What do you look for in 'Noise'?

[VeegasRS6]

Just a bit of musing on what floats people's boats on the noise of their cars.

I've got a V10 RS6 and one of the most disappointing things on it was the standard exhaust and general noise when pressing on, the bellow is quickly replaced by induction noise from the two turbos spooling up until the very top end of the rev range.

I quickly replaced the standard exhaust with a Milltek Resonated system, alongside some panel filters which has helped with a bit more of a bass rumble and induction noise, but just replaced one of the resonated centre sections with a non-resonated centre section to free up some more of raspiness of the engine, which I think has got it about right. It's not ASBO loud or annoying (but does rattle the front door in the morning) but now feels and sounds like a V10.

What does everyone look for in their engine noise, apart from volume?

[Malcster]

For me its pops and bangs on overrun.
Nothing like that sounds coming into a bend!

[s m]

Malcster said:

For me its pops and bangs on overrun.
Nothing like that sounds coming into a bend!

Aural theatre

[vournikas]

Ever since having an older Jag as a weekend barge about ten years ago, I love big straight sixes.

"Cultured" is how I would describe a road-going I6.

"Sonorous" for a racing I6.

[Daston]

For me it's character. The rx has that rotary uneven idle, followed by a sports bike like engine tone through the revs with the odd pop, bang from the exhaust and whistle of the turbos.

[George111]

Radio 4 !

[Leins]

I'll probably never better the intake noise from my old CSL. I do quite fancy a bit of AMG V8 next though

[MrBarry123]

I'm a fan of 4 cylinder engines because they sound like they're having to try hard in the upper range of the Rev range. For me a slightly strained engine note sounds good.

[Wills2]

Induction.

[Hoofy]

swerni said:

I do love the deep growl of a V8 and the off beat ticker over of a lumpy cam.

And the less high tech the better.

https://youtu.be/Tzw79Zt37b0

When it's too... hmm... modern, it's loses its edge.

This isn't bad! https://youtu.be/3ZiLTMCY4_Q

Edited by Hoofy on Wednesday 23 March 20:58

[InductionRoar]

A deep rumble you feel in your chest or a high pitched scream that makes the hairs on your neck stand up.

A V8 M3 I heard the other day had both - a deep bass thrum at low revs which manifested into a crescendo of treble at the top end. I was in exactly the right place at the right time and I can't imagine ever tiring of that noise (it wasn't standard).

[sinbaddio]

No kids, and the R129 500SL.

[OldGermanHeaps]

As little of it as possible. My ideal is warp speed in complete silence. I hope tesla get round to making a van with a 300 mile range and model s performance one day.

[Heathwood]

I like quite a tight, controlled, cultured and musical note; not a great fan of American style v8 woofle, including moderns manufactured with a similar sort of note I.e. AMG, jag F type V8. Also prefer induction to exhaust noise.

[Toltec]

s m said:

Malcster said:

For me its pops and bangs on overrun.
Nothing like that sounds coming into a bend!

Aural theatre

Providing it isn't overdone, yes. Coming off a wide or near wide open throttle from above medium rpm, but not every lift.

A V8 with a somewhat lumpy idle that transitions through bass growl, to reverberating snarl, to bellowing roar and finishing the last thousand rpm to the red line at a full howl.

TVR nailed it - well perhaps with a big valve head and a camshaft change.

The big MB and LS engines sound good, but rev out just as they sound like they are coming on song. Fettled Lexus v8 sound rather good.

[DS197]

Malcster said:

For me its pops and bangs on overrun.
Nothing like that sounds coming into a bend!

I agree with this. Especially on down changes and the huge bang you get once in a while changing up which makes people turn around in shock

[giblet]

A nice deep rumble with some pops and bangs on the overrun. Currently researching exhausts to find the best setup for the ISF as the stock exhaust is far too quiet. Looks like a dual setup with an x pipe is the way forward. Adding cutout valves for the times when I want to be a tad anti social. If I could replicate the sound of a stock C63 then I'd be happy!

[Klippie]

Is there a better noise than this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa5ivpJwmIQ

[InductionRoar]

Klippie said:

Is there a better noise than this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa5ivpJwmIQ

Corvette?

[JJ55]

A c63 estate that drives round my way is my new favourite noise wise. The sound of that v8 is incredible. So much so I'm seriously considering buying one in the next couple of years when prices drop a bit more.