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Turbo whistle

53K views 86 replies 31 participants last post by  Chevsux 
#1 ·
It would be nice to hear a slight turbo whistle from our Ecodiesel's when taking off from a stop sign or going up a hill. Does anyone know why the turbo's on these are silent? Is their some silencer in-line to take out the whistle? I've never heard such a quiet turbo on a diesel. Almost like it doesn't even have one. Any thoughts?
 
#3 ·
Under the engine cover are two dense foam noise reducers. Maybe you could see how it sounds with those removed?

Frankly, I hear my turbo whine most when slowing down. I'm always looking around to see where the police siren is coming from and then realize it's me.
 
#4 ·
That will get you more diesel clatter, but won't do anything for turbo whistle. I think they must have something in the intake line to reduce the turbo whistle because I can hear none. All I want is to know if I have one or not driving down the road. I don't by any means want it loud, just to hear it would be kinda cool.
 
#5 ·
In Ram Cummins Turbos they had a plastic "swirl" or silencer ring in the intake of the unit that you could remove to really make it whistle. But I'm not sure these are build the same way... I bet there is some kind of silencer ring though....
 
#6 ·
I had a 2006 cummins and I preferred the turbo whistle with the silencer ring in place. I had a K&N cold air intake and the turbo would whistle like you wouldn't believe with the ring in. Taking the ring out made it sound out of control and over powering. The ring in was a perfect sound through the cold air intake. Loved it.
 
#7 ·
The black plastic tube that the turbo hose joins to (above the radiator) is the turbo silencer. You could replace it with a straight plastic tube.

 
#10 · (Edited)
I've read of some replacing it with a pipe on the merc diesel motor (I think it was in the sprinter van).....

I can't remember why they were doing it.....

edit: Ahh, thats right, they were failing under load:
Q. What exactly is this turbo resonator failure problem I have been hearing about on the Sprinter and Freightliner van chassis?
A. A typical turbo resonator failure happens under a period of maximum boost either climbing a hill or accelerating off a stop light with a load in the vehicle. The resonator is made up of injection molded plastic parts which are bonded together. The failure results from the parts separating from each other and allowing turbo boost air to escape from the intake system.
 
#15 ·
Man, after looking at it today it's almost like they want us to replace it... why would they put it front and center, and create a system to clip it in that's totally separate from the actual silencer... This should be an easy mod, especially compared to what the WK Mercedes CRD guys had to do...
 
#20 ·
Don't care about sound at all. Drove my buddy's Tesla the other day. I'l totally over sound.

Now, if they could fix the Turbo lag….

Tesla doesn't have a turbo, but the only "lag" is how quickly you can think about hitting the accelerator. Amazing technology.
 
#22 ·
This silencer (aka fun killer) has got to go!

I removed it today just to scope it out. The ends are sonically welded so removing the internals is not an option.

The internal structure is very cool (similar to the inside of a muffler), but it takes all the fun out of hearing the turbo do its thing.

The unit is attached to the frame due to weight alone via a removable frame / cage. The darn thing is heavier than I expected...all due to the internals.

If a straight through pipe is added, the existing frame / cage could be used to secure it.

The inlet (turbo in) side is 2 3/4 and the outlet (exit to intercooler) is 2 1/8. Both ends have a 1 1/8 lip and the overall length is 12 1/4.

I'll be working on a solution today for a bit.

Stay tuned......
 
#25 · (Edited)
This silencer (aka fun killer) has got to go!

I removed it today just to scope it out. The ends are sonically welded so removing the internals is not an option.

The internal structure is very cool (similar to the inside of a muffler), but it takes all the fun out of hearing the turbo do its thing.

The unit is attached to the frame due to weight alone via a removable frame / cage. The darn thing is heavier than I expected...all due to the internals.

If a straight through pipe is added, the existing frame / cage could be used to secure it.

The inlet (turbo in) side is 2 3/4 and the outlet (exit to intercooler) is 2 1/8. Both ends have a 1 1/8 lip and the overall length is 12 1/4.

I'll be working on a solution today for a bit.

Stay tuned......
Is the pipe not made of plastic? Even if it's not, couldn't the pipe internals be bored out at a machine shop? That way you could keep an OEM exterior look. May be important to some people :cool:

And maybe on a more technical note, there are a lot involved in turbo response and designing intercooler systems. Change of pipe sizing, types of intercoolers, how many 90 degree bends, all this stuff has an effect on the performance of the turbo system. I can't IMAGINE that a muffler on the output of a turbo is good. Obviously the engineers signed off that it wasn't DETRIMENTAL to the overall performance and having a quieter vehicle was of greater value than maximizing performance.

For me, there are zero drawbacks to boring out the silencer.
 
#26 ·
I think before anyone does any boring of the silencer, we should make 100% sure the removal of the silencer is not going to effect the engine in a negative way. These silencers are expensive to replace. I will put mine on a shelf and make a straight pipe for testing.
 
#28 ·
Does a cold air intake make a considerable difference in sound (turbo whistle) in these vehicles?

First post here, the fiance just got a new Ecodiesel and I had to start checking out the Jeep forums. I come from a long line of Cummins powered Rams and am always on Cumminsforum learning new things. Hope to do the same here.:thumbsup:
 
#30 ·
Pulled off the silencer yesterday and the insides and the rubber hoses were all coated with engine oil. I can't believe their is not a factory oil catch can mounted on these. This is going to be a mess going forward in the thousands of miles. Won't this oil plug the cooler off eventually? I'm going to ask to talk to a Diesel Mechanic at my Dealership next time I'm there about what he's seeing this oil do in the future of the turbo system. I can't find a oil catch can that is recommended for this engine. Any thoughts please?
 
#31 ·
I installed a standard catch can and continue to get the PCV disconnect engine light. It's not dangerous, just annoying. There is a RAM forum where a member has success running this BWW separator without any modifications to the vehicle: http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_335_oil_catch_can.html

I have one arriving tomorrow and will let you know the result.

Here is the link to the RAM forum where he talks about his success using this oil separator:

http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/ram-1500-diesel-accessories/1619-pcv-catch-can-ecodiesel-7.html
 
#32 · (Edited)
I just purchased an AFE intake that I need to put on in the next week or so.
I would like to further replace the silencer. Keeping my eyes on this thread for progress of the silencer delete. :thumbsup:
 
#33 · (Edited)
I was thinking about this more and I believe the biggest difference maker in hearing the whistle noise will ultimately be the intake. Removing the muffled pipe should further add audible noise :)
In all off the previous turbo cars that I have owned, replacing the intake is always the biggest difference maker.

It would be nice if AFE made aftermarket steel/aluminum intercooler piping for the GC as they currently make them for the Ram.
 
#34 ·
I was thinking about this more and I believe the biggest difference maker in hearing the whistle noise will ultimately be the intake. Removing the muffled pipe should further add audible noise :)
In all off the previous turbo cars that I have owned, replacing the intake is always the biggest difference maker.

It would be nice if AFE made aftermarket steel/aluminum intercooler piping for the GC as they currently make them for the Ram.
Changing the intercooler piping material changes sound for sure. I've gone from plastic to aluminum on other turbo diesels and it definitely changes it. I'm a little reluctant going to an aftermarket CAI as I'm not convinced they add ANY power on a turbo diesel nor do I believe they filter as good as stock. Well, judging from the busted air filters we have, an aftermarket might not be that bad :rolleyes:
 
#37 ·
Next week I'll have my Ecodiesel and I have an AFE cold air intake to put on. The Ram Ecodiesel guys say you can hear the turbo a lot more. I'll be able to post a YouTube video next week sometime.
 
#38 · (Edited)
I installed the AFE intake on Ecodiesel and it was not what I was expecting, sound wise. I knew that there would be no power gain of any sort. I was expecting some more sound. You can definately hear the suction noise with the radio turned down and the window cracked open. Roll up the window and you can barely hear anything at all. Turn up the radio and the sound is gone.
I tried reving it at idle and it appears there is some sort of factory limiter so I could not take a clip of that. On a lonely quiet night, I recorded 3 video clips and the sound was not present in the video as it was drowned out by the diesel engines sound. :p
I am going to say that the GC has fantastic sound deteding thus not being able to hear much of the sound. Boo. It also soes not help that since we have a 8 speed transmission, as the turbo starts to build boost it will shift to the next gear. The AFE intake hooks up to a rubber hose coming off the turbo. It would have been better if the intake could have hooked up directly to the turbo as I believe the piece of rubber that is left intact might muffle some more of the sound out. I assume installation would then be more difficult

Would I have still bought the part for the sound it produces should I have know it was not as loud as I was expecting, yes.
 
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