My Golf Tee Mod experience - 2013 135i n55 DCT

[heeblet]

Hi All,

I know there are tons of threads on this, but whilst researching I found little on the n55 and mostly threads 5-6 years old. Sorry for redundancy but I feel worth bringing up to any noobs and adding the N55 info for anyone curious to that engine. Thanks to the person on this forum who pointed me to it in the first place on my new owner thread.

I LOVE this mod, which turned out to be one of the simplest mods that I have done.

Summary of Golf tee for anyone who doesn't know - There's a flap in one of the exhaust pipes that is closed when you start the car and opens and closes during driving all in the name of sound control (BOO). There's a vacuum device that closes it. The mod is to block the vacuum so that it doesn't close that pipe thus getting more sound. Which you do. Called golf tee because the first person used a golf tee to plug the hose.

How I did it - can't be easier than this.
Turned on car
Pulled the little hose out of the actuator behind the back drivers side tire for immediate, noticeable difference in sound.
Plug it back in, pull it back out, plug it back in - Like a party at your moms house. (JK) Notice the sound difference between each and realize why you are doing this.

Pull the hose off. Stuff in an airsoft BB (.6mm) which bigger than regular BB (.4mm) which would probably work, plug hose back in. DONE

Total time 1 minute 17 seconds

Better sound at startup, no more clanking of it opening and closing while down the road. You get full sound at all times. WIN.

Cheers

[Jettt]

Buy an exhaust lol

[Stock4Evr]

Heeblet,

Thanks for the posting. I did the tie off the hose route and just love the sound. The PE may provide a more popular sound but the price is out of the question.

[CRuben09]

Definitely going to try this.

Where exactly is located? I tried the DIY, even the YouTube videos but never seem to find it.

Thanks!

[E82135i]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

Definitely going to try this.

Where exactly is located? I tried the DIY, even the YouTube videos but never seem to find it.

Thanks!

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...tee+mod&page=9

look at page 9. there is a post with a simpler way of doing this mod

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by SocHermit(2)

Heeblet,

Thanks for the posting. I did the tie off the hose route and just love the sound. The PE may provide a more popular sound but the price is out of the question.

Yep, I did the zip tie method too. And I only did it last week and I've owned the car for almost 6 years

[C135i]

Originally Posted by E82135i

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...tee+mod&page=9

look at page 9. there is a post with a simpler way of doing this mod

But it looks like you throw a code when you unplug the cable?

[7smurfs]

Correct me if I'm wrong but for jb4 g5 owners, the golf tee mod is programmable via the steering controls => you do not need to do this golf tee mod?

[EGO_CHECK]

+1 Ziptie. Quick and easy.

[E82135i]

Originally Posted by 16hourdrive

But it looks like you throw a code when you unplug the cable?

Nope. no code at all.

[YABISH]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

Correct me if I'm wrong but for jb4 g5 owners, the golf tee mod is programmable via the steering controls => you do not need to do this golf tee mod?

Yup can be programmed that way !

[7smurfs]

Originally Posted by YABISH

Yup can be programmed that way !

Thanks!

[Andrewcoja]

You just have to unplug the valve in the trunk. No need to remove vacuum lines and ruin them by putting a BB in it. You just unplug the wiring harness for it and close the panel back up. I've heard it throws a silent code. If the dealership asks you about it, you just say "Oh, I don't know. I've never messed with that." As opposed to them finding a BB placed into the vacuum line.

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by E82135i

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...mod&page=9

look at page 9. there is a post with a simpler way of doing this mod

Let me start with me feeling raped. LOL. I bought my 2011 135i second hand back in December 2012. Since I bought it, I've been looking forward on doing this mod, but guess what?? Today at my mom's house, (I live on an apartment complex with no garage to work on) I was able to lift the car and have a great look. After finding the valve I notice that nothing was plugged, and saw a cable hidden. When I pulled the cable, I saw a screw covering it!!! So, after all, I already had the golf tee mod.

I seriously felt liked raped.

Now, I must say, that I plugged it in just to see the difference, and wow, is really noticeable when idling, and when driving around 1k - 3k the sound is really muted with the hose on.

Thanks anyway! But that feeling that someone touched your car before you did is really strange. After all, the car is bone stock and is the only mod it has.

[heeblet]

I chose BB because it just clogs it and everything is in place still, no hanging cable, no unsightly (not visible) cable ties, no medling with the trunk. Tube comes out and into the actuater surprisingly easy and securely at the same time.

[e36addict]

Originally Posted by Jettt

Buy an exhaust lol

This is a very useful response.

OP, now get a downpipe and you'll really love it

[swagon]

Did the zip-tie thing and couldn't hear any difference whatsoever...

[ShocknAwe]

Go to your local auto parts store and get a variety pack of vacuum plugs/caps and t-adapters. Plug it properly. Costs like $3.

[AForceNinja]

My flapper doesn't work, not sure why....easiest golf tee mod ever

[Andrewcoja]

Originally Posted by heeblet

I chose BB because it just clogs it and everything is in place still, no hanging cable, no unsightly (not visible) cable ties, no medling with the trunk. Tube comes out and into the actuater surprisingly easy and securely at the same time.

Don't you have to go under the car to do this, not to mention find a BB. I seriously just opened my trunk, pulled out the flap, pulled the trunk liner back a bit and unplugged the connector. Then I pushed the trunk liner back, put the flap back on and my exhaust valve was defeated. Not to mention this is a lot easier to explain if it ever comes up in a warranty claim (not that it should). If BMW looks at your car and sees a zip tie or a golf tee or a plug or a BB or whatever, it's obvious that you modded your car. If they find something unplugged, oh well, must not have been secured at the factory.