Air Filter/Intake question

epifan1 · June 6, 2005

I have annoying low frequency noise coming out of the right hand side of the engine compartment (04 Suburban 5.3L) between 1500 and 2000 rpm (the most at about 1700). The tech (looked like a smart one) said that was typical for these vehicles (let me drive a similar one - same noise), that was caused by the air intake system, and suggested replacing the stock air intake/filter with an "open type" K&N setup. Anybody hed experience doing that? Does the noise go away?

I do not care about "tuning" the truck - I just want the noise to go away.

I also noticed that there are cheap open type air intake setups on ebay. Is any of them worth buying? Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank a lot for help.

asilverblazer · June 6, 2005

All the intakes I have heard of are suppoosed to be louder than stock. (pun intended)

Hotwire · June 7, 2005

a cold air intake would put the entrance of the plenum in the front of your truck instead of using the pass fender to channel air in, this would probably help move the sound away from the cab and may cure your problem. other solutions would be to dynamat the hood and firewall, or try and tune it out. wish I could have been of more help.

epifan1 · June 7, 2005

Thank you for help. Sorry for my ignorance. What is "cold air intake"? Is that open type filter. Like K&N? What is "dynamat"?

Thank you.

a cold air intake would put the entrance of the plenum in the front of your truck instead of using the pass fender to channel air in, this would probably help move the sound away from the cab and may cure your problem. other solutions would be to dynamat the hood and firewall, or try and tune it out. wish I could have been of more help.

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Hotwire · June 7, 2005

A cold air intake is basically tubing that will pull air from outside of your engine bay, this way the engine will receive colder air and make more power. The colder the air, the more dense it becomes so it will pack more fuel and air, creating a bigger explosion in your cylinders, giving you better performance. I really wouldn't consider calling it an "open" type filter, yes it will have a low restriction air filter associated with it, but most of the time the filter will be in a housing to keep the engine heat away from it.

http://www.thepartsbin.com/sitemap/chevy~c...take~parts.html

dynamat is a heavy type of material that adheres to basically any surface you can stick it to, it's basically heavy duty sound insulation. It makes the thin sheet metal heavier so it resists vibrating, creating a very quiet interior. Any reputable stereo shop has it and can install it.

http://www.dynamat.com/ (click on automotive, but turn down your speakers, about fell out of my chair when the intro popped up)

You can also click on the gallery and check out some installed pictures to get an idea of what it is.

epifan1 · June 8, 2005

Thanks a lot, Hotwire

that is pretty much what the tech said ... that those intakes seem to cure the noise (at low rpms under 2000) but they are louder at higher rpms. But since 99% of my driving is at low rpm s .. I do not care.

Thanks a lot again.

BTW .. is there much of a difference between cheap systems sold at e-bay for $30 and K&N systems going for $250 or so?

Thank you for help. Sorry for my ignorance. What is "cold air intake"? Is that open type filter. Like K&N? What is "dynamat"?
Thank you.

a cold air intake would put the entrance of the plenum in the front of your truck instead of using the pass fender to channel air in, this would probably help move the sound away from the cab and may cure your problem. other solutions would be to dynamat the hood and firewall, or try and tune it out. wish I could have been of more help.

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Hotwire · June 8, 2005

YES! Watch what you get on ebay, thoroughly read through the feedback the seller has. Most of the time you'll get ripped. The more expensive systems have been dyno tuned, researched, and developed. I know you are not going for max hp, but quality is quality.

I wouldn't go w/ the K&N fipk, they are a little high in price and I don't think deliver as well as others. Also, if they haven't changed the way they do their intakes, it's just an open element w/ a large cut to fit shield in the engine bay, so it wouldn't reduce your noise much at all.

I would go w/ the volant or look at SLP Engineering. www.slponline.com

good luck!