AEM "cold" air intake.....funky noise?

[datwagn]

let me first start off by saying that i posted this thread because of a funky noise, NOT because i want to argue about if its a "true" cold air intake or whatever.

i installed the AEM intake last week, and i know its supposed to "enhance" the engine and turbo sound, but i have a feeling something is wrong here.
when i slowly get on the gas, the intake makes a sound that kind of sounds like an air leak in the cabin. kinda like when you have your sunroof flap open but still have the sunroof closed.
its like that, but a bit more "gargle-y". i tried taking a video but its hard to tell.

i checked every hose clamp to make sure they were all tight, and they are.
maybe im just dumb and this sound is normal, but its definitely not a good sound, and everyone that ive heard from says they like the sound the intake makes.

anyone got any idea?

[A410]

let me first start off by saying that i posted this thread because of a funky noise, NOT because i want to argue about if its a "true" cold air intake or whatever.

i installed the AEM intake last week, and i know its supposed to "enhance" the engine and turbo sound, but i have a feeling something is wrong here.
when i slowly get on the gas, the intake makes a sound that kind of sounds like an air leak in the cabin. kinda like when you have your sunroof flap open but still have the sunroof closed.
its like that, but a bit more "gargle-y". i tried taking a video but its hard to tell.

i checked every hose clamp to make sure they were all tight, and they are.
maybe im just dumb and this sound is normal, but its definitely not a good sound, and everyone that ive heard from says they like the sound the intake makes.

anyone got any idea?

Are you an auto or a manual? And I love the sound of my intake, mine sounds like a blow off even tho it's not. It is very normal to hear a large amount of sucking in the cabin from an intake. Maybe you just aren't used to it?

[datwagn]

Are you an auto or a manual? And I love the sound of my intake, mine sounds like a blow off even tho it's not. It is very normal to hear a large amount of sucking in the cabin from an intake. Maybe you just aren't used to it?

im an automatic, unfortunately...
i love the blow off noise too, and i realize that im supposed to hear a "sucking in" noise, but this just doesnt seem like a good noise, i cant imagine people would like it. i was expecting more of a "whoosh" enhanced turbo sound.

[Jay-Bee]

i realize that im supposed to hear a "sucking in" noise, but this just doesnt seem like a good noise, i cant imagine people would like it. i was expecting more of a "whoosh" enhanced turbo sound.

I love the sound of my AEM. not sure what you are hearing.

Maybe take a vid so those of us that have it can compare?

[CorneliusRox]

If the sound is like a building "shhh" sound, and then when you let off it goes 'pshhh'. That is normal.

[A-BlacK_MambA-4]

If the sound is like a building "shhh" sound, and then when you let off it goes 'pshhh'. That is normal.

^This. I love the sound my custom intake makes as it sucks in the air.

[Operator]

Maybe take a vid so those of us that have it can compare?

THIS! It's really hard for people to break down a possible problem like this without hearing what you are hearing.

[jimrobbington]

From your description, it sounds completely normal. Some people love the sound, some hate it.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

sounds normal to me... intake def makes the motor make all types of weird noises... how is your DV?

[shiro1745]

A vid would help, it's probably nothing wrong, jut the normal sound of it.
Funny thing, when I had my car flashed for 2+ the guy who did it asked me how can I like my intake cause it sounds like a vacuum cleaner haha. I just love it.

[datwagn]

i took a video today on my way to work, ill post it later tonight seeing as how i have no way of posting it right now.
to me it sounds like a raspy noise almost, like its sucking in air and water, which its not, it just sounds like it.

thanks for all the quick replies

[CorneliusRox]

i took a video today on my way to work, ill post it later tonight seeing as how i have no way of posting it right now.
to me it sounds like a raspy noise almost, like its sucking in air and water, which its not, it just sounds like it.

thanks for all the quick replies

I'm pretty sure that is normal. I think you are describing what all of us without stock air boxes sound like.

[datwagn]

I'm pretty sure that is normal. I think you are describing what all of us without stock air boxes sound like.

well damn i dont know how you guys get used to it, im somewhat embarassed by it. i drove a girl around on a date and it was just obnoxious.

it sounds fairly good when i punch it off the line, but when im just cruising around, its that constant "sucking in air and water" sound.

[CorneliusRox]

I like it and so does my fiancee, but if you dont, just get some dynomatt and line your intake, and throw some wherever you feel you should. Also, you could just throw the stock air box back on since we all know it is pretty efficient. I mean you were pretty much just paying for that sound, and now you realize you dont like it.

[jimrobbington]

I bet it's the filter. Get an AFE dry cone, it will definitely dampen the sound. I wish mine was louder. I'll trade you.

[Rodmar]

LOl im not use to it either and just put it in....from autozone but sounds wierd to me just because ive never done it before..I like it still just never know if its a good sound or its a bad sound

[Jay-Bee]

i drove a girl around on a date and it was just obnoxious.

You mean the panties didn't drop because turbo racekor???

:P

When I drive casual, like I always have to when my girl is in the car, it makes a real mild 'sneezing' sound she says hahaha.

I bet it's the filter. Get an AFE dry cone

The AEM intake comes with a pretty hefty Dry-flow filter already, at least mine did.

[shiro1745]

What you're saying it's interesting, I have K&N filter and I almost don't hear it when cruising, but very loud what WOT. Not sure how the AEM filter should sound but I doubt it should be loud when cruising. You may have a different problem, waiting for you to post video, that will tell us if it's normal or not.

[Jay-Bee]

What you're saying it's interesting, I have K&N filter and I almost don't hear it when cruising, but very loud what WOT. Not sure how the AEM filter should sound but I doubt it should be loud when cruising.

The AEM intake is more a turbo inlet pipe than anything (which people pay good money for still) and produces IMO a better/more sound than the other intake "kits" out there, I had mine side by side with my friend with a Carbonio... both of us agreed. I've also run just a cone filter on MAF for a very brief time.

[datwagn]

alright guys heres the video



you can really hear it on the third pull, around 23 seconds. Its much louder inside the car but my ihpone doesnt pick it up very well.

[Rodmar]

Almost what mine sounds like ^^^^

[datwagn]

it just seems like its not sucking in air cleanly, like theres some turbulence or something. Its not a constant tone, not really sure how to describe it.

[shiro1745]

The AEM intake is more a turbo inlet pipe than anything (which people pay good money for still) and produces IMO a better/more sound than the other intake "kits" out there, I had mine side by side with my friend with a Carbonio... both of us agreed. I've also run just a cone filter on MAF for a very brief time.

I see what you're saying, I never thought Carbonio sounds close to a aluminum pipe-cone filter, but listen to this, I just recorded it while going to grab lunch. It's made out of 2 90degree aluminum pipes + K&N cone filter. Observe how it's almost quite when cruising, it's only 40mph but you can get an idea.


I'm curious how AEM CAI filter sounds compared to mine and others.

[event]

Sounds normal, but if you were having an issue with it sounding more "gargle-y" then it would likely be fultterdump. In that case check your DV.

[shiro1745]

K, I just watched your video and to be honest I don't hear anything wrong, that's not even loud to me. Get used to it and enjoy! Unless somebody else thinks there's something wrong. I'm at work and have shitty speakers, but I don't hear much in that video.

[A-BlacK_MambA-4]

^^I'm with shiro. Sounds just like my custom intake. Some people like the sound (like me) or some people hate it (maybe like you). I like your setup BTW Shiro. Reminds me of Operators lol I'm going to go that route in a week or so after I install my fmic once it finally arrives.

[shiro1745]

^^I'm with shiro. Sounds just like my custom intake. Some people like the sound (like me) or some people hate it (maybe like you). I like your setup BTW Shiro. Reminds me of Operators lol I'm going to go that route in a week or so after I install my fmic once it finally arrives.

Thanks, It's basically the same, except the filter, I know he had the spectre first and then got Fujita if I'm not wrong...

[datwagn]

thanks for all the input guys, maybe im just a little too picky.
ill leave it on for a few more weeks to see if i can get used to it, and if not, its back to the stock intake.

[slvrb7]

i have the same intake and i will take a video of mine when i get home also when you change to the oem D piston DV the sound changes and is not nearly as loud and annoying also my exhaust is pretty much all i hear when cruising.

[Salt n Peppa]

I just have a Spectre from an autozone, its pretty damn loud and the Forge DV really ups the anty when I let off (tip trans) that mixed with the test pipe, everything is loud together so that isn't such a terrible noise. At least you don't get random farts from your exhaust making you sound super ricey in public!

[Maestro015]

let me first start off by saying that i posted this thread because of a funky noise, NOT because i want to argue about if its a "true" cold air intake or whatever.

i installed the AEM intake last week, and i know its supposed to "enhance" the engine and turbo sound, but i have a feeling something is wrong here.
when i slowly get on the gas, the intake makes a sound that kind of sounds like an air leak in the cabin. kinda like when you have your sunroof flap open but still have the sunroof closed.
its like that, but a bit more "gargle-y". i tried taking a video but its hard to tell.

i checked every hose clamp to make sure they were all tight, and they are.
maybe im just dumb and this sound is normal, but its definitely not a good sound, and everyone that ive heard from says they like the sound the intake makes.

anyone got any idea?

Bumping this thread

I have the same thing with a 2015 A4 with IE intake, maybe it’s just how it sounds? Did you ever find out if it was an underlying issue, or just kind of what the turbo sounds like when it first starts spooling? It sounds great throughout the power band but sounds really bad for the first bit (0-5psi of boost) and is a constant rattle like sound or sort of like a rolling metal bucket. If I hold the throttle in that boost range. Hard to describe. If it’s normal, great, just worried something is wrong and want to address it. I’m going to try to get some sound clips today by taping my phone next to the intake (I don’t have a go pro or anything)

[canadianA4B7]

^^^^^^ IHI turbo wastegate rattle.