Learned a lot on this forum, so I wanted to give back as it may help someone else. This will be a detailed write up on getting the Varex active mufflers installed on my 2012 XF 5.0.


Why the Varex?

After reading up a lot on the various exhausts that are available and also contemplating on getting a complete custom setup done, I settled on getting active mufflers from Varex. I drive about 18K miles a year, so drone is a big concern to me. With that requirement, Mina was the only available exhaust for this car with the least amount of drone. But that also means it's a compromise between exhaust note and drone. This is where the Varex offers best of both worlds, with the butterfly valve closed, the air is channeled through multiple chambers and it sounds very close to stock. With the butterfly valve open, it's almost a straight pipe axle back, and you can hear the V8 goodness. All of that controlled with the touch of a button, what's not to like!


What are the parts needed?

1. Varex Mufflers (2 Mufflers / ~$630)

Option A - Varex VMK10-250: Looks like all the other forum members used this model. It comes with a 2.5 inch inlet/outlet, so you would need to buy muffler tips additionally with this setup.

Xforce]Xforce Varex Universal Muffler Oval 2 5" Exhaust Adjustable Remote Controlled | eBay Varex Universal Muffler Oval 2 5" Exhaust Adjustable Remote Controlled | eBay

Option B - Varex VMK7-250: These are what I purchased as they come with dual tips directly from Varex. It's a 2.5 inch inlet with dual 3 inch outlet. No additional muffler tips needed.

Xforce]Xforce Varex Universal Muffler Twin Tip Oval 2 5" Exhaust Remote Controlled Unit | eBay Varex Universal Muffler Twin Tip Oval 2 5" Exhaust Remote Controlled Unit | eBay


2. Varex VK02 (~$70 w/ shipping) - This kit is needed to control both mufflers with a single remote. It has two plugs to connect both the mufflers to a single control module. Cheapest price I found: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/xfo-vk02]XForce VK02 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


3. Fuse Tap Kit (~$15): Littelfuse FHA200BP ATO Add A Circuit Kit | eBay


4. Battery to 12v Adapter (Optional ~$15) - If you don't want to do a fuse tap, you can use this battery clip-on to 12v adapter to give power to the Varex module. But make sure you don't always leave this plugged in, as it will eventually drain the battery: Bestek 12V 24V Battery Clip on Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Adapter 120cm 46i | eBay


Next steps?

1. Find a good muffler shop that works on decent cars. I am getting my work done by Alan @ Extreme Performance Mufflers in Atlanta.

2. Muffler shop will need to bend custom pipes and weld hangers to the exhaust, so that it can go in place of the factory setup. I am keeping my stock mufflers as-is, so that if I choose to go back to stock, I can do so without hassle.

3. Installation is scheduled for Monday morning (2/22). I'll try to take as many pictures as possible of the installation process and post an update once all the work is done, stay tuned!

 

Good info. Looking forward to the install pics.

 

Hello folks, the exhaust is now up on the car. Allen did really good work and I am happy with the results and cost. The exhaust turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for! With the butterfly valve closed, it's as quiet (if not quieter) than stock, no drone at all. With the valve open, it's loud, sounds amazing, and as expected, has drone.

Issues we ran into with the install:

1. I could not reuse the stock clamps as they were welded to the stock mufflers. I could have used aftermarket clamps to fit the new piping, but i decided to weld them instead so I don't have to deal with leaks. This means I would need to go back to the muffler shop to put the stock mufflers back on, but no big deal for me.

2. The drivers side rear has a tow hook near the exhaust tips. This made it difficult to center the dual tips, so we went ahead and removed the tow hook.

Wires routing:

1. I was able to run the wires behind the diffuser and connect both the mufflers to the VK02 cable.

2. Behind the diffuser there is a hole with a plug. I ran the wires through this into the trunk. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures here, but it's pretty straightforward. Remove the 4 screws underneath the diffuser, pull back the diffuser and you will see the plug.

3. I currently have the Varex unit plugged into the battery to 12v adapter. Once my fuse tap kit comes in, I will tap the wires into the fuse box.

Only have pictures at the moment, I will post some videos once it stops raining.

 

Looks clean, looking forward to the sound clips!

 

Finally got the video done. Take a look:

 

Sounds great with the valves open, but I'm not wild about the drone that you mentioned.

 

That's why you close the valves when you don't want the drone and it's as quiet as stock. Best of both worlds.

 

Sounds Good!

 

Thank you! I am enjoying the V8 growl, got a bunch of compliments within the short few weeks.

 

Wow that sounds great!

It's gotta be nice to hit the stealth mode when just trying to get by without the attention.

Nice write up, Thank you.

 

It definitely is, when taking clients/colleagues out, commuting to work, or a long distance trip, having the car quiet down really helps.

 

I'm sold. what was your total bill including install?

 

Parts total = ~$730 (All the parts used are listed above)

Labor = ~$350 (This could vary based on your local muffler shop)

So my out of pocket was ~$1100 including parts/labor/taxes

 

Not bad. You car sounds like a beast!!! And it can be turned off!!! Lol....thanks for the vid. I have been worried about making the move on a Mina exhaust, which sounds pretty good also, but this one gives the option of turning the sound off. I leave the house early in the mornings and the HOA would run me out of the neighborhood if I startled them with that sound early in the morning!!!

 

Thanks! That was the main idea, discreet to loud, I want the control. I went to the Mina Gallery website several times and had the exhaust in my cart, but could not get myself to commit. I luckily ran into posts about the Varex exhaust from other forum members. Once I put all the parts together and got an estimate from my muffler guy, the additional ~$200-250 over the Mina Exhaust was worth it to me.

 

Awesome

 

They should put this exhaust systeam on the NEW XF

 

Yea they really should. F-Type and other car's alike have the active exhaust as a factory option. They should have this option on all 'Sport' Sedans as well.

 

So on my 2010 XFR the stock tips are staggered - it seems that the Varex VMK7-250 doesn't come in left and right versions which means the VMK10-250 and then trying to put a twin tip on there, but that would be more cosmetic than functional...has anybody else gone from a staggered twin tip on their stock muffler and been bothered by the VMK7-250 dual ? Or found an alternative to keep the real dual and staggered tips ?

 

From all the Varex threads I found on this forum, looks like everyone went with the aftermarket staggered tips. And also seems like they used dual 3.5 inch diameter tips. The tip diameter on the VMK7-250 are dual 3 inch, so they don't look as "meaty" or big and round compared to the aftermarket tips.