Nissan 370Z Forum
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Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)
-   Nissan 370Z General Discussions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/)
-   -   Objective analysis of cabin noise solutions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/30487-objective-analysis-cabin-noise-solutions.html)

I want a Z 01-21-2011 08:13 AM
I think road noise is a legit concern for some. I have noticed it on some test drives and not on other later test drives, which makes me think Nissan may have silently improved it.

Insideline.com made a big stink about road noise
2009 Nissan 370Z Long-Term Road Test Introduction

Quote:
... Well, how about road noise? As Executive Editor Michael Jordan noted, "About 90 minutes of driving at a time proved to be as much as I could stand. It's the tire roar. It's bad enough when you're driving on asphalt, but the grooved concrete of freeways in Southern California really makes this car a penalty box on any kind of real trip. And it's not the tires themselves; it's the lack of acoustic refinement from the car. It makes the 2009 Nissan 370Z seem like a cross between a dump truck and a National Guard Humvee. As near as I can remember it, the 350Z was a whisper-quiet limousine in comparison."

And another editor said, "This is a sports car, so why doesn't it sound like one? And it's all well and good that the interior is nicer than a G37's, but why does it have more road noise than an '87 Pathfinder?!" Added Vehicle Testing Manager Mike Schmidt, "I don't remember the tire noise from our Nissan 370Z being so loud the last time I drove it. It's obnoxious. My ears were bleeding before I could crank the radio loud enough to drown out the tire drone."

And then again from that first guy, "And I like the Z-car. Seating position, ride quality, good navigation, satellite radio. And there'd be a good trip across the Coast Range at Coalinga and then a drive in the Santa Cruz mountains on Skyline and then down Page Mill when I get there, which is the whole reason for taking the Z-car in the first place. Then I thought about the sound of those tires filling the cabin on the trip up Interstate 5. Like being 50 feet from a cement truck for five hours. So I decided not to go at all."

Think we're just being whiny? We're not. The tire noise, apparently, comes from less-than-ideal cabin-air extractors, and a fix for the problem is in the pipeline. Future 370Z owners, you're welcome.

But even when that's fixed, there is still the issue of engine noise: "The 3.7-liter V6 makes big power, but it sounds like a Frontier on steroids." And then there was this: "Good grief this car is noisy. I know we keep going on about it, but there's really not much else to dislike about this car — but it's damn near a deal-breaker. The solution? Loud music. Really, really loud music." ...

m4a1mustang 01-21-2011 08:17 AM
I drove 1000 miles out to St. Louis in my Z and didn't have an issue with noise. I agree a lot of it is tires. My Hankook Ventus V12s were TREMENDOUSLY quieter than the OEM Potenzas.

shadoquad 01-21-2011 09:10 AM
I found the OP's wording to be objectionable. I'm not a big fan of the theory that the car is noisy, but folks are entitled to the opinion. It's when one suggests that it is a consensus that the car is noisy that one is incorrect. It's an opinion shared by some, but apparently not by most.

But I also agree that OP was trying to be helpful in getting a feel for which sound deadening product does the job better. I think that would be helpful for those in the market.

Falcor 01-21-2011 10:19 AM
After reading some of the immediate responses I had to re-read the OP, I thought you must have said something about their Mommas'.


i think it is cute that people are trying to defend the 370s honor by making it well known that not "all" owners think it is noisy.

what if someone reads this post and thinks that 370s are noisy!?! I dont want non owners to think its noisy...Give me a break


And in response to the noise, I installed dynomat x-treme in the rear section and over the rear wheels but i dont think it made any real difference. I dont really notice any noise though because when I drive I always have the tunes blowin.

waaaasabi 01-21-2011 10:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xan (Post 904874)
Drive slower...
I joke...
...albeit very poorly.

Rui Z 01-21-2011 10:24 AM
OP, I think Nissan addressed the noise issue on the 2011 models. Why don't you try to find out what Nissan did to make it less noisy. I think it had something to do with the air box. Let us know.

shadoquad 01-21-2011 10:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcor (Post 905548)
what if someone reads this post and thinks that 370s are noisy!?! I dont want non owners to think its noisy...Give me a break
It's not about that, really. It's just that it's an opinion, not a fact. The Z may or may not be too noisy for you. It's subjective to the driver. I don't care what non-owners think. They need to drive the car on their own and form their opinions. I just don't like having words put in my mouth. It's no general consensus. It's an opinion.

Falcor 01-21-2011 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadoquad (Post 905584)
It's not about that, really. It's just that it's an opinion, not a fact. The Z may or may not be too noisy for you. It's subjective to the driver. I don't care what non-owners think. They need to drive the car on their own and form their opinions. I just don't like having words put in my mouth. It's no general consensus. It's an opinion.
my comment weren't directed at you, they were for some of the "harsher" posters

shadoquad 01-21-2011 10:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcor (Post 905595)
my comment weren't directed at you, they were for some of the "harsher" posters
Ah. Sorry, then. I jumped the gun.

And again, I think the OP is just trying to be helpful for those in the market of sound deadening, which is a significant portion of our user base.

Falcor 01-21-2011 10:33 AM
i think if we can make the ride more comfortable, why not? Personally I wouldnt want to add too much weight to achieve this but if the car is a daily driver some might.

But i think M4A1Mustang is right about the amount of weight that would be needed to significantly reduce noise.

Mt Tam I am 01-21-2011 10:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matthew (Post 904668)
Mine was 106db with the wife inside, and 85 without her.
:roflpuke2:

Quote:
Originally Posted by mengel (Post 905156)
If you don't like the road noise, buy an exhaust, an intake and some high flow cats. Wont here the road noise over that...
I bought a Stillen CBE and now I turn down the music just to listen to the sound.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThoriumHotdog (Post 905172)
Wow. I didn't expect these type of responses after reading the OP.
Neither did I.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeattleLion (Post 904426)
There is general agreement that the 370Z is noisy. The sport package versions appear to be the loudest. There also is agreement that reducing the road noise would be a good thing.
Sort of like the agreement that manuals are for drivers and autos are for posers. Starting out like this may have been the catalyst.


Quote:
Originally Posted by shadoquad (Post 905370)
I found the OP's wording to be objectionable. I'm not a big fan of the theory that the car is noisy, but folks are entitled to the opinion. It's when one suggests that it is a consensus that the car is noisy that one is incorrect. It's an opinion shared by some, but apparently not by most.

But I also agree that OP was trying to be helpful in getting a feel for which sound deadening product does the job better. I think that would be helpful for those in the market.
He is only asking.

daisuke149 01-21-2011 11:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcor (Post 905611)
i think if we can make the ride more comfortable, why not? Personally I wouldnt want to add too much weight to achieve this but if the car is a daily driver some might.

But i think M4A1Mustang is right about the amount of weight that would be needed to significantly reduce noise.
wouldnt need to add a ton of weight, but then costs go up.

A single plexiglass barrier between cabin/trunk area would eliminate alot and then just a lil sound deadening in the doors would probably do wonders.

Issue is, how to make the glass barrier and cost for that. And then where to mount it without drilling etc. Also a removable one would be best IMO. Kinda like T-Tops! but for the inside...

Falcor 01-21-2011 11:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by daisuke149 (Post 905712)
wouldnt need to add a ton of weight, but then costs go up.

A single plexiglass barrier between cabin/trunk area would eliminate alot and then just a lil sound deadening in the doors would probably do wonders.

Issue is, how to make the glass barrier and cost for that. And then where to mount it without drilling etc. Also a removable one would be best IMO. Kinda like T-Tops! but for the inside...
maybe that would work, but i wouldn't do it. Not only would it kill my sub but i think it would look awful.

daisuke149 01-21-2011 11:29 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcor (Post 905748)
maybe that would work, but i wouldn't do it. Not only would it kill my sub but i think it would look awful.
it would only look awful if the design was awful...

and it would possibly damped the OEM sub but an aftermarket sub shouldnt be effected as much.

SeattleLion 01-21-2011 11:36 AM
I am amazed at the emotional response to a suggestion on how we can put numbers around an issue that a lot of people share. For example, Consumers Reports, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Top Gear.... to name a few all cite the car as noisy. In my original post I didn't say that *I* find the car too noisy, just that if we apply the same kind of approach we use for engine, exhaust, brake mods (numbers!), we can help people who *want* to reduce noise find the best solution.

In answer to one of the adult posts, I suggest the phone be held next to the right ear of the driver. This would probably yield a reasonable baseline.

That's it.

SeattleLion 01-21-2011 11:46 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rui Z (Post 904914)
From Edmund's InsideLine

Nismo 370Z Test Results:

Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.1
0 - 45 (sec): 3.6
0 - 60 (sec): 5.3
0 - 75 (sec): 7.7
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 103.2
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.1
30 - 0 (ft): 28
60 - 0 (ft): 115
Slalom (mph): 70.4
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.91
Db @ Idle: 47.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 84.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 72.9

370Z Touring Test Results:

0 - 30 (sec): 2.0
0 - 45 (sec): 3.5
0 - 60 (sec): 5.2
0 - 75 (sec): 7.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.5 @ 103.7
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.9
30 - 0 (ft): 26
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Slalom (mph): 72.0
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.94
Db @ Idle: 49.2
Db @ Full Throttle: 82.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 70.3


Compared to

Mercedes C350 Test Results:

Test Results:
0 - 45 (sec): 4.0
0 - 60 (sec): 6.2
0 - 75 (sec): 9.0
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.5 @ 96.5
30 - 0 (ft): 30
60 - 0 (ft): 118
Slalom (mph): 67.6
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.83
Db @ Idle: 43.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.2
These results are interesting but unfortunately not too helpful. We don't know what sort of road surface was involved or where the measurement was made. Assuming that the Edmunds results are consistent between cars, the touring Z was about 5 db louder than the Mercedes. That would be around 25% more noise.

What I was hoping we could do is get the difference in the same car of the noise level before and after sound treatment. With that data, members could compare solutions versus cost, etc. and decide what, if anything they want to do.

shadoquad 01-21-2011 11:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeattleLion (Post 905761)
I am amazed at the emotional response to a suggestion on how we can put numbers around an issue that a lot of people share. For example, Consumers Reports, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Top Gear.... to name a few all cite the car as noisy. In my original post I didn't say that *I* find the car too noisy, just that if we apply the same kind of approach we use for engine, exhaust, brake mods (numbers!), we can help people who *want* to reduce noise find the best solution.

In answer to one of the adult posts, I suggest the phone be held next to the right ear of the driver. This would probably yield a reasonable baseline.

That's it.
I think Mt Tam hit it on the head, though. The emotional response was due to the first paragraph. You suggested a solid consensus that just isn't there.

Like I said, I found the rest of the post to be about providing helpful analysis.

kenchan 01-21-2011 11:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeattleLion (Post 905761)
In answer to one of the adult posts, I suggest the phone be held next to the right ear of the driver. This would probably yield a reasonable baseline.

That's it.

if you're really going to measure db, get a real SPL meter and a good one.

phone + apps can vary over 15dB right off. 3dB is twice the sound level, not 10dB. then add the phone's pre-programmed audio software that calibrates max performance of that mic in that housing, add multi-array setup phones that actually CANCEL noise outside the polar pattern you got basically a super biased reading of your cabin.

kinda like measuing horse power via your butt.

shadoquad 01-21-2011 11:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 905804)
if you're really going to measure db, get a real SPL meter and a good one.

phone + apps can vary over 15dB right off. 3dB is twice the sound level, not 10dB. then add the phone's pre-programmed audio software that calibrates max performance of that mic in that housing, add multi-array setup phones that actually CANCEL noise outside the polar pattern you got basically a super biased reading of your cabin.

kinda like measuing horse power via your butt.
lol the good ol' butt dyno :icon18:

Cmike2780 01-21-2011 12:00 PM
Earplugs will work wonders, but I personally could care less about the noise.

http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/asset...2-Clarkson.jpg

Cell 01-21-2011 12:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matthew (Post 904668)
Mine was 106db with the wife inside, and 85 without her.
:icon18: I love this one...

Rui Z 01-21-2011 12:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeattleLion (Post 905784)
These results are interesting but unfortunately not too helpful. We don't know what sort of road surface was involved or where the measurement was made. Assuming that the Edmunds results are consistent between cars, the touring Z was about 5 db louder than the Mercedes. That would be around 25% more noise.

What I was hoping we could do is get the difference in the same car of the noise level before and after sound treatment. With that data, members could compare solutions versus cost, etc. and decide what, if anything they want to do.
Actually, it is useful information. I'm sure edmunds used more professional equipment then an iphone app, so we need to compare their numbers to the decibel you get from an iphone app. If it's not close to the edmunds numbers, then that means there is alot of muffling going on with the iphone or whatever other device you are using. If there's too much muffling, you will not get an accurate measurement of noise level difference for before and after sound treatment.

Like I suggested before, you should look into what Nissan did as their road noise fix for the 2011 model.

VCuomo 01-21-2011 03:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilsonp (Post 904611)
*sigh*

What a bunch of idiots on this board. ...
And I suppose that includes you.

:gtfo2:

kenchan 01-21-2011 03:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by VCuomo (Post 906186)
And I suppose that includes you.

:gtfo2:
:icon18: ouch.

wilsonp 01-21-2011 05:20 PM
I haven't decided if I'm one for staying here yet... :)

But I surely do miss an option to downrate/block posters.

The iPhone app marketplace has a lot of SPL meters, but most are apparently terrible. I wasn't willing to spend $20 for the best one, but the 0.99 SPL Meter from Studio Six Digital is pretty nice, has a max value, and rotates upside down. The free Volume Tester doesn't rotate but otherwise is nice - you can reset and stop/start measuring, and it has peak hold.

Uncalibrated may make different phones have different readings, but before and after readings over the same drive should be consistent.

onzedge 01-21-2011 06:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by VCuomo (Post 906186)
And I suppose that includes you.

:gtfo2:
Great post -- eloquent, concise and understated

Falcor 01-21-2011 08:18 PM
this post just degrades further and further every time i check it...

BrianMSmith 01-21-2011 08:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by VCuomo (Post 904580)
Really, how did you come to that conclusion?

I've owned mine for almost a year and a half - it is not noisy.

And, as others have pointed out, it's a sports car...
Bloody hell, it is noisy. Maybe you don't notice so much if you're 20 something....I don't even like driving with the windows down anymore, because it's too noisy, but then again I LOVE quiet (when I can get it) because I have 3 young boys (Larry, Curly, Mo) who are very good at generating tremendous noise for long periods of time, and MY EARS are TIRED. That must mean I am old.

I am looking forward to putting quieter tires on this machine, but if I were that bothered I'd spend $800 on a professional dynamat job. No big deal. I've found that most cars and motorcycles need a bit of custom work to make them what you really want. Whether that's quieter, louder, smoother, or faster.

VCuomo 01-22-2011 12:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianMSmith (Post 906472)
Bloody hell, it is noisy. Maybe you don't notice so much if you're 20 something....I don't even like driving with the windows down anymore, because it's too noisy, but then again I LOVE quiet (when I can get it) because I have 3 young boys (Larry, Curly, Mo) who are very good at generating tremendous noise for long periods of time, and MY EARS are TIRED. That must mean I am old.

I am looking forward to putting quieter tires on this machine, but if I were that bothered I'd spend $800 on a professional dynamat job. No big deal. I've found that most cars and motorcycles need a bit of custom work to make them what you really want. Whether that's quieter, louder, smoother, or faster.
Well, I'm 50 something and I don't think that the Z is noisy - and it's my DD. If I run over loose gravel, sure all hell breaks loose. And it's a low-to-the ground sports car, so it's going to be louder than a sedan, even during "normal" driving.

It's not a quiet car, but it's not a NOISY car either - know what I mean? That's why I (and, I suppose, most of the others) objected to the OP's blanket statement that there is "general agreement" that the Z is noisy.

VCuomo 01-22-2011 12:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilsonp (Post 906285)
I haven't decided if I'm one for staying here yet... :)

But I surely do miss an option to downrate/block posters. ...
Ah, stick around - but expect pushback when you call the other posters "idiots", 'ya know?

And about that "option to downrate/block posters" - be careful what you wish for... :)


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