I walked into my local Vette store in my home town and purchased the $89 remote controller for the mild/wild exhaust valves. Here are some of my concerns.

The system appears like it is unprotected: no sign of fuse, and no sign of reset button as when there is a electronic circuit breaker present.

The other circumstance I noticed was the complete lack of any manufacturer's name or contact info.

Since this mod IS a MODIFICATION and would therefore void any warranty work by GM, and hopefully such VOIDING would apply only to the whole NPP system, the question begs - is anyone else concerned with these circumstances?

Your comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Robert

 

All it is doing is interrupting the existing circuit which is already protected by a fuse. There really is nothing about these devices that can cause a problem anywhere in the system. (EDIT that statement - I think the unit should have an "add-on" fuse in that piggy backs a new fuse while using the existing fuse receptacle to plug in the new unit - hope that makes sense). I had to think about it because I made my own.

Legally, a manufacturer has to prove that an aftermarket device caused a failure in order to void a warranty. That doesn't mean they can't make your life miserable in the process though, or turn it into a court battle. But with this simple little device, I'd simply remove it before taking the car to a dealer for any repair work.

 

I never experienced any problems with the M2W exhaust controller. I don't remember anyone on the CF ever mentioning having any problems, with exception of possible battery run down if the car isn't used for some time. But, I believe if you leave the controller in the ON position it shouldn't have any effect on the battery.

 

The controller I purchased is protected by a fuse... If it didn't have a fuse not sure if I would use it... Just my 2 cents. I remove the unit for winter storage though since I think they have a low draw all the time...

 

If you look closer you will see that there is a 10 amp fuse in the part that plugs into the original fuse slot. The circuit remains protected.

 

The M2W I purchased came with a fuse and I have had no problems or concerns with it. Installed it almost 3 years ago, as for battery drain just leave it in the W position and you will be fine.

 

I suggest you look into the "no drain" installation. It takes a few minutes longer but has absolutely no drain on the battery. The only issue is that the system always starts up with the exhaust open. If you want it closed, all you do is push the green button after hitting the engine start button.

 

Thanks to both jschindler and VettinFan for your comments. They are appreciated.

If I decide to install this I believe I will add in an inline 10 amp fuse with serviceable fuse holder. That would be because the factory 10 amp fuse must be removed for the mod plug to connect.

As to the comment about third party, or non OEM part installs, that is definitely a favorite topic of mine. The reason is, as you alluded to, it kind of concerns the whole question of GM's warranty, and because my Z is a 2011, and because I'm not a zillionaire, I kinda still care about that warranty.

I appreciate the fact that no one yet has had a problem with the controller, but who knows what the future holds. Worst case scenario, a short circuit in the wiring happens, and stuff happens, and because there is no fuse, either the butterfly valves heat up, or the wiring heats up and begins a burn, and that burn could be pretty close to El Gas Tanko. Anyway, yea, we all have auto insurance, but trust me when I say that a huge catastrophic claim might be just enough to motivate the auto insurance company to wonder why it wasn't a GM warranty problem, and in any event, if your auto insurance company learns that you modified the car with a mod that required removing the original fuse, and had no fuse of its own - well, you know how insurance companies and attorneys are, huh.

Now, one comment here concerning the federal law on third party supplied part replacements is a very interesting one, but very confusing as well, and everyone has a differing opinion much to my chagrin. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (Magnuson has no relation to the super charger company) The Act was sponsored by Senator Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and U.S. Representative John E. Moss of California.

I am not an attorney, but I did read the act, and have read my GM warranty. These are my conclusions and opinions, and I do not desire to become embroiled in an argument, but only desire to share my opinions. Your opinions may vary, and I will respect each of them, and hope to learn from them.

Important points: The federal act relates to replacement parts that are made by third parties, and not by the subject car company. Thus, if you replace a part like a power steering pump with a third party pump with either identical or very similar specifications, then GM or the car company may have difficulty voiding a warranty. However, if you replace that pump with a pump that does not have identical or near identical specifications and it produces 20 pounds MORE of pumping force and blows out the power steering pistons, then the subject ACT would not apply or protect you from GM or car manufacturer from voiding the warranty on that equipment.

In the instance of the NPP controller, that is a 100% mod, and NOT a third party replacement part because it is not replacing a GM controller at all. So, the federal act would not cover such, IMHO.

Just to make it even more difficult, in my 2011 GM warranty book, they state plainly that ANY MOD will void the warranty. They also define when it is appropriate to replace a part with an equal non GM part. And, they say when no dealer is in the area, and give other exceptions.

Any thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thanks again! Best, Robert

 

I did see something that was wrapped or covered with plastic, but that part appears to be made in the shape of a fuse to enable it to plug in. If it is a fuse, it is nearly unserviceable since it is wrapped tightly.

I'll check it out more closely. Thank you, Robert

 

Just forget about the controller.

Pull the fuse on your NPP exhaust system and be done with it.

Doesn't cost you anything extra and you have one badazz sounding ride all the time.

 

Your ride looks and sounds awesome! I have pulled my fuse on several occasions. Here on the left coast, we have to keep watchful eye out for the dreaded California Highway Patrol and various city police who can be even more azz-hole-ish about exceeding noise levels. Cheers, Robert

 

While I can't imagine having the NPP open ever attracting attention of law enforcement (unless you're intentionally trying to be a jerk), I do like having a switch, that way...it can go off for phone calls and when the wife wants to drive.

My under $10 NPP solution:

What I did was buy a switch like this ($1.98):



Wired it with an "add-a-fuse" circuit from the local auto parts store (6 bucks). And mounted it someplace easily accessible, impossible to switch accidentally, and stealthy (i.e. you can't see this switch unless you crawl on the floor to look under the dash and physically impossible for me to accidentally switch it with my knee):



No complexity, no battery drain, and can be removed in a few minutes if necessary for some reason.

Just a thought for you. And since I tweaked my back bending down there to take the darn photo, I'm going to share it everywhere I can!

 

EXCELLENT! Thanks for sharing.

 

to the OP on his warranty question - not sure this will help but some GM dealers sell the M2W switch and will install same (for a price) which may give you some assurance that the warranty remains intact. that plus the "mod" must be shown to have caused a failure in an OEM part which is highly unlikely given the simplicity of the switch and the curcuit it is used on, tells me you should install and enjoy. your post leads me to belileve you may have a hybrid system and not the M2W switch most talk about here - the ones most of us are familiar with do have a separate fuse to protect the curcuit.

 

This is the first time of have heard of a GM switch. Thank you, I'll look into that. Great suggestion getting GM involved. CF rocks! Robert

 

The OSHP troopers, sheriff's deputies and local police have never pulled me
over for having loud exhaust.

 

There are some dealers that will install a heads & cam package, but I don't GM will still keep the warranty on the rest of the engine.

Fortunately, any MTW system is easily removed when going in for warranty work.

 

I did something similar; bought the system with a switch that installs in the dead pedal, like a smaller version of the old headlight dimmer switches. Didn't want yet another remote control device to lose. Don't need to take my hands off the wheel, and with the A6 tranny I don't need my left foot for much.

Very occasionally I will hit it by accident, but turning it back off is instantaneous.

 

Calif VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 27200-27207

27200. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not register on a
dealer's report of sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway
motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5
(commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise
exceeding the applicable noise limit (82 decibles) at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of travel under test procedures established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

 

good point! I did check with my dealer who said they would warrant the install and switch but not sure I could get them to do the same for a major mod!