Can you hear the intake sound with the Sound Actuator enabled?

[Thomas312]

Hi everyone,

I recently became the owner of a Seat Leon ST 300 Performance. The car is great—it’s a fantastic all-rounder. However, I do miss a bit of turbo noise. After doing a lot of research on this forum, I’ve learned that the R600 intake offers the best results in terms of power. But I’d prefer more sound over optimal power. So, I see two options:

1. A different air intake
2. The DVX diverter valve

My Leon has a Sound Actuator, which I don’t want to disable. So, I’m wondering if there are any owners here who have experience with a modified intake system combined with the Sound Actuator. Does the Sound Actuator overpower the turbo noise, or is the turbo still clearly audible?

I’d love to hear your experiences! Thanks!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Congratz fellow dutchman I dont have the sound actuator, but you need an open intake for "some" turbo noises. Im running the GFB DV+ T9381 (closed) diverter valve with a RamAir oversized intake

If you want to experiment on a budget, you can try the Aliexpress 100 euro intake

 

[Thomas312]

Haha da’s toevallig! Nog ff reactie in Engels, anders ff PB-en?

Thanks for your reply! Maybe I’ll start with a diverter valve upgrade. With the one you have, can you clearly hear the turbo blow-off? Is that the loudest option available?

 

[tracktoy]

If you are after noise would you not want a blow off valve.

Just as a matter of interest why do you not want to delete the sound actuator, Personally I much prefer the real DSG Farts over the actuator noise.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Lets keep talking in English

If you are after blowoff, then look at blowoff valves. I dont know if you need to get it mapped if you run a blowoff valve. With my MK1 Leon Cupra, you needed to map out the MAF, else it would go into limp mode as the system detects it as an air leak.

I agree with @tracktoy btw

 

[Thomas312]

When I bought the car, I had just folded the rear seats down to fit an extra set of wheels. That’s when I got the impression that the GPF filters are killing most of the sound—I only heard a very faint turbo spool from the exhaust.

From what I’ve read, exhaust modifications mainly add drone rather than actual exhaust noise, and since I often have two young kids in the back, I don’t want to subject them to that. That’s why I started looking for other solutions.

But if a blow-off valve (BOV) risks triggering fault codes, that’s not an option for me either. So, I guess I’ll have to explore a modified intake setup instead.

 

[tracktoy]

Sorry did not realize you had the GPF fitted, yes I agree from what I have read you cant do much with the exhaust.

Open cone filters on my 280 certainly added to the sound of the turbo

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Same here, forgot that the later models have GPF fitted. Again, I dont know if a BOV on this platform risks a code My 2015 ST 280 does not have a MAF btw, so might be worth a try? You can also buy a sandwich plate for some BOV sounds. That also doesnt have to cost much and is very easy to try out.

You don't need to upgrade your DV with this plate off course. The GFB is also more a reliability upgrade than a pure performance upgrade if you ask me.

Something like this:

BEVINSEE Atmosphärisches Entlüftungsventil-Distanzstückadapter für Audi A3 8V A4 B9 A5 8W TT S3 RS3 für VW für Golf Mk7/7.5 GTI/R 1.8T 2.0T - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

aliexpress.com

Link to the intake:

Auto Modifikation teile Intake änderung kit Für Seat Leon für Audi A3 TT S3 VW Golf GTI MK7 Passat Touran Jetta EA888 2,0 T - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

nl.aliexpress.com

I bought the intake at a dutch webshop for 115 euros inc shipping. In the meantime they have upped the price to 149 euro (ex shipment)

SK-Import Cold Lucht Inlaat Aluminium Audi,Seat,Volkswagen | Fullcartuning.nl

Bestel de SK-Import Cold Lucht Inlaat Aluminium Audi,Seat,Volkswagen nu bij Fullcartuning om jouw auto te tunen! Kwaliteitsproducten van de beste merken.

fullcartuning.nl

 

[tracktoy]

agreed on the GFB, The stock item had lots of issues and this was one of the first things I fitted to my motor.

 

[Thomas312]

Got it! I’ll order the **GFB DV+ T9381 (closed) diverter valve**.

The price of the air intake actually seems reasonable to me! I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about the Integrated Engineering intake, but it’s over eight times more expensive! Does the SK Import version cause any issues in hot weather or higher outside temperatures?

Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

The Ali intake does not fit 100%, you will need some adjustments here and there. For the money it isnt bad! I adjusted it further so I could fit a bigger filter (trimmed a couple of cms of the intake pipe).

In the end I bought the RamAir, but it wasnt really necessary

 

[Thomas312]

Is there a difference between the SK version and the one from AliExpress? I’m not super handy myself, so I’d rather buy something that fits perfectly right out of the box.

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I just read in your thread that they’re actually the same. What modifications are involved? What’s your experience with it?

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Nope, 100% the same. Only the brand on the box (and price) is different

Check 24Tuned, they are a great webshop for NL

Open Cold Air Intakes Archieven

Open Cold Air Intake kopen van de beste kwaliteit? Bij 24TUNED vind je upgrade open air intakes van populaire merken. Snel bij je thuisbezorgd.

24tuned.com

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Is there a difference between the SK version and the one from AliExpress? I’m not super handy myself, so I’d rather buy something that fits perfectly right out of the box.

——

---

I just read in your thread that they’re actually the same. What modifications are involved? What’s your experience with it?

2 Things I remember
- The bracket on the intake pipe does not line up with the bolt hole on the engine block, needs adjusting
- Therefore the intake pipe on the silicone joiner on the turbo elbow fits under a little bit of stress

The silicone reducer will hold the intake pipe, but this fitment could be a lot better

 

[Thomas312]

The Ramair filter and GFB DV+ T9381 are now installed, and the sound is exactly what I was hoping for! With the window slightly open, the turbo sounds are clearly audible. With the windows closed, it’s naturally more subdued, but under load, you can still hear it. Even with the Sound Actuator enabled. I highly recommend these mods!

Thanks for all the advice and input!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@Thomas312 Nice work and thanks for leaving feedback. Enjoy!