How loud is your aftermarket exhaust? A call for decibels

spearfish25 · 09-15-2009, 08:01 PM

Hey everyone,

In my recent quest to find a more aggressive sounding exhaust, I tried a muffler delete. While it sounds MEAN, it's very loud. Having watched endless different aftermarket CBE videos on this site, I can safely say that watching a video alone doesn't really do justice for evaluating how loud a setup truly is. So, for myself and anyone else considering an aftermarket CBE I make a plea.

Let's make a list of different exhaust combinations and how loud they are both in and out of the car. Please use a SOUND METER to record the decibels produced (say, both in and out of car at idle and under hard acceleration...feel free to list more situations if you like). If you can add details that can make or break someone's decision to purchase a particular exhaust, please include them. Helpful info would include things such as drone severity and where in the RPM band you notice it, particularly good sounding areas in the RPM range, if you've had any complications with your setup (eg melted fuel lines or something like that). Feel free to add other pertinent info as well.

If your sound meter gives options, please use the following choices for accurate measurements:
A-Weighted
Slow Response

I'm particularly interested in FI and Berk setups, but do post anything you have for the benefit of the community.

I'll kick it off.

Stock Muffler Delete, replaced with custom bent aluminum tubes to tips.
~75-80db idle in car while warm
~80-85db in car while in 6th gear on highway (around 70-80mph)
~96db out of car under heavy acceleration
~104db inside car under heavy acceleration in 4k-5k rpm range (drone zone)
Pros: Very loud, unbelievably aggressive sound. Great off-throttle 'burble', screams during acceleration, sounds like an F1 car above 5k RPM, you will turn heads as people will mistake it for something very exotic. Saves some weight (~25lbs)
Cons: relatively crude sound with many different harmonics (raw sounding), drone under load: mild at <2k RPM and pretty severe between 3800-5k RPM. Probably little hp/torque gain.

imag · 09-16-2009, 01:17 AM

Great thread idea. I was just going through all the exhaust vids trying to figure out which one to buy, and it's pretty difficult to figure out relative volumes.

Unfortunately, I don't have any data to supply. I settled on the Stillen because I think the FI might be annoyingly loud (and low) for me, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Anyone else with a DB meter? I know one of the promo vids included the DB meter in the video...

3SeventyZ · 09-16-2009, 06:31 AM

I'll see if I can get some sound levels once I get my car back today or tomorrow.

I'm expecting it to be pretty loud.

kdo2milger · 09-16-2009, 06:59 AM

soooo...a butt dyno sound meter wont work eh?

j/k

i'll go to radio shack this weekend and get one...

Edit: scratch that they are 50 bucks

I'll have to see if I can borrow one from someone...

spearfish25 · 09-16-2009, 09:12 AM

I'm OK with sending mine around to people who want to participate. Ideally we can find people in one area that can all use it together. Of course, I'd like it back

.

phelan · 09-16-2009, 10:55 AM

spearfish, PM me. i'll help you out with the F.I. setup (HFCs + 18" resonators)

Modshack · 09-16-2009, 11:13 AM

For guys who want to have one in the toolbox this is new on the market...$20.
I've been meaning to order one...

Parts-Express.com:Mini Digital Sound Level Meter | sound meter sound level meter sound noise noise level noise level meter meters meter car SPL

kdo2milger · 09-16-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

For guys who want to have one in the toolbox this is new on the market...$20.
I've been meaning to order one...

Parts-Express.com:Mini Digital Sound Level Meter | sound meter sound level meter sound noise noise level noise level meter meters meter car SPL

out of stock till next month

kenchan · 09-16-2009, 11:21 AM

might want to include distance from the exhaust tip for out of car measurements...

Modshack · 09-16-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

out of stock till next month

Ah well...In stock here but $10 more...(still a deal)

sound level - MCM Electronics Search

kdo2milger · 09-16-2009, 11:22 AM

found this one on the bay...

Boom Stick SPL1000 Digital SPL Stereo Sound Level Meter - eBay (item 260476243631 end time Sep-19-09 20:50:01 PDT)

spearfish25 · 09-16-2009, 06:13 PM

Seeing the prices you guys are finding, it doesn't make much sense for me to send mine around by UPS. I do hope some people pick them up though. Think of all the possibilities: exhaust loudness, calibrate surround sound, ultimate farting contest...

kdo2milger · 09-16-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Seeing the prices you guys are finding, it doesn't make much sense for me to send mine around by UPS. I do hope some people pick them up though. Think of all the possibilities: exhaust loudness, calibrate surround sound, ultimate farting contest...

Ultimate Beer Belching Contest!!!

JB1 · 09-16-2009, 07:49 PM

Hey spearfish,

I don't have a decibel meter, but I did just get Berk HFC's installed. I'm in the Chicago burbs and would not mind driving by down town if you want to get a reading on the loudness of those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

Ultimate Beer Belching Contest!!!

I'm in, any kind of beer in particular?

kdo2milger · 09-16-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

Hey spearfish,

I don't have a decibel meter, but I did just get Berk HFC's installed. I'm in the Chicago burbs and would not mind driving by down town if you want to get a reading on the loudness of those.

I'm in, any kind of beer in particular?

nope, just your usual

09-15-2009, 08:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	How loud is your aftermarket exhaust? A call for decibels Hey everyone, In my recent quest to find a more aggressive sounding exhaust, I tried a muffler delete. While it sounds MEAN, it's very loud. Having watched endless different aftermarket CBE videos on this site, I can safely say that watching a video alone doesn't really do justice for evaluating how loud a setup truly is. So, for myself and anyone else considering an aftermarket CBE I make a plea. Let's make a list of different exhaust combinations and how loud they are both in and out of the car. Please use a SOUND METER to record the decibels produced (say, both in and out of car at idle and under hard acceleration...feel free to list more situations if you like). If you can add details that can make or break someone's decision to purchase a particular exhaust, please include them. Helpful info would include things such as drone severity and where in the RPM band you notice it, particularly good sounding areas in the RPM range, if you've had any complications with your setup (eg melted fuel lines or something like that). Feel free to add other pertinent info as well. If your sound meter gives options, please use the following choices for accurate measurements: A-Weighted Slow Response I'm particularly interested in FI and Berk setups, but do post anything you have for the benefit of the community. I'll kick it off. Stock Muffler Delete, replaced with custom bent aluminum tubes to tips. ~75-80db idle in car while warm ~80-85db in car while in 6th gear on highway (around 70-80mph) ~96db out of car under heavy acceleration ~104db inside car under heavy acceleration in 4k-5k rpm range (drone zone) Pros: Very loud, unbelievably aggressive sound. Great off-throttle 'burble', screams during acceleration, sounds like an F1 car above 5k RPM, you will turn heads as people will mistake it for something very exotic. Saves some weight (~25lbs) Cons: relatively crude sound with many different harmonics (raw sounding), drone under load: mild at <2k RPM and pretty severe between 3800-5k RPM. Probably little hp/torque gain. Last edited by spearfish25; 09-16-2009 at 06:14 PM.

09-16-2009, 06:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
3SeventyZ Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MD/DE Posts: 626 Drives: 350Z, 370Z, SRT8 Rep Power: 475	I'll see if I can get some sound levels once I get my car back today or tomorrow. I'm expecting it to be pretty loud. __________________ 2009 Magnetic Black 370Z Sport 6MT

09-16-2009, 06:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	soooo...a butt dyno sound meter wont work eh? j/k i'll go to radio shack this weekend and get one... Edit: scratch that they are 50 bucks I'll have to see if I can borrow one from someone... __________________ Project *NISMO* Last edited by kdo2milger; 09-16-2009 at 07:01 AM.

09-16-2009, 10:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	spearfish, PM me. i'll help you out with the F.I. setup (HFCs + 18" resonators) __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-16-2009, 11:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	For guys who want to have one in the toolbox this is new on the market...$20. I've been meaning to order one... Parts-Express.com:Mini Digital Sound Level Meter \| sound meter sound level meter sound noise noise level noise level meter meters meter car SPL __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

09-16-2009, 01:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	Great thread idea. I was just going through all the exhaust vids trying to figure out which one to buy, and it's pretty difficult to figure out relative volumes. Unfortunately, I don't have any data to supply. I settled on the Stillen because I think the FI might be annoyingly loud (and low) for me, but it hasn't arrived yet. Anyone else with a DB meter? I know one of the promo vids included the DB meter in the video...

09-16-2009, 09:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I'm OK with sending mine around to people who want to participate. Ideally we can find people in one area that can all use it together. Of course, I'd like it back .

09-16-2009, 11:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	might want to include distance from the exhaust tip for out of car measurements...

09-16-2009, 11:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	found this one on the bay... Boom Stick SPL1000 Digital SPL Stereo Sound Level Meter - eBay (item 260476243631 end time Sep-19-09 20:50:01 PDT) __________________ Project *NISMO*

09-16-2009, 06:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Seeing the prices you guys are finding, it doesn't make much sense for me to send mine around by UPS. I do hope some people pick them up though. Think of all the possibilities: exhaust loudness, calibrate surround sound, ultimate farting contest...

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