[36Grizzly]

Just wanted to post up for anyone who is considering the ZAutomotive Inactive Exhaust setup. If your car sees rain and/or snow regularly, I would not recommend it.

I installed an AWE Touring Edition Exhaust on my 2018 Challenger Hellcat in early October. I decided to go with the ZAutomotive Inactive Exhaust over the delete plate setup that AWE includes with their systems. I liked the Z module because I was able to remove the Exhaust servos completely instead of having them zip-tied somewhere underneath the car. The Z setup worked great until last week. My car threw 2 codes for lost communication with exhaust valves. My battery had gotten weak and I attributed those codes and another engine code to the battery issue. I replaced the battery and the other code cleared out, but the exhaust codes popped back up. I crawled under the car today and discovered that the ZAutomotive module was completely green on the inside. I removed it and replaced the exhaust servos with the AWE plates and everything is good again.

I emailed ZAutomotive regarding the issue. I'm assuming that they'll tell me to pound sand since it's an electrical item, but I'm hoping that they revise their product to better seal it against the elements for their future customers. Their product isn't cheap, and I don't find it acceptable for it to fail in only 5 months. I know not everyone drives their car in adverse weather, but I daily mine in all conditions and just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who might do the same.

 

[borden72]

Sorry to hear about this. I'm not sure how their response works via email, but I know they are active on their Facebook pages.

 

[36Grizzly]

Sorry to hear about this. I'm not sure how their response works via email, but I know they are active on their Facebook pages.

Good to know. I hope they respond and improve upon their part. I was extremely happy with it until it failed. It's a great idea, just needs to be upgraded some. Until then, I'm just trying to keep others from ending up with the same results that I did. I know it isn't exactly a high dollar item, but it wasn't worth the cost considering that it failed so quickly.

 

[Gotgap]

Do they come with weather seals in them?

 

[36Grizzly]

Do they come with weather seals in them?

Mine didn't come with anything except that sleeve of heat shrink, and it didn't fully encapsulate the module.

 

[JeepGeek]

Appreciate the post.

I have had mine for over a year - love the product as well. But my car does not see much rain and never snow. I will keep an eye on it. The good news is it’s easy to pop them out and plug the system back together (like 5 minutes).

 

[Gotgap]

Mine didn't come with anything except that sleeve of heat shrink, and it didn't fully encapsulate the module.

Didn’t know that, and I just put those on my list, now I’m not so sure, so it was for sure cross conductivity through corrosion?

 

[36Grizzly]

Appreciate the post.

I have had mine for over a year - love the product as well. But my car does not see much rain and never snow. I will keep an eye on it. The good news is it’s easy to pop them out and plug the system back together (like 5 minutes).

They are a great concept. I am probably outside the norm in that I operate my car in rain and snow.

 

[Gotgap]

Appreciate the post.

I have had mine for over a year - love the product as well. But my car does not see much rain and never snow. I will keep an eye on it. The good news is it’s easy to pop them out and plug the system back together (like 5 minutes).

It’s shocking there’s no silicone molded seals in them at the connectors

 

[36Grizzly]

Didn’t know that, and I just put those on my list, now I’m not so sure, so it was for sure cross conductivity through corrosion?

The microprocessor board is folded back along the plug and then the sleeve of shrink wrap secures it in place. When I got under the car, I could see the corrosion inside the shrink wrap, so I cut it off. The wires are all corroded where they connect to the microprocessor, and the red wire appears to have become detached. So I'm not sure if it was cross conductivity from the corrosion itself or just the red wire only making intermittent contact.

Like I said, I operate outside the norm as I run my car year-round in Upstate NY, heavy snow included. But even with that, it shouldn't have failed this quickly. It's a great product if they would just seal it better.

 

[36Grizzly]

It’s shocking there’s no silicone molded seals in them at the connectors

The connectors themselves are sealed. The problem is where the microprocessor board is attached...the heat shrink doesn't fully encapsulate it and those wire connections are pretty much open to the elements.

 

[Gotgap]

The microprocessor board is folded back along the plug and then the sleeve of shrink wrap secures it in place. When I got under the car, I could see the corrosion inside the shrink wrap, so I cut it off. The wires are all corroded where they connect to the microprocessor, and the red wire appears to have become detached. So I'm not sure if it was cross conductivity from the corrosion itself or just the red wire only making intermittent contact.

Like I said, I operate outside the norm as I run my car year-round in Upstate NY, heavy snow included. But even with that, it shouldn't have failed this quickly. It's a great product if they would just seal it better.

Agreed

 

[GreenMachine15]

I run these too, but only in nice weather.
Terrible to see you only got 5 months, it is just not right..... I would follow up with them by phone, keep us posted on how the customer service takes care of you.

 

[36Grizzly]

I run these too, but only in nice weather.
Terrible to see you only got 5 months, it is just not right..... I would follow up with them by phone, keep us posted on how the customer service takes care of you.

Will do. Hopefully they take note and find a way to seal the unit better.

 

[OldMoparGuy]

So the car generated a CEL to let you know there was an issue or was it the exhaust volume?

 

[36Grizzly]

So the car generated a CEL to let you know there was an issue or was it the exhaust volume?

CEL codes for exhaust valve communication error. Codes U113F and U1140.

 

[JS23V0B]

Good to know, was going to buy them, but living on the coast I'll go with the plates instead.

 

[36Grizzly]

ZAutomotive got back to me this morning. They offered to exchange the part if I sent the failed unit in to them along with my receipt from American Muscle. I feel that's a pretty fair offer, and I'm glad that they'll back up their part.

I declined the offer as I'm trading the car in shortly, but just wanted to update with their resolution.

 

[OldMoparGuy]

Great to know they stand behind their product. Thanks for the update.