New Valvetronic Designs BMW F80 M3 Exhaust | Install, Review & Sound!

I finally got the new Valvetronic Designs (Equal Length Valved Sport) exhaust installed on my F80 M3 (after a 2 month pre-order wait and a month of it sitting in the garage).
Initial impressions are really positive. I think the video has some extensive opinions on the sound, but overall it's a well rounded, deep exhaust tone with PLENTY of volume. There wasn't really anything wrong with the setup it replaced (Active Autowerke mid pipes/Remus exhaust), but I wanted something a little different and I think this one gets it right.
Positives aside, the only issues I ran into were a broken t-clamp (could have been my fault; link to a good replacement below) and some rattling at the valve when closed. I didn't really notice this from the cabin but you can hear it from outside. It's noticeable on cold start and when revving/accelerating and I'm not sure if it's because of some play in the actuator or the valve itself being loose or poorly sized; I need to look into this. Otherwise, the build quality looks good as far as I can tell
Production wise, man this one was tough to put together. For as long as it is, it was probably twice as long before additional editing, but I really wanted to try and cover as much as possible - especially in terms of opinions and sound clips.
We filmed multiple camera angles for the old exhaust removal and install; unfortunately some of the footage was trash so, if you're doing this install, hopefully some of it is helpful.
Super huge thanks to my son (the kid) for his help on this one - he did most of the work. I highly recommend a helper if you're doing this on jack stands.
Alright guys well hopefully you enjoy this one. Comment below if you have any thoughts or questions. And if you want to hear more sounds of this setup, check out the ‪@valvetronic‬ demo with their F80 (with DPs): • BMW F8x M3/M4 Valvetro...
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🕑 Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Why the switch?
04:35 - Why Valvetronic Designs?
07:18 - Unboxing
08:31 - Exhaust tip debate
11:20 - A look at the new exhaust
12:44 - Removing the old exhaust
13:41 - Tools and parts
15:45 - Install walkthrough
16:48 - Muffler comparison
17:11 - Installing the new exhaust
20:37 - Start and initial impressions
23:34 - First drive
28:53 - Exhaust tip debate continued
30:49 - Sound test: revs
33:27 - Sound test: drive bys
35:29 - Sound test: from the trunk
36:35 - Closing thoughts: install
43:01 - Closing thoughts: sound
Heads up! Some of these are affiliate links for products I use in my videos/garage; I earn a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you. Your support is immensely appreciated!
Featured Products/Tools:
Exhaust: valvetronic.com/products/bmw-...
Gaskets: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Flange: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
T-Clamps: amzn.to/48C0SSN
Silicone Paste: amzn.to/48nFgt9
E-Torx Set: amzn.to/49fMLm1
My OBDII Setup
Veepeak OBDScheck BLE+ Bluetooth Scanner: amzn.to/48aJSCU
OHP ENET Cable: amzn.to/3Sf3FKv
Favorite Detailing Products:
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Drying Aid: tinyurl.com/bdhnuz73
CarPro TarX: amzn.to/3RQv9Wq
CarPro Eraser: amzn.to/3SaK0vj
Invisible Glass: amzn.to/41K1xid
Meguiar’s APC (engine bay): amzn.to/41MI6Fo
Meguiar’s Hyper Dressing (engine bay, wheels): amzn.to/47jukvj
Nanoskin AutoScrub: amzn.to/3ROpwIt
Nanoskin Glide: amzn.to/3NSo7PM
Microfiber Madness Incredipad: tinyurl.com/v8mnujsj
Tire brush: amzn.to/47pZ3qk
Wheel Mitt: tinyurl.com/ycyr2vfa
Interior brush: amzn.to/3TQVqqA
DF Brushes (engine, wheels, mats): amzn.to/4aCQiMu
DF Ultra Soft Brushes (interior): amzn.to/3NR1VWs
DF Curveball brush (tires): amzn.to/3vQo3dr
EZ Detail brush (small, for wheels): amzn.to/48junZp
EZ Detail brush (large, for wheels): amzn.to/4aJfkK0
Lilly brush (best pet hair remover): amzn.to/48mZlzB
Garage Stuff:
Fender Cover: amzn.to/489yAyw
Light: amzn.to/3RBXC2q
Battery Analyzer: amzn.to/3GWlE36
Milwaukee Ratchet: amzn.to/48RISnj
Flex Head Ratchet Set: amzn.to/3Si9jvf
Torque wrench: amzn.to/3vJPUfc
Lug Nut Socket: amzn.to/3UgDNAs
Check out some more videos:
• New Valvetronic Design...
• 8 Step FULL Exterior D...
• Bimmer INVASION 2023 C...
Instagram: / jgo.m3
Music I use (free trial referral link): share.epidemicsound.com/6qz34k
Thanks for watching!
- Jeremy
#valvetronic #f80m3 #exhaust #bmw #m3 #f80

[@valvetronic]

this is an absolutely sensational video. Thank you so much for your support and putting in so much time, effort, and energy to showcase this to other enthusiast! In regard to the exhaust valve. Here’s what you can do to fix that minor issue. the Exhaust valve requires a lot of tension in order to not rattle when the valve is closed. inorder to give him more tension, Here’s what you can do: 1. Get under the car and remove the exhaust valve. When you unplug the valve, make sure valve is in the closed position. 2: while the valve is off the car, plug it back in to the harness, and start the car and cycle between the M1 and M2 modes. Because there’s no resistance on the valve it’ll reset its position. 3. reinstall the exhaust valve back on to the bracket on the exhaust system. Then get back in the car and start it and cycle between the M1 and M2 modes. Because the valve was previously off the car it will relearn its position and give have more tension. This should solve any and all issues!

[@jgo.m3]

Thanks so much for taking the time to check it out and for the kind words! Also really appreciate the detailed fix instructions. I'll give that a try today and update with results. 👍

[@cwx8]

@@jgo.m3 On the other hand.. these exhausts are not cheap. Why is it that valvetronics isn't shipping quality work out of the gate? How are you feeling about the exhaust nowadays?

[@jgo.m3]

@@cwx8 you'd have to ask Valvetronic bro. My limited interaction with them has been positive but I'm not speaking for everyone whose ever bought their stuff.

[@soldierviejo8224]

Valvetronic is definitely the way to go, the sound is 🔥🔥🔥

[@jgo.m3]

100% agree, thanks brother! 🍻 yeah not a day has gone by since installing it have I not thoroughly enjoyed the sound.

[@KurumaDesigns]

Free revving with the valve open it sounds almost like an rb26, definetly the best sounding f8x exhaust! Also, great video! You got my sub!

[@jgo.m3]

Now THAT'S an endorsement! @Valvetronic should use that quote somewhere haha. Anyway much appreciated brother, thank you 🍻

[@benmiz9742]

Sounds really nice!

[@jgo.m3]

Thanks brother 🙏 downpipes just went in.. video (with sounds) coming up shortly!

[@ccf80]

I have a VRSF single mid + remus so similar to your previous setup. Also getting issues with the remus muffler too like weird rattling. Was debating on this for a while but this video sold me. Will pick this exhaust up in a few months and throw catted downpipes on. Great video!

[@jgo.m3]

That's awesome! I should hit up Valvetronic for a referral code lol. As for the Remus exhaust, from what I've heard and read they have a great reputation but it seemed like I just had too many problems too. I mentioned it in the original video but forgot to rehash the bent exhaust tip pipe that I had to reshape. Anyway, good luck with the new setup bro. I'm most likely going to do catted dps also.

[@tj_normieslayer1836]

You install it? Im debating between the valvetronic system vs a single mid pipe hooked up to a dinan muffler

[@jgo.m3]

@@tj_normieslayer1836 sorry man, just now saw this. Yep I installed both. I had a shop double check the Remus after some rattling issues I couldn't resolve but I've had zero fitment issues with the Valvetronic. You probably can't go wrong with either; I almost did the single mid pipe too but ended up going with the Valvetronic system. Still love it.

[@Neverworry21]

How come nobody is running catless?

[@jgo.m3]

@@Neverworry21 the mid pipes on this exhaust are catless but I went with catted dps. I don't know about anyone else but catted dps with this exhaust is plenty loud.

[@stancuflorin]

thank you for the long video really helpfull

[@jgo.m3]

Awesome man, glad you liked it 🍻

[@f82regpaq]

amazing video! Must have taken a lot of work to make :) Already ordered my valvetronic exhaust and can't wait to get it

[@jgo.m3]

Thank you bro. This one was definitely a marathon compared to my others but thanks so much for checking it out. Also beautiful M4 you got! Love the white with black/carbon accents. The exhaust will be a great addition 🍻

[@f82regpaq]

@@jgo.m3 Did you have any trouble with the muffler sitting too low? I installed mine this past weekend and it's about an inch or so too low. I can't seem to figure out how to raise it. I think my answer is in the ball clamps and i may have to try again for a 3rd time. it's already pretty tight in there around the diff and sub frame

[@jgo.m3]

Didn't have that issue this time around but I'd say the clamps are a possibility. I think that's generally where the whole system gets aligned and I had issues with that with the AA mid pipes. Might also double check the rear hangers.

[@f82regpaq]

@@jgo.m3 thanks for the reply, spent a few more hours underneath the car and pretty much re did the install from those ball clamps back and it helped but not enough. might have to look into shorter or adjustable muffler hangers. the only thing i didn’t try was loosening the bolts at the downpipe. as you noted, they are a pain in the ass so once i tightened them i didn’t want to mess with them

[@jgo.m3]

The only thing I'd note about the down pipe connection was from the AA mid pipe instructions where they say to tighten the driver side pipe first because it's a floating flange and that sets the alignment. I don't know that this would have any affect on the muffler height though. If anything, maybe reach out to Valvetronic; their customer service/responses are great.

[@carsandcoldbrew6489]

I wonder if aftermarket downpipes would even be needed. Stock pipes seem to help retain the higher pitched sounds and provide a good amount of volume. High flow catted would give it a deeper sound with a little more volume.

[@jgo.m3]

Yeah that's a good question. If you only care about sound, I don't think you need dps at all; I think the car sounds great with just the exhaust upgrade. At this point I would only do dps for performance; maybe improve the throttle response a bit more (or rather complete the free flowing from front to back getting rid of the last stock restriction). I would hope dps wouldn't ruin the sound but I probably wouldn't care if the tone dropped a tad deeper.

[@slackn]

First off amazing video but I have a question, I just bought the same exhaust for my F82 will I also need to buy the Electronic valve harness or will it come included ? If it is not included is the harness needed?

[@jgo.m3]

Thanks brother! Much appreciated. The exhaust doesn't come with the valve harness and you don't technically need it since you're using the stock actuator, but if you want to the added functionality then it's worth getting. For $300, I'm thinking of picking this up over the Dahler unit. I think the only difference is the Dahler unit remembers your valve position at startup but that's not really worth the extra $200 to me.

[@LeoF30]

Hey there, how does the valves open and close? Is it through Sport+ mode in the cars drive mode or do you have a handheld controller?

[@jgo.m3]

Hey man, you can do either one. I still have mine connected to the factory harness so valves open in sport/sport+ or you can get the valve controller (Valvetronic sells ones, dAHLer, etc) which comes with a key fob to open them (or you can program your side mirror button).

[@osterkenn]

Nice review.I'm considering this exhaust and was wondering about the downshifts. Are they satisfying?

[@jgo.m3]

Thanks man 🙏. I think satisfying can be a bit subjective but a rev matched downshift with valves open sounds insane and if you're a fan of burbles, even the stock tune sounds really aggressive. Looking forward to pairing this up with some catted dps.

[@osterkenn]

Thanks for the info man. I can barely hear the downshifts with the stock exhaust so that is exciting to hear! I was going to do the AWE but I have changed my mind and will be going with the Valvetronic. I'd love some catted dps I'm just scared of that NY state inspection.

[@jgo.m3]

Anytime brother! Yeah there’s a lot of great exhaust systems for the F8X platform, but I don’t think you’d be disappointed with Valvetronic. I don’t know what your time frame is but I just saw on IG they’re having a 20% off everything sale from the 22nd - 30th 🍻

[@osterkenn]

Yes, I did see that. It's a almost enough to make me splurge for the titanium! But not quite lol. @@jgo.m3

[@danielsmakulski4721]

hi very interested in purchasing this exhaust for my f80. just a question about the valve actuators. there is two on oem muffler do you leave the one side unplugged and zip tie it off to the side ?

[@jgo.m3]

Yep, and to avoid the error an unplugged actuator cable would throw when doing a scan, you can buy a cap for the cable from ECS Tuning: www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-m-performance-parts/dummy-flap-actuator/18302411427/

[@m3clubracer]

I'll bet the difference between the concentrated sound vs the projected sound is stainless vs titanium?? SS will be deeper. Did you have active sound disables in the cabin?

[@jgo.m3]

Yeah I've heard that too.. I think the titanium would have a bit more of that high end exotic sound (?) but I love the deeper tones so SS works great for me. Pretty sure I disabled ASD awhile back but I'd have to check. No mistaking that exhaust note though =)

[@Hotflare]

Im thinking on ditching my AA + MPE with my ARM resonated dp for this. But would you say the Ti version sounds more raspy than the Steel?

[@jgo.m3]

Honestly I'm not sure. I heard their demo car at Bimmer Invasion which I _think_ was TI + ARM dps and it sounded awesome! I think rasp comes mainly from your dp choice; my setup is stock dp with the stainless steel system and there's zero rasp so I'm hoping that when I eventually pair up some high flow catted dps it stays that way. If anything I think the Ti version just has a slightly higher pitch.

[@Hotflare]

@jgo.m3 I like it bc it mimics a porche esque tone. I wish I went to invasion in socal but had to work. I may pull the trigger but I wanna get full on bushings/mounts/diff plate for the car so there's that haha

[@jgo.m3]

lol damn priorities. I wish I would've gotten video of the Valvetronic demo while I was there (at the Orlando one) but from what I remember it was pretty insane. They have an extensive video on their yt channel but you know.. always better to hear in person.

[@thatlsbf8051]

hows the build quality held up after 6 months, heard some bad things about the brand but never owned

[@jgo.m3]

No complaints brother; still looks and sounds amazing. If I had to nitpick I feel like I still hear the tiniest bit of valve rattle during the first few seconds of cold start, but I haven't checked if the fixing bow might need adjusting. Otherwise it's solid.

[@jqdw3]

Hey, quick question. I've heard with the valvetronic EL that you can encounter a rev at like 2k rpm under load, especially during freeway cruising. Is that something you've encountered, and is it able to be 'fixed' with the valves closed? Thanks!

[@jgo.m3]

Hey man, not entirely sure what you mean by encountering a rev but there's nothing I've noticed that felt out of place or unexpected under those conditions (2k rpm under load at freeway cruising). 6 months in and so far so good 👍

[@jqdw3]

Meant to say rasp but figure if you didn't mention that just now then you probably didn't encounter any. I know that it's more common on downpiped cars.@@jgo.m3

[@jgo.m3]

@michaelsinger1034 man KZbin notifications suck.. just now seeing this. Oh ok, yeah rasp - definitely no rasp with this exhaust. I just installed catted downpipes (video out shortly) and so far I don't think there's any rasp there either. From the cabin there are times where it sounds like a tad bit but when I listened to the outside audio of the revs, I don't really hear it.

[@jqdw3]

@@jgo.m3 yeah iirc it was an in cabin rasp during freeway usage on 2k rpm that some people with valvetronic systems and dps were experiencing. Want to make sure that it's not unbearable before spending $,$$$

[@jgo.m3]

@@jqdw3 certainly not unbearable. I feel like I'm hearing maybe a tiny bit under certain conditions (like right after letting off full throttle) but like I said, I didn't catch any when I went back and listened to the sound clips from the downpipe install. For all I know it could be my license plate rattling lol.

[@Phil46_]

Sounds great :D Whats the diameter of the exhaust tips?

[@jgo.m3]

Thanks! They’re all 3.5” (89mm)

[@cudva12]

Are you able to adjust the tips to be more inward?

[@jgo.m3]

lol yeah I have mine set out a bit obnoxiously. If you pushed them all the way in they’d be flush with the diffuser.

[@cudva12]

@@jgo.m3 ah ok I been thinking about getting one and prefer the tips to be a little more flush

[@tonyc4496]

How long did you wait for it to come in

[@jgo.m3]

It was about 2 months from pre-order to delivery.

[@cmacgregor2]

Can you tune the burbles down?

[@jgo.m3]

Not with the exhaust directly but if you get an app like BimmerLink or Bootmod3 (or something similar) you can. Actually I didn't realize BimmerLink did this so that's probably the cheapest option.

[@cmacgregor2]

@@jgo.m3 I have bm3 and BL, so good to know!