Gt3 Cabin noise
Discussion
I have a 997 GT3.1 which is an absolutely brilliant car for performance/handling etc but leaves me almost deaf with cabin noise from the road/tyres every time I drive it ( the nearest thing I can liken it to is the morning after standing too close to a speaker at a concert the night before with a constant ringing in my ears!) a number of my friends have been in the car with no ill effects, so it must just be the pitch/tone as it affects my hearing.
Therefore some questions ...
Has anyone
A/ experienced this ? and if so were they able to resolve it ?
B/ Has anyone fitted "Dynomat" (I think that's what it's called) sound deadening material in a car underneath the carpet ( and perhaps externally if it's available) to reduce the noise ?
C/ Changed the tyres to reduce noise levels ? ( the engine noise is fine, it's purely road noise within the cabin) Presently it has Michelin Sport Pilots ( I think) perhaps something with a more generous profile will improve noise levels, but will it severely detract from performance?
D/ If the above is done how will it affect potential resale?
E/ Is it better not to do anything and take the easy way out by trading it for a 997 turbo or just selling it to a dealer at trade price ? unless anyone wants a good deal on it !
Any opinions/experiences very welcome
Therefore some questions ...
Has anyone
A/ experienced this ? and if so were they able to resolve it ?
B/ Has anyone fitted "Dynomat" (I think that's what it's called) sound deadening material in a car underneath the carpet ( and perhaps externally if it's available) to reduce the noise ?
C/ Changed the tyres to reduce noise levels ? ( the engine noise is fine, it's purely road noise within the cabin) Presently it has Michelin Sport Pilots ( I think) perhaps something with a more generous profile will improve noise levels, but will it severely detract from performance?
D/ If the above is done how will it affect potential resale?
E/ Is it better not to do anything and take the easy way out by trading it for a 997 turbo or just selling it to a dealer at trade price ? unless anyone wants a good deal on it !
Any opinions/experiences very welcome
Michelin Pilot Sports are one of the quieter brands available compared with Bridgestone for example.
Changing the tyre's profile will not have any effect on noise levels but will ruin the handling characteristics of the car, upset the gearing and possibly create clearance issues.
Changing the tyre's profile will not have any effect on noise levels but will ruin the handling characteristics of the car, upset the gearing and possibly create clearance issues.
Edited by Trev450 on Saturday 1st December 12:19
This is why I take with a pinch of salt any claim that the GT3 is a daily driver for any but the most committed fan. I have some hearing damage (from a youth well spent in booming nightclubs) and would admit to being more sensitive than some to noise levels. I find Pilot Sports fitted to 997 C2S to be just on the right side of bearable. Bridgestones certainly too loud.
If, on your GT3, you are suffering from excessive tyre noise with the relatively quiet PS2s then the GT3 is indeed exacting a painful price for its lighter weight and I'm afraid there is not much you're going to be able to do about it except swap for a GTS or Turbo fitted with Michelin PS2s or (non N rated)PSSs. You could try adding some sound insulation but I fear it would be difficult to pinpoint the right locations, not to mention expensive and (in the sense that sound insulation adds considerable weight) runs counter to the GT3 ethos.
Someone will be along in a moment to call us both a pair of sissies, but hopefully we'll still be able to hear them do so in a few years time...
If, on your GT3, you are suffering from excessive tyre noise with the relatively quiet PS2s then the GT3 is indeed exacting a painful price for its lighter weight and I'm afraid there is not much you're going to be able to do about it except swap for a GTS or Turbo fitted with Michelin PS2s or (non N rated)PSSs. You could try adding some sound insulation but I fear it would be difficult to pinpoint the right locations, not to mention expensive and (in the sense that sound insulation adds considerable weight) runs counter to the GT3 ethos.
Someone will be along in a moment to call us both a pair of sissies, but hopefully we'll still be able to hear them do so in a few years time...
I never found the 997 GT3 uncomfortably noisy. The N spec Corsas were quieter than the N spec Cups though. Lovely engine was most prominent.
Some road surfaces in parts of the UK are vey noisy though. It's to do with the asphalt used, where the emphasis is on low cost/long life/wet drainage rather than low noise characteristics. And these harsher surfaces generate louder harmonics as they wear.
Some road surfaces in parts of the UK are vey noisy though. It's to do with the asphalt used, where the emphasis is on low cost/long life/wet drainage rather than low noise characteristics. And these harsher surfaces generate louder harmonics as they wear.
Have you tried these 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Earmuff-peltor-3M-/33083...
or these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hush-Plugz-mouldable-sil...
Alternatively you could write to your local council and complain about the quality of the roads.
Bottom line - you might have to buy a "cooking" version with carpets and sound deadening materials
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Earmuff-peltor-3M-/33083...
or these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hush-Plugz-mouldable-sil...
Alternatively you could write to your local council and complain about the quality of the roads.Bottom line - you might have to buy a "cooking" version with carpets and sound deadening materials
When I test drove a 996 mk2 GT3 recently this was of my concerns.....fabulous car....but I like to tour and I know I would find it just too damn cabin noisy for comfort and to be honest it was just a little too "hard core" for me. Whether the newer GT3s are more "user friendly" I don't know but I certainly would like to find out.
..The GT3 is 150Kg lighter than the C2/4/TT variants, and some of that was taking all the sound proofing out of the car..
I've owned a 7.1GT3, but for anything other than a good blast and a track day they are IMHO no way a daily driver, maybe for the die hard Porscheaholics with 1 car, but for daily use and ease of getting anywhere with kerbs and ramps forget it, I used to look at mine, and then jump in the Golf diesel to do most of my mileage, the car started to make the decisions on where I went pending the road surfaces I was likely to find and it took all the fun out of it, other than for a blast / hoon, where I loved it to bits.. mega cars, mega noise, but with the heavy clutch, full of squeaks and rattles.. it just got on my nerves after a year, now in a 6-4S as a daily driver, that's what I use it for, and it's excellent, soft enough, but firm, fast enough but not stupid fast, lovely engine / intake / xorst tone GT3 ish, but not as loud.
I pondered selling mine for ages, didn't really want to let it go, but it was the right decision, get a car you can enjoy and use, after all that's why we own them..!
I've owned a 7.1GT3, but for anything other than a good blast and a track day they are IMHO no way a daily driver, maybe for the die hard Porscheaholics with 1 car, but for daily use and ease of getting anywhere with kerbs and ramps forget it, I used to look at mine, and then jump in the Golf diesel to do most of my mileage, the car started to make the decisions on where I went pending the road surfaces I was likely to find and it took all the fun out of it, other than for a blast / hoon, where I loved it to bits.. mega cars, mega noise, but with the heavy clutch, full of squeaks and rattles.. it just got on my nerves after a year, now in a 6-4S as a daily driver, that's what I use it for, and it's excellent, soft enough, but firm, fast enough but not stupid fast, lovely engine / intake / xorst tone GT3 ish, but not as loud.
I pondered selling mine for ages, didn't really want to let it go, but it was the right decision, get a car you can enjoy and use, after all that's why we own them..!
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Saturday 1st December 13:59
Need more specifics on the current tyre spec, are they Michelin Pilot Sport Cups or PS2s ?
Both are noisy, stiff sidewalled tyres. I found that fitting non N rated Michelin Pilot Super Sports made a massive difference to to the noise levels and comfort/ride/compliance.
As others have said, despite the 997 GT3 being a quantum leap forward in NVH terms over the 996, they're still no limmo in terms of ride and noise.
P.S It's worth checking out if any of the Continental tyre range are available in the required sizes, you may lose in terms of outright grip/performance, but they do tend to be quieter, better riding and longer lasting than Michelins.
Both are noisy, stiff sidewalled tyres. I found that fitting non N rated Michelin Pilot Super Sports made a massive difference to to the noise levels and comfort/ride/compliance.
As others have said, despite the 997 GT3 being a quantum leap forward in NVH terms over the 996, they're still no limmo in terms of ride and noise.
P.S It's worth checking out if any of the Continental tyre range are available in the required sizes, you may lose in terms of outright grip/performance, but they do tend to be quieter, better riding and longer lasting than Michelins.
RatBoy M3CSL said:
..The GT3 is 150Kg lighter than the C2/4/TT variants, and some of that was taking all the sound proofing out of the car..
I've owned a 7.1GT3, but for anything other than a good blast and a track day they are IMHO no way a daily driver, maybe for the die hard Porscheaholics with 1 car, but for daily use and ease of getting anywhere with kerbs and ramps forget it, I used to look at mine, and then jump in the Golf diesel to do most of my mileage, the car started to make the decisions on where I went pending the road surfaces I was likely to find and it took all the fun out of it, other than for a blast / hoon, where I loved it to bits.. mega cars, mega noise, but with the heavy clutch, full of squeaks and rattles.. it just got on my nerves after a year, now in a 6-4S as a daily driver, that's what I use it for, and it's excellent, soft enough, but firm, fast enough but not stupid fast, lovely engine / intake / xorst tone GT3 ish, but not as loud.
I pondered selling mine for ages, didn't really want to let it go, but it was the right decision, get a car you can enjoy and use, after all that's why we own them..!
Got to agree bought 997 GT3 new in Dec 2010 based on all the fab reviews and claim its daily, it's not. Sold 9 months later a massive loss but just never experienced such pain and discomfort following long distance road drives (150 miles +). I loved the looks the drive the noise, the feel but noise just to big a sacrifice.I've owned a 7.1GT3, but for anything other than a good blast and a track day they are IMHO no way a daily driver, maybe for the die hard Porscheaholics with 1 car, but for daily use and ease of getting anywhere with kerbs and ramps forget it, I used to look at mine, and then jump in the Golf diesel to do most of my mileage, the car started to make the decisions on where I went pending the road surfaces I was likely to find and it took all the fun out of it, other than for a blast / hoon, where I loved it to bits.. mega cars, mega noise, but with the heavy clutch, full of squeaks and rattles.. it just got on my nerves after a year, now in a 6-4S as a daily driver, that's what I use it for, and it's excellent, soft enough, but firm, fast enough but not stupid fast, lovely engine / intake / xorst tone GT3 ish, but not as loud.
I pondered selling mine for ages, didn't really want to let it go, but it was the right decision, get a car you can enjoy and use, after all that's why we own them..!
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Saturday 1st December 13:59
Stop moaning about the noise , buy a C2 or an X51. Or get a set of ear plugs. A GT3 is not your average car/911. It might be it's not for many, but for the others it's the best there is.
Driving comfort other than noise IMHO is good. I've an RS with buckets and a GT3 with Sports Seats, both are comfortable unless you are too fat or too small.
Driving comfort other than noise IMHO is good. I've an RS with buckets and a GT3 with Sports Seats, both are comfortable unless you are too fat or too small.
Memore can be highly selective.. and trst drives are often too short.
But when I drove a 997.2 GT3 in a sort of comfort spec (carbon seats, no roll cage, sound system etc etc). And expected it to be MUCH worse. At motorway speeds 80mph was far from unbearable. My Lotus Elise S2 190 at 80mph IS unbearable. Litterally wants to drive you mad as quick as possible ; so impossible to drive at constant motorway speed without ear plugs.
I say drive one and see for yourself.
But when I drove a 997.2 GT3 in a sort of comfort spec (carbon seats, no roll cage, sound system etc etc). And expected it to be MUCH worse. At motorway speeds 80mph was far from unbearable. My Lotus Elise S2 190 at 80mph IS unbearable. Litterally wants to drive you mad as quick as possible ; so impossible to drive at constant motorway speed without ear plugs.
I say drive one and see for yourself.
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