Z4 Sound Generator

[Andy G Bmth]

Hi

I've just found out that the 3.0l version of the Z4 has a sound generator fitted.

I have also seen some people take out the 2 foam bungs to alter the sound, but does anyone know if this causes any problems or reduces performance at all?

also how easy is it to remove them?

cheers

[trackdemon]

Andy G Bmth said:

Hi

I've just found out that the 3.0l version of the Z4 has a sound generator fitted.

I have also seen some people take out the 2 foam bungs to alter the sound, but does anyone know if this causes any problems or reduces performance at all?

also how easy is it to remove them?

cheers

Er, isn't that the engine?

[Andy G Bmth]

bugger.. thats where i've been going wrong all these years!

This is in addition to the engine and is really quite anal but goes to show how much research and development BMW put in!

I've heard a sound clip of it with the foam removed and it sounds much louder and raspier but want to hear with my own ears rather than ely on a video clip

[plowy]

I have done this on my car and it sounds awesome on full chat, it's all about what you want, i love the loud growl others may prefer the quiet hum of the engine note, there is no performance differential either way by removing the foam and you can regulate the noise by which pieces you remove, just try it and see what you like...

[Andy G Bmth]

How many pieces are there? i'm led to believe only 2?

how easy is it to get to the foam to remove it?

thanks

Andy

[plowy]

Correct, 2, one is slightly longer than the other, to remove is simple, follow the tube off the resinator into the bulk head, where it meets the bulk head just pull it out, remove the foam and stick the tube back into the hole in the bulk head then give it a good panning down the road in each gear, if it's too loud for you put the smaller bit back in and try that and so on till you get what your happy with..

[Andy G Bmth]

I doubt it'll be too loud! especially after coming from a lotus Elise that was decatted with a sports exhaust!

I cant wait to try that out tomorrow, thanks for that

[plowy]

Post up your findings when you've done it..

[trackdemon]

So its not a sound generator, but rather some kind of sound deadening which can be removed to increase the amount of engine noise entering the cabin.... Am I about right? Would like to give it a try on our Coupe, where will I find this mystery device?

[Gassey]

going to try this later, i'll let you know what i think

[plowy]

OK for those of you who don't know this is the sound generator on the 3.0i Z4 with the M54 engine, located on the side of the induction manifold it has a pipe leading from the induction ducting to it then it goes off into the bulk head.


Here is where the pipe transmits the noise into the cabin through the bulk head.


This is where the removeable foam is situated, as in the pic just pull the pipe out of the bulk head remove whatever foam you wish and stick it back into the hole from where it came..

[plowy]

trackdemon said:

So its not a sound generator, but rather some kind of sound deadening which can be removed to increase the amount of engine noise entering the cabin.... Am I about right? Would like to give it a try on our Coupe, where will I find this mystery device?

Not sure if this feature is on the coupe's, let us know now you know what your looking for..

[Gassey]

Thanks plowy, sorry for my ignorance but is my 06 za coupe 3.0 si an M54 engine?

[Gassey]

plowy said:

trackdemon said:

So its not a sound generator, but rather some kind of sound deadening which can be removed to increase the amount of engine noise entering the cabin.... Am I about right? Would like to give it a try on our Coupe, where will I find this mystery device?

Not sure if this feature is on the coupe's, let us know now you know what your looking for..

Beat me to it

[plowy]

Gassey, the answer is No, your car has the newer N52 engine which is the 265bhp version, however thats not to say you ain't got this item fitted, you'll have to have a look..

[Andy G Bmth]

HE HE just done this and its great!

however i only found 1 bit of foam, do you know where the other bit should be?

[Gassey]

plowy said:

Gassey, the answer is No, your car has the newer N52 engine which is the 265bhp version, however thats not to say you ain't got this item fitted, you'll have to have a look..

Bummer different setup in my coupe any suggestion?

[texasjohn]

Andy G Bmth said:

HE HE just done this and its great!

however i only found 1 bit of foam, do you know where the other bit should be?

I would hazard a guess it is in the garage of one of the previous owners...

Mine had two bits of foam in, I took the bigger of the two out. Will probably forget to refit it when selling the car though!

[eowen]

Just the one pipe sized large piece of foam in my fiancee's car. Fab! Makes a much better noise! 2 second job when I realised I was supposed to be pulling the pipe from the bulkehad and not the other end!!