Discussion
Oh my!, now I cannot seem to drive the elise with low enough RPM's to give my ears a break. My ears suggest it would be a good idea but the part of the brain that controls my right foot and gear changing arm seem to have the final say.
Earplugs are the way forward most certainly if I am on my own but for a passenger I need a more general solution.
Having blasted around in it the whole weekend with the top down and last night gone for a very long drive with the top up I have come to the conclusion that it seems to be quieter with the top down. This is almost certainly down to the tension in the roof cover just bouncing the sound around the cabin. I ran a few tests and concluded the car at 60mph in 5th gear (around 2-2.5k RPM) was fine and everyone was happy. Once up to 3k RPM at 70mph in 5th it all seemed to get a little too much when driving for more than 30mins.
Of course I could use the smaller roads that only allow 60mph but sometimes you need to get to places quicker (legal speeds of course).
I would like opinions, costs, and fitters of sound proofing. Will it have a performance hit of noticable proportions if I add a few kg?
I expect it to be loud when I am in the >5k region, but would just like a little more sound comfort when I have to run on a motorway once in a while.
Earplugs are the way forward most certainly if I am on my own but for a passenger I need a more general solution.
Having blasted around in it the whole weekend with the top down and last night gone for a very long drive with the top up I have come to the conclusion that it seems to be quieter with the top down. This is almost certainly down to the tension in the roof cover just bouncing the sound around the cabin. I ran a few tests and concluded the car at 60mph in 5th gear (around 2-2.5k RPM) was fine and everyone was happy. Once up to 3k RPM at 70mph in 5th it all seemed to get a little too much when driving for more than 30mins.
Of course I could use the smaller roads that only allow 60mph but sometimes you need to get to places quicker (legal speeds of course).
I would like opinions, costs, and fitters of sound proofing. Will it have a performance hit of noticable proportions if I add a few kg?
I expect it to be loud when I am in the >5k region, but would just like a little more sound comfort when I have to run on a motorway once in a while.
Surely adding soundproofing would just detract from the whole concept that the car was built to - and the reason it's such a raw experience.
I love the sound of my Elise - sure it's loud on the mororway but having done the run to Cornwall and back you just numb to it after a while.
I think this is the first post I have seen on the forum trying to find ways of making their beloved actually sound quieter!!
I love the sound of my Elise - sure it's loud on the mororway but having done the run to Cornwall and back you just numb to it after a while.
I think this is the first post I have seen on the forum trying to find ways of making their beloved actually sound quieter!!
Yep, depending on the induction/can's you have on it can get pretty resonant with the lid on. Roof off you only have to bother with wind noise above 70 and even that's bearable unless you're pushing 80+ (which of course you'd never do on a motorway would you 
).
So, you'll just have to drive with the roof off more
). So, you'll just have to drive with the roof off more
Sounds like you either need to return to a standard exhaust (I assume you have a sports exhause on it at the moment) or buy something like a TT or Z4 if you want a more relaxing comfortable drive.
An Elise will never be quiet or relaxing on a long journey but going back to the standard exhaust and induction set up should quieten it down for you. It will sound about as exciting as a sewing machine though.
An Elise will never be quiet or relaxing on a long journey but going back to the standard exhaust and induction set up should quieten it down for you. It will sound about as exciting as a sewing machine though.
The previous owner of my car had it sound proofed, then carpet fitted on it. To be honest I don't think it has made that much of difference. Between your easrs and the engine is about 2 foot of air, a vented boot lid and 4 mm of glass, it is always going to be loud.
It does seem noisier with the roof on, as people have mentioned before.
If you don't like it change the exhaust
It does seem noisier with the roof on, as people have mentioned before.
If you don't like it change the exhaust
Ok, not having an accurate sound level indicator I decided to take the car for a brisk drive. I turned up the radio until I was satisfied I could hear it over the sound of the other noises bouncing around the cabin. I pulled up to the side of the road and turned off the engine, the radio was very loud and I am sure pretty harmful (unless you come from a clubbing background of course).
With earplugs in place I set off again, this time it sounded much more reasonable. Radio still has to be loud but is much clearer, and the noises (including rattles) are much less noticable. Very impressed.
Now my exhaust is better than stock but when the sun is out and the top is down I have no problems at all. I understand this is a tolerance issue and it will depend on the individual, but for motorway driving it really does help make it a more comfortable journey IMHO.
With earplugs in place I set off again, this time it sounded much more reasonable. Radio still has to be loud but is much clearer, and the noises (including rattles) are much less noticable. Very impressed.
Now my exhaust is better than stock but when the sun is out and the top is down I have no problems at all. I understand this is a tolerance issue and it will depend on the individual, but for motorway driving it really does help make it a more comfortable journey IMHO.
stormcloud said:
I understand this is a tolerance issue and it will depend on the individual, but for motorway driving it really does help make it a more comfortable journey IMHO.
While that may seem true, everybody's hearing gets damaged . . . I like the sound of my car but always wear ear protection when driving it, I don't want to be deaf in 5 years time . . . I can still hear it, it's just not deafening me and damaging my hearing.
Fd
YOU BUNCH OF BIG GIRLS BLOUSES! 
scott64 said:
Yeh it does sound pretty good, just a shame there are no tunnels in Suffolk!!
Come and have a weekend in London, Kent and Sussex mate. Nice driving roads down to and along the coast, weekend by the seaside, great places for lunch/dinner etc... what are you waiting for dude!?
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