Alfa Romeo Giulia Forum banner
181 - 200 of 439 Posts
That's a good approach but I'm still happy with the forza
 
Has anyone tried just unplugging the solenoid to leave the valves open all the time? Does it or does it not throw a check engine light?
I think a few have removed the vacuum line and capped it with no codes or I'll effects.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bender
Based on my experience with my Ferrari, you could probably get away with with unplugging the solenoids as I did on my 360. It does not throw a light. The valves will still be "connected" to vacuum though and you may hear some rattling until the valves warm up. But they should remain open since they do not get a vacuum supply when solenoid is "off." They have to be closed electronically afaik. But the ecus and software may have changed since 2004.
 
As long as you disconnect the vacuum hoses from the vacuum solenoid valve to the actuators on the bypass valve ... you will not get Check Engine Light or a trouble code logged. But, when you do this, plug the vacuum hose end ... don't leave it open or you will have a massive vacuum leak. Also, suggest you get a small bit of vacuum hose to leave connected to the nipple on the bypass valve actuators. Plug this bit of hose as well. This will keep road debris from getting in which could damage the actuator diaphragm over a long time. For plugs, you can use a golf tee, a threaded fastener or ... the best thing going ... a small plug from Home Depot used for plugging 1/4" drip irrigation lines.


BTW .. DO NOT disconnect the electrical connector from the solenoid valve. This will cause a check engine light. Not on the Ferrari 360 ... but it is an older car.


The down side of this ... the valves will always be open ... and no ability to toggle between open and closed.


Steve
 
Forza Steve shipped me the new E3 controller for my QV. Installed and works amazing. So nice to hit the homelink button at any time to open this bad boy up!!!!
My experience as well. I have never regretted this mod. Because of lack of time I had my local muffler shop do the install. The said it was a b*t#h and charged me $160.
 
look at the post above, just cap the vacuum lines. I did on mine and there are no issues of any kind, and just simply plug the lines back in to return to stock. just cap the hose as well as the solenoid to prevent any moisture from entering. Took me all of about 10 minutes to do.
 
Although I make and sell the Forza controller for the Alfa, I always recommend that owners try the method of plugging the vacuum lines to see if that easy mod suits your purpose. If you are happy with the valves open all the time and would never anticipate reverting back, then that is a good way to go. Only get the controller if you want to toggle back and forth.

Steve

look at the post above, just cap the vacuum lines. I did on mine and there are no issues of any kind, and just simply plug the lines back in to return to stock. just cap the hose as well as the solenoid to prevent any moisture from entering. Took me all of about 10 minutes to do.
 
I love the Forza, and am glad to have the option to turn it off should a passenger nag me enough into doing so, but my only worry is that a large enough bump on the road, coupled with a firmer suspension on the qv could knock it loose.

My installer was able to file down the cross pattern under the fuse box so all of the adhesive pad (and it is a large pad, looks about 10x the size of an ezpass one) sticks to the bottom of that compartment, but I still worry it could come loose. @forzasteve have you encountered any issues or heard of anything?
 
I have not had anyone get back to me stating that this occurred. The specs for the 3M Dual Lock fasteners is that it will hold 20 pounds per square inch in vertical force (much higher in sheer) and is temperature rated up to 220 deg F. With your kit you have about 4 square inches. So, even with somewhat uneven surface, I expect there should not be a problem. I have Ferrari 360 and have secured the controller, to the underside of an engine bay panel ... been there for over 3 years and no issues. That is a more severe environment than on the Giulia.

I have some people give me feedback that they used cable ties or other means to wrap around the controller body and then secure it to something. Not on the Giulia, but on other cars such as Ferrari. If you have a concern on your Giulia, I expect that you could use this technique or perhaps a long piece of stainless safety wire to secure the controller in place. Safety wire might be good as it is very thin and would only require the smallest of openings to thread it through a panel.

Best regards,

Steve





I love the Forza, and am glad to have the option to turn it off should a passenger nag me enough into doing so, but my only worry is that a large enough bump on the road, coupled with a firmer suspension on the qv could knock it loose.

My installer was able to file down the cross pattern under the fuse box so all of the adhesive pad (and it is a large pad, looks about 10x the size of an ezpass one) sticks to the bottom of that compartment, but I still worry it could come loose. @forzasteve have you encountered any issues or heard of anything?
 
look at the post above, just cap the vacuum lines. I did on mine and there are no issues of any kind, and just simply plug the lines back in to return to stock. just cap the hose as well as the solenoid to prevent any moisture from entering. Took me all of about 10 minutes to do.
Do you need to open them first before removing the vacuum lines? Or does the spring open them on loss of vacuum?
 
I have not had anyone get back to me stating that this occurred. The specs for the 3M Dual Lock fasteners is that it will hold 20 pounds per square inch in vertical force (much higher in sheer) and is temperature rated up to 220 deg F. With your kit you have about 4 square inches. So, even with somewhat uneven surface, I expect there should not be a problem. I have Ferrari 360 and have secured the controller, to the underside of an engine bay panel ... been there for over 3 years and no issues. That is a more severe environment than on the Giulia.

I have some people give me feedback that they used cable ties or other means to wrap around the controller body and then secure it to something. Not on the Giulia, but on other cars such as Ferrari. If you have a concern on your Giulia, I expect that you could use this technique or perhaps a long piece of stainless safety wire to secure the controller in place. Safety wire might be good as it is very thin and would only require the smallest of openings to thread it through a panel.

Best regards,

Steve
Thanks for confirming Steve
 
Had the Forza Exhaust Controller installed today! Love having that sweet exhaust note while still having traction control.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: SterlingDriver
I highly recommend Madness Autoworks for sales and installation of the Forza Controller. They have a good shop and skilled techs. Not only have they installed the Forza controller on the Alfa Giulia, but also on Ferrari's. If you are in the Austin or LA, area, give them a visit. Of course, if you are not near them, the Forza controller can be installed as a DIY project.

If anyone has any questions or concerns about installation, please let me know so that I can answer your questions.

Steve
Does the installation of this controller void the Alfa Romeo Warranty?
 
181 - 200 of 439 Posts