Are you sure that down pipes and cats are still stock? From the description it looks like the FI system might replace the cats. https://autotalent.com/products/fi-e...xoCKl4QAvD_BwE
Yea I.uave stock Cats. I am sure.
My coldstarts were always loud, but they used to only coldstart once a day cause I drove every 4 hours.
After this freaking update my car coldstarts every 20mins. It is insanely annoying.
My rpm controller is set to 2500rpm. The coldstart is well under 2000rpm.
I think even with the valves closed the coldstart is still crazy loud. if they even are able to close during coldstart. I notice the remote controls are much slower to react during coldstarts
What MrJ is asking is Did you try to use the remote control and close the valve before starting the car ? The system comes with a remote , do you have it ?
PE is not offered.on any car any year in Taiwan. Not even the AMG GT has a PE option.
Originally Posted by lanoipat
What MrJ is asking is Did you try to use the remote control and close the valve before starting the car ? The system comes with a remote , do you have it ?
Yes I have tried it. Yes it is still too loud for something that happens every 20 mins.
And the engine has to be on to close the valves or operate the remote. You cannot close the valves in advance. The will stay closed if you close them before you turn off the engine, but open again automatically if not driven for a few hours.
Last edited by waisoserious; Oct 27, 2019 at 11:39 AM.
Yes I have tried it. Yes it is still too loud for something that happens every 20 mins.
And the engine has to be on to close the valves or operate the remote. You cannot close the valves in advance. The will stay closed if you close them before you turn off the engine, but open again automatically if not driven for a few hours.
I see. They must be vacuum actuated. Have you contacted FI? Maybe they can offer some support here?
So I thought I might let you guys know I installed the resonators.
Result:
- On the Coldstart noise scale 1-10, if my FI Exhaust pre-resonated was a 10 and stock Non-PE was a 5, my resonated FI is now a 8.
- WOT the car doesnt rasp anymore, which is actually unfortunate cause i really really really loved the rasp. In terms of loudness the car is almost as loud. With the valves open of course
- Regular driving with valves closed is quieter, but who cares, it was quiet with valves closed already
Conclusion:
If there is anything that I learned from this whole fiasco its that:
1. Unless you think the car has a serious serious serious problem, do NOT allow the dealership to even TOUCH your software. Ever
2. Unless you know for sure that the problem you have is directly addressed by the software update, do NOT allow the dealership to update your car
3. Even if the dealership says it addresses the problem, let somebody else do the update 1st.
4. Do not ever do a software update because you are hoping it might make your car perform better/smoother. The car is not a Windows XP PC and you should not update it as such just because there is an update available.
The resonator install cost me about $400 USD here in Taiwan including the cost of the resonators. Would I do it again? No. After hearing the results I would just go back to stock and sell my FI Exhaust. I think this would have been my course of action if I could re-do it.
But of course If I could re-do all of it, I would just never goto the dealership in the 1st place.
You can always sell me your FI exhaust, if shipping isn't too bad . I am also looking for a new exhaust in which I can control valves since my 2017 didn't have the PE option available. I would love to find a used PE exhaust but not possible. I tried sourcing new PE Muffler and Mid section but it's almost the cost of getting a new FI or Armytrix exhaust. Right now my exhaust is all chopped up and if I can do it again, I would just get Catted Downpipes, Remove resonator, and add the new PE Muffler and those mid pipes.
You can always sell me your FI exhaust, if shipping isn't too bad . I am also looking for a new exhaust in which I can control valves since my 2017 didn't have the PE option available. I would love to find a used PE exhaust but not possible. I tried sourcing new PE Muffler and Mid section but it's almost the cost of getting a new FI or Armytrix exhaust. Right now my exhaust is all chopped up and if I can do it again, I would just get Catted Downpipes, Remove resonator, and add the new PE Muffler and those mid pipes.
If I decide to sell the exhaust i let you know bro.
If I decide to sell the exhaust i let you know bro.
Thanks!!! Oh and FYI for you.....
I found this...hehe. I may start the PE retro-fit February. Also, Dan found a way make the valves open and close using an actuator. This is the cheapest price I found for muffler and mid-pipe. I will search around and see if can find cheaper or get a hook up. https://www.mynewbenzparts.com/v-201...ust-components
I found this...hehe. I may start the PE retro-fit February. Also, Dan found a way make the valves open and close using an actuator. This is the cheapest price I found for muffler and mid-pipe. I will search around and see if can find cheaper or get a hook up. https://www.mynewbenzparts.com/v-201...ust-components
Am I reading this right? The original PE full exhaust is like $4500??
Brah....from what I can tell, the PE is basically a resonated FI. Once the valves are open, they both operate like straight pipes anyways. Unless you can get a used from from a wrecked GLC, I strongly advise against spending that much money for an exhaust.
Even by after market standards that is really expensive.
And after all that, you still gotta pay DAN to code it for you. And you have to replace the buttons on your center console.
I admit the integrated functionality of the PE button working together with Dynamic is really really convenient, but I dont knot if its worth $4500.
Am I reading this right? The original PE full exhaust is like $4500??
Brah....from what I can tell, the PE is basically a resonated FI. Once the valves are open, they both operate like straight pipes anyways. Unless you can get a used from from a wrecked GLC, I strongly advise against spending that much money for an exhaust.
Even by after market standards that is really expensive.
And after all that, you still gotta pay DAN to code it for you. And you have to replace the buttons on your center console.
I admit the integrated functionality of the PE button working together with Dynamic is really really convenient, but I dont knot if its worth $4500.
LOL I only need part 12 and 5. I have Mike's Customs Downpipes already. Actually, I only need part 12 as Dan knows how to make the valves on the muffler open and close. I was just showing you a diagram of the full exhaust since I haven't been able to find it anywhere until recently. Once you get the muffler, you can have any muffler shop fabricate the rest.
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. I am also looking for a new exhaust in which I can control valves since my 2017 didn't have the PE option available. I would love to find a used PE exhaust but not possible. I tried sourcing new PE Muffler and Mid section but it's almost the cost of getting a new FI or Armytrix exhaust. Right now my exhaust is all chopped up and if I can do it again, I would just get Catted Downpipes, Remove resonator, and add the new PE Muffler and those mid pipes.
