Decibel level

[AmericanThunder]

It was briefly mentioned in another thread about how loud your car or bike can be.
After a little research I have found that the actual limit is 82db. But I have not yet found how it's measured but I recall it being 60cm from the exhaust pipe and at a 45 deg angle at the same height with rpm's at 50% of max rpm. Pretty sure my car would fail actually!

I guess it doesn't mean much unless you are pulled over and tested by plod or Vosa but it wouldn't surprise me if we start finding them testing vehicles as we leave shows & meets.
Hopefully, they'll pay more attention to the hot hatch brigade as this is where you normally hear about ant-social behavior on the roads but perhaps that is because they outnumber American car owners by a significant amount.

So what's your thoughts?
Have the police/vosa or even a neighbour complained or have you noticed an increased authority presence at shows/meets?
Will noise emissions become part of an MOT?
If you suspect your car is too loud would you wait to be advised of that fact or be pro-active now?

 

[saleen 192]

wonder if there is an app for are mobile phones to check are car areselves?

think the sound might be mesured running and at differant rev's not just on start up ?

goodwood used to imposed a sound limit not sure if they still do?

would be another test and equipment for mot people think they can advise but not fail at present?

 

[AmericanThunder]

wonder if there is an app for are mobile phones to check are car areselves?

think the sound might be mesured running and at differant rev's not just on start up ?

Yes - I have downloaded an app.
Not measured at startup - as I said 50% max rpm

 

[saleen 192]

Not measured at startup - as I said 50% max rpm

well you did ask for peoples views :wave:


so are we talking road going car's track day cars if road going then see link or pasted article. but dosn't mention how to messure

Cars and noise


Noise

The external noise emitted by passenger cars has been controlled since 1929 when the Motor Cars (Excessive Noise) regulations were introduced. New cars are now required to meet Europe-wide noise limits. These have been progressively reduced from 82 decibels (dB (A)) in 1978 to the current limit of 74 dB (A) established in 1996. This means it would take 7 new vehicles to make the same amount of noise as one vehicle that just meets the pre-1978 limits. Information on the level of noise recorded for new models of cars at their type approval test is also listed in the data table.

When looking at this information please note that off-road vehicles are allowed to be 1dB (A) louder, as are direct-injection diesels. These allowances are cumulative, so the limit for an off-road vehicle with a direct injection diesel engine is 76 dB (A).

The noise levels quoted above are the maximum levels that are permitted for new vehicle types. Many vehicles produce lower levels of noise, and it is illegal to modify the exhaust system of a vehicle to make it noisier than the level recorded for that model at type approval.

A new EU regulation is being introduced from July 2016, Regulation (EU) No 540/2014, which will phase in tighter noise limits over 10 years, together with a revised, more representative test procedure. By 2026 the limit for most new passenger cars will be 68 dB(A).

 

[AmericanThunder]

Yes I also read that. But if you suspect your car is too loud what would you do?

 

[TransAmDan]

82db, I could fart louder than that. It's not loud at all. Just tyre noise alone is pretty loud on some cars. I used to live next to a motorway, it wasn't the engines you could hear, it was mainly tyres.

When I got pulled by the rossers that was talking about number plates, the engine was running. He didn't say it was too loud. If anyone was going to be picky it would have been him.

I like to think I drive responsible in built up areas, not making noise for the fun of it. I don't think I would change anything on mine unless I was made too.

 

[TransAmDan]

Tyres noise. Just checked out any tyre on a tyre website like this. Federal SS-595 275/40 R17 98V with rim protection (MFS) BSW - mytyres.co.uk
Just the tyre is 74db. Seems like cars will be quieter that tyres soon.

 

[AmericanThunder]

Seems like cars will be quieter that tyres soon.

Your probably right, but what does that mean for the hobby? Part of the enjoyment for me is hearing that V8. It's a nice noise unlike most 4/6 cylinder and especially those with turbos.
Enjoy it while you can, I'm sure the clampdown is coming in the same way that they have been clamping down on speed for years.

 

[saleen 192]

yes lot of the modern super cars and modern v8s are so quiet or small rumble you just don't notice them or here them so many supper cars and large v8 around here not a lot notice but a rumblering american gets more respect than a r8 or astin

 

[kapri]

Different DB levels for different tests and scenarios . MOT is 'comparable ' noise level , BIVA is 99db at 2/3 maximum engine revs or ( can't remember what teh 'or ' bit is without looking it up and the 82 db is for OEM and is a driveby noise level often manipulated for tests by having empty resonance boxes in the INTAKE side of things .

I put a 350powered rod through BIVA with only one flowmaster per bank and it passed fine and sounded GREAT when on the rollers testing the speedo

I simply use cut outs on my 318 LA lump when I want to be noisy and 18" cherry bombs normally which are surprisingly quiet

 

[TransAmDan]

Is it measured at 1 meter away from the exhaust exit at a 45 degree angle or something? I've always wondered what mine is. At loud exhaust competitions with a non calibrated sound measuring device I have be told it has read over 120db. However at 2/3 max RPM I dont think it would be anywhere near that.

 

[AmericanThunder]

0.5m from the exhaust at 45 deg to the exhaust and at the same height.

 

[AmericanThunder]

I'm seriously considering quietning the Challenger down. Previous owner removed the resonators and replaced them with straight pipes. They sound lovely but are obnoxiously loud and it creates a fair amount of drone.
There is a cheap kit available that puts a set of 3" glasspack mufflers where the resonators used to be. It reduces a lot of drone and some noise.
Perhaps I'm just getting old?

 

[TransAmDan]

I'm seriously considering quietning the Challenger down. Previous owner removed the resonators and replaced them with straight pipes. They sound lovely but are obnoxiously loud and it creates a fair amount of drone.
There is a cheap kit available that puts a set of 3" glasspack mufflers where the resonators used to be. It reduces a lot of drone and some noise.
Perhaps I'm just getting old?

Ear muffs is another option, and easier to remove if you want the old sound back.

 

[AmericanThunder]

Ear muffs is another option, and easier to remove if you want the old sound back.

Doesn't help with listening to music or your passengers though.

 

[renchero]

Doesn't help with listening to music or your passengers though.

you have just talked me out of quietning the ranchero the v8 is music and dannydog just snores

 

[AmericanThunder]

you have just talked me out of quietning the ranchero the v8 is music and dannydog just snores

Lol!
I don't remember your car being loud though?

 

[Chriswrx123]

Lol must be getting old !!!! Just replaced the magnaflow boxes on the mustang for an pypes axle back muffler delete kit I do get a little drone inside the cabin at higher revs / road speed. Loud pipes saves lives..

 

[AmericanThunder]

OK OK, Im getting old and feeling it!

 

[renchero]

Lol!
I don't remember your car being loud though?

its louder inside than out