My winter project is to add NPP mufflers to my 2006 C6 and I have two questions about the available aftermarket controllers.

1 - I see there are two to choose from: nakidkidparts NPP in a box and and Sunset Orange All in One. Does one do something the other does not? I see the option already to remember the last flap position.

2 - If I do not care about the flaps opening automatically (3500 rpm or whatever), do i need still need to connect the vacuum line to the engine? If yes, why? Why can't you just control a small vacuum pump?

Thanks very much for your help, the search engine has lots of info, but I can t see these answers on the firums or the vendor sites.

 

2005dso,
regarding your first question, you will need to decide which mfg you want based on thier capabilities.
On number 2, your 2006 will not function like a OEM installed NPP so the auto open feature is not workable. You will need to have a vacuum source and switch, you can experiment with your own or you can purchase one of those available on the market.

 

If you can find a electrical or manual operated valve or switch, you can just run the vaccume line to the back of the car and then to the 2 actuators, and open them with engine vaccume.

 

As mentioned, you will need to decide which mfg. based on their capabilities. For instance, SunsetOrange does have the option to select an RPM to have the valves open so it will operate like the OEM units. You need to read their specs and select the one that gives you what want or would like to have.

 

As noted, to control the operation of the NPP or Z06 bi-mode exhaust you will need to provide a vacuum source, a means of controlling that source and a system to preserve that vacuum to keep the valves closed during fluxuations in available vacuum pressure.

If you want to provide your own vacuum source I'm certain you can find a way to make it work. You still need a way to regulate that vacuum.

The one difference in the Npp in a Box and the other system on the market is that the other system has an RPM choice.

I sell the NPP in a Box so I can only talk to the install and operation of that unit. The NPP in a box did previously ship with a small vacuum pump. The supply of that pump became compromised so the decision was made to tap the factory manifold source for the vacuum rather than risk another unproven source and potentially further design revision. The kit comes with everything you need to supply and regulate the vacuum to reliably operate the valves. This system has been on the market the longest and was the first introduced.

In your efforts to provide your own source you will need to ensure that you have adequate vacuum pressure to close the valves and keep them closed.

Paul

Red Lion Customs

 

Thats what confused me, I saw posts in the archives about early controllers that did not need an engine vacuum source. The NPP in a box will work for me (you made a sale Paul). Ill run a hose.

My car sits all winter, does either model NPP in a Box drain the battery while the car is off?

Also, just curious (I did not research this) how does the Sunset Orange know what the engine RPM is?

 

You can buy a 5 dollar relay and make a little plug in circuit to open and close the fuse circuit. This allows you to open and close the pipes whenever you want.

 

Its a 2006. I am adding NPP to a non NPP Car. NPP started in 2008.

 

It really isn't a bad install. The NPP in a Box install will not put a drain on the battery when the car is off (there is a zero drain install included with the instructions)

There are a few sources in the car to tap the communications which would enable picking up on the RPM as well as a few other bits of information. I don't know which specific source he uses (I've not had the opportunity to review his device) or what his control strategy is but I do credit the device with great creativity.

There are literally hundreds of NPP in a Box kits in use and thousands of Mild 2 Wild controllers in use. There is some value in being first but only a product that works will survive. Once the idea is out there It is inevitable that others will come out and also change or improve upon the idea. I just don't know as much about the competitive device as I do about the NPP in a Box.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Feel free to PM me or email me and I'll give you my cell phone number for any more lengthy discussion if you need it. Thanks for the opportunity to earn your business.

Paul

 

Paul, one question, by regulate, are you saying this kit has the ability to keep the vacuum from dropping off when the engine is under sustained load? The OEM system does have a reserve tank to eliminate a loss of vacuum to the NPP valves when under load.

Second question, if this system or kit does not regulate the vacuum, are you aware of anyone purchasing an OEM tank and doing an install?

 

My car is a 2006 A6. In August of 2009 I installed a set of GM NPP muffflers and the Nakid Parts controller. I have not had any experience with the SunsetOrange system nor do I know anyone who has, so my choice of the Nakid Parts system was based not on any negatives about any other controllers but rather just on the fact that I was more familiar with it from following their website product descriptions and installation instructions. Plus I do not care for the auto open at a given RPM feature. I really like just using the remote controll. My experience with my total install has been only good. It took me about a day to do the total muffler and controller install and the NPP in a Box kit was complete including an adapter fitting to tap into the intake manifold vacumm. As to power draw the kit includes a piggyback fuse adapter to tap power at the fuse block under the passenger's floor board, ( very easy to access). The instructions lead you to the fuse feeding the heated seat system which is not "on" unless the engine is running so there is no concern about power drain when not in use. The system, ( mufflers and controller), could probably be installed in a shorter time but I spent extra time in the installation of the vacumm and electrical feeds. For example, studying the routing of the vacumm line and using extra cable ties to insure that it would not come close to exhust system, moving suspension, or axle shaft parts. I bought a GM vacumm resevoir but did not install it, waiting to see if there was a need to. So far the system works fine without it. One of the remote control fobs needed a new battery a few weeks ago but that was easily handled.

By the way when the NPP flaps are closed the system is just as quiet and "stock" as my OE mufflers. So far it's been a "fun toy" mod to my car that I am glad I did

 

I installed the SunsetOrange system and have had the same experience you describe above, all good. In fact, installation is virtually the same. I do not have the RPM option as I too wanted to just control the valves manually only. My reason for selecting this system is I have the D.A.S.H option with allowed me to use the DIC Reset Button to control the valves. There is also a Fob but I never use it unless I'm standing outside the car to impress some friends.

The other difference is that this system used the vacuum tap from the back of the intake manifold, the same point that the OEM system uses. Both systems are of a high quality and have good reputations. As mentioned earlier, which one you choose is based on what features you would or would not like to have. SunstetOrange has recently announced an option to control the valves using the Visor buttons. I'm not sure but I believe the system that Talon90 is selling has that same feature if that is important to you.

 

Greetings Jerry,

Sorry for my late reply. The NPP in a Box does not use a accumulator like the OEM system but it does have a method of preservation. The only time that you may see a problem is at WOT. My hope for is that no one is reaching for the remote to close the valves at WOT however.

The OEM accumulator certainly could be installed (and my very well have by others) but shouldn't be necessary. The OEM system needs to plan for operation under every conceivable facet, even those that aren't all that realistic.

 

Here is some info about the Exhaust Commander All in 1 NPP retrofit kit straight from the person who builds the kits, me.

The Exhaust Commander All in 1 Npp retrofit kit has many cool options that customers can choose to have on their kit. Keyfob remotes, 2006-2010 Lear car2u universal visor support, dash DIC reset button control and user selectable rpm opening all are available as control options and can be mixed and matched however you want

The kit comes standard with a controller that is 100% zero battery drain when the car is off, AND does a remembers last setting mode. So if you shut the car off in quIet mode, it will restart in quiet mode. If you shut it off in loud mode it will start in loud mode.

Exhaust Commander All in 1 Npp retrofit kit can be installed your car without any holes being drilled into your car. It was important for me to offer the customer multiple ways to install the kit so if you choose not to drill into your car you don't have to.

My kit uses the factory NPP vacuum port on the intake manifold just like the factory npp cars do. My system has a vacuum check valve at the front of the line which holds vacuum in the system. A vacuum accumulator is not needed normally. Cars with turbos or superchargers can add the accumulator to store additional vacuum so that during boost there is still vacuum stored to control the valves.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or for any info.

I am always happy to help.

 

Are the flaps inside the mufflers sprung closed and vac open
OR
sprung open and vac closed?

 

Sprung open and vacuum closed.

 

 

Thanks for the order Dana.

I appreciate the opportunity.

Paul

Red Lion Customs

 

Thank you