Is it possible that adding an intake can make your exhaust sound louder/deeper?

craniac24 · 04-30-2010, 07:27 PM

I was wondering that since when we add HFCs or headers to improve airflow, it ultimately affects the way the exhaust sound. Is it possible that the addition of an intake has the same effect, at least to a small degree?

I'm asking because I've been debating for the last few days whether or not my Nismo exhaust is loud enough for my taste. It got to the point where I actually had a friend drive my car back and forth a quiet street at various speeds while I listened. The result? I was actually pretty surprised that the exhaust note was louder and deeper from outside the car than I expected it to be. It sounded really, really nice! When my friend and I switched places, he even commented that it was louder from the outside than he thought it was going to be.

Clearly, from behind the wheel at WOT, the sound of the intake is overpowering. After 5k RPMs all you can hear is an amazing howl coming from the engine bay. It's a great sound, but it really does drown out the exhaust note completely. So now I REALLY don't know what to do! If I want to hear more of the exhaust from behind the wheel, I'd be running the risk that whatever I get would be way too loud from the neighbors perspective!

Decisions, decisions...

BOLIO 671 · 04-30-2010, 08:06 PM

If you want to hear more of the exhaust, then droppng in some air intakes would only drown out what you already can't hear from within the cabin....The air intakes have a nice growl, but others here that are running aftermarket Exhuasts combined with Air Intakes or CAI's will tell you that the sound of the aftermarket exhaust will drown out the growl coming from the intakes...

If you really want to hear the exhaust note, then you should invest in getting an aftermarket exhaust.

6spd · 04-30-2010, 08:57 PM

I was gonna buy a nismo CB of a nismo Z, but was afraid of the sound being to quiet inside. I didnt want to make the mistake many people make and buy the nismo only to later sell it for a different system. I skipped the middle man and went straight to fast intentions. The 18" system is surprisingly quiet, but loud enough to get the job done in the most civilized manner. The sound outside is not that loud at all, and inside it lets you know what the engine is doing whilst allowing you to carry on a conversation or listen to low volume music. Good stuff for sure.

I think the sound of the air intakes are over-rated and to BWAH sounding rather than the racing sound the car naturally has. Best bet is to try and hear it in person and decide, both the exhaust and the intake.

nogoodname · 04-30-2010, 09:35 PM

If you have a stock exhaust. You will notice a louder growl at higher rpm with a set of intakes. Once you get HFC's or a catback, it will overpower the intake growl.

6spd · 05-01-2010, 06:35 AM

I dropped in a set of K&N filters and the sound change, while very small, mated well with the FI exhaust. Neither overpower each other really.

Room42 · 05-01-2010, 07:11 AM

Definitely a change with my invidia before and after. Loved it before the intakes - an understated purr. And love it after - deeper and more aggressive but more even and not much louder. Just breathes better, I guess. Airflow on dyno was perfect so happy, healthy car = happy, healthy sound.

6spd · 05-01-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Room42

Definitely a change with my invidia before and after. Loved it before the intakes - an understated purr. And love it after - deeper and more aggressive but more even and not much louder. Just breathes better, I guess. Airflow on dyno was perfect so happy, healthy car = happy, healthy sound.

where in S. FL are you?

Room42 · 05-01-2010, 07:46 AM

North broward. You? Are you sfzcc?

6spd · 05-01-2010, 03:08 PM

im in PSL, no, not a member.

04-30-2010, 07:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
craniac24 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ronkonkoma, NY Posts: 339 Drives: 2010 PG Roadster Rep Power: 402	Is it possible that adding an intake can make your exhaust sound louder/deeper? I was wondering that since when we add HFCs or headers to improve airflow, it ultimately affects the way the exhaust sound. Is it possible that the addition of an intake has the same effect, at least to a small degree? I'm asking because I've been debating for the last few days whether or not my Nismo exhaust is loud enough for my taste. It got to the point where I actually had a friend drive my car back and forth a quiet street at various speeds while I listened. The result? I was actually pretty surprised that the exhaust note was louder and deeper from outside the car than I expected it to be. It sounded really, really nice! When my friend and I switched places, he even commented that it was louder from the outside than he thought it was going to be. Clearly, from behind the wheel at WOT, the sound of the intake is overpowering. After 5k RPMs all you can hear is an amazing howl coming from the engine bay. It's a great sound, but it really does drown out the exhaust note completely. So now I REALLY don't know what to do! If I want to hear more of the exhaust from behind the wheel, I'd be running the risk that whatever I get would be way too loud from the neighbors perspective! Decisions, decisions... __________________ 2010 6MT PG Roadster w/Sport & NAV. Stillen Exhaust, Stillen GIII Intake, Eibach Springs, H&R Spacers 15f/20r, SPC Rear Camber Kit. Thanks to Vinny Ten Racing!

04-30-2010, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	If you want to hear more of the exhaust, then droppng in some air intakes would only drown out what you already can't hear from within the cabin....The air intakes have a nice growl, but others here that are running aftermarket Exhuasts combined with Air Intakes or CAI's will tell you that the sound of the aftermarket exhaust will drown out the growl coming from the intakes... If you really want to hear the exhaust note, then you should invest in getting an aftermarket exhaust. __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

04-30-2010, 08:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 24	I was gonna buy a nismo CB of a nismo Z, but was afraid of the sound being to quiet inside. I didnt want to make the mistake many people make and buy the nismo only to later sell it for a different system. I skipped the middle man and went straight to fast intentions. The 18" system is surprisingly quiet, but loud enough to get the job done in the most civilized manner. The sound outside is not that loud at all, and inside it lets you know what the engine is doing whilst allowing you to carry on a conversation or listen to low volume music. Good stuff for sure. I think the sound of the air intakes are over-rated and to BWAH sounding rather than the racing sound the car naturally has. Best bet is to try and hear it in person and decide, both the exhaust and the intake. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

05-01-2010, 06:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 24	I dropped in a set of K&N filters and the sound change, while very small, mated well with the FI exhaust. Neither overpower each other really. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

05-01-2010, 07:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Room42 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 79 Drives: 09 370z white AT Rep Power: 15	Definitely a change with my invidia before and after. Loved it before the intakes - an understated purr. And love it after - deeper and more aggressive but more even and not much louder. Just breathes better, I guess. Airflow on dyno was perfect so happy, healthy car = happy, healthy sound. __________________ 20% tint \| Clear bra \| Invidia Gemini CB \| Stillen CAI Eibach Springs \| Stillen Sway Bars \| JDM rear fog light --------------------------------------------- Mustang Dyno - 291 \| Horsepower Logic

04-30-2010, 09:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	If you have a stock exhaust. You will notice a louder growl at higher rpm with a set of intakes. Once you get HFC's or a catback, it will overpower the intake growl.

05-01-2010, 07:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Room42 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 79 Drives: 09 370z white AT Rep Power: 15	North broward. You? Are you sfzcc? __________________ 20% tint \| Clear bra \| Invidia Gemini CB \| Stillen CAI Eibach Springs \| Stillen Sway Bars \| JDM rear fog light --------------------------------------------- Mustang Dyno - 291 \| Horsepower Logic

05-01-2010, 03:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 24	im in PSL, no, not a member. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

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