330ci, bringing out the noise.

[rumple]

Anyone know a cheap way to improve I.E louder the sound of my E46 330ci, I've done the golf tee mod , I dont want to buy an aftermarket exhaust, i was going to cut out the rear silencer but decided I sounded a bit st when I heard one, thoughts now are removing the Resonator, anyone done this?

P.S the reason I dont want to spent on it as its off in the summer.

[mini1380cc]

i was thinking this too about my 330ci. Apparently the Club Sport had its bonnet insulation removed for improved induction noise but i haven't tried it on my CI.

[Romanymagic]

This is gonna sound daft but have you tried running your 330 on super unleaded? When I first bought mine I ran it on 95 ron, however after reading some articles on the interweb decided to maintain fuel on super unleaded and specifically Shell Ultramax, since which the exhaust noise is deeper and louder. Just a thought as a cheap fix for more "vibration". :-)

[Defcon5]

What's the golf tee mod?

Induction noise > exhaust noise IMO, I'd cast a beady eye over the intake setup

[mini1380cc]

Romanymagic said:

This is gonna sound daft but have you tried running your 330 on super unleaded? When I first bought mine I ran it on 95 ron, however after reading some articles on the interweb decided to maintain fuel on super unleaded and specifically Shell Ultramax, since which the exhaust noise is deeper and louder. Just a thought as a cheap fix for more "vibration". :-)

This is surely the mind playing tricks.

[Urban Sports]

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

[rich85uk]

there is foam insulation under the bonnet that simply unclips, and more under the rear seats. does the golf t mod mean the exhaust valve is constantly open? as mine is i think rusted (definately stuck)in the fully open position and with the foam removal the exhaust note is very deep when around 2k which may annoy some

[pat_y]

rich85uk said:

there is foam insulation under the bonnet that simply unclips, and more under the rear seats. does the golf t mod mean the exhaust valve is constantly open? as mine is i think rusted (definately stuck)in the fully open position and with the foam removal the exhaust note is very deep when around 2k which may annoy some

Yes, the Golf Tee mod just keeps the exhaust flap fully open all the time. it's supposed to operate at around 2K revs. I have a Clubsport and cannot tell the noise difference over a normal sport with the some of the sound-proofing removed, i think it sounds OK to be honest just needs to be provoked to make a decent sounds. Loud will require a Scorpion/Milltek/Blueflame system.

[cslwannabe]

Fold down the rear seats - it makes a surprising difference...

[rumple]

mini1380cc said:

i was thinking this too about my 330ci. Apparently the Club Sport had its bonnet insulation removed for improved induction noise but i haven't tried it on my CI.

Done this, i though it made a very slight difference, try it it take 5 mins and is reversible.

[rumple]

Urban Sports said:

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

Ill look into this, thanks.

[Urban Sports]

rumple said:

Urban Sports said:

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

Ill look into this, thanks.

I don't know about the e46 but I did it on my e90 and it really did sound superb, it's a trick I picked up from owning and S2000, although you actually removed the whole lid, when I did this on my e90 it was deafening, just a cm or so should do the trick!

[Simes205]

rumple said:

Urban Sports said:

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

Ill look into this, thanks.

and then draw in the hot air around the engine into the throttle body(s) thus effectively reducing density of the intake air and the power.

[Urban Sports]

Simes205 said:

rumple said:

Urban Sports said:

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

Ill look into this, thanks.

and then draw in the hot air around the engine into the throttle body(s) thus effectively reducing density of the intake air and the power.

The aged old argument!

With an open chamber with no heat insulation then maybe, I've never really noticed.

Open 1cm? You'd be a much better man than I am to tell the difference of which there is probably very very little..

[pstruck]

Defcon5 said:

What's the golf tee mod?

Reach above the standard back-box on your exhaust and pull the small rubber tube off of the diaphragm actuator, then block off the end of the tube with a golf tee (or similar, or bend it double and use a cable tie to hold it there).

This just prevents the flap in one of the tailpipes from operating and leaves it in the open position.

[rich85uk]

Urban Sports said:

rumple said:

Urban Sports said:

Open the airbox lid by about 1cm and wedge something in to keep it open.

It really will make a difference.

Ill look into this, thanks.

I don't know about the e46 but I did it on my e90 and it really did sound superb, it's a trick I picked up from owning and S2000, although you actually removed the whole lid, when I did this on my e90 it was deafening, just a cm or so should do the trick!

there not a risk of extra dirt etc getting into the engine?

[mini1380cc]

Not if you make the gap at the pre-filtered side.

[aka_kerrly]

Easiest option is to simply drill a few holes in the side or bottom of the airbox. Note only the LOWER half under the filter, this increases the engine noise and has no effect on the air filter's ability to do it's job.

Or spend a bit of money and get a DaveF induction kit - available via http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/ - DaveF is the guys username.

[g3org3y]

aka_kerrly said:

Easiest option is to simply drill a few holes in the side or bottom of the airbox. Note only the LOWER half under the filter, this increases the engine noise and has no effect on the air filter's ability to do it's job.

Or spend a bit of money and get a DaveF induction kit - available via http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/ - DaveF is the guys username.

Drilled airbox mod should be reserved for Saxos and the like.

In terms of induction kit, I can recommend GruppeM (reps). Had one a number of years back on my E36 325i. This was mated to the Supersprint backbox. Sounded brilliant.





I did the whole golf tee mod on my previous E36 328i. Tbh, I just found it made it a bit more 'droney' around time.

The E46 is a refined car, you'll be hard pushed to really get an appreciable increase in noise without resorting to a proper induction kit or exhaust swap.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 14th January 18:35

[anonymous-user]

Bought a 330ci last month to use as a cheap daily... didn't like the tee mod (too droney) so I got a dremel and cut a huge hole in the bottom front of the airbox....much better noise and gets some of that lovely 6 cylinder noise from the car without any drone unlike the golf tee mod. Would highly recommend. It's at the front so no air soak and the intake is at the top of the airbox so no bypassing the filter.