It is load dependent, but up to a certain point. If I am on the highway where I just need to touch the throttle to maintain speed, the noise is nonexistent. Otherwise accel/decel is audible. I also hear it at lower speeds as well.


I do have full exhaust and pretty aggressive sound insulation, so the engine noise is pretty well mitigated. Louder mufflers, loud fuel pump, windows down, etc it wouldn't be problem, but I am trying to make the car the best it can be all-around.


I am going to put some 85w-140 in it and run it, accept it for what it is. I can't justify tearing into the gears to just double-check pinion bearing preload which I had already double-checked before. I'll just chalk it up to it being a hot rod part and there's going to be variance in the parts which I cannot control.