i cant quite remember what the engine sounded like new, since i threw on exhaust and cats and pop-charger after 1200 miles, but now that i have since removed those things, i notice my engine is loud.

loud would be fine, if it sounded normal, but the loudness seems to mainly sound more like a vibration or knocking when accelerating in between 2-3500 rpm rather than the natural whirring of the engine. i mean im afraid to hit the gas hard at all because i feel like im gonna hurt it. at first i thought it was just the reverb from the exhaust but its not, its definitely coming from the engine.

i only put Chevron Supreme in my car and the car sounds normal with the windows down and has that typical growl, but with the windows up and radio off i cringe when i hit the gas.

also, i had previously installed a crawford plenum along with the other mods, but had a vaccuum leak. but i quickly fixed that a day later by getting everything returned to stock.

the car has been stock now for about 8000 miles, and i just always figured the sound was normal, and didnt want to bother asking such a stupid question at the dealership. but its really starting to bug me now. i owe 29k on the car still, and im now destined to pay this thing off w/in the year and get rid of it.

so is the engine naturally loud or what?

 

Depends on what you're comparing it to. I don't have any mods on my car except the z-tube and I think it's kind of loud. Not to the point where it bothers me though. But this is coming from an 02 Altima which isn't as quiet as a Camry, but the different is noticeable.

 

well, i had a '01 grand prix gt before this, and that was quieter than my G. and that had a 3.8

 

Are you due for an oil change?

Also, is it likely that, after removing the louder performance parts, you are simply hearing more of the engine (less of the intake and exhaust) than you were?

 

Find another G and listen to them side by side if you can.
Maybe drive to the dealer and ask to start one on their lot.
(if you don't tell them that you are listening to their engine you forgo your concern about asking a 'stupid question at the dealership')
Basically, any vibration/knocking noise from under the hood is something that should be paid attention to.

 

heres another thing, when i put the car in neutral and rev it up, the engine sounds normal, the vibrating/knocking noise only happens when its in drive...so im guessing it cant be something with the engine right??

 

Under no circumstances should your engine knock or vibrate. Take your car to your dealer immediately.

 

I'm having the same problem... any resolution yet? what has the dealer said?

 

...i am so lost...;
it might be the axle since you dont hear it when it's stopped but only when you are moving.
quite of few people had that problem(axle).
do you think it might be the axle? o_O?