Noise!

[JJDraper]

I have been using the +2 heavily for the last couple of months and apart from coming to the conclusion that it needs a) a fifth gear or b) a 3.55 diff or c) both, I realise how wearing noise is on a long run! The most tiresome noise is the booming of the exhaust (early, offset silencer) at 60-80mph. Above those speeds wind and whining passenger noise takes over.. A rorty exhaust is one thing, but with prolonged exposure it takes a while for the ringing in the ears to stop.

It may be heresy, but any suggestions as to how to quieten the beast.

Jeremy

PS I suppose I could use ear defenders....

[elanman999]

Jeremy,
1, how old is the silencer? on SS systems the stuffing has gone long before the casing.
2, How much padding there in the boot area? Boot floor, carpet on that and more carpet over the petrol tank wall all make it quieter.

My car is also quieter when I go on my hols and the boot is full.

John

[zeteclotus]

Funny took me years to notice that, mainly because I went from 1960 mini's to a 1973 lotus elan. Then when I got the XJS I could actually drive a 100 miles and think straight away with out a recovery period.

The light weight noise reduction option is ear defenders.

Also check the timing chain mine used to make a right old noise when it was loose.

[JJDraper]

SS Silencer is around 3 years/20k miles old. I remember that when new, it was much quieter than the old silencer (also SS). I suspect that this may be the source of much noise, not helped by minimal felt insulation in the boot. I am also of the opinion that the SS silencer option is a waste of money if you do reasonable annual mileages. The mild steel unit is around 70quid vs 120 for the SS one from PM. I did see a thread suggesting you could open and repack the box, but as I am not a welder this is not an option! In addition, after three years the tailpipe looks as corroded as an mild steel one..

It looks like I will have to spend some time re-trimmimg the boot as I don't even have a boot floor, just bare fibreglass (you can get much more luggage in!).

Thanks for the suggestions.

Jeremy

[steveww]

The most tiresome noise is the booming of the exhaust (early, offset silencer) at 60-80mph. Above those speeds wind and whining passenger noise takes over..

I also find that passenger noise increases significantly at these speeds. One way to reduce this annoyance is leave them at home Alternatively give them something to do e.g. navigating; takes their mind off the scenery flying passed the window.

[oldokie]

I once had a passenger hang head and shoulders out of the window, all the while screaming " God help me". The other drivers, not accustomed to RHD, found this a bit unnerving.

[david.g.chapman]

I had the same problem after converting from a mild steel exhaust (rusted away) to a stainless steel one from CN. Lots of noise at motorway speed with my 4 speed box.

My solution was to install a bomb from MG spares between the back box and the straight run of pipe up to the Y piece. I also fitted a baffle pipe inside the tail pipe. No great loss of power and you hear the wind noise alongside the exhaust note at motorway speeds. It's still good through tunnels. I have an old post on the subject if you are interested.

Dave Chapman.

[mac5777]

Jeremy,
I have posted this before but can not find it, so this what I did to my Elan coupe. Sound and high revs at 65 mph was my biggest concerns. Quiet solution has a Quiet car section and offers a paint that can be sprayed or brushed on. Three coats reduces the inside sound by 20 dp. I did the whole inside, including the doors and the trunk. All fiberglass was painted. The wheel wells were coated with a tar like coating. Plus the following--
I have a stainless steel stock muffler and could not find a rolled steel stock type that was suppose to be quieter. The stainless steel had a crisp bark, so I added a short exhaust resonator that was larger than the tail pipe and didn't create any back pressure. Next I installed a 3.55 diff gears. Used the stock 145x13 for a taller tire. With the revs down and the sound coating, I installed a radio. Now the only thing that I can still hear is this new whistling sound around the window. I can still hear the webers when needed.
Sarto