Ferrari 458

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Ex Boy Racer

Original Poster:

1,151 posts

192 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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Hi all. After a bit of advice...
I have had my 458 for about 2 months now, and we're not bonding. I'm wondering if I need to get it on a track to fall in love with it.
There's a Brands Hatch GP circuit day on soon - anyone know if the 458 gets through the noise test at Brands? My caterham was close, so really not sure about the Fezza.

IainF

149 posts

255 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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I attended a 105 dB day at Brands recently with RMA. There was one 458 there. It passed the static test but by lunch time it had left, so I'm guessing it failed on the drive-by. It did sound loud going past the pits. But you can always lift in the vicinity of the noise meters.

MikeO996

2,008 posts

224 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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IainF said:
It passed the static test but by lunch time it had left, so I'm guessing it failed on the drive-by.
I have never seen a Ferrari stay all day at a track day. Don't think it's to do with noise limits though.

QBee

20,970 posts

144 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
Download an app called decibel 10th.
Hold your iPhone 0.5 metres up and out from the tailpipe at 45 degree angle.
If you have 8 foot legs, rev the car to 3/4 max revs and read the noise level off the phone.
If you don't have 8 foot legs, get someone else to hold the iPhone.

Or call Brands Hatch (google it) and arrange to pop down on a non-race day and they will test you for free.

Ex Boy Racer

Original Poster:

1,151 posts

192 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks all. Really helpful. Think I'll try the app

Terzo204

387 posts

156 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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Personally, I'm not convinced by the IPhone apps. I tried it an was not convinced by the accuracy.

That's why I went to Maplin and spent £30 getting a decibel meter. Works a treat.

Having the concern of a 458 getting thought he noise test……that's a problem I would like to have!

Mike

QBee

20,970 posts

144 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
quotequote all
Terzo204 said:
Personally, I'm not convinced by the IPhone apps. I tried it an was not convinced by the accuracy.

That's why I went to Maplin and spent £30 getting a decibel meter. Works a treat.

Having the concern of a 458 getting thought he noise test……that's a problem I would like to have!

Mike
I would have agreed with you, but having bought that decibel meter from Maplins, it said my car was 115 dB.

It had been 95 dB at Cadwell Park, before I changed the engine from 4 to 5 litres.

So I took it back to the shop.

I downloaded the app. The app said 101. To make sure, I took the car to Cadwell Park, who said 100dB, so I now trust Decibel 10th.

MikeO996

2,008 posts

224 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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The iPhone apps used to have a limit of about 100dbs (limited by the phone's hardware), but maybe the newer versions are better.
This is interesting although I have no idea about the author's independence or standing:
http://www.safetyawakenings.com/safety-app-of-the-...

The readings at circuits vary a lot depending on weather etc, so it's impossible to get a definitive level.

QBee

20,970 posts

144 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
quotequote all
That was a surprise, but I cannot argue against a scientific test.

I agree with the point about track noise tests being inconsistent. My car has measured anywhere between 102 and 108.5 decibels at MSV tracks, which all use the same type of noise meter which they calibrate at the start of the day.

The best plan is to ring up any circuit, ask nicely and they will test you. MSV are very friendly to my certain knowledge (Brands, Oulton, Cadwell, Snetterton, Bedford) and I see no reason why others would be different.

Terzo204

387 posts

156 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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QBee said:
I would have agreed with you, but having bought that decibel meter from Maplins, it said my car was 115 dB.

It had been 95 dB at Cadwell Park, before I changed the engine from 4 to 5 litres.

So I took it back to the shop.

I downloaded the app. The app said 101. To make sure, I took the car to Cadwell Park, who said 100dB, so I now trust Decibel 10th.
That's a shame. Mine seams to be pretty accurate?

Agree with the comment about variance - mine has varied from 88 to 97! As long as it passes I suppose

TuxMan

9,010 posts

238 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Donnington are very strict when it comes to noise , I would have thought you would have been better at Silverstone , Goldtrack have loads of 458 there .

Terzo204

387 posts

156 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Or just book a noisy day - check when booking

Terzo204

387 posts

156 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Or just book a noisy day - check when booking

SignalGruen

630 posts

200 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
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Is it the MSV day you're looking at ? That has a 101db static limit - I'm going to try and take my 911 to Brands tomorrow to get noise tested but I'm not particularly hopeful even with the exhaust bungs in place.

QBee

20,970 posts

144 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
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As you probably know, the problem for you rear-engined guys is that the noise test is performed 50 cm from the exhaust, which in your case is close to the engine

Ex Boy Racer

Original Poster:

1,151 posts

192 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
SignalGruen said:
Is it the MSV day you're looking at ? That has a 101db static limit - I'm going to try and take my 911 to Brands tomorrow to get noise tested but I'm not particularly hopeful even with the exhaust bungs in place.
Yep, the MSV one. My caterham gets under 101, but I'm really not sure about the 458.

Don't want to book, go all the way and then just come home!

AshVX220

5,929 posts

190 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Did Silverstone last December and there were some Track Prepped Ferrari's there from a trackday "club". They were completely prepped, semi-slicks (may have actually been slicks with the amount of their rubber I picked up. They seemed to be fine, very loud and ridiculously quick!!

So, in short, I'd investigate a "loud" day at Silverstone.

As mentioned, a nice dilemma to have, though I can't imagine not falling in love with a 458......thought granted, it's no Lambo! wink