I'm looking to get an intake and possibly a downpipe before I get the car tuned. However, I really like the sleeper effect of the car and don't want anything too loud. I wouldn't mind a bit more noise -- the car is awful quiet stock. But some of the reviews talk about how loud the car is with just an intake.

I can't find any good quality YouTube videos that feature a car with just the K&N intake, they always have muffler deletes or catbacks. Can anyone comment on just how loud it really gets compared to stock? In cabin noise and exterior noise. I'm more concerned with exterior noise.

 

Its loud but its not super loud you would love the sound. Its mostly loud at start up only

 

I need to find a TC Cobalt in the KC area without exhaust mods, just an intake...the sounds I've heard on YouTube seem crazy but they are all recorded with shitty phones so it's hard to really gauge how it will sound.

I drove a stock 08 Civic Si and the sound of that engine when the VTEC kicked in was sexy. It seemed louder and more aggressive than the Cobalt SS. I wouldn't mind something that loud, but I'm sure that's a way different sound than the turbo + intake combo in my Cobalt.

 

Just go for it im sure you will like it. I would try and get you a video but I have a catback

 

I don't have an intake so i can't speak to that; however i don't imagine it being that different, certainly not different enough to lose the "sleeper" status you're after.

You mentioned downpipe, and i do have a catless downpipe, and that made a significant difference. It's nice and relatively quiet under low load, but as soon as you step on it a little (especially if you get into boost) it's quite obvious the car is opened up, fairly loud. I also think i can hear the turbo noise out the exhaust once i took the cat out.
As soon as you step on it, you can tell something was done to the car by the exhaust, so not a sleeper there, plus i can hear the turbo now.

i'm glad i got a catless downpipe and i love the sound but if my goal was to have a sleeper, i'd put the cat back, just an FYI

 

It sounds just like what you hear on all those youtube videos you were looking at.

 

I really don't think it gives it away from a sleeper to much all you gain is the BOV sound but not as loud. One of the best mods i picked for sure

 

It is loud....I hear my stupid bov'ing all over the place. I have subie owners asking wtf is under my hood n sheet

 

It's loud compared to stock.

 

Well yeah lol in stock you cant hear anything