I've searched and can't find my answer. I want to get the AEM V2 for my 04. However I do not want the normal growl or throaty tone that comes from a CAI. I want it to sound like a stock motor. A little hiss or whine is fine I can deal with that. I've listened to youtube videos of the AEM V2. Is there a way to quiet down the noise? I know I saw someone insulated their CAI to keep heat out. Did it help the noise level?

 

Not a good idea!

 

WHY get a CAI if you don't want the noise??? It's not like you gonna get a big hp gain. Just keep your stock intake if you want quiet.

 

^Correct, besides, the sound difference is only when you punch the gas and get to about 3.5 rpm.

 

Looking to increase fuel mileage. What isn't a good idea? Insulating the CAI? Why not? Keeping the extreme under hood temps of the TL from heating any incoming air would be a good thing wouldn't it?

 

I was thinking at first....another thread about this? But you are right, this is the 1st time I am hearing someone say they DON'T want that growl. And you don't mind hiss?? OK......that's a new one.

Well just to let you know a couple things; When people say loud, don't let it mean to you that it is as loud as a ripping exhaust or something. It is just a bit of growl. That being said, don't get the AEM. It is known to be the loudest. I think the Injen is a little bit quieter. The CAI only sound loud at WOT by the way. Driving normally with the CAI is not going to sound much different from stock. I doubt insulation is going to do much. The sound is really come from where the filter is. It's not being transmitted through the tube.

 

I am insulated and that did not change the sound output

 

Getting a CAI does not increase MPG at all (according to IHC I believe). Once again, if you want a performance option, but don't want all the effects of it, don't buy it all. I'm tired of people buying an exhaust/CAI and wanting it to be very quiet like stock, well that's not going to happen. If you don't want your luxury car to sound like that, than please don't buy a performance option. If you want your car to be a performer than don't complain on the "noise" unless there's a actual problem with the car.

 

^well said

 

about 10k miles without a CAI
and 3k with, i've noticed about a 1-2 MPG gain from installing my CAI.
of course when i FIRST installed it, it dropped a LOT from me "making sure my CAI is still there"
but after that, with the increase in power, i ended up not pushing her that far to get fast and in the end noticed SOME gain.
in the LONG LONG run, mileage will depend on the driving style as well as the temperature of the air that you're getting anyways.
unfortunately for you in TX, warmer air will always be around. for colder air people, the C part of the CAI will hold more true, get more power gain, and with the right style driving, reveal a slight MPG gain.
my .02
-vince

 

I suppose you could fabricate a box around the filter and snorkel it somewhere. Why are you so concerned about the noise. It's a cool sound.

 

Ya I came from Daily Driving a diesel to daily driving this. Its a lot quieter. I've never had any experiance with a CAI. I had a short ram on a honda in high school and I thought it was annoying. But it also had a fart can on the back so Im sure that didn't help. When I read people say it was Loud I thought they ment LOUD. Thanks for the input that actually answered my question. At least someone has the courtesy to keep the wise ass comments to themselves.

 

Let me answer your question after I explain this.
Different engines have a specific optimal temperature for performance. Auto engineers have worked that out and properly programmed the Engine Computer Unit (ECU) to manage the engine ACCORDING to the specs of the various parts of the engine. They have also included a program in the ECU to compensate for weather fluctuation, humidity level, temperature level etc. I'll call this "self-learning program". However this program has a limited capacity, it can only adapt to a certain extend. If you modify your engine past the parameters of this program's capacity, the ECU will not be able to manage the engine properly. That's when other aftermarket hardware/software comes in to tune (recalibrate) your ECU beyond it's original program capacity to function with whatever modifications added to the engine.

There is a air intake sensor in place before the air enters the throttle body into the intake manifold. This data is to let the ECU calculate a baseline as to how much fuel should be injected. There is another sensor called MAP sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure) in place on the intake manifold before the ECU decides how much fuel should be injected to mix with the air before the intake valve opens and let the Air Fuel Mixture in.

Once in the engine there is a knock sensor (newer vehicle) in place to see if the the air fuel mixture is too lean(air more than fuel) or rich(fuel more than air).
Leaner gets more power but increases temperature drastically to the extend that fuel ignite even before spark is created which is when the piston travels up in your engine creating a "metal knocking" sound when they collide (Very Bad) This can destroy your engine faster than you think.
Richer will run engine smoother but less power (believe it or not) and runs engine cooler because petroleum actually helps cool down engine!! Too rich and unburn fuel runs out exhaust and pollute air. Some also stays in engine which is mostly those black residue. Oh and you waste fuel.

I can go on but I think yo get the idea how complicated it is.

The Answer: Unless you change the whole system and have an expert to re-tune the ECU to work with the system to A:save fuel or B: have more power, the Cold Air Intake alone will do jack! At first you will feel some added power and fuel economy..then the Self-learning Program in your ECU compensate for the change then you are back to square 1 minus whatever you spent for the intake.

 

I'm sure that last sentence is commented too me, and I'm sorry it seemed that way, but we have these threads like everyday. People complain for something they should expect. It's like buying a 200k Lamborghini and putting a twin turbo in it on high boost and driving it as your daily driver and wanting it too last 200k miles, it is not going to happen without spending tons of money.

The CAI will not increase MPG (even if there was, there would be a .00000001 increase and also the air filter), it will increase power/performance though. The only increases in MPGs are if you lessen the weight of your car, change your exhaust system (test pipe/precats/jpipe/catback) and the way you drive.

You've got to understand, just like the Turbo, everyone wants the speed and the quality of a product, but aren't willing to spend the price tag for the turbo or the effects of it.

 

It was not aimed directly at you. I have seen alot of it on this forum since I joined. From the other sites I am on it was a bit of a culture shock to see people act this way. Im all about learning and thats why we all are here.

 

Sorry, I misread what you had said.

 

Sorry to hear! On the 3G TL side we're pretty good in being nice and informative and sometimes funny. We just don't like it when some answers can be answered by using the search button! Now on the Car Talk section, there waiting for a victim. Anyways, happy modding!

 

Ah, just remove your resonator. Im to lazy to search for the threads, but they are on here.

 

Already ditched the 3rd cat and resonator on my car

 

Sorry I wasnt clear, but the the resonator on your intake. I think this might be best since your worried about the sound. I searched for it already..https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/bye-bye-intake-silencer-553850/