A little background - I am really considering removing my AEM due to the "whistle" since it's actually loud and embarrassing. I've done a bunch of research here about it and opinons on the sounds are all as over the place as the number of people that say they have it. Mine sounds like a squealing belt, typically in the 2-3k rpm range at a point just beyond light throttle. I can actually get the sound at higher rpm's in certain conditions also. Can't hear it with the windows up but it's very noticeable with my window down. I didn't even notice this sound until after installing my exhaust. But, I did the install in December and can't really say it wasn't there since I don't remember really driving with the windows down.

Anyway, I will be installing my a-spec body kit sometime soon and figured I'd go back to the stock intake while I have the bumper off. I thought I read somewhere here that removing the front bumper was a lot more difficult with the lip installed. Is this true?

In the unlikely case that ditching the AEM doesn't get rid of the sound I may put it back in and start trouble shooting the exhaust assuming there aren't issues with removing the bumper with the lip on it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

The noise you are talking about is really common with aftermarket intakes, so I'd be willing to bet if you put your OEM intake back on, it will fix this problem. I agree with you though, I'm not a fan of that whistling sound either.

On my last car (Accord) I actually cut off the bottom part of the oem air box and threw a K&N in it, and my butt couldn't tell the difference between the two. It actually sounded better than the aftermarket intake in my opinion.

I plan on doing the same with the TL.

 

I had taken off my front bumper with the A-Spec lip not too long ago and it's easier than taking the back bumper off without having to take the wheels off. If you put the fronts on jack stands, you can get to the screws a lot easier.

There are 2 screws holding the bottom lip on, 4 push clips, and 2 screws underneath the wheel well. Then you'd have to take the clips that connect to the engine off and you're set.

 

Like I said, seems people's interpretation of the "whistle" varies a lot. Some say it's loud, some not bad and some say they don't have it at all. Some people claim it sounds like a turbo spooling which I have a hard time believing. Mine straight up sounds like something is wrong. I know there's not, but it sounds horrible and in the end it's not worth the minimal performance gains. Going to look into possibly modding the stock box/tubing before doing the switch. Wondering if it would be better, or maybe worse, to have the stock inlet down near where the AEM inlet is or just have it in it's stock location back up near the battery.

I'm not so much interested in the sound of the intake. My exhaust makes plenty of that on its own.

From what you are describing, there is no difference in removing the front bumper with or without the lip installed. Anybody know if this holds true for both the base and Type-S front lip? I'll get a better idea once I take a good look at the install scans but figured I'd ask since I'm sure people have already done it.

Thanks again.