How noisy is your car?

How noisy is your car?

Author
Discussion

Bruce Fielding

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st March 2005
quotequote all
A couple of people have asked me how they can tell if their car will pass noise regulations at trackdays.

Firstly, let me say that I've not (yet) seen an Atom turned away for being over noisy, but there's always a first time. Mine usually reads somewhere between 95-98 dB and has a Cat bypass pipe.

Secondly, to ensure the lowest db reading, make sure the engine is fully warmed up, and that the exhaust is pointing at something sound deadening, like a grassy bank (not at the sound-reflecting side of a nearby panel van!)

Thirdly, if you REALLY want to know exactly what your car reads, you can hire a noise meter for £9.00 from Bookatrack. See: www.bookatrack.com/-pp?17 (I think this includes a prepaid envelope to post it back to them in.) You'll need a mate to hold the revs at 4500 for you, and you measure the sound 1.5 metres behind and in line with the exhaust.

scottsman

39 posts

238 months

Tuesday 1st March 2005
quotequote all
Thanks Bruce.

Alastair.

badge70

93 posts

249 months

Tuesday 1st March 2005
quotequote all
Our 220 car failed the drive by at Bedford last year by about 3db. Bedford is one of the worst ones anyway.

But I think that we have been "blessed" with a one off sports system thats straight though.

We have a supertrap that knocks off up to 6db and doesn't seam to affect the power, the car does sounds like god singing without!!!!!

I've been told that the Supercharged version is a little quieter due to reduced induction noise.

owi

58 posts

245 months

Thursday 3rd March 2005
quotequote all
Julian,

Can you point to any web info on the supertrap that you use?

Cheers,
Andrew

badge70

93 posts

249 months

Friday 4th March 2005
quotequote all
We got ours from Demon Tweaks and one from Merlin, we then got a local Power Flow dealer to make a collar so they simply fit with a manifold clamp.

On and off in 30 seconds.

The Merlin one is cheap and knocks off about 3 db but with no loss in power at all.

With the Supertrap you can remover the end plate completly for no loss in power or remove sections from the back of it which reduces the noise more, but might affect power as well. Will reduce from 3 to 6 db.

The super trap is the one to get if you want to make sure your never going to have to miss a day, but it's £150 compaired to £50 for Merlin's

www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk

We have a noise meter if anyone wants us to bring it along to try.

Julian

owi

58 posts

245 months

Tuesday 8th March 2005
quotequote all
Thanks Julian - much appreciated.