Daily driving with a supercharger

[MiamiE93Vert]

I am considering an AA supercharger for my E93 and have concerns about installing one for daily driving. I am not worried about performance or the supercharger itself, just how it will sound during regular boring traffic, like when crawling to work in my commute or 2,000 rpm driving at partial throttle.

I know the sound will change and there will be a noise difference and a hiss or whine but how much? Louder than the radio at a reasonable level or a telephone conversation through the car speaker? Louder than the sound of the differential under regular driving? As long as the sound is not louder or on even volume with these activities for regular driving I am ok. When accelerating or spirited driving I don't care, all bets are off at that point.

Any input you can share, especially for AA supercharger owners or from E93 drivers with the top down for comparison to the top up and windows closed, will be appreciated. Sound clips from in the cabin may be helpful but I don't think a sound clip will answer my questions since it would be hard to accurately record the difference.

Thank you!

[W Cole]

Originally Posted by MiamiE93Vert

I am considering an AA supercharger for my E93 and have concerns about installing one for daily driving. I am not worried about performance or the supercharger itself, just how it will sound during regular boring traffic, like when crawling to work in my commute or 2,000 rpm driving at partial throttle.

I know the sound will change and there will be a noise difference and a hiss or whine but how much? Louder than the radio at a reasonable level or a telephone conversation through the car speaker? Louder than the sound of the differential under regular driving? As long as the sound is not louder or on even volume with these activities for regular driving I am ok. When accelerating or spirited driving I don't care, all bets are off at that point.

Any input you can share, especially for AA supercharger owners or from E93 drivers with the top down for comparison to the top up and windows closed, will be appreciated. Sound clips from in the cabin may be helpful but I don't think a sound clip will answer my questions since it would be hard to accurately record the difference.

Thank you!

I have a coupe but with the windows down I can't tell any noise difference.

[BombaE90]

I have an AA stage 2 and daily drive the car, also in Miami. Car is great, and the supercharger whine is not noticeable inside the car. Outside you can hear it a bit, which is cool.

I'm literally on the phone for work for almost every minute I'm in the car on week days. The only comments I get when on the phone is from the exhaust because I've got the cat delete as well.

[JsL]

Originally Posted by BombaE90

I have an AA stage 2 and daily drive the car, also in Miami. Car is great, and the supercharger whine is not noticeable inside the car. Outside you can hear it a bit, which is cool.

I'm literally on the phone for work for almost every minute I'm in the car on week days. The only comments I get when on the phone is from the exhaust because I've got the cat delete as well.

Do you have a constant whistle from the BoV? I would think the AA kit is the loudest (whistle) at partial throttle. It has the BOV that vents to atmosphere instead of recirculating into the intake, so you will hear a constant whistle.

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by JsL

Do you have a constant whistle from the BoV? I would think the AA kit is the loudest (whistle) at partial throttle. It has the BOV that vents to atmosphere instead of recirculating into the intake, so you will hear a constant whistle.

I will chime in here....

I originally had a AA SC installed on my daily driver. Personally, it got old quickly. The system has three BOV's and the constant hiss was too much for me. There are many who find it appealing and like that aspect, but it comes down to personal choice. Partial throttle, full throttle....it was always there. I simply couldn't handle it. I sold the setup and moved to ESS and couldn't have been happier. Many have spoken about the ESS system and how it feels like a stock setup and I would personally support that claim from my own experience. In addition to the noise, there were other factors that had me favour the ESS over the AA, but we will leave those items out as you wanted feedback on the BOV.

Best of luck with your decision.

[thetastelingers]

I've got AA on my car and while I like a lot about this setup, I don't care much for the meth injection.
If I had a daily, I wouldn't run a setup with meth. The whole filling it up all the time would get old.
My old car had a VF setup on it. I had no complaints.

[Patrón]

partial throttle, normal driving will not make any odd noises compared to a stock car. the aa kits have blow off valves but they are not that loud under normal driving. at least what iv'e heard in person.
just want to add that i've daily driven my car for two years and it's been absoutely perfect (other than replacing two O2s.)

[Mvy]

You are going to notice it more in a vert top down than others who have coupes or saloons. But holy crap its fun to daily a SC car in my opinion. I dont mind the sounds.

[BombaE90]

Originally Posted by JsL

Do you have a constant whistle from the BoV? I would think the AA kit is the loudest (whistle) at partial throttle. It has the BOV that vents to atmosphere instead of recirculating into the intake, so you will hear a constant whistle.

I've never noticed the whistle, but I like the BOV sound at WOT. I love this kit.

[azndrunk74]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

I will chime in here....

I originally had a AA SC installed on my daily driver. Personally, it got old quickly. The system has three BOV's and the constant hiss was too much for me. There are many who find it appealing and like that aspect, but it comes down to personal choice. Partial throttle, full throttle....it was always there. I simply couldn't handle it. I sold the setup and moved to ESS and couldn't have been happier. Many have spoken about the ESS system and how it feels like a stock setup and I would personally support that claim from my own experience. In addition to the noise, there were other factors that had me favour the ESS over the AA, but we will leave those items out as you wanted feedback on the BOV.

Best of luck with your decision.

Curious, do you have MT or DCT?

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by azndrunk74

Curious, do you have MT or DCT?

This was on a previous car which was a manual.

[azndrunk74]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

This was on a previous car which was a manual.

gotcha. was always curious if the constant hiss was a DCT only thing. i do get it as well with my BOV, but only off throttle and it is manageable.

[schnell1982]

I love the sound !
To me it is not overbearing at all.
The ESS kit I do not like the sound of the blower they use. The bearing sound it makes bothers me. Even tho it is normal for that style
I prefer the AA kit
But, I have not heard a Harrop kit yet in person

[becausephilchow]

I've got a Harrop, and I DD the car.

Whine is loud, but I don't mind it. Windows up with the music on, can't hear it too much inside the cabin anyways. It's quite loud on the outside though, but, I don't mind, haha.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Buy an ESS 625 kit and don't look back. No weird BOV noises to sound like a boy racer and super reliable. Easier to install, service etc. You'll love the extra torque the SC gives during your daily commutes.

[TTony]

Originally Posted by ham_sammich

Buy an ESS 625 kit and don't look back. No weird BOV noises to sound like a boy racer and super reliable. Easier to install, service etc. You'll love the extra torque the SC gives during your daily commutes.

This. I have the ESS 625 as well and recommend. Even pulling up to a car meet people could not hear it had a supercharger over the Akra exhaust at all. I cannot hear it from inside either. My personal preference is no whining at all and I'm happy with the sounds on the ESS 625.

[JsL]

Here's a video I came across that shows how the AA kit sounds like driving around town.

[u2b]https://youtu.be/VfY009ejpdA[/u2b]