Simple Sound Tube Switching "on/off"

[ayilar]

Originally Posted by bcj

Just plugged mine ( LHD US version ). "Nylon Hole Plugs 7/8 inch" ( in case the picture goes way eventually ).
When I got the plugs at the hardware store last night I ran right out and tried to install this intricate mod, but it was dark and I failed to find it.
(...)


Took a break at lunch today, dug around a little more and discovered what I think is the proper location in a bit more accessible place, just below and right of the lower center plenum bolt.
It's obscured by the top edge of the carpet and sound blanket.



The plug fits in the indicated hole, so I think I've got it for the time being. No test drive yet.

Thanks a lot for the pics and the information -- sounds (no pun intended) like a great idea, as the noise gets tiring at high rpms after a while.

Question: The hole plugs discussed here all seem to be "locking" types -- has anyone double-checked that they can be easily removed? In other words, has any of you tried to undo this simple mod (if only for a moment)?

[Laika]

Originally Posted by ayilar

Question: The hole plugs discussed here all seem to be "locking" types -- has anyone double-checked that they can be easily removed? In other words, has any of you tried to undo this simple mod (if only for a moment)?

I just did this and checked how hard it was to pull back out. It's true, takes all of 10 seconds max. This is fantastic.

[Clembo]

Did it the day this was first posted, hardest part was finding the right drawer at Lowes!

Been a happy driver ever since...

[Bringiton]

Originally Posted by enouf

I just used the plug/cover for the cigarette lighter in the glovebox - fits perfectly and spent $0. Packed the hollow end of the plug with a bit of cloth+tape to increase the sound deadening effect and now it no longer sounds like a wailing banshee.

I gave this a try and it worked beautifully.

[edj]

Originally Posted by ayilar

Question: The hole plugs discussed here all seem to be "locking" types -- has anyone double-checked that they can be easily removed? In other words, has any of you tried to undo this simple mod (if only for a moment)?

The cap is easy to put on/take off. I had to remove it to put some foam
rubber in the center hole.

The threaded plug solution would be more difficult to remove. I would take
it easy removing it as the end of the sound tube is soft rubber and I am
not sure how securely it is fastened. I might be possible to tear something.

[tuckdaddy]

Subbed for run to lowes!

[BRZNutt]

Originally Posted by enouf

I just used the plug/cover for the cigarette lighter in the glovebox - fits perfectly and spent $0. Packed the hollow end of the plug with a bit of cloth+tape to increase the sound deadening effect and now it no longer sounds like a wailing banshee.

Thanks for the tip. I had removed that plug to install a JDM negative ion air cleaner in my glove box and now I have a place to stow it. I think my wife will appreciate it when she calls me in the car now. (Not sure if the air cleaner actually works, but it has an LED as well to help light up the glove box at night. Here's a pic of a similar one to mine:

[Minovsky]

Originally Posted by P5yk0t1c

Thanks to the OP for this simple fix...I can't believe the difference in somthing so simple!

I found some that fit perfectly at Canadian Tire. They were in the car section under "Panel Trim Fasteners" DORMAN is the name brand and the part number was 45092 and says "GM" in a yellow package.

I got the exact same one fits perfectly i dont know about the sound difference but HEY the hole is plugged xD

[tuckdaddy]

Got the locking one today from Home Depot. 7/8ths locking hole plug.

Found in these drawers,



Installed



I hear a noticeable difference in the higher rpm's and am happy I can hear my music better and that talking on the phone is slightly easier!

All in all best 2 bucks and 10 seconds I have spent on this car!

[AUmarvin]

Anyone in Australia having trouble finding the plug. I walked around Bunnings for about an hour. Ended up finding a plug in the garden irrigation section. Its a 19mm Pope brand irrigation pipe end plug. Fits in very well, easy to pull out. Cost all of $0.50.

And as everyone has said, works well. And easily reversible.

[ptmfr]

For Canadians:

I had trouble finding the Canadian Tire part or the locking plastic cap at Home Depot so I used this from Home Depot instead: http://m.homedepot.ca/product/produc...957078&lang=EN

I placed a cotton ball inside the sound tube and a ball of paper tissue inside the cap. The cap fits snugly within the soft rubber ring that surrounds the sound tube. It eliminated the fake induction sound and but there's still a fair bit of road and wind noise. It's definitely an improvement but won't suddenly make your car a Lexus.

[ayilar]

Originally Posted by edj

The cap is easy to put on/take off. (...)

The threaded plug solution would be more difficult to remove. I would take
it easy removing it as the end of the sound tube is soft rubber and I am
not sure how securely it is fastened. I might be possible to tear something.

Thank you! I did not realize that the Hillman plug would go around (i.e., on top of) the sound pipe hole -- I had thought that both types of plugs (Hillman and threaded) would go inside the tube, hence my worry. I like the Hillman much better -- Lowe's had them as pairs for $1.70, but the sales guys who found the drawer for me managed to find a bag that had one missing and I got it, all done, for half that price.

Evaluation: easy to put on and take off. The sound reduction is amazing -- my passenger could not believe the difference that such a small mod made. IMHO, for someone who commutes, this may well be a no-brainer. As for me, after driving my BRZ spiritedly for half an hour with the cap on, I started missing the "shrieking" of the engine above 4-5k rpm. When I go on a cross-country tour this summer, I may well put it on for days when I'll be driving a lot; for the shorter drives until then, though, I'll keep the cap off and the sound pipe unhindered.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by P5yk0t1c

Thanks to the OP for this simple fix...I can't believe the difference in somthing so simple!

I found some that fit perfectly at Canadian Tire. They were in the car section under "Panel Trim Fasteners" DORMAN is the name brand and the part number was 45092 and says "GM" in a yellow package.

Finally found this in stock. Perfect fit, thanks!!

[notout86]

Is there anything wrong with stuffing a lump of BluTac in the hole? Can it get sucked back up the tube and cause a problem?