Has Anyone Measured Their Noise Levels?

[Veero 1]

Well Longlife fitted a complete system to the Mi. Very pleased with the workmanship after a good inspection it looks like they did a solid job, however it is just too damn loud.

 

I specifically asked for "factory quiet" since I wanted to be able to cruise up and down the motorway if necessary without being deafened. Now I am almost put off using it because of the drone. For some people it would be perfect I'm sure, it's not too bad driving around normally but on enthusiastic drives where the revs stay high for long periods it gets a bit overwhelming, but then again I do have sensitive hearing (not for much longer if Longlife has anything to do with it).

 

Anyway I am wondering if anyone has ever taken noise level readings from inside their 205 whilst driving (obviously getting a passenger to record them)?

 

Doing a bit of research reveals that permanent hearing loss/damage can result from prolonged exposure to sound levels of 80dB or more. I have borrowed a sound level measurer from work and plan on doing some snooping in the next few evenings.

 

Does anyone in the Gloucester area have a totally standard 205 GTi or an Mi16 equipped one with a standard exhaust on that wouldn't mind taking me on a passenger ride so I can gauge what "factory quiet" actually is?

 

The exhaust is better than the old one, and I do really want to keep it, but it's almost making me want to sell the 205 so I have to get it sorted or make Longlife quieten it even more than they have already.

 

Cheers

Veero

[large 33]

Just take it back to long life they should sort it foc.

[spark-plug 1]

too right i bet it wasent cheap either take it back

[Veero 1]

It's already been back once. I want to go armed with some concrete evidence of what "factory quiet" should actually be, not just some opinion of the fitter at the time.

 

Also they said last time that they had put the biggest silencer on they could fit...

[wildejon 7]

I've started wearing ear plugs in mine. Measurements from outside are 99db at 3/4 revs, seems even louder inside to be honest!

[MrG 3]

mine is a magnex back box but std system otherwise and it measures frequently track side 89db. Quite loud above 4k but then again I do run carbs and solid mounts etc so noise and vibration transmits easily into the cabin.

 

just thought, could you not look at adding some more sound proofing somewhere in the car, for eg under the boot mat, under the rear seats etc?

[rescue dude 0]

Turn ya stereo up.

[Cameron 16]

Yep! Unfortunately there's always going to be a particular rev range where a straight-through system will be loud and boomy. The only way to sort it is to either fit multiple silencers, fit a resonator box or quarter-wave tube, or just stop whining and live with it.

[shalmaneser 26]

maybe the solution is more sound deadening inside? It might add a bit of weight but should be worthwhile and make a big difference. Isn't there some liquid stuff available nowadays that's supposed to be good?

[Veero 1]

or just stop whining and live with it.

 

I just don't fancy having tinnitus. Thanks.

 

As for the point in the rev range, there will always be a boomy point yes, but surely it's possible to not have to have it at perfect cruising revs for motorway driving.

[rescue dude 0]

Have you tried checking your exhaust mounts/rubbers?

[Batfink 201]

how many silencers do you have and what size tailpipe?

[willmounsey 1]

I just don't fancy having tinnitus. Thanks.

 

And I dont blame you,

 

I have tinnitus, it was about 5 years ago when i was diagnosed with it and its not the nicest of things to have to make do with for the rest of your life, trying to sleep it the worst part.

 

Will

[Cameron 16]

Oh whine whine whinge! I've had tinnitus my whole life, comes with partial deafness and s*it balance, do you hear me complaining about my exhaust!?

 

Yes it is possible, you have to have the silencer volume the right size to deal with the particular frequency you're want to attenuate. Unfortunately that involves either a whole lot of trial and error, or noise analysis and a lot of maths! You'll find the only people who will go to such lengths are OEM's. In my whole placement at BTB there was only one customer who had his car noise analysed and a system specially designed (by me!) and that was a race prep'd 360 Modena, it definitely wasn't cheap!

[welshpug 1,657]

get bigger/longer centre box, makes a fair difference, also keep the tailpipe size down to the same as the bore if not a tad smaller.

[Veero 1]

Well whoop diddy do for you Cameron, there's no need to be quite such a sarcastic arse in every single one of your replies.

 

Currently on the system are 2 silencers, the tail pipe is 3" (will check) and it has an outwards rolled tip.

 

Exhaust rubbers are all brand new, firm but not rock solid.

 

Off for a spin later to actually record some noise levels...

Edited May 1, 2010 by Veero

[MrG 3]

well it sounds like a few of us suffer, however Veero, may I ask what was the cost of this system? (if you don't mind me asking)

[welshpug 1,657]

mine cost £280 a few years ago, Tailpipe on mine is 2.5" slash cut, mild sport IIRC it was described as.

 

I lined my boot parcel shelf and bootlid inner trim panel with Dynamat when I had a dying standard exhaust, made a world of difference

 

unfortunately I have no way to measure the sound level, and definitely no way to measure it under load as it has no brakes !

Edited May 2, 2010 by welshpug

[Cameron 16]

Chill out, its just a bit of banter. I have tried to be helpful as well as smart arsed though, you're welcome.

[Veero 1]

Anyhoo, measured it all on Sunday.

 

85dB inside the cabin under load at 4000revs and since according to a government website permanent hearing loss can occur at prolonged exposure to 80dB+ sounds then frankly I'd rather be picky than deaf.

 

Interestingly I believe it will pass a noise check at Castle Combe, can anyone confirm it's 90-something dB for the pre-track test?

Edited May 4, 2010 by Veero

[SurGie 54]

And I dont blame you,

 

I have tinnitus, it was about 5 years ago when i was diagnosed with it and its not the nicest of things to have to make do with for the rest of your life, trying to sleep it the worst part.

 

Will

 

 

Tell me about it iv had three serious ops on my ears and both ring louder than the constant door bell ringing. Iv found that the busier i am the more i dont notice it and there is a new technology coming out to reset the brain if you like, as its the brain that causes it. The main thing for me is il never have any silence again until they fix it. Also have you tried having a special thing that makes bird noises and other noises so it distracts your brain when trying to sleep ? Iv heard that meditating can help as well.

 

Most cases are caused by loud music that the youth listen to too much with their headphones, loud car stereos and clubs etc. A big percentage of the population will have tinnitus at some point in their life, so be careful with your ears as its the most horrible thing ever, id prefer a leg missing tbh.

[Craigb 2]

Out of interest (mine mainly) , what is your sound level 0.5 m from the exhaust at 45 deg to the car ( this is one of the std ways of measuring dB(A) for motorsports)

 

A pass for a road rally at 4000 rpm is 98

at 2.0m from the centre of the car its 86

[Veero 1]

Yeah I used to take earplugs going out at uni and all that. If I didn't my ears would be ringing the whole day afterwards. You're right there is going to be a whole generation of deaf people soon or just those with serious hearing difficulties. Just like the chronic liver failure brigade, I imagine there will be some correlation between the two...

 

Where's a good place to get a length of soundproof matt stuff?

[Craigb 2]

Where's a good place to get a length of soundproof matt stuff?

 

Car builder solutions

[SurGie 54]

I heard that there will be a group buy of liquid soundproofing from DrS afaik.