Cabin noise with CAI or SRI?

[hyperpm]

Car is daily driver along with our Outback and was wondering how much louder it gets in cabin with CAI or SRI? Any drone?

 

[desperado-c]

Car is daily driver along with our Outback and was wondering how much louder it gets in cabin with CAI or SRI? Any drone?

Can't talk about the SRI, but with a CAI it's definitely a lot more sound than stock. You get both the intake suction noise (like a gigantic straw would make, not my favorite) and the blowoff sounds (like those) when you let off the gas on boost. People who can hear high frequencies better than I can say they can hear the turbo spooling up too. No drone to speak of. I think that's more of an exhaust issue unless your just talking about engine noise on the highway. Somebody somewhere who had tried both commented that the CAI sounded louder to them b/c the sound is coming from the wheelwell instead the engine compartment where it is somewhat blocked off. They also said it had a tinny sound, which I agree with and don't care for, either

I took my CAI off and put the stock box back on for various reasons and was pleased to be able to hear the engine growl noise again. I miss the power, though, and ordered the Cobb to give it a try if they ever get back in stock. Then when and if they come out with a box, I'll probably get that, too, to cut down on the intake suction noise. Another positive for me on the Cobb is no tinny sound, either b/c it's short and doesn't resonate or b/c it's plastic.

 

[lestat13]

That's my issue, I LOVE the cobb power but now find the suction noise overpowering at times. I am looking forward to their cold air box design for that very reason

 

[mckraut]

It's only really noticeable under heavy throttle though. I've learned to live with it and the wife doesn't even mind it.

 

[ericm]

The AEM CAI generates quite a bit of suction noise at part throttle... about 1/3 to 1/2 is the worst. Less than that and there's nothing; more and it's less (and I can hear the turbo more, which is a much more pleasant sound).

At cruising speed it's as quiet as stock.

 

[intak3_bLkMs3]

yeah cobb sri is really noticeable man but i love... if you keep it under 3 grand wont ever notice it at all

 

[skeeter149]

i love it and think that it might be the noise of the turbo spooling not the intake sucking. not 100 percent but hey you bought a turbo car why noy listen to the sweet sound of spool?

 

[desperado-c]

i love it and think that it might be the noise of the turbo spooling not the intake sucking. not 100 percent but hey you bought a turbo car why noy listen to the sweet sound of spool?

Those two sounds are totally different. Turbo spool is a high-pitched whine since that sucker's spinning up to like 100k rpms. It's cool. Suction is like a giant vacuum cleaner noise. Not cool, IMO, and drowns out the engine growl. Doubly not cool.

 

[DaleNixon]

Ugh... I really really want to hear my turbo. I want the whooosh hissss sound so badly! I'm bone stock right now.

What would be the best way to achieve this? Would the Forge BPV do this for me with the stock airbox? Or would I be better off buying a Cobb SRI?

(ricer)

 

[Alexsered]

Ugh... I really really want to hear my turbo. I want the whooosh hissss sound so badly! I'm bone stock right now.

What would be the best way to achieve this? Would the Forge BPV do this for me with the stock airbox? Or would I be better off buying a Cobb SRI?

(ricer)

get the CP-E CAI, you wont be dissappointed.

 

[DaleNixon]

I'm pretty nervous about getting a CAI because of the amount of bad flooding we get on our roads in these parts. I know this has been beaten to death, so I won't ask to discuss that in this thread.

Anyone with a Cobb SRI want to chime in on whether or not you can hear the turbo without any other mods?

 

[Kain]

You don't hear the turbo with an intake. You hear the air rushing in through the filter. Some with an turbo inlet pipe have said it amplifies this sound. I probably heard the turbine spinning the most when I was stock.

 

[DaleNixon]

I guess I'll just buy a Forge BPV then. Assuming it won't void my warranty. I never hear whistling... maybe a mild whistling at times.

 

[lestat13]

You don't hear the turbo with an intake. You hear the air rushing in through the filter. Some with an turbo inlet pipe have said it amplifies this sound. I probably heard the turbine spinning the most when I was stock.

True, you never hear our turbo. The only time I have heard them is with catless full exhausts. And even then its only a spool down sound as you get off the gas. Intakes gives us a vacuum sound, but I would rather it be the spool sound too.

Really, the inlet pipe gives more vacuum sound but still no spool sound?? That's disappointing

 

[DaleNixon]

I guess it's time to go to faketurbo.com!

 

[leadf00t]

Ugh... I really really want to hear my turbo. I want the whooosh hissss sound so badly! I'm bone stock right now.

What would be the best way to achieve this? Would the Forge BPV do this for me with the stock airbox? Or would I be better off buying a Cobb SRI?

(ricer)

No, I installed my Forge BPV, and there is no sound difference between it, and the stock BPV. I have heard that it doesnt become audible until you install an aftermarket intake.

 

[DaleNixon]

Cool. I'm in the process of trying to find out what my dealer would do if I installed a Cobb SRI. Then I have to actually find a Cobb SRI.

 

[OMGWTFHAX]

Cool. I'm in the process of trying to find out what my dealer would do if I installed a Cobb SRI. Then I have to actually find a Cobb SRI.

Why dont you just get the SRI and keep the stock intake box? That way you know if you need to go in for warranty covered maintenence you can just re-install the factory box and no one's the wiser. Im doing that with my AEM CAI and Forge BPV Ive ordered.

 

[zenofspeed]

I dunno if this is true on the speed3, but on both my other cars (mr2 turbo and rx7 turbo) the best way to HEAR the Turbo was a Downpipe. If you put an ebay downpipe or equivalent on the car, the thin metal doesn't dampen the turbo spool and dramatically increases its volume.

 

[DaleNixon]

Why dont you just get the SRI and keep the stock intake box? That way you know if you need to go in for warranty covered maintenence you can just re-install the factory box and no one's the wiser. Im doing that with my AEM CAI and Forge BPV Ive ordered.

I thought about it. If the car died on the road and I had to invoke Mazda's roadside assistance, how the hell would I get it swapped before going to the dealer?

Also, if I do decide to do this, I'm not going to talk about it on the internet. Oh who am I kidding, it'll probably end up in my sig!