Conforti CAI installed

[Plaz]

The Good:

- Butt dyno says the engine is a bit torquier now, especially at high revs (could be psychological, though)

- The whole visceral experience makes the car 100% more fun... the CAI really uncorked the bottle of beautiful music this engine makes. Particularly at WOT. Yum! I think being able to hear the engine more has made me better able to judge my blips, too.

- That big 'ol ITG filter just looks really cool in the engine bay.

The Bad:

- At what I'd guesstimate to be between 18% and 20% of throttle (as best I can judge given the DBW), there is a very loud high pitched noise... sounds like something between a dog whistle and a fork scraping a blackboard. It's only for this short span of throttle opening... and is more pronounced when the engine is under load.

Is there anything I can do about that? Or is it common, to be expected, and just a price I have to be willing to pay in order to play the CAI game?

Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

[Raffi]

Originally posted by Plaz


The Bad:

- At what I'd guesstimate to be between 18% and 20% of throttle (as best I can judge given the DBW), there is a very loud high pitched noise... sounds like something between a dog whistle and a fork scraping a blackboard. It's only for this short span of throttle opening... and is more pronounced when the engine is under load.

Is there anything I can do about that? Or is it common, to be expected, and just a price I have to be willing to pay in order to play the CAI game?

Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

Plaz, nothing you can do about it yet. This is a symptom with all CAIs, including Dinan and ECIS (which I have). I actually like the hissing sound! From reading other posts, it is apparently caused by the air flowing through the CAI and over (through?) the air flow meter or sensor. ECIS was supposed to be working towards a solution to this "issue", but I have not heard anything further.

Don't worry - you will get used to the hissing and won't even notice it after a while. The deep roar at WOT will make you forget it very quickly! :D :D

Congrats, and enjoy. :thumbup:

[Plaz]

Originally posted by Raffi


Plaz, nothing you can do about it yet. This is a symptom with all CAIs, including Dinan and ECIS (which I have). I actually like the hissing sound! From reading other posts, it is apparently caused by the air flowing through the CAI and over (through?) the air flow meter or sensor. ECIS was supposed to be working towards a solution to this "issue", but I have not heard anything further.

Don't worry - you will get used to the hissing and won't even notice it after a while. The deep roar at WOT will make you forget it very quickly! :D :D

Congrats, and enjoy. :thumbup:

Understood. Thanks!

[The HACK]

Sean at ECIS actually has the OEM part numbers of a new intake runner that addresses this issue. The hiss does not bother me so I have not bothered with the "fix", but if you're willing to invest in the parts I can work with Sean to try and figure out how to get rid of this hiss...And we can probably make another tech session out of it.

If you think that "hiss" is bad, try it at ~100-115 mph at part throttle and 4,500 rpm...A combination of the throttle hiss and high speed makes it into a BANSHEE howl.

Not that you should really go that fast anyway. :thumbup:

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by The HACK
Sean at ECIS actually has the OEM part numbers of a new intake runner that addresses this issue. The hiss does not bother me so I have not bothered with the "fix", but if you're willing to invest in the parts I can work with Sean to try and figure out how to get rid of this hiss...And we can probably make another tech session out of it.

If you think that "hiss" is bad, try it at ~100-115 mph at part throttle and 4,500 rpm...A combination of the throttle hiss and high speed makes it into a BANSHEE howl.

Not that you should really go that fast anyway. :thumbup:
The fix as I know it includes a new J boot and resonator

from an ECIS email I received, not sure of 330 application though
We do have a fix for the hissing/whistling on the 325. While it does not
eliminate the sound, it does reduce the noise (our guess would be 50%)
What it consists of is new rubber J boot and a resonator (OEM parts) The
resonator was modified to fit with our intake. The parts are a direct
replacement of your original J boot.

[The HACK]

Thanks PM 325xiT.

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by The HACK
Thanks PM 325xiT.
As I recall I think the parts were ~ $40 :thumbup:

[Plaz]

Thanks for the info... I had read about "hiss" before installing, and was okay with that, but this seems different than what I was expecting.

I do hear a slight hiss at times, but that doesn't bother me at all... this is more like a "squeak" or a "whistling squeal," that only occurs in that narrow range of throttle opening... maybe one of you guys can listen at some point on the DV run and tell me if it's the same thing.

I'm game for a $40 "fix," if it doesn't affect anything else.

As far as banshee screaming... I already love it at WOT, though I've only had it up to about 80 since installing. :D

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by Plaz
Thanks for the info... I had read about "hiss" before installing, and was okay with that, but this seems different than what I was expecting.

I do hear a slight hiss at times, but that doesn't bother me at all... this is more like a "squeak" or a "whistling squeal," that only occurs in that narrow range of throttle opening... maybe one of you guys can listen at some point on the DV run and tell me if it's the same thing.

I'm game for a $40 "fix," if it doesn't affect anything else.

As far as banshee screaming... I already love it at WOT, though I've only had it up to about 80 since installing. :D
The narrow range you mention is the only thing that bothers me as well. I know it is loud when my son even questions the noise.

WOT is like music to my ears:D

[Raffi]

Originally posted by Plaz
Thanks for the info... I had read about "hiss" before installing, and was okay with that, but this seems different than what I was expecting.

I do hear a slight hiss at times, but that doesn't bother me at all... this is more like a "squeak" or a "whistling squeal," that only occurs in that narrow range of throttle opening... maybe one of you guys can listen at some point on the DV run and tell me if it's the same thing.

I'm game for a $40 "fix," if it doesn't affect anything else.

As far as banshee screaming... I already love it at WOT, though I've only had it up to about 80 since installing. :D

I'd be more than happy to test-drive your car around Denny's before heading out to DV (at WOT of course) to give you my opinion! :D :D BTW, you should hear how nice it sounds at the track, at insane speeds in or near redline...sweet music to my ears even with a helmet on! :D

[Plaz]

Originally posted by Raffi


I'd be more than happy to test-drive your car around Denny's before heading out to DV (at WOT of course) to give you my opinion! :D :D BTW, you should hear how nice it sounds at the track, at insane speeds in or near redline...sweet music to my ears even with a helmet on! :D

I'm totally game for a ride around the block... at less than WOT... for you to tell me if it's the same thing or not.

I'd also like to know your impression of the '02 steering vs. your '01... did you get the retrofit?

And HACK, I'd love to give whatever you and Sean come up with a try -- I'll buy the parts as long is it's not TOO much. You think he'll be okay with the knowledge that his handiwork will be fixing a Conforti intake customer first? :eeps:

[Raffi]

Originally posted by Plaz


I'm totally game for a ride around the block... at less than WOT... for you to tell me if it's the same thing or not.

I'd also like to know your impression of the '02 steering vs. your '01... did you get the retrofit?



We're on for a test-drive, then! :thumbup:

My '01 steering was not part of the ones that needed the retrofit, but I think the '02s are a little stiffer anyway. I will let you know if I can tell a difference.

Later.

[operknockity]

Neat :thumbup: :thumbup:

BTW, how long did it take you to do the install?

[RKT BMR]

Originally posted by Plaz
Thanks for the info... I had read about "hiss" before installing, and was okay with that, but this seems different than what I was expecting.
Gosh, if you're going to pay the price of a hiss/whine, you should just go all the way and put in an ESS blower.

That vortec whistle is actually kind of cool as as the thing spins up. Plus, the buttdyno is much more dramatic :D :D :D

Dave

[Plaz]

Originally posted by operknockity
Neat :thumbup: :thumbup:

BTW, how long did it take you to do the install?

I pussed out and had GT International install it when I brought my car in for a 10k mile oil change. :eeps:

John said it took them about an hour and a half.

Does that get the thread banished from the DIY forum? :D

[operknockity]

Originally posted by Plaz
I pussed out and had GT International install it when I brought my car in for a 10k mile oil change. :eeps:
Sigh :tsk:. Should have saved it up for the next tech session.

Does that get the thread banished from the DIY forum? :D
No, but I'd like a refund under the "Good Plazposting" warranty :lmao:

[nate]

Originally posted by The HACK
Sean at ECIS actually has the OEM part numbers of a new intake runner that addresses this issue. The hiss does not bother me so I have not bothered with the "fix", but if you're willing to invest in the parts I can work with Sean to try and figure out how to get rid of this hiss...And we can probably make another tech session out of it.

If you think that "hiss" is bad, try it at ~100-115 mph at part throttle and 4,500 rpm...A combination of the throttle hiss and high speed makes it into a BANSHEE howl.

Not that you should really go that fast anyway. :thumbup:

I took the needle to 150 on Tuesday, I don't really notice much of a hiss at speeds that high

I would like to know if this fix works as the hiss is fairly annoying :dunno:

[Plaz]

Originally posted by operknockity

I'd like a refund under the "Good Plazposting" warranty :lmao:

:lmao:

Okay, I'll gladly give you a full refund of every cent you paid for that post. :D

[Plaz]

Originally posted by dwallersv

Gosh, if you're going to pay the price of a hiss/whine, you should just go all the way and put in an ESS blower.

That vortec whistle is actually kind of cool as as the thing spins up. Plus, the buttdyno is much more dramatic :D :D :D

Dave

Yeah, but $6K?

If I wanted to spend that kind of money I would've just gone for an M3 or 540i. :dunno:

[operknockity]

Originally posted by Plaz
Okay, I'll gladly give you a full refund of every cent you paid for that post. :D
Thanks. Pleasure doing business with ya. :lmao:

[Raffi]

Originally posted by Plaz


I pussed out and had GT International install it when I brought my car in for a 10k mile oil change. :eeps:

John said it took them about an hour and a half.



That's a f*cking rip-off and b*ll-sh*t! I am not a mechanic and it took me 20 minutes! I would have done it for you, as I offered...:tsk: :tsk: :tsk: How much did you get raped for this??? :yikes: :yikes:

[Plaz]

Originally posted by Raffi


That's a f*cking rip-off and b*ll-sh*t! I am not a mechanic and it took me 20 minutes! I would have done it for you, as I offered...:tsk: :tsk: :tsk: How much did you get raped for this??? :yikes: :yikes:

I definitely appreciated the offer, and would have taken you up on it if time permitted. I needed to get it done before this weekend in order to keep it under the wifely radar :eeps: and had no evenings I could count on being free.

I know I got a little gypped, but I don't disbelieve him. He said they had a little trouble getting the heat shield to conform correctly, and that "it is plastic, and needed to be treated with respect." I inferred that they needed to trim it a little to get the pieces together just right, as the instructions said was possible. It might be a little different than the ECIS.

Charged me $90. :dunno:

I know it's too much, but it was worth it to me for the timeliness and convenience.

[RKT BMR]

Originally posted by Plaz


Yeah, but $6K?

If I wanted to spend that kind of money I would've just gone for an M3 or 540i. :dunno:
I understand.

You would miss out on the fun of installing the blower, though! And the chest-banging pride from all the admirers.

That said, I probably would have gone the M3 route back in 01 if I could have ordered one without a 9-12 month wait (I don't like to buy off the lot -- with that kind of investment, I want it exactly the way I want it ;) ).

Things have changed... Jon S. now says that he can sell an immediate production slot today for an M3 cab. I'm thinking about it...

I'll go there eventually. When I do, I'll mod that pup with a blower too. It's just too much fun. My car's a hobby and indefinitely unfinished project -- not just a set of wheels :thumbup:

Dave