How loud are you?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hockeytown
How loud are you?
Hi all, I'm new to the forum (first post) but have loved vettes for a long time. I expect I'll learn a whole lot from you guys. I just got my first C3 last fall 
and am compiling my "todo" list. I started thinking about exhausts and the fact that my neighbor thinks I bought a Harley. I don't know how she could mistake the bright yellow four-wheeler for a hog but oh well.
Anyway, this got me thinking about dB levels. How loud are you? Obviously it depends on where measurements are taken and at what rpm. Personally, I'm still trying to get my hands on a dB meter so I don't have my own #s to post. Just curious about the rest of you. Sound bytes a definite plus.
and am compiling my "todo" list. I started thinking about exhausts and the fact that my neighbor thinks I bought a Harley. I don't know how she could mistake the bright yellow four-wheeler for a hog but oh well.Anyway, this got me thinking about dB levels. How loud are you? Obviously it depends on where measurements are taken and at what rpm. Personally, I'm still trying to get my hands on a dB meter so I don't have my own #s to post. Just curious about the rest of you. Sound bytes a definite plus.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hockeytown
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to be obnoixious. There is a point of being to loud.
The guy I bought it from had replaced the stock pipes with some that he had taken the neck out of. I'm trying to decide if I want to put the old pipes back on.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hockeytown
Well, I'm not young but then neither is she. Don't get me wrong, she is a big fan of the car and I was very conscious of all my neighbors the one day 
I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time".
I was really looking for hard numbers but I don't know if anyone typically measures it. That is until they violate the noise ordinance.
My guess is that from about 10ft at idle (outside the garage) its probably 80-85dB (= loud)
I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time". I was really looking for hard numbers but I don't know if anyone typically measures it. That is until they violate the noise ordinance.
My guess is that from about 10ft at idle (outside the garage) its probably 80-85dB (= loud)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
[QUOTE=NIC3]Well, I'm not young but then neither is she. Don't get me wrong, she is a big fan of the car and I was very conscious of all my neighbors the one day I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time".
AT 6AM I would complain too. My vette is loud when its cold and the idle is at 2000 and I never take it out of the garage before 10am on weekends. Sent her flowers or do something nice for her.
I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time". AT 6AM I would complain too. My vette is loud when its cold and the idle is at 2000 and I never take it out of the garage before 10am on weekends. Sent her flowers or do something nice for her.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hockeytown
[QUOTE=Jims79]
and I do (shovel snow, clean gutters, fix paver walkway...). And to clarify: she never complained about it and I only did it the once 
Originally Posted by NIC3
Well, I'm not young but then neither is she. Don't get me wrong, she is a big fan of the car and I was very conscious of all my neighbors the one day I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time".
AT 6AM I would complain too. My vette is loud when its cold and the idle is at 2000 and I never take it out of the garage before 10am on weekends. Sent her flowers or do something nice for her.
I decided to take it to work last fall (6am) -- I parked on the street to reduce "exposure time". AT 6AM I would complain too. My vette is loud when its cold and the idle is at 2000 and I never take it out of the garage before 10am on weekends. Sent her flowers or do something nice for her.
and I do (shovel snow, clean gutters, fix paver walkway...). And to clarify: she never complained about it and I only did it the once
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
I hate you Jughead! 
Now I REALLY want to have my sidepipes installed 
On topic: I think it depends on a few things:
1. the Law,
2. Your ears,
3. Whether or not you make long trips,
4. Your environment and
5. how much you want to keep a friendly relation with it.
Personally, I live in an environment where having a corvette already offends people, so my attitude towards being loud (loud is good) doesn't worsen the relationship with my neighbours. However: I park my car under an appartment complex a few hundred meters away and those people I'd like to stay on friendly terms with. So that's why I'll order some mufflers (or inserts I believe), to quiet my sidepipes down (a bit, when I finally have them on).
Now I REALLY want to have my sidepipes installed On topic: I think it depends on a few things:
1. the Law,
2. Your ears,
3. Whether or not you make long trips,
4. Your environment and
5. how much you want to keep a friendly relation with it.
Personally, I live in an environment where having a corvette already offends people, so my attitude towards being loud (loud is good) doesn't worsen the relationship with my neighbours. However: I park my car under an appartment complex a few hundred meters away and those people I'd like to stay on friendly terms with. So that's why I'll order some mufflers (or inserts I believe), to quiet my sidepipes down (a bit, when I finally have them on).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Here is a general reference for you guys to get your bearings, if you are interested:
Sounds dB SPL
Rocket Launching 180
Jet Engine 140
Thunderclap, Air Raid Siren 1 Meter 130
Jet takeoff (200 ft) 120
Rock Concert, Discotheque 110
Firecrackers, Subway Train 100
Heavy Truck (15 Meter), City Traffic 90
Alarm Clock (1 Meter), Hair Dryer 80
Noisy Restaurant, Business Office 70
Air Conditioning Unit, Conversational Speech 60
Light Traffic (50 Meter), Average Home 50
Living Room, Quiet Office 40
Library, Soft Whisper (5 Meter) 30
Broadcasting Studio, Rustling Leaves 20
Hearing Threshold 0
Sounds dB SPL
Rocket Launching 180
Jet Engine 140
Thunderclap, Air Raid Siren 1 Meter 130
Jet takeoff (200 ft) 120
Rock Concert, Discotheque 110
Firecrackers, Subway Train 100
Heavy Truck (15 Meter), City Traffic 90
Alarm Clock (1 Meter), Hair Dryer 80
Noisy Restaurant, Business Office 70
Air Conditioning Unit, Conversational Speech 60
Light Traffic (50 Meter), Average Home 50
Living Room, Quiet Office 40
Library, Soft Whisper (5 Meter) 30
Broadcasting Studio, Rustling Leaves 20
Hearing Threshold 0
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Sounds dB SPL
Rocket Launching 180
My Corvette with Chambered Exhaust 150
Jet Engine 140
Thunderclap, Air Raid Siren 1 Meter 130
Jet takeoff (200 ft) 120
Rock Concert, Discotheque 110
Firecrackers, Subway Train 100
Heavy Truck (15 Meter), City Traffic 90
Alarm Clock (1 Meter), Hair Dryer 80
Noisy Restaurant, Business Office 70
Air Conditioning Unit, Conversational Speech 60
Light Traffic (50 Meter), Average Home 50
Living Room, Quiet Office 40
Library, Soft Whisper (5 Meter) 30
Broadcasting Studio, Rustling Leaves 20
Hearing Threshold 0
Rocket Launching 180
My Corvette with Chambered Exhaust 150
Jet Engine 140
Thunderclap, Air Raid Siren 1 Meter 130
Jet takeoff (200 ft) 120
Rock Concert, Discotheque 110
Firecrackers, Subway Train 100
Heavy Truck (15 Meter), City Traffic 90
Alarm Clock (1 Meter), Hair Dryer 80
Noisy Restaurant, Business Office 70
Air Conditioning Unit, Conversational Speech 60
Light Traffic (50 Meter), Average Home 50
Living Room, Quiet Office 40
Library, Soft Whisper (5 Meter) 30
Broadcasting Studio, Rustling Leaves 20
Hearing Threshold 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
never had anyone drive my car so i could stand outside and listen, but i have headers with chambered and straght pipes on my BB... i think its rather loud cuz when i stand on it people turn around to see whats coming...lol
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
well, believe it or not my '77 is so loud (but not the loud you can measure in db, this one you can only measure on the richter scale 
) that i can't stay too long into the garage of the building where i live to warm the engine up as the neighbors, even those living on the upper floors, claim their apartments shake like if a hearthquake was taking their homes...i also have to say that my wife knows exactly when i switch the engine on because she also feels the tremors, and we live on the 12th floor
) that i can't stay too long into the garage of the building where i live to warm the engine up as the neighbors, even those living on the upper floors, claim their apartments shake like if a hearthquake was taking their homes...i also have to say that my wife knows exactly when i switch the engine on because she also feels the tremors, and we live on the 12th floor
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Key West Fl
I want my vette to sound like my harley, At an idle my bike is 92db, and when I rev it, it hits 120. But then again I have to wear ear plugs on a long ride. I don't think I would want that in the vette. Around 100db would probably not be to bad at crusin speed for a dinomatted car. But also you do not want to do that if you are worried about you neighbors. I have had people complain about my bike if I let it warm up too long. But others have made a comment about me being their alarm clock 
.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I'm in the "loud enough but not obnoxious" camp, BUT..
I think at some point, when you are replacing your exhaust or installing headers, everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to run your engine with open exhaust!!!
It is fun to do.... once.... briefly! 
I think at some point, when you are replacing your exhaust or installing headers, everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to run your engine with open exhaust!!!
It is fun to do.... once.... briefly!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
ive got a couple of sound clips of my vette if i can ever find them...
anyways, im running stock mufflers that have a couple of rust holes in them, nothing too major. couple of my friends said they can hear me comeing from a block away while their still in there basements.
anyways, im running stock mufflers that have a couple of rust holes in them, nothing too major. couple of my friends said they can hear me comeing from a block away while their still in there basements.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 6
From: Long Beach CA
VERY. It's even louder now than this clip shows, and no it's not me behind the wheel...previous owner.
http://www.c3sharktank.com/sound/bgburnout1.WMV
http://www.c3sharktank.com/sound/bgburnout1.WMV
Last edited by Daytona69; Jan 27, 2006 at 02:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
I happen to have a MK-3 Audio Dosimeter....my 78 reads 76db at idle and 91 @ 3000 rpm....(The readings I got on the 69 are classified information.. .)...but our Calif state code allows 95 db at 5000 rpm for performance exhaust....my buds vette is way above that with side pipes...
.)...but our Calif state code allows 95 db at 5000 rpm for performance exhaust....my buds vette is way above that with side pipes...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4