Man this car is noisy on the freeway, so much road noise
09-18-2014, 08:15 PM
#102
Racer
Member Since: Feb 2001
Location: Troy NC
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Man this car is noisy on the freeway, so much road noise. My car is a Z51 Coupe 3LT Auto.
At freeway speeds, one has to almost shout to hold a conversation with the person sitting next to you.
The stereo sounds great at slow/no speed, but speed up, and the road noise all but drowns it out unless you to crank it up to “give me a headache” volumes (and yes I do have the volume compensation thingy turned on).
This is not engine or wind noise, it appears to be coming from the tires.
And I can hear little stones hitting underneath the car quite a lot, it’s like there’s little or no sound deadening on this car.
I have no idea what the other generation cars interior noise level is like, since this is the first Vette I have ever owned.
I love the sport with a luxury touch ideal of the 3LT trim level, which is why I ordered it that way, but man that road noise is just spoiling it for me.
I installed a “partition” from Exoticvette as I had read in another thread that it helps with the road noise coming from the rear, and while it looks good and functions great as a partition, it did nothing to suppress any road/tire noise.
I suppose, since I think it’s mostly generated from the rock hard tiny super stiff sidewalled run flat tires, that my best option will be to hurry up and wear out the Michelins and look for a softer and quieter riding set of tires, and even maybe going up a smidge on the sidewall size, like from 35 to 40 for the fronts and from 30 to 35 on the rears, if they even come that size. Just thinking out loud here.
I really don’t feel like removing all the interior to install Dynomat to everything, but maybe I will have to if I’m to enjoy this car, which is my dream car, that I have been saving/planning for for the past 7 years.
Sorry for the long winded rant, I’m hoping to get some advise from others on this topic, maybe some advise on which tires brand/types would be best for me on this car.
At freeway speeds, one has to almost shout to hold a conversation with the person sitting next to you.
The stereo sounds great at slow/no speed, but speed up, and the road noise all but drowns it out unless you to crank it up to “give me a headache” volumes (and yes I do have the volume compensation thingy turned on).
This is not engine or wind noise, it appears to be coming from the tires.
And I can hear little stones hitting underneath the car quite a lot, it’s like there’s little or no sound deadening on this car.
I have no idea what the other generation cars interior noise level is like, since this is the first Vette I have ever owned.
I love the sport with a luxury touch ideal of the 3LT trim level, which is why I ordered it that way, but man that road noise is just spoiling it for me.
I installed a “partition” from Exoticvette as I had read in another thread that it helps with the road noise coming from the rear, and while it looks good and functions great as a partition, it did nothing to suppress any road/tire noise.
I suppose, since I think it’s mostly generated from the rock hard tiny super stiff sidewalled run flat tires, that my best option will be to hurry up and wear out the Michelins and look for a softer and quieter riding set of tires, and even maybe going up a smidge on the sidewall size, like from 35 to 40 for the fronts and from 30 to 35 on the rears, if they even come that size. Just thinking out loud here.
I really don’t feel like removing all the interior to install Dynomat to everything, but maybe I will have to if I’m to enjoy this car, which is my dream car, that I have been saving/planning for for the past 7 years.
Sorry for the long winded rant, I’m hoping to get some advise from others on this topic, maybe some advise on which tires brand/types would be best for me on this car.
09-18-2014, 08:23 PM
#103
Burning Brakes
09-18-2014, 09:46 PM
#107
Here is my recommendation for the OP, see PDF attached:
Some comments by the Tire Rack test drivers:
"The Ventus S1 noble2 provided the best ride comfort of the group as it did a fine job absorbing the bumps and expansion joints."
"The Ventus S1 noble2 also produced the least amount of tread noise, although there was a moderate amount of boom heard when encountering larger impacts."
• "Conclusion: Delivers a great blend of ride, handling and traction during the summer months"
Some comments by the Tire Rack test drivers:
"The Ventus S1 noble2 provided the best ride comfort of the group as it did a fine job absorbing the bumps and expansion joints."
"The Ventus S1 noble2 also produced the least amount of tread noise, although there was a moderate amount of boom heard when encountering larger impacts."
• "Conclusion: Delivers a great blend of ride, handling and traction during the summer months"
09-19-2014, 09:06 AM
#109
Instructor
Just took a 1000 mile road trip in my C-7 vert and I can say that it's much quiter than my C-6, however road surfaces have a very definate impact on the sound level in the car.
09-19-2014, 10:04 AM
#110
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
09-19-2014, 10:32 AM
#111
Le Mans Master
Selif, you are correct that on asphalt surface freeways the car is much quieter, but here in SoCal, where I drive the 210 allot, which is all concrete, makes for a very noisy C7.
Yes this is my first Vette.
CM, thanks for the advise on the top seal, I had already read post and so went to checked the lid fit, which is OK. As are the window seals.
I have the tire pressure at 30 psi per the door post sticker.
I think the blame lies with the run-flats, and I’ll be researching tire options on the Tire Rack website. I have had good luck with Continentals for ride quality and quietness in the past with my Jaguars (XK8 and XF), but I don’t see they make any in Z51 size, yet. As time goes by I hope new tires will become available that are Z51 size but moor geared towards ride quality than driving 100 mph round a track, which I will never be doing.
I figured the base car would give a better quality ride but, like others, I don’t like the look of the wheels and little black spoiler, and for the money, the Z51 pkg is a must have option for me. And knowing myself, I would regret not getting the best/most car available for my dream ride that I intend to keep. I spent many long hours on this great forum trying to decide on Z51 vs. non-Z51. In the end, I knew I had to get the Z51, highest trim level, most options including MR. I’m starting to get used to the stiff ride (in Tour mode), but the road noise, that may take me some time to get used to, if ever.
Looking forward to my tires wearing out!
Yes this is my first Vette.
CM, thanks for the advise on the top seal, I had already read post and so went to checked the lid fit, which is OK. As are the window seals.
I have the tire pressure at 30 psi per the door post sticker.
I think the blame lies with the run-flats, and I’ll be researching tire options on the Tire Rack website. I have had good luck with Continentals for ride quality and quietness in the past with my Jaguars (XK8 and XF), but I don’t see they make any in Z51 size, yet. As time goes by I hope new tires will become available that are Z51 size but moor geared towards ride quality than driving 100 mph round a track, which I will never be doing.
I figured the base car would give a better quality ride but, like others, I don’t like the look of the wheels and little black spoiler, and for the money, the Z51 pkg is a must have option for me. And knowing myself, I would regret not getting the best/most car available for my dream ride that I intend to keep. I spent many long hours on this great forum trying to decide on Z51 vs. non-Z51. In the end, I knew I had to get the Z51, highest trim level, most options including MR. I’m starting to get used to the stiff ride (in Tour mode), but the road noise, that may take me some time to get used to, if ever.
Looking forward to my tires wearing out!
09-19-2014, 12:46 PM
#114
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,483
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I have a Z51 and 3LT as well and I agree it's quieter than my C6 Z51. Perhaps it's the sub woofer that I missed in the C6. 60's Doo-wop sounds great!!
09-19-2014, 01:02 PM
#115
Team Owner
My old C5 was REALLY noisy with the OE Goodyear's. Replaced them with Michelin A/S run flats and it was day and night difference.
My C6 Z06 was noisy with the OE Goodyear's. Replaced them with Bridgestone run flats and again it was day and night difference.
Sure, there is still some road noise on bad road surfaces, but nothing like with the Goodyear's. On good road surfaces, the Bridgestone's are dead quiet.
Unfortunately, I don't think Bridgestone has a run flat that will fit the C7Z51 wheel sizes.
My C6 Z06 was noisy with the OE Goodyear's. Replaced them with Bridgestone run flats and again it was day and night difference.
Sure, there is still some road noise on bad road surfaces, but nothing like with the Goodyear's. On good road surfaces, the Bridgestone's are dead quiet.
Unfortunately, I don't think Bridgestone has a run flat that will fit the C7Z51 wheel sizes.
09-19-2014, 02:05 PM
#116
Le Mans Master
My C5 with headers, GHL exhaust and "X" pipe was loud. My C6 with an A6 and Corsa sports was less noisy. But my C7 is way quieter on the highway. And I do have the NPP exhaust. Wonder what this guy is complaining about? 
Maybe he should have bought a Dyson.
Maybe he should have bought a Dyson.
09-19-2014, 03:25 PM
#117
Melting Slicks
09-19-2014, 07:04 PM
#119
Supporting Vendor
Road noise can be many things.
Road condition
bad insulation ( which I doubt)
tires ( if they are v cut eventually they begin to cause some noise) also the ZP tires that the C7 comes with are rougher then normal tires and I have heard cases of ppl saying they cause noise.
Road condition
bad insulation ( which I doubt)
tires ( if they are v cut eventually they begin to cause some noise) also the ZP tires that the C7 comes with are rougher then normal tires and I have heard cases of ppl saying they cause noise.
09-19-2014, 07:50 PM
#120
Racer
Road noise is primarily from the type of tires and the type of road surface. No matter what kind of car you have, you will have road noise, of some kind. When your tires wear out, try talking with the guys at Tire Rack, tell them your issues and they will stear you to the right tires for your car/ride. I had the same issues with my $125k SL550. I bought new tires and the noise was reduced 50-75%. Consider the Bridgestone Potenzas S-04. Very good for me. Check to see if they will fit your car.
Last edited by 5821driver; 09-19-2014 at 07:54 PM.