Reducing tyre noise to a whisper
Discussion
Has anyone has any experience of soundproofing their car externally to make the interior as quiet as possible? I have used products like Dynomat internally before but I am wondering about external sound insulation, whether it works, what to buy and where to put it. Just interested in views at the moment. I know it's not very PH but sometimes quiet is good.... allegedly 
I am toying with ideas for my modification of my 1975 Jaguar XJ coupe. Already very quiet and wafty was just wondering what's available and how it works. Tyres will be completely new once the restoration is complete and will be either 235/55/17 or 235/50/18 not decided yet and certainly not tied to any particular brand. I have, of course, noticed that the Db count is mentioned for each tyre so yes maybe that should be first port of call. Was thinking specifically though, with newly done wheel arches whether there is some kind of sound insulation like dynomat but for the outside that is recommended.
I have no idea. Just a hypothetical thought at the moment because ive been looking at soundproofing as, of course, all the old stuff has come out as its gone back to bare metal and there just seems like so many options etc its difficult to know what would make a difference and to what extent.
DocJock said:
OP, here you go. http://www.carinsulation.co.uk/category/buy-exteri...
Can't recommend any though as I haven't tried them.
Thats what I have been looking at but there is a vast array of stuff and no real guidance.Can't recommend any though as I haven't tried them.
Krikkit said:
Quality sound-deadening in a 70s XJ? Not by modern standards.
I'd definitely be looking at the usual internal items OP, although I'd be worried that anything in the arches themselves would form a horrid water trap.
Exactly I'd definitely be looking at the usual internal items OP, although I'd be worried that anything in the arches themselves would form a horrid water trap.
there was no such thing in 1975! It was quite quiet before the restoration and it will be dynomatted throughout. I am also, as you, concerned that anything would trap moisture and we all know what that does to old Jags! DonkeyApple said:
The internal stick on rubber matting stuff is more about damping down resonance and vibrations while also supposedly reflecting internal noise (stereo) back.
As actual sound proofing it only really does so much. What you need to do in conjunction with those sorts of things is to try and stop as much of the noise from reaching the body work in the first instance. So, fitting the lead lined matting to the bulkhead and underside of the transmission tunnel is usually the starting point. Then you get to the tyre noise. You could try and stick the material to the underside of the arch but personally I think you'll just be creating rot points and at some point it will come off. Liners are the only obvious solution and then you can fit the lead lined matting to the top side and fix it with a few bolts to the liner.
If it's a model of car that never had rear wheel arch liners then it's worth noting that most cars using the same size wheels will have the same size liners so can a set up from a more modern car be adapted to fit the classic? A bit of trial and error but there will almost certainly be a nice big liner from a 90s+ car that can be trimmed to fit and be located via the mudflap bolts at the rear etc.
ETA I see that yours is an XJ12? The last of those must have had rear wheel arch liners? If they did then they aren't going to be difficult to retrofit and easy to stick lead backed sound dampening to also.
Thanks for the info. Will look into that. The rear arches are a different shape now to what they were originally as they now follow the front wheel arch rather than sit lower. Will investigate what is on the later models though.As actual sound proofing it only really does so much. What you need to do in conjunction with those sorts of things is to try and stop as much of the noise from reaching the body work in the first instance. So, fitting the lead lined matting to the bulkhead and underside of the transmission tunnel is usually the starting point. Then you get to the tyre noise. You could try and stick the material to the underside of the arch but personally I think you'll just be creating rot points and at some point it will come off. Liners are the only obvious solution and then you can fit the lead lined matting to the top side and fix it with a few bolts to the liner.
If it's a model of car that never had rear wheel arch liners then it's worth noting that most cars using the same size wheels will have the same size liners so can a set up from a more modern car be adapted to fit the classic? A bit of trial and error but there will almost certainly be a nice big liner from a 90s+ car that can be trimmed to fit and be located via the mudflap bolts at the rear etc.
ETA I see that yours is an XJ12? The last of those must have had rear wheel arch liners? If they did then they aren't going to be difficult to retrofit and easy to stick lead backed sound dampening to also.
Edited by DonkeyApple on Saturday 1st October 11:12
vikingaero said:
I remember the first time I bought Goodyear Eagle F1s and thought "Whoa! These are seriously quiet..." compared to my previous standard tyres which were probably ContiMichelPirel SportBruvChavvMaxxxInnit spec.
Those are the tyres I have been looking at for the new wheelsblindspot said:
Alpine do a DSP thingy that works in the same way as noise-cancelling headphones. Seem to remember it was around £500/£600 - but should be very good at geting rid of tyre noise.
Yes, I will be fitting an Alpine unit to the car. I know Max earlier was being flippant but it is the way Lexus etc keep noise down. Will look up the DSPGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff