FL5 stock exhaust valve: Fuse pulled/always open - exterior sound clips

TheTopher · Mar 30, 2023

I've been wanting to try this for a while and finally got around to it.

UPDATE: Here's the easiest way to lock the exhaust valve in the open position:

While the car is off the valve is closed.
1. Pull the Active Exhaust Valve fuse, then turn the ignition on, ignition off.
2. Replace the fuse with the car off and valve should open. Now you can pull the fuse again and you're all set.

No check engine lights, exhaust sound is a bit deeper and louder, especially at low revs, where the valve would normally have been closed. Sounds good imo. I'll post some in-car video with better audio soon, for now here are a few outside shots:

11th Gen Honda Civic FL5 stock exhaust valve: Fuse pulled/always open - exterior sound clips IMG_0797

daazn · Mar 30, 2023

TheTopher said:
I've been wanting to try this for a while and finally got around to it. You may be able to do this another way, but this is how I got my exhaust valve in the open position, then pulled the fuse.

While the car is turned off, I unplugged the connection to the valve at the rear muffler, then plugged it back in. This triggered the valve to open. Then I unplugged the exhaust valve fuse in the engine bay.

No check engine lights, exhaust sound is a bit deeper and louder, especially at low revs, where the valve would normally have been closed. Sounds good imo. I'll post some in-car video with better audio soon, for now here are a few outside shots:

Thank you for this Topher!

TypeRD · Mar 30, 2023

Oh nice!

dandaman15 · Mar 30, 2023

Did you take off the MRT exhaust already? Any reasons why? Thanks for the info!

Kyofu · Mar 30, 2023

Doesn't sound as good as an exhaust IMO, but for someone looking for a tiny upgrade over stock... Sounds pretty decent! Not to mention the best part about this mod is its free

TheTopher · Mar 30, 2023

dandaman15 said:
Did you take off the MRT exhaust already? Any reasons why? Thanks for the info!

Yeah, it was a little loud for me. It sounds good compared to a lot of the FK8 systems I've heard, just a hint of drone around 3500rpm. Maybe down the road I'll play around with a midpipe or something, we'll see.

Short of sounding like a Fiat 500 Abarth or Elantra N, my sensitive old man ears are pretty happy with the way the open valve sounds.

Kyofu said:
Doesn't sound as good as an exhaust IMO, but for someone looking for a tiny upgrade over stock... Sounds pretty decent! Not to mention the best part about this mod is its free

Exactly, only takes 5 minutes too!

dandaman15 · Mar 30, 2023

TheTopher said:
Yeah, it was a little loud for me. It sounds good compared to a lot of the FK8 systems I've heard, just a hint of drone around 3500rpm. Maybe down the road I'll play around with a midpipe or something, we'll see.

Short of sounding like a Fiat 500 Abarth or Elantra N, my sensitive old man ears are pretty happy with the way the open valve sounds.

When I saw that I was curious if they could have added another resonator in that straight pipe section. I was tempted to get that MRT but may hold off now after your feedback and see what else comes out.

TypeRD · Mar 30, 2023

It is really weird to me that my completely stock ‘09 Si had a better sound at idle than the FL5. I’m an “old man” too. I don’t need a super loud exhaust, but I’d like to hear something outside the car (other than the engine churning)! The FL5 is way too quiet. Thanks again for this. Keep us updated if you get any CEL’s or anything like that.

CTRifecta · Mar 30, 2023

Thanks for the helpful write up and sound clips!

Wish Honda just had no flap to begin with. Seems like a waste imo

Rhorn · Mar 30, 2023

That BOV sound at 0:33 though

Icehawk · Mar 30, 2023

Rhorn said:
That BOV sound at 0:33 though

That was tire chirps not BOV.

TypeRD · Mar 30, 2023

It sounds like some BOV sounds to me too, in addition to tires chirping.

Rad Ray · Mar 30, 2023

Many thanks! Any tips on how to reach the valve clip on the muffler? I can’t get my hand to it - LOL!

TheTopher · Mar 30, 2023

Rad Ray said:
Many thanks! Any tips on how to reach the valve clip on the muffler? I can’t get my hand to it - LOL!

haha yeah it's a tight reach. You could also see if unplugging the fuse and then plugging it back in while the car is off would cause the valve to cycle open?

Village911 · Mar 30, 2023

Rad Ray said:
Many thanks! Any tips on how to reach the valve clip on the muffler? I can’t get my hand to it - LOL!

+1. Thanks, Chris!

FL5 stock exhaust valve: Fuse pulled/always open - exterior sound clips

TheTopher

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daazn

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TypeRD

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dandaman15

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Kyofu

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TheTopher

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TypeRD

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