SD, you've instantly messed up 2k's self esteem. It's not about HP, and it's not even about the realities of whether desnorkeling is louder. it's about making his wife happy by doing something free to make the car sound--or appear to sound--louder. Perception is reality.
There's no urgent need to destroy someone's perception here, is there?
If 2k and 2k's wife
think it sounds louder, what's the harm?
I wanted a louder engine and went to the trouble to desnorkel myself... and wouldn't you know it, one of the previous two owners beat me to it! Dang. It's as loud as its gonna get without spending money.
Hence, my quest for a used muffler I can take to a muffler shop and get me some of those bypass pipes welded onto it to make it FAR LOUDER.
Hey, you know what all this reminds me of? We can stick our noses up in the air because we own Porsches, but the truth remains. We still have a little ricer in us that wants a louder sound eminating from our cars.