Track days - how noisy are you?

[Matt UK]

Well, I've had the Caterham a couple of weeks now and booked a track day at Bedford.

I've just realised I have no idea how noisy my bew beast is. I've called MSV and will pop down to Brands on their next track day to get a reading.

Just wondered what sort of numbers you guys are seeing and if you have problems at the quiet circuits?

[ewenm]

96dB with a newly packed Powerspeed exhaust on a 1.8VVC K-Series. Not done a track day recently though.

I took the Mustang along once just to get it noise-tested - 106dB

[Matt UK]

96 doesn't sound too bad.

I'm running VHPD cams and throttle bodies and an SLR 4-2-1 manifold with Raceco titanium silencer. I've no idea how these mods change noise levels.

All I know is that from the drivers seat, my new toy is LOUD!

[ewenm]

Mine's quite quiet (well, relative to many Caterhams ). Intake noise can be a problem for some. The best thing to do is exactly what you're doing - pop along to any local trackday at lunchtime and they'll test it for you.

[GetCarter]

Make sure your engine is properly warm when it's tested. It's much quieter when warm.

My Old R500 was 106 Db, so I had to get a dustbin sized silencer to track it (got it down to 97). No idea what my current one is - quieter I think.

[mattmurdock]

My R500 SV, with Caterham Trackday silencer, was 100.5 dB when I had it tested at Castle Combe, but that was only at 4.5k revs.

Steve is right, try to make sure your engine and oil are properly warm before testing, as it does make a difference.

[sfaulds]

Matt UK said:

96 doesn't sound too bad.

I'm running VHPD cams and throttle bodies and an SLR 4-2-1 manifold with Raceco titanium silencer. I've no idea how these mods change noise levels.

All I know is that from the drivers seat, my new toy is LOUD!

imho you'll be fine on a static test, but will struggle with Bedford's driveby limit. AFAIK they still have a one-strike and you're off policy too

[ewenm]

sfaulds said:

Matt UK said:

96 doesn't sound too bad.

I'm running VHPD cams and throttle bodies and an SLR 4-2-1 manifold with Raceco titanium silencer. I've no idea how these mods change noise levels.

All I know is that from the drivers seat, my new toy is LOUD!

imho you'll be fine on a static test, but will struggle with Bedford's driveby limit. AFAIK they still have a one-strike and you're off policy too

Although if you know where the drive-by test meter is, you can trundle round that bit of the circuit and boot it for the rest

[catmatt]

Fitted my new rather large (900mm) Raceco last week.

Last noise test with the old exhaust it was 102/103 db at 4,000rpm.

With the new Raceco it came in at 98.6 db at 6,200rpm, quite an impressive improvement.

Realistically now you can't really hear the exhaust note any more, well not above the induction roar. Fortunately they don't point the noise meter at the roller barrels.

The car is an R500 k-series.

[7 Sevens]

I've got a 1600 Rover with Piper Cams, 4-1, Throttle bodies on standard silencer and come in at 99db at 4.5krevs. I always have to lift gently at the end of the test to avoid the louder over run though.

However I've avoided Bedford as I was nervous about the on track testing when I would be at higher revs. I also know from my own measurements that my induction side is louder than my exhaust. Hopefuly with your better exhaust you will be fine.

[Matt UK]

Hmmm, food for thought...

I reckon the induction on my car is louder than the exhaust, but that's hard to tell when in the car and on the move.

I'm a bit worried that I may pass the static and then have issues with the drive-by... If I were to take it easy at any point on the track, does anyone know where the sensors are located at Bedford?

[DougBaker]

Maybe a little custom modification might be in order to reduce the induction noise for the day. As seen here http://www.mycaterham.com/81112/index.html

There are no second chances at Bedford so best to start the day as quiet as you can.

[Matt UK]

DougBaker said:

Maybe a little custom modification might be in order to reduce the induction noise for the day. As seen here http://www.mycaterham.com/81112/index.html

[pikeyboy]

My caterham fireblade was 98db static at 8000rpm at oulton with a home designed repackable silencer. Previosuly it had been 107db static. Also its quite interesting how the sound pressure level changes with RPM such you can find a sweet spot to be tested at lower is not always better.

[Matt UK]

Just realised that my engine cover does no have any air-intake cut outs. Would that make me quieter?

[Steve-B]

Leaving the car at home and avoiding Bedford full stop will make you more quiet and leave your hard earned safely ensconced in your wallet. Can't for the life of me see the sense of going there, getting turfed out after 1 lap being worth my time. Plenty of other far more fun circuits out there!

Matt UK said:

Just realised that my engine cover does no have any air-intake cut outs. Would that make me quieter?

[Matt UK]

Well I popped along to Brands at lunch time and took a noise reading and came in at 91.6 dB @ 5,500rpm.

Had anoth quick go up to 6,500 rpm and read 93.0 dB.

So, I don't think I should have any issues, anywhere really. Which is nice to know

[sjmmarsh]

I have a CSR260 with a 7" exhaust. I normally get a reading of just under 98dB at 5,000 rpm.

Steve

[EFA]

Dizz Dyer's CSR260 managed 115db on drive by a few years ago!

[sjmmarsh]

Arnie

98db is the static reading - driveby is likely to be noisier because of the Induction. I've not been anywhere with. A driveby reading though. (donnington, Bedford and Goodwood are the ones I am aware of).

Steve