Novitec Switchtronic exhaust valve controller on 488 GTB?

I have the switchtronic on my 458 so I am not sure if the units are different on the 488, but all the function does is to open up the valves and just go back into the stock mode. You can't click button on the unit to manually close the valves whenever you want, it just goes factory mode or open flap mode.

You are better off getting the unit that is a different brand. With the switchtronic, it is somewhat buggy as well. When the car starts up, the flaps can open and go back to the factory setting easy by hitting the button, but once you are on the road and at a stop sign, it is hard to put the car back in factory mode after the flaps are open. This is my experience that I have learned.

 

The picture you have listed above is their generic photo they have. The one that you will receive will be in a pink bag, where you get a plastic box with an LED light on top, no branding will be on it. On the top of the black box, there will be a cut out with a plug on top of it. From there you will have a connector that plugs into place and then you will have 5 wires that will be coming out from it. One of the wires goes to a ground bolt while the other 4 will basically be switching out the two main wires from the valve to the unit itself and the remaining 2 wires will be going back to the car so it can go from factory setting and open valve setting. The switch you plug into the cigarette will look the same as the photo. The only thing that bugs me a bit was it looks like the base was made from one of the plastic 3d modeler machines that you can buy for a local hobby store. For the money, I am not really impressed, if I was to do it again, I would go with the forza kit as it works the same and probably has more options. I only got the novitec kit from the beginning as I figured it would be higher quality and the presentation would be like the photo shown, but unfortunately I was wrong, first world issues.

 

Why do you want flaps to stay closed longer ?

 

Just pull the vacuum hoses off of the diverted valves and enjoy the symphony full time.

 

With the Forza you have 3 options.
1. Stock
2.Valves open all the time.
3.Valves closed all the time.

I’ve only ever used 1 or 2 but if ever there is a need to use #3 (for whatever reason) then it’s there.

So far the controller has proven very handy and would highly recommend!

 

You’re a tough customer Ray! I think it sounds great as do many others who have remarked on how good it sounds.
That said, sound is subjective!

Re your question - yes. 3 options. I would suspect running the engine at higher rpm with valves closed would create a heat build up somewhere but I could be wrong.

 

Hi,

I’m the developer/owner of Forza controllers. There are indeed three options on the Forza controllers...

1. Normal ... ECU control
2. Always Open
3. Always Closed

I agree that using the always closed option with a turbo charged car should be limited to low engine RPM / throttle positions due to the possibility of impeding turbo performance. With the Forza controller, it is recommended that if you do use the closed option, only do so at low RPM. For all practical purposes, if you want the valves closed you are likely at lower engine RPM / throttle position, so toggling the controller to normal mode will close the valves. You really do not need the always closed option.

So why have a closed option? There were several requests to provide the closed option for people who track their cars at locales that enforce strict noise requirements. E.g., a stock 458 frequently fails noise test at Laguna Seca and many other venues. Just leaving the controller in normal mode would likely allow the ECU to open the valves when traversing the sound monitoring devices at these tracks. My recommendation for turbo charged cars, use the closed option with discretion.

Regards,

Steve

 

No, it works perfectly whether in race, sport and wet. Just press whichever sound level you feel inclined at the time and it activates accordingly. I leave the small 4 button remote in the center console for easy access and press whichever mode I feel like at the time. I'm confident you will be happy with it - seems very reliable and straight forward to operate.

Re your question of mode 3 (valves closed all the time), that situation may be possible but would need some sort of reprogramming - an area for Steve Bisel (Forza). Maybe the 4th button could be used as a different setting?

http://www.forzacomponenti.com/exhaust_controller_b3.html Pretty sure mine was a B2A
http://forzacomponenti.com/documents/Model_B2_Exhaust_Bypass_Controller_Installation_Instructions_October2017.pdf Steve can confirm.

 

Hello Ray,

The link for the Forza controller is http://forzacomponenti.com/ In particular, this one ... http://forzacomponenti.com/controller_b3.html

You can view documentation here ... http://forzacomponenti.com/documents.html

The 488, as in all Ferrari's with valved exhaust systems, use vacuum actuation. Many cars are moving to electrical activation (e.g., new Audi's, Corvettes, Camaros). With vacuum actuation, the ECU is programmed with specific thresholds of engine RPM and throttle position. After initial startup and warming cycle, the ECU signals a vacuum solenoid valve(s) to apply vacuum to the flapper valve actuation diaphragms, thereby closing the valves. The vacuum solenoid valve(s) are connected to the actuators using a length of vacuum hose.

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As long as the threshold points are not reached, the valves will remain closed. When engine RPM / throttle position exceed the threshold points, the ECU signals the vacuum solenoid valve(s) to release the vacuum ... which allows the springs in the actuator assembly to open the flapper valves.

I believe it is only a matter of time that the electric actuated flappers will replace vacuum operated valves. At current time, the vacuum actuators are less costly, but that could change. Also, electrically operated valves can provide not only open or closed, but also intermediate positions.

Regards,

Steve

 

Hi Ray,

I cannot find the vacuum routing for the 488. But, should be similar to 458. Vacuum is tapped from the intake manifold on the engine. An accumulator tank is used to hold vacuum to smooth out variance due to vacuum rising and falling with throttle position. The solenoid valves obtain their vacuum source from the accumulator tank.

Steve