I have a 97 chev s10, 4 cyl. Its very noisy(engine). Has a new muffler and cat/conv. Could the noise ?

Question

be from the cool air filter? I guess it's like one of those K&N types. Is it possible that it would be normal sounding if I replaced with the factory air cleaner? Thanks

Answer 1

Could be, but you should be able to narrow down where the noise is comming from.  What kind of noise is it?  A steady swoosh of air flowing ?  The squeal of slipping belt?  The clunk of metal on metal ? (thats bad)  

Answer 2

AIr noise can come from the intake side of the engine. Sometimes it sounds cool, other times it sounds like a vacuum cleaner that needs the bag changed. Take a look at a some intake systems on stock cars. They tune these things and add little chambers off the sides at different places to change/reduce the noise. Change to the stock intake and the noise should diminish.

Answer 3

if the noise is a hissing basically, then yes the air filter could be at fault. if the noise is anything else like a vibration or a load pulsing (exhaust noise is what i am trying to describe), then you could have a damaged exhaust manifold, or pipe between the cat and the manifold could have damage to it, there are just so many potential causes for noise. you could have a poor weld on the cat for that matter.