I'm about to install comptech headers and exhaust to my TL-S. I was thinking about adding a CAI, but the problem of too much noise enters my mind. I have to carpool with guys from work, and also go on business trips. Basically, I did not want a very rude and annoying type of sound coming from my car. I'm not to sure how the exhaust and headers will affect the noise output alone. Loud all the time, only during acceleration, loud at cruising speeds on the highway??? Could people post replies on what they have on their car, the noise changes, if they like it or not, and the impact of a CAI. If I don't want too much noise, will sticking with just the exhaust and headers be okay..or should I install the quiet tips, which I'd rather not but will if the noise too much for all the time. Thanks ahead of time.

 

You can do all but the exhaust without any problems. Even quiet tips, or DB reducer inserts don't reduce the exhaust were you would want.

 

yeah, i think the exhaust mod is basically for sound anyway considering you gain maybe 2hp.

as for the CAI and headers, after I had them installed (at the same time), under any normal driving, you wouldn~t know the difference. under heavy acceleration or WOT, then you'll hear a difference (a good difference!)

you will hear a quick suck sound when you turn off the car due to the CAI, but even that isn't unusual or loud; unless someone knows you have a CAI, they would think it's normal.

 

I thought some people have said that the exhaust quiet tips almost lighten the sound back to normal. I would like to hear a difference, but not a totally obnoxious sound. Plus, I brought this up to Dean (Comptech) and he said the noise is not intrusive with the exhaust, but is too much with the CAI such as AEM.

 

in WOT, that's pretty much true b/c u can't hear the exhaust as much as u can the CAI , but at idle and normal driving, yer gonna hear it from the exhaust, whereas the CAI and headers u won't

 

So the noise will be really loud at idle and cruising speeds due to exhaust, and loud during acceleration due to the CAI? Is that right? I'd rather have a nice tone during acceleration rather than idle anyway. Does anyone have the quiet tips on? They really do not do anything to help the sound at idel and cruising speeds??

 

Based on your original post, I don't recommend installing the exhaust for your car. I basically have the same situation. Where I work, I go out on lots of lunch meetings, and some carpooling. And to have an exhaust, it would just be too much. I have both CAI and header, and I've gotten nothing but goods things about how well they sound.

 

ONLY at WOT above 5K will u hear the CAI roar...below 5K, the CAI doesn't make nearly as much noise...the engine is what u'll hear...as for the exhaust, u'll hear it at idle, and u'll hear at during acceleration...from 5K up, the CAI sound basically will override the exhaust sound

 

Well, Dean has told me that the quiet tip-s do make a difference. I personally want my car to be loud at times, but not all the time. So I'm hoping the tips do the job. I'm going to install the headers, exhaust and intake at the same time. I just can not wait to see the results. As long as I don't sound liked a riced up civic.

 

Does anyone regret any of these mods, or would have went another direction? Just curious.