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Suggestions for hearing more turbo noise (2019 1.5T)

6745 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Mynewbu87
Looking for advice and suggestions for making my turbo more noticable sound wise.
Been looking around, cant seem to find any details to the cold air intake that is specific to my 1.5L V4 malibu.
Would greatly appreciate the help.
I've watched videos that suggest doing a straight down pipe where the turbo exhausts the hot air and installing an after market cold air intake. Even read getting an after market exhaust kit.
How much is necessary for the desired affect and how much of is purely for the sake of "money is no object"?
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The turbo noise is muffled by the factory intake. If you want more engine induction and turbo blow-off noises, you'll need to modify the intake. The problem is that the base engine (1.5T) can be pretty touchy with modifications (throws codes) and the 2018 and up Malibu 1.5T has a locked PCM and cannot be tuned to prevent that.

Please use titles that describe your topic when starting threads. Just stating the Malibu you own doesn't tell people anything.

Also, your engine is an inline 4-cylinder (written i4 or L4) not a V4.
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The turbo noise is muffled by the factory intake. If you want more engine induction and turbo blow-off noises, you'll need to modify the intake. The problem is that the base engine (1.5T) can be pretty touchy with modifications (throws codes) and the 2018 and up Malibu 1.5T has a locked PCM and cannot be tuned to prevent that.

Please use titles that describe your topic when starting threads. Just stating the Malibu you own doesn't tell people anything.

Also, your engine is an inline 4-cylinder (written i4 or L4) not a V4.
Thanks, much appreciated. ?
Since when did noise equate to power or performance? Just curious..
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Since when did noise equate to power or performance?
I don't see anyone here suggesting it does. I think this quest was just noise. I don't know what drives someone to want something to sound like struggle but to each their own (as long as I don't have to hear it).
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Your correct, there wasn't I guess I just reacted to it like I do around town when I see a POS with a loud exhaust.
I replaced the stock air filter with a K&N and my 20 LT seems more responsive. Heard the blow off the first Day but haven’t after. Mass airflow sensor may have adjusted by second day.
I replaced the stock air filter with a K&N and my 20 LT seems more responsive. Heard the blow off the first Day but haven’t after. Mass airflow sensor may have adjusted by second day.
I bet you shaved half a second off your 0-60 with that enhanced response time. The oil on the K&N will help lubricate the CVT chain so it runs quieter and faster. If you get going on LED headlights you might shave another half second once the MAF adjusts for the cooler light.
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C’mon.
just get an aftermarket intake, it makes a huge difference for sound. idk why people are upset with your decision to get more turbo noise on your car lol
I got a K&N intake and i hear boost noises all day. For me personally, the Malibu is sooo quiet i feel like I need the noise response to match my throttle input or something feels off. But then again this car was made to be as quiet and comfortable as possible so it makes sense that we run into dead ends when trying to make it loud and rowdy.
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Generally speaking, the crowd that owns a Malibu is older than a Millennial, and coupled with the limited aftermarket support, they don't tend to "rice out" their jalopies as much as you find in other models.

For instance, buying the smaller Cobalt or Cruze, which appeals to persons who are more rowdy themselves, you find more aftermarket support and sportier packages available straight from Chevy. To get something like it in a Malibu, you have to go to Buick, which most rowdy folks consider to be too refined, so they don't rice them out.

More sound from the intake and/or exhaust is not a bad thing. We just tend to steer folks toward things that keep folks inside the car from going deaf, such as by going with a straight pipe. I'm on my 3rd Gen7 V6, and I made the first 2 breathe better, which made them a little noisier, but nowhere near a ricer's level of obnoxious.

Anyone can do what they want, and sharing it here will get some remarks and opinions, but in the end, it's your car. Do with it what you want. As with any choice you make in life, along with it may come the arrows of those who disagree. If you're not willing to suffer them, either don't share your opinion or don't make the modification.
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and realize someone may have been giving you some good natured ribbing...

Bill
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I realize I'm chimming in late here but....I think tasteful mods to a car even the malibu are fine...I will say I am imperfect and quick to judge sometimes when I see(hear) a nice car that should have just been left alone. I got the malibu Premiere with a realistic notion of its limits. Luxury Performance and enough space for me (6'2") my wife son and dogs(and now my wife is pregnant). Too each there own but realize also this is a car forum so personalities and opinions exist.
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