[Revolve40]

This is a good question. Based on the below, it does appear that these foam pads are designated as 'Sound Insulation'. I'd be willing to pull them off and see (provided they are easily reinstalled). I'd like to be able to hear it a bit more.

The real question is do they also function to keep the mechanical bits warm as they turn on and off frequently in hybrid mode.

 

[Revolve40]

In a V60 PE review, Doug DeMuro claimed that the foam padding is for pedestrian impact safety (take this with a grain of salt). Makes sense though since it's a Volvo.

I saw that and wasn't sure if he was making a joke or not. It's probably some combination of safety, sound insulation, and heat retention.

 

[Revolve40]

An aftermarket intake will increase supercharger whine. Vaitrix, etc.

Removing the foam vanity cover will primarily provide more DI injector and valvetrain noise. Not desirable.

Not talking about the 'valve cover' - talking about the sound insulation the wraps around the supercharger (items 4, 5, and 11 in the parts schematic).

 

[Revolve40]

I have the GruppeM intake and the increase in noise is subtle at best.

Vaitrix is definitely still in business. Just email them.

I’m not convinced that removing the supercharger sound insulation would be problematic. This type of insulation has been tinkered with by other factory s’charged communities for a while. I played with it a bit this weekend and, while I felt like I could squeeze it out, I was concerned about being able to reseat it if I ever needed to.

 

[Revolve40]

There's a guy in Sweden I follow on Instagram with a V60 PE testing one of their prototypes for the past few months. He claims it makes more of a difference than the high flow drop in filter he had and posted some 0-60 time tests. Who knows... I just want more intake sound.

Given the GruppeM intake is basically the same design, don't get your hopes up with respect to increased intake noise. I *maybe* noticed a slight difference.