What do you look for in 'Noise'?
Discussion
I'm going to say the E46 M3 in CSL guise is one of the better sounding engines I've owned as I currently own one and love the sound. However, that's not to say it's the best sounding engine ever. I do like the straight six BMW engines.
The LFA though probably takes it as one of the best sounding engines I've ever heard but I appreciate all sorts of engines with character and a good sound so by no means does this limit my tastes in engines.
The LFA though probably takes it as one of the best sounding engines I've ever heard but I appreciate all sorts of engines with character and a good sound so by no means does this limit my tastes in engines.
Not much this side of a Maserati sounds better than the fabulous V6 Busso engine in my Alfa GTV V6 3.0 24v. Lovely deep burble on tickover / up to about 2k revs, then put your foot down & it emits a wonderful deep metallic timbre which rises in pitch the higher up the rev-range you go. You never ever tire of it & feel compelled to wind the window down just to hear it better. But it never sounds strained or harsh or shrieky like in so many other cars, just sounds so natural. It is such a lovely old thing to hear & really adds to the pleasure of owning it. I guess it's helped as well being fitted with the Ragazzon rear exhaust. It's a travesty EU emission regs killed-off such a masterpiece of engineering. Old classic buildings get Grade 1 & 2 listed, why can't classic engines????
Definitely sounds better than my previous 6-cyl E46 M3-engined BMW Z4M Coupe I owned before it. And it's more responsive.
But for sheer blood, guts & thunder the best one I've heard is the unique V16 engine in the Cizeta V16T: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcb4iJ0ZHIo
Definitely sounds better than my previous 6-cyl E46 M3-engined BMW Z4M Coupe I owned before it. And it's more responsive.
But for sheer blood, guts & thunder the best one I've heard is the unique V16 engine in the Cizeta V16T: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcb4iJ0ZHIo
_Marvin said:
For me, pretty much any "interesting" engine. That can include inline 4s - plenty of race engines on ITBs that sound fantastic. What I'm less keen on is the sound caused by auto/flappy paddle gearboxes as you lose the wonderful sound that happens during the disconnect when shifting a manual gearbox - the change in tune and sound.
I'm with you on this. I'm lucky enough to own 2 cars which I love the sound of (and was a major purchase factor).355 with a decat capristo exhaust and an e46 M3 with carbon airbox and various other bits and bobs.
Both of them sound great to my ear and I also love that pause between gear changes.
Sometimes the anticipation of the next blast of sound is as good as the event itself.
I'd love a Zonda but will never happen, same with the LFA. Both for the noise.
One the most glorious sounds I've heard was my own TT600 with the Triumph race can. Totally inaudible, if you were over 4 miles away from it! Man did that thing give me a headache on the way back from Helmsley! Never again, but oh my, at 14'000 it just sang. Definitely not ASBO material, it wasn't invented back then.
Then I'd have to say my Triumph Daytona 955i with a Blueflame twin port. That got a lot of notice for the tone. Wouldn't touch the TT for volume which was a good thing, and lots lots more induction noise which was beautiful. I miss that sometimes.
But my favourite noises, although it's still an itch to scratch, have to be V4 bike engines. Close call between that and the old Quattro 5 cylinder turbo in group B (I'm lucky enough to have seen and heard one in the flesh, my god!) but that it doesn't quite match a beautifully setup V4 in a bike. Oooh yeah!
Then I'd have to say my Triumph Daytona 955i with a Blueflame twin port. That got a lot of notice for the tone. Wouldn't touch the TT for volume which was a good thing, and lots lots more induction noise which was beautiful. I miss that sometimes.
But my favourite noises, although it's still an itch to scratch, have to be V4 bike engines. Close call between that and the old Quattro 5 cylinder turbo in group B (I'm lucky enough to have seen and heard one in the flesh, my god!) but that it doesn't quite match a beautifully setup V4 in a bike. Oooh yeah!
John_S4x4 said:
I like engines with a bit of character, with different harmonics and tone throughout the rev range, both on the throttle and off throttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Omj6zxtIB0
That is utter filth, I want one!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Omj6zxtIB0
I did love my E46 M3 with evolve carbon airbox....man that thing just begged to be revved and made me giggle.
Now in an audi s5 V8 with milltek non res catback, it's fecking loud but never seems to offend. Noise is one of the most important factors when driving. It's like playing a symphony with your right foot....the wife always asks me to put my window up
I like noise.
Now in an audi s5 V8 with milltek non res catback, it's fecking loud but never seems to offend. Noise is one of the most important factors when driving. It's like playing a symphony with your right foot....the wife always asks me to put my window up
I like noise.Captainawesome said:
I did love my E46 M3 with evolve carbon airbox....man that thing just begged to be revved and made me giggle.
The S54 does sound great with a CSL/Carbon airbox 
https://youtu.be/6wJXsUsX6eo
Has to be the alfa busso V6. Fantastic sounding thing. Just a pity it was stuffed in crap for the last 15 years if its existence.
A V twin sounds good as well, specially on a morgan or some harleys.
Racing car wise, has to be the corvettes and the astons. Tingle down the spine when they go past.
And conversly, the silence of the Audi LMP1 cars.
A V twin sounds good as well, specially on a morgan or some harleys.
Racing car wise, has to be the corvettes and the astons. Tingle down the spine when they go past.
And conversly, the silence of the Audi LMP1 cars.
JordanTurbo said:
Captainawesome said:
I did love my E46 M3 with evolve carbon airbox....man that thing just begged to be revved and made me giggle.
The S54 does sound great with a CSL/Carbon airbox https://youtu.be/6wJXsUsX6eo
t 
White wheels though
Depends on the character of the car. If it's a Ferrari or Lambo it needs to be suitably high pitched and free revving. Whereas if it's something with a bit more muscle it needs a low rev burble and a much more guttural gruffness.
For me, the greatest road going exhaust note I've heard (from an OEM car) is the Lexus LFA. Merc SLS might come close though...
For me, the greatest road going exhaust note I've heard (from an OEM car) is the Lexus LFA. Merc SLS might come close though...
Anything with more than 4 cylinders.
Cars these days are so similar, in styling, level of quality etc I think it's difficult to really distinguish individual character. The engine is the beating heart of the car, and can help define individual character. Unfortunately all too often it's totally muffled.
For me I like it hard and raw (still on the subject of exhausts), plenty of induction, pops and crackles on the overrun, and plenty of revs help.
My e39 v8 was almost silent until I took the silencers off, then it was totally incredible, transformed the driving experience.
I like the fruity rasp of an r32 v6, the hard induction noise of a 911 or the even grittier tune from the flat 6 on the overrun. BMW straight 6s sound fantastic when freed up a bit. A gargly v8 is always a winner, it has to sound like it's gagging on its own fuel, the garglier the better . V10 it would be either carrera gt or lfa - just beautiful. An f50 on straight pipes I think narrowly pips a Zonda for the v12 stakes but is there anything as glorious as the flat 12 in a testarossa going full chat on straight pipes???
Cars these days are so similar, in styling, level of quality etc I think it's difficult to really distinguish individual character. The engine is the beating heart of the car, and can help define individual character. Unfortunately all too often it's totally muffled.
For me I like it hard and raw (still on the subject of exhausts), plenty of induction, pops and crackles on the overrun, and plenty of revs help.
My e39 v8 was almost silent until I took the silencers off, then it was totally incredible, transformed the driving experience.
I like the fruity rasp of an r32 v6, the hard induction noise of a 911 or the even grittier tune from the flat 6 on the overrun. BMW straight 6s sound fantastic when freed up a bit. A gargly v8 is always a winner, it has to sound like it's gagging on its own fuel, the garglier the better . V10 it would be either carrera gt or lfa - just beautiful. An f50 on straight pipes I think narrowly pips a Zonda for the v12 stakes but is there anything as glorious as the flat 12 in a testarossa going full chat on straight pipes???
For me:
4 cylinders it must be Honda VTec closely followed by Alfa Romeo AlfaSud Boxer engine
5 cylinders Audi Quattro
6 cylinders Alfa Romeo Busso
8 cylinders AM Vantage
10 cylinders Lamborghini
12 tough one to call between Ferrari and AM.
Then there is also Rotary which all sound awesome.
4 cylinders it must be Honda VTec closely followed by Alfa Romeo AlfaSud Boxer engine
5 cylinders Audi Quattro
6 cylinders Alfa Romeo Busso
8 cylinders AM Vantage
10 cylinders Lamborghini
12 tough one to call between Ferrari and AM.
Then there is also Rotary which all sound awesome.
I love a screamer. 
Anything high pitched, high revving NA for me. Had a few turbos over the years and although turbo chatter is a rather cool noise, my S2000 straining at 9k always gets me going.
Also the more generic noise of something loud and race-car-y echoing away in the distance, gradually getting louder and louder as is closes on you before popping into sight is spine tingling - great example in this video, always gives me goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxXtpMngivM Just the sound of a 787b alone is breathtaking.
Anything high pitched, high revving NA for me. Had a few turbos over the years and although turbo chatter is a rather cool noise, my S2000 straining at 9k always gets me going.
Also the more generic noise of something loud and race-car-y echoing away in the distance, gradually getting louder and louder as is closes on you before popping into sight is spine tingling - great example in this video, always gives me goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxXtpMngivM Just the sound of a 787b alone is breathtaking.
I was at Le Mans in 1991,the year Mazda won with 787b.
It was an amazing year for noise....
787. A scream like I had not heard before. And loud!
Jaguar XJR 12. 7.4 litre v12. A beautiful howl.
Spice. Cosworth DFV. Traditional howl.
Mercedes C11. Turbo 5.0 v8. A suprisingly deep rumble.
Amazed no one has mentioned the BRM V16. Usually voted best car noise in any given poll. Shame its misfiring on most recordings, I've heard it once or twice when 'on song' and it really is like nothing else.
For RUMBLE, a field of Can Am cars wins every time. Imagine 30 of the loudest,baddest TVR v8's turned up to 11.
Just one, idling in the pits, your chest is vibrating. When the field go past on the first lap,in close proximity.....
Free plug- get down to the silverstone classic in july, when they will be racing. And take ears plugs...
Little wonder I am going deaf
It was an amazing year for noise....
787. A scream like I had not heard before. And loud!
Jaguar XJR 12. 7.4 litre v12. A beautiful howl.
Spice. Cosworth DFV. Traditional howl.
Mercedes C11. Turbo 5.0 v8. A suprisingly deep rumble.
Amazed no one has mentioned the BRM V16. Usually voted best car noise in any given poll. Shame its misfiring on most recordings, I've heard it once or twice when 'on song' and it really is like nothing else.
For RUMBLE, a field of Can Am cars wins every time. Imagine 30 of the loudest,baddest TVR v8's turned up to 11.
Just one, idling in the pits, your chest is vibrating. When the field go past on the first lap,in close proximity.....
Free plug- get down to the silverstone classic in july, when they will be racing. And take ears plugs...
Little wonder I am going deaf
0 - Mazda 787b -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az39eqLIbyU
1 - Honda CG125 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd-OqR2airc
2 - Honda CB500 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlFj1Wf4sAk
3 - Toyota Aygo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsF1Y4LvxXo (no really lol)
4 - VHPD Rover K Series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iq97SGWkgw
5 - UR Quattro -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxVVenA-q4M
I6 - M3 CSL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umoRC_L7H_o
V6 - Tough one, but Mazda KLZE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTFUrJXhJlk (ford probe, mazda mx6, 626)
V8 flat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAC6vaJHxU
V8 Cross - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWCyA6sOU5s
V10 - Lexus LFA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP6Jk0YBslI
V12 - Ferrari 250GTO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmAus9MVzSo
V16 - BRM V16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnEA-m8cVcE
1 - Honda CG125 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd-OqR2airc
2 - Honda CB500 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlFj1Wf4sAk
3 - Toyota Aygo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsF1Y4LvxXo (no really lol)
4 - VHPD Rover K Series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iq97SGWkgw
5 - UR Quattro -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxVVenA-q4M
I6 - M3 CSL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umoRC_L7H_o
V6 - Tough one, but Mazda KLZE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTFUrJXhJlk (ford probe, mazda mx6, 626)
V8 flat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAC6vaJHxU
V8 Cross - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWCyA6sOU5s
V10 - Lexus LFA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP6Jk0YBslI
V12 - Ferrari 250GTO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmAus9MVzSo
V16 - BRM V16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnEA-m8cVcE
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