Noise issues with my Kseries R500
Discussion
Hi All,
I have just returned from Brands Hatch feeling rather deflated as my R500 failed the static noise test - fortunately I was only having it tested and not booked on circuit today.
I have a standard MBE map as far as I know, with a new Cat fitted yesterday and I looked at the silencer packing which seemed recent and well wrapped with a little softness (which I understand it should be).
Problem was the popping and banging holding it in the revs - it was around 108db with the popping. Tried all sorts of revs to see it I could feather the throttle round it but no chance. The tester confirmed that between the popping, it was around 104db which is what I'd expect.
I've had an R500 previously, with a standard map and don't recall it popping quite so much.
So I wondered what my next plan of action is. I could either repack the silencer (in case it's too tight - which I doubt), purchase a larger silencer but I don't see how that's going to help because it's the popping causing the problem.
So maybe I need to get it re=mapped? Please can you let me have your views and recommend someone to pack the exhaust in the Kent area or a replacement exhaust or somewhere to get it re=mapped.
Thanks in advance
Simon
I have just returned from Brands Hatch feeling rather deflated as my R500 failed the static noise test - fortunately I was only having it tested and not booked on circuit today.
I have a standard MBE map as far as I know, with a new Cat fitted yesterday and I looked at the silencer packing which seemed recent and well wrapped with a little softness (which I understand it should be).
Problem was the popping and banging holding it in the revs - it was around 108db with the popping. Tried all sorts of revs to see it I could feather the throttle round it but no chance. The tester confirmed that between the popping, it was around 104db which is what I'd expect.
I've had an R500 previously, with a standard map and don't recall it popping quite so much.
So I wondered what my next plan of action is. I could either repack the silencer (in case it's too tight - which I doubt), purchase a larger silencer but I don't see how that's going to help because it's the popping causing the problem.
So maybe I need to get it re=mapped? Please can you let me have your views and recommend someone to pack the exhaust in the Kent area or a replacement exhaust or somewhere to get it re=mapped.
Thanks in advance
Simon
Since you're in Kent why don't you speak to the two Steves at, I think the company is Road and Race in Kent, about remapping. The generic map Caterham puts on allows for pops and bangs (which I like on the road) but, as you say, not track friendly. Remapping would be the 1st thing I'd look at (and may have to) as oppose to 'quiet exhausts' as remapping may well get your noise levels down and would probably, as a bonus, yield more power throughout the rev range.
A quiet exhaust on the other hand will reduce your power. It's my thinking for track days next year FWIW.
A quiet exhaust on the other hand will reduce your power. It's my thinking for track days next year FWIW.
The 2 Steves are Track'n'Road.
As above, make sure that the exhaust is sealed OK and that there are no leaks around the manifold. A re-map will certainly get the best out of your engine and should get rid of pops and bangs. Track'n'Road are excellent.
As above, make sure that the exhaust is sealed OK and that there are no leaks around the manifold. A re-map will certainly get the best out of your engine and should get rid of pops and bangs. Track'n'Road are excellent.
Sorry to thread hijack, but having quit racing now I'm currently considering buying a fully road legal k series R500 for road use and track days. I've been looking into noise limits etc, but does anyone here have any personal experience of the drive-by noise limits and generally how R500s get on?
The tracks local to me are:
Silverstone
Brands Hatch
Goodwood (a non starter for noise I expect!)
Castle Combe (as above)
At a push I could go up to Donington.
I'd be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences. This thread so far has been very useful. I'd rather not permanently modify my car if I can get away with more temporary measures, such as a packable exhaust.
The tracks local to me are:
Silverstone
Brands Hatch
Goodwood (a non starter for noise I expect!)
Castle Combe (as above)
At a push I could go up to Donington.
I'd be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences. This thread so far has been very useful. I'd rather not permanently modify my car if I can get away with more temporary measures, such as a packable exhaust.
RobM77 said:
Sorry to thread hijack, but having quit racing now I'm currently considering buying a fully road legal k series R500 for road use and track days. I've been looking into noise limits etc, but does anyone here have any personal experience of the drive-by noise limits and generally how R500s get on?
The tracks local to me are:
Silverstone
Brands Hatch
Goodwood (a non starter for noise I expect!)
Castle Combe (as above)
At a push I could go up to Donington.
I'd be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences. This thread so far has been very useful. I'd rather not permanently modify my car if I can get away with more temporary measures, such as a packable exhaust.
I used to track mine before turning it into a race car. It was a SLR K-series modded to r500 spec, so similar to yours. I needed an airbox to reduce induction noise and an expensive silencer (Raceco) to stand a chance of getting on. Bedford remained a non-starter, Goodwood was highly borderline... Infact, any "quiet" day was very touch and go and I tended to need to lift at the drive by noise meters. I aimed at "noisy" days to reduce the risk of getting kicked-off (it did happen).The tracks local to me are:
Silverstone
Brands Hatch
Goodwood (a non starter for noise I expect!)
Castle Combe (as above)
At a push I could go up to Donington.
I'd be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences. This thread so far has been very useful. I'd rather not permanently modify my car if I can get away with more temporary measures, such as a packable exhaust.
So, your R500, if quietened down, will get on, but will remain touch and go on quiet days. Brands and Silverstone do noisy days; even Goodwood used to, at a price, a couple of years ago.
James
Static can be fudged...drive by can't. Even with freshly repacked 7.25 Raceco and my Caterham (Reverie) air box and snorkel, I can't pass drive-by at Donington...the circuit that is next to the East Midlands Airport....with that setup it's still around 102db. The only answer is a rear exit exhaust I think. ( I have one but have never fitted it)
So 105 db 'noisy' days are what I go for...
So 105 db 'noisy' days are what I go for...
[quote=rubystone]Even with freshly repacked 7.25 Raceco and my Caterham (Reverie) air box and snorkel, I can't pass drive-by at Donington...the circuit that is next to the East Midlands Airport....with that setup it's still around 102db. The only answer is a rear exit exhaust I think. ( I have one but have never fitted it)[quote]
Hi Ruby, I was at Donington in September with a friend in his R500 running the same set up as you (reverie CF box with the 3 snorkels and a 7.25" raceco) and he didn't have any problems with driveby noise at all. In fact I got one black flag with the Blackbird for tripping the meter by just 0.3db (!!) on the pitlane straight and a few useful words of advice from the marshal - and I certainly wouldn't say my BB was noisy but friend's R500 is quiet in comparison.
T
Hi Ruby, I was at Donington in September with a friend in his R500 running the same set up as you (reverie CF box with the 3 snorkels and a 7.25" raceco) and he didn't have any problems with driveby noise at all. In fact I got one black flag with the Blackbird for tripping the meter by just 0.3db (!!) on the pitlane straight and a few useful words of advice from the marshal - and I certainly wouldn't say my BB was noisy but friend's R500 is quiet in comparison.
T
My R500K static tested at Oulton recently at 102dB, but busted the 105dB drive-by but only when really pushing on and using full revs, chasing after 2-11. Winding back the revs by 500rpm, as I normally would, and its fine.
Listening from the pit lane to somebody else drive my car I was suprised how much induction noise there was: possibly the loudest car there.
Listening from the pit lane to somebody else drive my car I was suprised how much induction noise there was: possibly the loudest car there.
I recently tested my car using a good quality db reader that the engineers had at work. A R500 230bhp k-series with a RaceCo exhaust & no air box, tested at approx half metre away from the exhaust at 45 degrees angle and 3/4 revs gave a reading of 96db. I was happy with the result as I plan to do some track days in the UK next year. It gave me some confidence anyway, to at least make an effort to arrange a visit to some tracks for an official test, before booking a track day. Yes drive by induction noise may be another matter.
[quote=Tango7
Hi Ruby, I was at Donington in September with a friend in his R500 running the same set up as you (reverie CF box with the 3 snorkels and a 7.25" raceco) and he didn't have any problems with driveby noise at all. In fact I got one black flag with the Blackbird for tripping the meter by just 0.3db (!!) on the pitlane straight and a few useful words of advice from the marshal - and I certainly wouldn't say my BB was noisy but friend's R500 is quiet in comparison.
T
[/quote]
He clearly doesn't thrash the nuts off it then Nick
Hi Ruby, I was at Donington in September with a friend in his R500 running the same set up as you (reverie CF box with the 3 snorkels and a 7.25" raceco) and he didn't have any problems with driveby noise at all. In fact I got one black flag with the Blackbird for tripping the meter by just 0.3db (!!) on the pitlane straight and a few useful words of advice from the marshal - and I certainly wouldn't say my BB was noisy but friend's R500 is quiet in comparison.
T
[/quote]
He clearly doesn't thrash the nuts off it then Nick
I had a similar problem about my R500 k being too loud for track days, it managed to go from 100-102 to around 105db over a winter.
The course of action I took was to get a rather large Raceco silencer. It is around 900mm long, so nearly double the length of the caterham silencer and 7.25", rather than 6".
The result on the last noise test was (I think) 98db, so a massive improvement.
The only sad point is the loss of exhaust roar, but at full chat the joy of the noise is induction rather than exhaust, so not really an issue.
Have a chat with Ammo and see what he can do for you.
Matt
The course of action I took was to get a rather large Raceco silencer. It is around 900mm long, so nearly double the length of the caterham silencer and 7.25", rather than 6".
The result on the last noise test was (I think) 98db, so a massive improvement.
The only sad point is the loss of exhaust roar, but at full chat the joy of the noise is induction rather than exhaust, so not really an issue.
Have a chat with Ammo and see what he can do for you.
Matt
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