How Loud Are Your Cars

[JMF]

I'm interested to know what exhausts you have on your cars and how loud they are etc, every car I have I always think I want it louder but anyone who hears them from the outside think they are really loud

Anyone have exhaust cutouts? Been thinking of getting them for my Challenger but the cost has put me off so far

[GOTWING]

My dead stock 440 4bbl. superbird has 3" TTI full exhaust with Dyno max mufflers and factory tips. It's a little louder than stock.

[Cooter]

I have Flowmasters on most of my rides and are by all rights LOUD. However, I did a little different on the 70 Challenger clone and went with the Magnaflow 2 1/2" system and mufflers. It's ok aat idle, but loud and raspy at WOT. Don't think Magnaflow is all that IMO. Flowmastewrs sound better at WOT, but these are better at lower RPMs.

[68X426]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,81920.0.html

My 505 Hemi has 3" TTI exhaust, Dougs electric cut outs, and Dynamax Super Turbos. Best of both worlds: when cut outs are closed, the Super Turbos are dead silent, and everyone is disappointed that you can't hear the motor. When open, the loud roar ( plus / minus 110 decibels ) of the Hemi sets off car alarms and makes women freak out.

The cut outs are the best money I've spent, in terms of fun for the buck.

If you're going to burn money, might as well hear it. 

[oldschool]

i say the quieter the better. loud exhaust doesnt make up for lack of horsepower......

[68X426]

loud exhaust doesnt make up for lack of horsepower......

The second part is absolutely correct. I'm assuming that the op JMF has the horsepower, and isn't talking about a rice rocket with a fart can exhaust.

[ottawamerc]

I am just rebuilding my 71 440 6 pack R/T. The exhaust was an area that I was not sure how to build. I wanted a relatively quiet interior but also wanted it to sound proper out the pipes (let everyone know theres over 450HP in there). So I left it to my buddy at the speed shop to design it for me, he put in Magnaflow #50 welded mufflers and a 2 1/2" stainless steel pipes. I have to say he hit my request its perfect. Oh also up front its a set of Hooker tuned ceramic headers with 1 3/4" primaries.

[lasvegas69charg]

mine is too loud and has horrible drone. Hoa sent me a letter stating I can't start my car until 8am weekdays and 9 am weekends. Its 1 3/4" headman headers, flowmaster delta 40 3" h-pipe exhaust kit.

[Cooter]

i say the quieter the better. loud exhaust doesnt make up for lack of horsepower......

This true, but a quiet muffler also causes a lack of Horsepower.

[oldschool]

i say the quieter the better. loud exhaust doesnt make up for lack of horsepower......

This true, but a quiet muffler also causes a lack of Horsepower.

it is a fine line. there are alot of things that cause a lack of horsepower. you have to decide what losses are worth it......

[bill440rt]

I have Flowbastards on my '68 (H-pipe system). They've been on there for about a decade. They have a nice, very agressive, almost "metallic" sound at idle & sound great WOT. However, I couldn't take the drone anymore. At 35-50mph (around town cruising speeds) it felt like my head was gonna explode. Chris (Just6T9) turned me on to a set of Magnaflow resonators that I just added in. Voila! Same aggressive tone yet without the drone.
I have Dynamax Ultra-Flows on my '69 (X-pipe system), I prefer them much better vs the Flowbastards. Nice, throaty sound yet not too loud. No drone, either.

[mopar0166]

dougs headers exhaust cutouts , work awesome !   

[lasvegas69charg]

I have Flowbastards on my '68 (H-pipe system). They've been on there for about a decade. They have a nice, very agressive, almost "metallic" sound at idle & sound great WOT. However, I couldn't take the drone anymore. At 35-50mph (around town cruising speeds) it felt like my head was gonna explode. Chris (Just6T9) turned me on to a set of Magnaflow resonators that I just added in. Voila! Same aggressive tone yet without the drone.
I have Dynamax Ultra-Flows on my '69 (X-pipe system), I prefer them much better vs the Flowbastards. Nice, throaty sound yet not too loud. No drone, either.

bill, did you just add resonators to your 68 or replace the flowmasters? If so where did you place them at? I have horrible drone that gives me a headache and makes my ears ring, but it does have a great sound.

[oldschool]

bill, do you have a pic of the resonators installed? thanks

[mauve66]

 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

See my resonator thread here....

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,90603.0.html

And for the record, towards the end of the season I took the resonators off & swapped the tailpipe sections back on....for a little more street volume....and to match the Cragar's I put on

I like the fact with the SS band clamps I can swap out the reso's in about an hour if I feel frisky LOL

[oldschool]

beautiful car 6t9 chgr! i might have to try me some. i bet being that far back, theres hardly any more backpressure......

[Fred]

i say the quieter the better.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. For me, half the fun is driving it, the other half is hearing it.        

[oldschool]

for me, the fun is making a ton of power, without the noise. it can be done.....

[Fred]

Ok, it doesn't have to be so loud as to wake the neighbours but it does have to sound good.

[GPULLER]

mine is too loud and has horrible drone. Hoa sent me a letter stating I can't start my car until 8am weekdays and 9 am weekends. Its 1 3/4" headman headers, flowmaster delta 40 3" h-pipe exhaust kit.

Looks like its time to go house hunting! 

[bill440rt]

bill, did you just add resonators to your 68 or replace the flowmasters? If so where did you place them at? I have horrible drone that gives me a headache and makes my ears ring, but it does have a great sound.

bill, do you have a pic of the resonators installed? thanks

Yep, like Chris I just added them in at the stock location where resonators would normally be on a Hemi car.
I have a 2-1/2" TTI exhaust, and had to enlarge the pipe ends on the reso's just enough to make the connections. I too used band clamps. I don't plan on swapping them out again to re-attach the straight pipe sections back in, so I might change out the clamp to the "step-type" band clamps for a more secure connection.
It has the same throaty, aggressive sound at idle yet no drone at cruising speed. I did not notice any big loss of performance.

[Dino]

I love the sound mine makes throughout the range but it is pretty loud, relatively speaking.  When this system falls apart I'll do what Chris and Bill did.

[Mick70RR]

mine is too loud and has horrible drone. Hoa sent me a letter stating I can't start my car until 8am weekdays and 9 am weekends. Its 1 3/4" headman headers, flowmaster delta 40 3" h-pipe exhaust kit.

Same exhaust I have except the headers are Hookers. It's loud but I've only got one neighbour who complains but he complains about everything. Also got exhaust cutouts so it's really loud when I want it to be. Who sent you the letter, Hoa?

[Cooter]

for me, the fun is making a ton of power, without the noise. it can be done.....

There's a little Chevy Duece here that you would swear has a stock 283 in it and it runs low 5's (8th mile, roughly high 9's 1/4 mile) when opened up, with header dumps at the track. Yet, on the street, it is as quiet as a "Mouse". We all laugh at unsuspecting idiots.

[dstryr]

I have 2" Dougs to 3" exhaust and magnaflows out to chrome tips and it is just too loud.  The shop guy talked me out of the Dynomax super turbos w/23" cases that I thought I would like and wish I hadn't listened. 

Don't get me wrong, the car sounds awesome but to drive that ungodly loud thing isn't a pleasure any longer.  One night last summer I left the house at 10:30 pm for a 15 minute cruise and 1-1/2 hours later I pulled into the driveway and called it a night.  After 60+ miles with the windows down driving next trucks, cars, and jersey barriers my left ear had taken so much abuse that I have lost some hearing.  The sound of the exhaust reflecting off the the barriers and vehicles was too much for too many miles.  

I'll likely go with the super turbos this summer. 

[oldschool]

i'm with ya dstryr. loud exhaust is just fatiguing.....that is horsepower i will gladly give up.

[lasvegas69charg]

mine is too loud and has horrible drone. Hoa sent me a letter stating I can't start my car until 8am weekdays and 9 am weekends. Its 1 3/4" headman headers, flowmaster delta 40 3" h-pipe exhaust kit.

Same exhaust I have except the headers are Hookers. It's loud but I've only got one neighbour who complains but he complains about everything. Also got exhaust cutouts so it's really loud when I want it to be. Who sent you the letter, Hoa?

it was the hoa

[Cooter]

Been my experience with HOA's, they want to call the law on someone with a loud car, but just take a peek behind their closed, quiet doors one time....

[RIDGERACER383]

I got 3" pipes with Warlock mufflers and it wakes my neighbors up whenever I start it.They sound great with a real deep tone.I have really low compression too which is a factor for the loudness.

[Chryco Psycho]

Huh , What did you say

[Cooter]

Rememebr too, that the size of pipes makes a huge difference in how loud a certain muffler/system is as well.

[werner]

I have a 528 hemi, 3" TTI exhaust with X pipe, no tail pipes.

Have the 3 " Dynomax Ultra flo's

Love them. Not too loud at start up but you know there is 600 hp there. When you go to W.O.T she's loud

No drone in car at hwy speeds and with the over drive on hwy you can actually hear the stereo

Believe they flow 3 times the cfm than the 50 series flow masters

[Brightyellow69rtse]

440 .055 over with cheap old hedman headers, 3" summit dual exhaust kit with x pipe. dougs electric cutouts (most fun thing ive ever added to the car id do it again and again and again) full length tail pipes and dynomax welded ultraflows.    any performance application should use ultraflows imo. they sound great and i actually have a picture of me holding a baseball bat through the muffler.

[71ChallengeHer]

I have Doug Headers on my small block. 2 1/2 in exhaust with Flowmasters. Running out the back with stock tips made to fit the 2 1/2.   Yes, is loud and lumpy. Sets of car alarms.     I love it. Sitting at lights, people have no idea what I have under the hood. If it's too loud, your too old.     It doesn't bother my neighbors, they love it when I fire it up.   

[oldschool]

{quote} If it's too loud, your too old.
if it's low on power, and not loud enough, your still to young to understand...

to me, nothing funnier than loud azz exhaust, and putting down 300 horsepower to the wheels, and thinking you have something.....spend  the money on some horsepower or gas or something

[71ChallengeHer]

{quote} If it's too loud, your too old.
if it's low on power, and not loud enough, your still to young to understand...

to me, nothing funnier than loud azz exhaust, and putting down 300 horsepower to the wheels, and thinking you have something.....spend  the money on some horsepower or gas or something

. Don't worry , honey . I have hp and gas money.  . And I ain't scared.  .   

[oldschool]

{quote} If it's too loud, your too old.
if it's low on power, and not loud enough, your still to young to understand...

to me, nothing funnier than loud azz exhaust, and putting down 300 horsepower to the wheels, and thinking you have something.....spend  the money on some horsepower or gas or something

. Don't worry , honey . I have hp and gas money.  . And I ain't scared.  .   

now how do i respond to that     

[BlaineKaiser450]

My plymouth with a pretty built 440 has shorty headers with 3 inch straight pipes exiting before the rear wheels. When you're inside it, it is pretty loud but, to me at least, not obnoxious. From the outside is another story though, you can literally hear it over a mile away if you are trying to hear it, makes some SERIOUS noise.

[mauve66]

{quote} If it's too loud, your too old.
if it's low on power, and not loud enough, your still to young to understand...

to me, nothing funnier than loud azz exhaust, and putting down 300 horsepower to the wheels, and thinking you have something.....spend  the money on some horsepower or gas or something

. Don't worry , honey . I have hp and gas money.  . And I ain't scared.  .   

i read it too fast and thought she said she had HP and GAS, i was going to suggest Beano or something....................

[red69superbee]

ive had the giant flowmasters on my car for years, i really like it cuz its quiet.Seems like they are 22x12x5 inches, kinda like a suitcase

[projectanimal]

2-1/2 inch pipes with flow masters.   

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=9uF6iL4vV_I&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9uF6iL4vV_I

[Paul G]

Quiet exhaust belongs on a Buick. Don't matter how much power you are making as long as it runs good and sounds good. Muscle cars should sound good whether you make 250 hp or 550.

As for the op' question. I run long tube headers with an x pipe through turbo mufflers out the back. I have Pypes electric cut-outs ahead of the x pipe. That is where they fit the best. It is really awesome to open the dumps whenever you want for a very loud time, then have a nice and low rumble when closed.

I would not use the Pypes brand again. Way to much trouble with them and they dont seal off completely.

[Fred]

Quiet exhaust belongs on a Buick. Don't matter how much power you are making as long as it runs good and sounds good. Muscle cars should sound good whether you make 250 hp or 550.

My thoughts exactly. 

[Mebsuta]

I have ancient 4-into-1 headers, Flo Pro triple chamber, 2.5 in pipes all the way out the back.  I'm happy with it.  When you're going, it's loud enough to rule out listening to music or chit chat, but all I want to hear is the motor and transmission anyway.  All I want to do is cruise and enjoy the night and not be bothered.  I don't know how much hp my old Road Runner has, no earthly idea what it would do 0-60 mph or quarter mile, don't care, and don't care what anyone else has.    

I have gotten compliments and insults.  I'm kind of scared of attention while driving or at a gas station these days because I never know what's coming, so I always hope people ignore me, and they usually do.  

[oldschool]

Quiet exhaust belongs on a Buick. Don't matter how much power you are making as long as it runs good and sounds good. Muscle cars should sound good whether you make 250 hp or 550.

As for the op' question. I run long tube headers with an x pipe through turbo mufflers out the back. I have Pypes electric cut-outs ahead of the x pipe. That is where they fit the best. It is really awesome to open the dumps whenever you want for a very loud time, then have a nice and low rumble when closed.

I would not use the Pypes brand again. Way to much trouble with them and they dont seal off completely.

have you ever been smoked by a nice, quiet buick? i have. i could not even hear his car, over mine. noise will never make up for lack of power.

250 horsepower sure does'nt sound alot like a muscle car to me.how loud would you make that ?  

[Mebsuta]

You can get smoked by any sport bike or an old biplane. 

[mauve66]

You can get smoked by any sport bike or an old biplane. 

crop dusters???

[oldschool]

You can get smoked by any sport bike or an old biplane.  

huh?   

[jb666]

Quiet exhaust belongs on a Buick. Don't matter how much power you are making as long as it runs good and sounds good. Muscle cars should sound good whether you make 250 hp or 550.

My thoughts exactly. 

X2.. There's plenty of time for quiet when we're in nursing homes.. In the meantime, it's time to raise some Hell out there..

A buddy of mine has an '87 GN.. the thing is whisper quiet and goes like a scalded cat... But it should be like that.. it fits the car.

It's funny that I'd say this though, because (the past couple of years) every Harley that blasts by my house while I'm out there I want to throw a stick of dynamite at...   

I'm another one running Doug's cut-outs.. Although I rarely, if ever, open them on the street.. Sounds like a top fuel funny car...

[bull]

Mine goes up to 11.

[myk]

Not loud enough, IMO.  When I get enough coin saved up I'll install some TTi's, straight-throughs, new tubing and CUT-OUTS...

[myk]

After I installed an H pipe the result=Not loud enough, IMO.  When I get enough coin saved up I'll install some TTi's, straight-throughs, new tubing and CUT-OUTS...

[Fred]

It's funny that I'd say this though, because (the past couple of years) every Harley that blasts by my house while I'm out there I want to throw a stick of dynamite at...   

That's a funny thing.  It's a whole different ball game when you're the one making the noise.   

[mauve66]

It's funny that I'd say this though, because (the past couple of years) every Harley that blasts by my house while I'm out there I want to throw a stick of dynamite at...   

That's a funny thing.  It's a whole different ball game when you're the one making the noise.   

i hate listening to other peoples stereos but i sure like mine turned up

[Fred]

It's funny that I'd say this though, because (the past couple of years) every Harley that blasts by my house while I'm out there I want to throw a stick of dynamite at...   

That's a funny thing.  It's a whole different ball game when you're the one making the noise.   

i hate listening to other peoples stereos but i sure like mine turned up

I rest my case!   

[JMF]

Thanks for all the replies

[c00nhunterjoe]

I have 1 3/4 headers through 3" exhaust, no h or x pipe, through flowmaster 50 series suv mufflers. I think I have succesfully walked the fine line between too quiet and too loud. I had zero drone in the car and at cruise you can hear the motor over the exhaust and hold a peaceful conversation in the car but when you stand on the throttle it gets angry loud and sounds awesome. It does not have the traditional flowmaster sound. I have yet to pull into a car cruise and not have someone inquire about what exhaust I am running. Never a negative comment about the sound. Am I costing a few ponies by running a large 3 chamber muffler? Sure, but they still flow better then a turbo muffler and are quieter then a straight through. They can't be costing me too much hp cause my cute little pump gas, 515 headed 383 still pulls off 12 second passes through the mufflers, depending on the day its anywhere between 105 and a best of 108mph.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5kXfETBfs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQegbFH38s8&feature=plpp

[Paul G]

I have 1 3/4 headers through 3" exhaust, no h or x pipe, through flowmaster 50 series suv mufflers. I think I have succesfully walked the fine line between too quiet and too loud. I had zero drone in the car and at cruise you can hear the motor over the exhaust and hold a peaceful conversation in the car but when you stand on the throttle it gets angry loud and sounds awesome. It does not have the traditional flowmaster sound. I have yet to pull into a car cruise and not have someone inquire about what exhaust I am running. Never a negative comment about the sound. Am I costing a few ponies by running a large 3 chamber muffler? Sure, but they still flow better then a turbo muffler and are quieter then a straight through. They can't be costing me too much hp cause my cute little pump gas, 515 headed 383 still pulls off 12 second passes through the mufflers, depending on the day its anywhere between 105 and a best of 108mph.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5kXfETBfs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQegbFH38s8&feature=plpp

Sounds good. Something in the second video puzzles me? It's a manual trans so one hand on the shifter, one holding the camera, and the car stayed on the road so, do you have another appendage holding the wheel? If so "you da man" 

[Ghoste]

Headers, 2.5 and Dynomax mufflers.  Just loud enough to draw attention but not quite enough to set off car alarms.

[1974dodgecharger]

diggin your cluster panel 

I have 1 3/4 headers through 3" exhaust, no h or x pipe, through flowmaster 50 series suv mufflers. I think I have succesfully walked the fine line between too quiet and too loud. I had zero drone in the car and at cruise you can hear the motor over the exhaust and hold a peaceful conversation in the car but when you stand on the throttle it gets angry loud and sounds awesome. It does not have the traditional flowmaster sound. I have yet to pull into a car cruise and not have someone inquire about what exhaust I am running. Never a negative comment about the sound. Am I costing a few ponies by running a large 3 chamber muffler? Sure, but they still flow better then a turbo muffler and are quieter then a straight through. They can't be costing me too much hp cause my cute little pump gas, 515 headed 383 still pulls off 12 second passes through the mufflers, depending on the day its anywhere between 105 and a best of 108mph.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5kXfETBfs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQegbFH38s8&feature=plpp

[JMF]

How much horsepower does it add having the exhaust cutouts open approximately ?

[Ghoste]

I guess it would depend on how restrictive the exhaust is and how responsive the top is to taking advantage of the flow but if I had to guess 20hp?

[Bob T]

I've got 2" coated Headers by Doug going into 2.5" pipes with a balance tube and 60 series flowies, the cam is not stock but unknown what it is. There is no dynamat or even jute, just carpet on the floor pan but I was surprised at how quiet it is at idle and at road cruising speed, just a burble not a drone, did an 8 1/2 hour drive a few months back, no prob for noise

idle clip a day after I picked it up from the shipper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzldMtYDTxo&feature=c4-overview&playnext=1&list=TLK5ZD7Bt-CXU

Next time I do a wedding, the proceeds are going on electric cutouts, like 68X426's 

[c00nhunterjoe]

I have 1 3/4 headers through 3" exhaust, no h or x pipe, through flowmaster 50 series suv mufflers. I think I have succesfully walked the fine line between too quiet and too loud. I had zero drone in the car and at cruise you can hear the motor over the exhaust and hold a peaceful conversation in the car but when you stand on the throttle it gets angry loud and sounds awesome. It does not have the traditional flowmaster sound. I have yet to pull into a car cruise and not have someone inquire about what exhaust I am running. Never a negative comment about the sound. Am I costing a few ponies by running a large 3 chamber muffler? Sure, but they still flow better then a turbo muffler and are quieter then a straight through. They can't be costing me too much hp cause my cute little pump gas, 515 headed 383 still pulls off 12 second passes through the mufflers, depending on the day its anywhere between 105 and a best of 108mph.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5kXfETBfs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQegbFH38s8&feature=plpp

Sounds good. Something in the second video puzzles me? It's a manual trans so one hand on the shifter, one holding the camera, and the car stayed on the road so, do you have another appendage holding the wheel? If so "you da man" 

Lol. I was steering with my knee in between shifts...

[c00nhunterjoe]

diggin your cluster panel 

I have 1 3/4 headers through 3" exhaust, no h or x pipe, through flowmaster 50 series suv mufflers. I think I have succesfully walked the fine line between too quiet and too loud. I had zero drone in the car and at cruise you can hear the motor over the exhaust and hold a peaceful conversation in the car but when you stand on the throttle it gets angry loud and sounds awesome. It does not have the traditional flowmaster sound. I have yet to pull into a car cruise and not have someone inquire about what exhaust I am running. Never a negative comment about the sound. Am I costing a few ponies by running a large 3 chamber muffler? Sure, but they still flow better then a turbo muffler and are quieter then a straight through. They can't be costing me too much hp cause my cute little pump gas, 515 headed 383 still pulls off 12 second passes through the mufflers, depending on the day its anywhere between 105 and a best of 108mph.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5kXfETBfs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQegbFH38s8&feature=plpp

Thanks! Its just thrown together but it works!

[HeavyFuel]

Mine goes up to 11.

  Bull, your Spinal Tap reference didn't go unnoticed.



My car had rusted out glass packs when I got it.  You could hardly be in the garage with it at anything above idle.

Now it's got the stock manifolds, TTI 2.5" (?) pipes with X crossover and Dynomax Turbos.   I'll let you know how it sounds in a couple weeks.