I always wondered about this, and I’m grateful for your reliable testing method. Thank you for the interesting things you post on your channel! Keep up your good work

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your support 👍. I appreciate you leaving a positive comment 😁. Anything specific you’d like to see in an upcoming video?

Chad, I am in Australia, and I purchased a brand new mx5 on Friday. I took it for a drive yesterday, and it sounds great to me. I love the ambient noises that surround me while driving the vehicle. As part of my research before purchasing my car, I've watched your videos, so thanks for your content.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Congratulations on the new car 🎆. And thanks for the watch and support 😁

Surprising yes I expected more of a difference. I'll probably do the same to my Miata in the spring as someone already mentioned worth it to clean up the engine bay

I found out about the sound tube delete shortly after I bought my 2020 mx5 RF GT in 2021. I did the delete (over priced grommet) and taped up the sound end. As one owner said, less weight to carry around. BTW it sounds just fine.

Totally agree. I could not notice any difference. Great video!

@TheLemonFactor

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😁

I actually added the sound tube to my automatic transmission ND1 Miata, and it added a nice touch of sound to the cabin with my Blitz Nur-Spec catback exhaust system. The automatic transmission models don't come with the sound tube from the factory, so it was a unique upgrade that I don't think most Miata owners would think of incorporating.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting 🧐. Did you install the sound tube before or after the exhaust?

@tommydavis102

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor I added the sound tube after the exhaust.

@HCChen86

9 ай бұрын

Mine is a German spec, not the highest trim level, so didn’t have the sound tube standard on my car. Drive my buddys ND with sound tube, kind of thinking too add it back and maybe enlarge the tube size

Great comprehensive video. I over-estimated the skills/reasoning of the Mazda engineers since they seemed to have put in a lot of time/effort into the sound tube, but it's really negligible.

@TheLemonFactor

Жыл бұрын

TY 😁👍

As an audiofile and someone who does soundproofing/dampening/absorbtion in cars: You should have done this test by parking the car somewhere where thare are no walls nearby(empty field or just somewhere where there's no walls within 25 foot radius to minimise additional sounds bouncing from the walls and back into the car cabin) and doing back-to-back tests in the same spot, wear the same clothes(sounds bounce off clothes differently) and use a camera mount in the same exact spot and hold the rpms at 2k, 3k, 4k, 5k, 6k and 7k while recording with and without the sound tube. Then transition the video clips while the RPMs are matched rather than a pause of silence between plays. Which makes it really hard to tell the difference if it isnt a major one. I do this myself before and after adding sound deadening in key areas and use a decible meter(a cheap one) to better see the differences and if adding more deadening is just a waste and should add sound absorbers instead(thick carpeting or foam sheets in the roof liner and doors)

I listened to this very carefully through a high-end stereo system on high volume. It was ever so slightly, and barely noticeably, different at high revs. I noticed no difference on start-up or low revs. Without the tube sounded less.... well... it just sounded less... Mazda developed and spent the time and effort for something... I thought the delete might be an initial mod for me, based on 'air noise', as reviewed in other vids, but no.... I have a 2021 GT ST and I will not be removing mine. It's almost unnoticeable, but I think leaving the tube installed does give a very, very slightly better note at high revs...Thank you very much for the vid! Saved me 30 bucks of regret, and 15 minutes of uninstall time.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

👍😁

@Daniel-rw2gy

2 жыл бұрын

With loud exhaust it won’t be noticeable.. he already has his exhaust modified in this video

@andrewstevenson6540

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, if it shed a few kilos it'd be worthwhile but I like mechanical noises and only listen to music if I'm slowly cruising.

@TheLemonFactor

Жыл бұрын

@Daniel - the exhaust is back to stock in this video.

Hi Chad, love watching your videos on the ND, keep up the great work. I did the delete on my nd1 back in 2019, back then it only had a axle back system on. But I noticed the difference instantly, it will not make a difference to the deeper tones but it removes that semi supercharger sound from the footwell. Some like it, some don't, it's all personal preference at the end of the day. But for very little money it will clean up the clutter in the engine bay.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Phil, Thank you for your support and feedback 👍😁

@Moriggia

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't remove it still but I could bet that the noise like a supercharger could be just the fake noise of the sound tube, I'll try to remove it.

It makes no sense to me why Mazda, who implemented something called “Gram Strategy” to cut weight in every way possible when it came to the ND Miata, would add this completely unnecessary and unwanted sound tube 🤯

I removed mine and for me personally it's a big difference. The sound that I heard (and annoyed me a lot) was a mechanical clicking & clacking and the air intake sucking in air. Once you start hearing it, you can't unhear it. At first I didn't even knew this tube existed and I genuinely thought something was wrong with the engine, until I discovered this little bastard.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

I do (did) hear that upon cold startup, but it would go away after 60 seconds or so.

@ryomai8063

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor Thank you for your reply man. I learned a lot from your channel. I could even hear when driving at certain RPM's or when gently accelerating. I did a big roadtrip last year and driving at 130km/h on the highway (in France it's legal) I could hear a continuous high pitch sucking sound from the intake. Especially when pushing the gas a little more. The roads are very good in France and the asphalt is very quiet.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

That could be the difference - I probably hear other road noises due to the fact that we have a lot of imperfect roads 🤷‍♂️

@Daniel-rw2gy

2 жыл бұрын

Yep I recall that noise for sure before I deleted

if you get the Goodwin race exhaust everyone in a 3 block radius will hear it from inside their car lol

@tuberculosisoxcart1685

6 ай бұрын

This is a true statement lol

@michaelmchenry8624

3 ай бұрын

@@tuberculosisoxcart1685 I second that motion....SuperStreet Twin Tip here....

I have a ND (2017 LE), and for me the difference is pretty dramatic. It cuts down on the ever-present higher frequency drone when idling or cruising, which really gets fatiguing on long drives. I think starting around 3500 rpm or when rowing through the gears it doesn't make a difference, which is cool. I want to hear the engine when I get on it. I just don't need it to sound so yappy when I'm driving around normally. On a side note, I wonder if they changed the sound tube to be less annoying in later model years, so the difference may not be so dramatic for some.

Hi Chad, I have ND1, I also did the noise delete and I selected the Verus Engineering Sound tube from flying Miata. There seem to be a slight difference. I think the conversations were easier between my passenger, not sure if that better.. so I would have to agree with you . Thanks .. Tony from Alberta

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Hope you’re doing well and staying warm 👍

Some of the roadsters in Japan don't come with the sound tube, so they see it as an accessory. Some go out of their way to install this accessory... They also change the "Roadster" emblem to "MX-5".

@craig8692

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, Angelo. If the car did not come with a sound tube enhancer, but Good-Win Racing or Flyin' Miata sold an aftermarket one, the online fan bois would be tripping over themselves to buy one!

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

🤣

@Dan-xj9vd

2 жыл бұрын

True! There is trend in Japan to get the MX-5 as ligth as possible. On their new model 2021 MX-5 S990, Mazda removed the sounfd tube, infosystem, hood liner, carpet. If they could they would have removed the wippers!

I'd do the delete on my 1.5 if there was any weight savings but the 2 bolts probably weigh as much as the sound tube.

I did the sound tube delete on my ND2. A very noticeable difference for the better! I wasn’t expecting much so it was a pleasant surprise. The ND2 is not a great sounding engine in my opinion. It doesn’t have a Porsche or BMW precision sound. It has more of a loud clatter. I added a sport exhaust which sounds much better without the “clatter” inherent of that engine. By the way, the ND2 actually sounds smoother inside the cabin now with the sound tube delete. It’s an easy and cheap DIY.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

👍

@1PITIFULDUDE

2 жыл бұрын

🙄😂🙄😂

@TheChenny73

2 жыл бұрын

I actually disagree in the sense the ND2 engine sounds great for a four cylinder. A four cylinder is never going to sound like a V8 or a straight six. How can you get a good listen? Put a Goodwyn Racing exhaust on and accelerate through a long tunnel. You will hear that ND2 engine just purrrr.

I removed mine, and I noticed a quieter ride with the top up. I do have a greddy exhaust which added back in some sound top up and top down.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

How do you like your Greddy exhaust?

Here's the "Before and After" results with and without the sound tube in place on a Stock 2019 MX-5 ND2 30th AE. Sound Delete parts were Genuine Mazda. I used a Realistic Sound Level Meter with "A Weighting" & "Slow for Average". Measured with the Soft Top closed at 60 mph. Decibels were as follows: Sound Tube in place 79 db's in 4th 78 db's in 5th 15 minutes later. Sound Tube deleted 78 db's in 4th 77 db's in 5th Since I had the equipment in, I opened the Soft Top and got the following readings: 82 db's in 4th 80 db's in 5th So there you have it. Not much of a difference with my decibel meter and not noticeable at least with my ears. Perhaps some with more sensitive equipment that can differentiate between volume and tone or with better ears but I could not.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

😮. Thanks for the info 👍

@Daniel-rw2gy

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not really about lowering the overall sound level but changing the way the sound is heard.. less mechanical noise with removed

I have a nd2. It is my 4th. I put mufflers on all the previous models. I tried one with thhis car and took it off, replacing the original. I have concluded that four cylinder engines just are not going to make good muffler sounds. I also think this model sounds better because the induction sounds. Since they are more pronounce when the roof is up, it seems logical to conclude the sound tube is the main reason. I was surprised at your results. There are some videos showing the sound difference with a cold air induction system that isn’t in a housing. They sound better and I am going to try one this spring. I am not unhappy with the existing sound. I may try a Goodwin Racing muffler with baffles but I don’t want the ricer sound as it seems like a poor effort to sound like a bigger engine.

@EG6chris

2 жыл бұрын

Disagree about 4 cylinder engines not making good sounds. See: S2000

@Twin.motors

2 жыл бұрын

@@EG6chris compares to V8s... There's no comparison

Honestly you’re not going to be able to hear it in recordings because the mic and our speakers aren’t good enough to pick that up.. but I did the delete pretty early on and the difference was very noticeable in person

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Not having to rely on the sound recordings, I found the only difference in sound being at startup / idle.

@Daniel-rw2gy

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor yeah cold engine startup I recall was noisiest, I did it 2 years ago so just going from memory

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

👍

I should add, the difference probably won’t be noticeable if you have loud exhaust already.. it’s very noticeable with the stock exhaust but likely not very audible with aftermarket exhaust on

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

I have the stock exhaust and still did not find any significant difference in sound.

Apart from the fact that the engine compartment is a bit tidier due to the removal of the sound tube, I can't tell any other difference. Greetings from #729 Anniversary from Baden near Vienna (Austria)

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Greetings #729 👋

Could you not just block the hose with a sponge and then re attach the hose?

Sound Tube removed, but for me the difference are very diffucult to note, at end I'm happy just to remove somethings not very necessary.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

I am surprised Mazda added the sound tube, when it’s barely noticeable 🤷‍♂️

Hey, but at least you removed some extra weight from the car ! :)

@TheLemonFactor

6 ай бұрын

😉👍

I think you saved most people the bother

@TheLemonFactor

3 ай бұрын

I hope people find the video helpful 👍

There's nothing wrong with the sound tube other than the agreed weight. There is a thin diaphragm between the intake and the cabin, which acts as a small non-amplified speaker to pass through some of the sound from the intake induction noise. On my OEM 2023 RF GTS the muffler was effectively silent, and almost impossible to hear the engine noise for use in rev matching. If anything, I could use more noise, so I swapped out the muffler so I could hear more of the engine tone.

They did it mainly for the Europe market because of all the regulations that have to figure solutions for. Since the MX5 is a global platform, it’s cheaper to equip all of them this way.

WOW lucky I found your channel I am just on the verge of ordering a new car. Either a 2022 RF Miata or Model 3 (or If I have to, a model Y so I can can get my bike in the back). I am aware of the major differences but if you had to pick one car (no kids etc) would you go for Model 3 or miata?

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Those are extremely different cars, with different target audiences. Tesla's, especially the "Performance" variants are very fast, but lack the visceral experience that I prefer. I do have a couple videos in which I reviewed the a Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor - if you haven't seen them, check them out. My openness with how I feel about the car wasn't well received with the Tesla fanboy community.

@hypnotechno

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor thanks chad I will check it out. I loved your steering wheel mod and will get one myself. I believe Evs will get better and cheaper over time but perhaps the miata is at its apex now so perhaps do or die with it

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

The steering wheel upgrade is my favorite mod - the stock wheel drove me crazy 😠

You should have swapped the sounds clips to fool those who claim they could hear a difference. 😁

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

😂

Kinda shows how pointless it was for Mazda to add it in the first place. If it actually added some nice induction sound I would of kept mine

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

So you didn’t notice a difference either? I tried really hard to, but… 🤷‍♂️

@justchillin619

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor just a small improvement yes. Since the intake tube only added slightly more engine noise

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Got it.

@jamiegarrod2237

Жыл бұрын

I deleted mine and haven’t regretted it at all

Did you put you GWR exhaust back on?

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

It’s totally stock!

I did the sound tube delete just to clean up the engine compartment. It is worth the $30 just for that. It just looks nicer when you open the hood without that wonky device running into the firewall.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

When you did the delete, did you notice a difference?

@robertdawson5303

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor I did not notice any difference. 2021 ND2 with Goodwin Racing RoadsterSport SuperStreet TwinTip so it is a bit loud already. Maybe more noticeable on a stock exhaust.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

👍

Yeah, it did sound like there is a difference but it's not enough to make it worth it. If I was in one with the sound tube and then got into another one without a sound tube the very next day and no one told me about it, I would not have noticed the difference at all. That being said, I don't know why Mazda spent time on the sound tube at all, it's not like the engine itself sounds amazing in a Miata for someone to want to hear that more inside the cabin lol.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

That's a good way to put it, and I totally agree.

Is "machine gray metallic" color really like that?

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

If you take a look at some of the other videos on the channel, with the Miata both in doors and outside, you’ll get a good sense of it’s color. It does look different in various light.

@giuliocanale

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor Which gray corresponds most to reality? Thank you in advance

All I here is the wind in my ears. Tops down unless it’s really pissing down

@TheLemonFactor

11 ай бұрын

As it should be 😉👍

The mystery of the sound induction tube resolved!? I had to remove it since I installed the Takeda cone filter box and could not notice the difference because the Magnaflow cat-back was already making too much noise to hear anything from the front of the car! 😄🙃

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

How do you like your air intake?

@Dan-xj9vd

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor Well, let's say that I needed to try it even if I had no faith to generate more power!

@Dan-xj9vd

2 жыл бұрын

@The Lemon Factor! LLC However it looks great and free lot of space under the hood. But still a lot expensive for what you can gain. I have an idea for one of your future video. I will send you an email with the details to keep the surprise for the audiance.

@ga6147

2 жыл бұрын

@@Dan-xj9vd Good to know. I'm putting on the a Goodwin Race as soon as the weather warms up and was thinking about the cone setup. Made a big difference sound wise when I put one on my wife's Wrangler. Actually enjoy the sound under acceleration. We'll see how it sounds after the exhaust. Enjoy the posts Chad.

Is your steering stock?

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

This is an aftermarket steering wheel! 😁👍

I can't really hear any difference in the video. My car is the GT automatic, so it came without a sound tube. To me the main advantage is that removing the tube cleans up the engine compartment a bit.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

I can send you my sound tube and you can install it to see if you notice a difference 😉

@JosephRampino

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor Thank you for your kind offer but I'm happy to keep it as is.

I guess if anything it cleans up the engine bay a bit.

@TheLemonFactor

Жыл бұрын

That’s one way to look at it 😉

I thought about removing the sound tube out of mine too but seems pointless. Leaving it there and save the $30 for gas ⛽️.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

Probably a good decision 👍

Sounds like it's worth deleting to just get the junk out of your way when needing access to anything under it.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

That’s true… it does remove a lot from the engine bay.

I just don't hear it. I'll probably be skipping this one.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

You’re not alone 🤷‍♂️

So basically all it does is at some lightening.

Cold ravving your car oh no oh no 🙈

The sound tube makes almost ZERO difference. Almost not worth even taking out. I can't hear any sound tube noise in my car . I wish I did really . As expected , after watching your video, I can't hear a difference at all. Zero difference.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

You’re not alone 🤷‍♂️

throw in n the trash

I couldn't hear any difference between 'Before' and 'After' drives. Online it's just a bunch of sheep pulling their sound enhancers off just to be one of the cool guys. It came with my car from Mazda, so it's going to stay installed under the hood.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

And elsewhere… we’re adding parts on to add sound.

@craig8692

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLemonFactor an axle-back exhaust, like my GReddy SP Supreme is all you need to negate the negligent sound tube noise.

@TheLemonFactor

2 жыл бұрын

I did enjoy the Greddy SP 😁👍