Tech upgrade for my F80: Exhaust controller plus more

[Jaguar]

Recently picked up a nice piece of technology from European Auto Source called the Macht Schnell EVC Controller. This gives me detailed control over how I want the car to sound and respond.

I previously hated driving in efficient mode because the car was too quite. That can now be fixed, and something that I found surprisingly impressive is driving in sport+ throttle mode, with closed exhaust valves!

This little module also allows for cool little extras like folding in the mirrors automatically when you lock the car, turning the halos up to full brightness when the headlights are on, clearing OBD2 faults if you are running downpipes, or completely bypassing the module to return the car to stock form.

My car:
-2015 F80 M3
-M Performance Exhaust

Settings: Here is a chart I made showing what you can do using this module. Everything is controlled using the button on the end of the blinker stock, and just watching the RPM needle to see what setting you are configuring.



To access the settings mode and configure your module, when you get in your car, hold the "Start/Stop" button for 3 seconds. When you let go you will see the RPM needle move to the "1" position.

Setting 1: Bypass the module completely or activate it


Setting 2: Memorize Exhaust valve position


Setting 3: Active sound mute


Setting 4: Comfort auto close/mirror fold


Setting 5: OBD2 fault clear at startup


Setting 6: Halo brightness full or stock


Now that you have configured the module in that settings mode, you basically just control the exhaust valves while driving. To do this, you just hold the button on the edge of your blinker stock for about 1 second then let go. When you do this, you will see the blinker indicator light up briefly to let you know what mode you are in:

Blinker pointing right: Exhaust valve is closed at all times


Blinker pointing left: Exhaust valve is open at all times


Both blinker indicators flash simultaneously: OEM Exhaust valve mode (determined by the driving mode you select, Efficient, Sport, Sport+. Keep in mid that the OEM mode is always varying the amount that the valve is open. So even Sport+ mode can have a partially closed valve at times to prevent drone


Exhaust valve closed:


Exhaust valve open:


Halos at OEM brightness with headlights on:


Halos at full brightness with headlights on: (note, looks much brighter than the photo shows)






Folded mirrors automatically when locking the car:


Invisible once installed:

[Mandi90TT]

Good review, and that is a nice little control

[tom @ eas]

Wow - awesome review and pictures! Glad you are happy with the new mod!

[GOLFFRR]

Awesome Bud, about time you got this!

hope all is well and the new car is looking good!

[supremepower]

Car looks great! I think I saw you in Seal a few days ago on PCH

[whatheheck]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

[RowanBuds]

Can you explain how the options RPM setting is selected, then how the configuration RPM setting is controlled/set? Also after you select the configuration does it return you to the option select RPM step? And then how do you get out of the menus? I hope these questions make sense.

Defining by your chart, I'm referring to Setting RPM as the "Configuration RPM" and the RPM1 - RPM2, etc. as the "Options RPM".

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

Can you explain how the options RPM setting is selected, then how the configuration RPM setting is controlled/set? Also after you select the configuration does it return you to the option select RPM step? And then how do you get out of the menus? I hope these questions make sense.

Defining by your chart, I'm referring to Setting RPM as the "Configuration RPM" and the RPM1 - RPM2, etc. as the "Options RPM".

Sure thing, its easier than it seems. Here is the process:

1: Unlock car and get inside

2: With your foot OFF of the brake pedal, press and hold "Start/Stop" for 3 seconds approx

3: Next the RPM Needle will move up to the "1" position to show you that you are configuring option 1 "Master on/off" for the unit

4: About 1 second after the needle moves to that "1" position, it will move a second time automatically to either the "0" or "1" position to show you if you have it off ("0" position) or on ("1" position).

5: If you want to change that setting to on or off, you just do a quick press of the button on the side of the blinker, then you will see the needle move between the available settings-in this case, only between "0" and "1" since there are only two options for the "Master on/off" option.

6: When you are ready to move to the next option ("Last EVC setting memory") you will HOLD the button on the blinker for about 1 second. When you release, the RPM needle will move to "2" for a second, then move again to whatever number you have selected currently for that option.

When you are done configuring, just press the "Start/Stop" button to turn the car off, then everything is stored and saved that way

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by supremepower

Car looks great! I think I saw you in Seal a few days ago on PCH

Ha yep that was me, probably hitting Chronic Tacos or Coffee Bean!

[tom @ eas]

Here's also a video that illustrates the programming portion and features:

Hope this helps.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Here's also a video that illustrates the programming portion and features

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Sure thing, its easier than it seems. Here is the process:
When you are done configuring, just press the "Start/Stop" button to turn the car off, then everything is stored and saved that way

Thank you both very much for the walkthru. ASD disabled!

[supremepower]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Ha yep that was me, probably hitting Chronic Tacos or Coffee Bean!

Same

[S65V8]

That's cool, it has halo brightness for Xenon set-ups unlike the BMS version which is only LEDs.

Question though, since we can code the car, could we just code these things in now vs. getting a module? I must be wrong for some of these options or modules wouldn't sell, but for halos, I think you can definitely code that in without using the module.

Also, do the halos for headlights OFF get brighter too?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by SROC5

That's cool, it has halo brightness for Xenon set-ups unlike the BMS version which is only LEDs.

Question though, since we can code the car, could we just code these things in now vs. getting a module? I must be wrong for some of these options or modules wouldn't sell, but for halos, I think you can definitely code that in without using the module.

Also, do the halos for headlights OFF get brighter too?

With the headlights in ACC position, the halos are at 100%. When headlights are on, the voltage steps down to approx 50%, since there is light from the headlights. The module allows the halos to remain at full power during both ACC/ON modes.

Only codeable features would be the brighter angel eyes and removing ASD. The EVC module offers a bit more value:

- One touch window closing/mirror folding (coding requires to hold the key button throughout the entire cycle)
- ASD Profiles (module allows for ASD muting with valve open, valve closed or always mute)
- CEL Suppression (requires flash tune or piggyback)
- "On The Fly" EVC control (not available through coding)

The module is firmware upgradable, so new features can be added down the road later when available.

[Jez_zza]

Great review !! one of my favorite mod so far