Making The Esprit Sound Less Like A Buick
Discussion
I am considering ordering one of these for the Esprit:
www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=77839&search.x=14&search.y=7
It seems like a good solution to the "Buick Style" horns that are currently installed. What do the assembled think? Anyone ordered one of these in the US? Anyone actually heard one? (don't want to order one, have it installed and have it sound like a dying mallard duck...)
ErnestM
www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=77839&search.x=14&search.y=7
It seems like a good solution to the "Buick Style" horns that are currently installed. What do the assembled think? Anyone ordered one of these in the US? Anyone actually heard one? (don't want to order one, have it installed and have it sound like a dying mallard duck...)
ErnestM
Hey, that picture gives me an idea! I am going to fabricate a big ole horn on my blow off valve! That would amplify the cool swoooosh sound...and it should make it faster too right???
John
94 S4
http://hometown.aol.com/oneshotcop/myhomepage/profile.html
John
94 S4
http://hometown.aol.com/oneshotcop/myhomepage/profile.html
kmaier said:
I picked up a set of the Fiamm Riviera horns from pep boys for $25. These are the loud twin horns ala cars with prancing horses. I'll probably try to install them this weekend.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Cheers KM...
I was going to go that route (Karl has some really nice ones fitted to his S4s - and the install instructions are available on the fact file). I was thinking that this may be a better solution because of the "all in one" nature (no compressor air lines, etc)
ErnestM
Hey Ernest,
The new ones from Griot's looks like a repackaged version and the horns have been folded for compactness. Probably sounds the same.
I opted for the older style as I plan on mount the compressor under the front bonnet and have the air line routed via the path of the existing horn wires.
And to address the other question, yes you have to remove all of the underside panels to gain access to the horns. It's not a bad job at all and you would be gaining an opportunity to clean out some of the debris from the radiator assembly.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
The new ones from Griot's looks like a repackaged version and the horns have been folded for compactness. Probably sounds the same.
I opted for the older style as I plan on mount the compressor under the front bonnet and have the air line routed via the path of the existing horn wires.
And to address the other question, yes you have to remove all of the underside panels to gain access to the horns. It's not a bad job at all and you would be gaining an opportunity to clean out some of the debris from the radiator assembly.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Hi Guys:
The FIMM horns were on some older Esprits and they sound great UNTIL the horn gets plugged with dirt. After this, they sound like a "dying cow". If you mount an air horn, put it somewhere the dirt doesn't go directly into the horn(s) while driving.
Keep us abreast of the install!
Mark Pfeffer
The FIMM horns were on some older Esprits and they sound great UNTIL the horn gets plugged with dirt. After this, they sound like a "dying cow". If you mount an air horn, put it somewhere the dirt doesn't go directly into the horn(s) while driving.
Keep us abreast of the install!
Mark Pfeffer
Hi Guys:
The FIMM horns were on some older Esprits and they sound great UNTIL the horn gets plugged with dirt. After this, they sound like a "dying cow". If you mount an air horn, put it somewhere the dirt doesn't go directly into the horn(s) while driving.
Keep us abreast of the install!
Mark Pfeffer
The FIMM horns were on some older Esprits and they sound great UNTIL the horn gets plugged with dirt. After this, they sound like a "dying cow". If you mount an air horn, put it somewhere the dirt doesn't go directly into the horn(s) while driving.
Keep us abreast of the install!
Mark Pfeffer
One quick note on air horns, a few years ago during my mad Mini days I bought a cheap pair of Fiamm air horns from halfords (as you do) for about about £15 (with the compressor), worked fine. As a Ferrari enthusiast attending many meetings, I noticed that their horns sounded much better and realised instead of plastic they were metal and assumed that was the difference. Ok, I did the stupid thing and paid £80 for a set, after installing them I couldn't really tell the difference in sound, but when it came to sell the car, I removed them, and like all italian metal in my experience, found that they had gone rusty!...the moral of this is to buy plastic ones!
Also, when installing them, ensure that the compressor is as close as possible to the horns otherwise you will notice a delay from pressing the horn to hearing it!
Brent.
'83 S3
Also, when installing them, ensure that the compressor is as close as possible to the horns otherwise you will notice a delay from pressing the horn to hearing it!
Brent.
'83 S3
wedg1e said:
Surely, Ernest, the only fitting sounds to emanate from any car in your neck of the woods is 'Dixie', or the Star Spangled Banner..... 
Ian
No no... that's Freebird! The new Southern anthem... of course Sweet Home Alabama works for me too...
As for horns, I have Bugatti (yes I think that is the name on the box they came in) on the Miata and I have them to put on the Esprit. They were purchased at Advance auto and they are a bit longer trumpet than Hella and are blue not red if anyone goes looking. They sound deeper but retain the "trumpet" sound...
Drive topless!!
Cameron
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