1st time -Drove a hour on highway - noisier than my pickup truck
03-23-2009, 07:11 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
1st time -Drove a hour on highway - noisier than my pickup truck
Bought a 2004 A4 coupe last December. Today, I used it for a business meeting, spent about 2 hours total on highway. The highway noise is almost unbearable. I'm not all that spoiled, it's not like I normally drive a Lexus. My DD is a Chevy K1500 4WD pickup truck, so I'm used to a moderate amount of road noise.
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.
I had already switched the Goodyear EMT run-flats to General UHP's non-RF's, and I noticed an immediate decrease in noise there.
I know there are tons and tons of sound deadening threads already. But I gotta say, I'm about ready to just fill up the hatch area with sound deadening foam. I realize this is a "sports car", but I just thought they'd pay a little more attention to noise at highway speeds. The noise level in my car is too much to take.
I guess I'm just ranting, but if someone has had similar complaints and then managed to reduce the cacophony to a tolerable level, please let me know how.
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.
I had already switched the Goodyear EMT run-flats to General UHP's non-RF's, and I noticed an immediate decrease in noise there.
I know there are tons and tons of sound deadening threads already. But I gotta say, I'm about ready to just fill up the hatch area with sound deadening foam. I realize this is a "sports car", but I just thought they'd pay a little more attention to noise at highway speeds. The noise level in my car is too much to take.
I guess I'm just ranting, but if someone has had similar complaints and then managed to reduce the cacophony to a tolerable level, please let me know how.
03-23-2009, 07:20 PM
#2
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
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Noise deadening material costs weight. Weight decreases performance in everyway. Less acceleration, slower deceleration, slower cornering speeds, more gas. Without any of those the Vette wouldn't have the image it has. Most people buy the car for the promise its image delivers not for it to be like a Cadillac. For a large number of people it isn't loud enough. Although, after owning 3 C5s I really never heard any wind noise unless the windows were down. They are very tight that way and you usually can't close the door easily if a window isn't open slightly.
Bill
Bill
03-23-2009, 07:25 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Bought a 2004 A4 coupe last December. Today, I used it for a business meeting, spent about 2 hours total on highway. The highway noise is almost unbearable. I'm not all that spoiled, it's not like I normally drive a Lexus. My DD is a Chevy K1500 4WD pickup truck, so I'm used to a moderate amount of road noise.
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.
I had already switched the Goodyear EMT run-flats to General UHP's non-RF's, and I noticed an immediate decrease in noise there.
I know there are tons and tons of sound deadening threads already. But I gotta say, I'm about ready to just fill up the hatch area with sound deadening foam. I realize this is a "sports car", but I just thought they'd pay a little more attention to noise at highway speeds. The noise level in my car is too much to take.
I guess I'm just ranting, but if someone has had similar complaints and then managed to reduce the cacophony to a tolerable level, please let me know how.
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.
I had already switched the Goodyear EMT run-flats to General UHP's non-RF's, and I noticed an immediate decrease in noise there.
I know there are tons and tons of sound deadening threads already. But I gotta say, I'm about ready to just fill up the hatch area with sound deadening foam. I realize this is a "sports car", but I just thought they'd pay a little more attention to noise at highway speeds. The noise level in my car is too much to take.
I guess I'm just ranting, but if someone has had similar complaints and then managed to reduce the cacophony to a tolerable level, please let me know how.
Go back to stock exhaust - that'll take care of a lot of it!
03-23-2009, 07:33 PM
#7
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I dont have any wind noise but the overall noise was high. I installed dynamat in rear cargo area and this really helped. I have stock exhaust so no noise there. The wife and i can now talk to each other. Good luck ed k
03-23-2009, 07:45 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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I would look into trading (or selling) your current exhaust and purchasing either the stock z06 exhaust in the For Sale section of this forum or purchasing a quieter exhaust (I have the Corsa INDY and love them) that will give you great sound at 3/4 and WOT but at cruising speeds is barely noticeable.
I also installed the "Frost King" insulation along with a little Dynomat Extreme at minimal cost ($100), effort (3 - 4 hrs front and back) and weight (20# maybe 35# total) and I am very happy with my results.
Make sure the gasket on the targa top is seated correctly. I installed mine in a rush last summer to find one side was not seated correctly. Took 2 seconds to correct. Or perhaps you need to replace a window seal or adjust a window.
Once you get the bugs worked out you will love your vette every time you hop in it.
I also installed the "Frost King" insulation along with a little Dynomat Extreme at minimal cost ($100), effort (3 - 4 hrs front and back) and weight (20# maybe 35# total) and I am very happy with my results.
Make sure the gasket on the targa top is seated correctly. I installed mine in a rush last summer to find one side was not seated correctly. Took 2 seconds to correct. Or perhaps you need to replace a window seal or adjust a window.
Once you get the bugs worked out you will love your vette every time you hop in it.
03-23-2009, 07:51 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
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Did you test drive this car before you bought it. If so to what extent.
My 03 vert is pure stock. My wife and I have spent an 8 hour driving day in the car with quiet conversation and comfortably low music volume. Perhaps some of the forgoing suggestion will enable you to equally enjoy yours.
Wish you the best.
My 03 vert is pure stock. My wife and I have spent an 8 hour driving day in the car with quiet conversation and comfortably low music volume. Perhaps some of the forgoing suggestion will enable you to equally enjoy yours.
Wish you the best.
03-23-2009, 08:04 PM
#10
Team Owner
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Install a stock C5 or C5 Z06 titanium exhaust. Most of the aftermarket exhaust systems produce significant drone in C5's with automatic transmissions right at the rpm range where you are crusing at on the highway.
03-23-2009, 08:48 PM
#11
Pro
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I'm new to C5 and this forum. I just bought a 99 Coupe with
Magnaflows and drove it from PA to NJ, that's about a 3 hour drive.
They are loud and talk about a drone doing between 50-60 MPH. If you
do 65 + it's not too bad. My impression...they sound great when
you're out of the car, on start-up, idle, or driving past you. They're
horrible with the windows up and not too bad with the windows
down. Sometimes, they do make you want to switch them for
stock or something better (Corsa)? I do think the C5 looks much
better with some big pipes in the back rather than the wimpy stock
exhaust.
Jerry
Magnaflows and drove it from PA to NJ, that's about a 3 hour drive.
They are loud and talk about a drone doing between 50-60 MPH. If you
do 65 + it's not too bad. My impression...they sound great when
you're out of the car, on start-up, idle, or driving past you. They're
horrible with the windows up and not too bad with the windows
down. Sometimes, they do make you want to switch them for
stock or something better (Corsa)? I do think the C5 looks much
better with some big pipes in the back rather than the wimpy stock
exhaust.
Jerry
03-23-2009, 09:06 PM
#13
Team Owner
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I have Magnaflows on my '99 6spd and have no drone.
03-23-2009, 09:08 PM
#14
Drifting
You might also consider getting a Lloyds cargo mat for the back trunk area. I have one, it's a real thick carpet that helps with noise reduction and looks nice. (see avatar for floor mats by Lloyds).
03-23-2009, 09:09 PM
#15
Safety Car
Noise deadening material costs weight. Weight decreases performance in everyway. Less acceleration, slower deceleration, slower cornering speeds, more gas. Without any of those the Vette wouldn't have the image it has. Most people buy the car for the promise its image delivers not for it to be like a Cadillac. For a large number of people it isn't loud enough. Although, after owning 3 C5s I really never heard any wind noise unless the windows were down. They are very tight that way and you usually can't close the door easily if a window isn't open slightly.
Bill
Bill
Tire noise and exhaust noise... The exhaust noise is really noticeable at 130 mph and above.
03-23-2009, 09:18 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
I would do the sound deadining mod to the rear and around the rear wheel wells.You can get the Raamaudio product for half the price of Dynamat.You can also get a discount if you mention that you are a forum member.
Raamaudio.com
Raamaudio.com
03-23-2009, 09:27 PM
#18
Drifting
[QUOTE
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.[/QUOTE]
Mine too, ain't it great.
But the Vette is LOUD. I mean, there's exhaust roar from the Magnaflows. Wind noise from leaky windows. And loads of road noise coming from everywhere. I could BARELY talk on my cell phone, just barely.[/QUOTE]
Mine too, ain't it great.
03-23-2009, 10:01 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
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After installation of headers and Corsa exhaust, I considered nearly loud enough. Seriously, I'm not sure where you are coming from. Magnaflows are barely louder than stock.