Road noise excessive?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 275
Likes: 2
From: Tucson Arizona
Road noise excessive?
So I am new to my '99 and it may be normal but there sure seems like a *lot* of road noise coming from the back. I am wondering if this is normal or if someone removed some sound deadening materials. Having the sound system that increases with RPM doesn't overcome noise and I am going to have to fix the problem.
Who all is in Tucson BTW?
Who all is in Tucson BTW?
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Believe it or not....there is no sound proofing/deadening in the C5 so you have to go aftermarket. Do a Search and you'll find tons of info on this topic with suggested solutions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm located in Tucson and been here since 1982 when I fled Minnesota for a warmer climate and year around top down vette enjoyment.
Do You have a coupe or convert and what tires are on the car?
I have a convert and got a Lloyd full trunk floor mat that matches the front mats and that made a huge difference in road noise. I also have the Michelin AS ZP tires and they are much quieter than the Good Year's.
Do You have a coupe or convert and what tires are on the car?
I have a convert and got a Lloyd full trunk floor mat that matches the front mats and that made a huge difference in road noise. I also have the Michelin AS ZP tires and they are much quieter than the Good Year's.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 1
From: North Topsail Beach NC
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires cut the noise by about half from what the Goodyear runflats were making. Keep in mind you are sitting right in front of your back tires. I took a trip this fall and packed a sleeping bag in the center storage opening in the trunk. It deadened the sound back there so well that I've just left it in there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
If you happen to have a FRC, a partition will do wonders. The Lloyds trunk mat mentioned earlier also does a decent job. The Michelin tires would round out the package.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 2
From: Brighton MI
As several others have posted - the brand and age of your tires can be a very big generator of "road" noise. A C5 w/ 'quiet' new tires is really quite good on reasonable road surfaces IMO. Also are you noticing a leaky door or window seal creating 'wind' noise?
Based on my experience and forum searches, runflats are generally always noisy and harsh ride and much worse with tire age and mileage. Many positive comments for the Michelin Pilots and I am satisfied with the Bridgestone 760 Sport - much much quieter than the new GY Supercar non-run flats that were on my '03Z. In my case, the trade-off is probably some grip near the limits - but is ok for a quieter ride on the street in my case.
Next comes noise barrier options - like the heavy sticky stuff that goes under the carpet. Works but adds mass to your rocket.
Based on my experience and forum searches, runflats are generally always noisy and harsh ride and much worse with tire age and mileage. Many positive comments for the Michelin Pilots and I am satisfied with the Bridgestone 760 Sport - much much quieter than the new GY Supercar non-run flats that were on my '03Z. In my case, the trade-off is probably some grip near the limits - but is ok for a quieter ride on the street in my case.
Next comes noise barrier options - like the heavy sticky stuff that goes under the carpet. Works but adds mass to your rocket.
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Safety Car
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From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Although "search" is rather like reading an encyclopedia, there are tons of threads on this subject.....Post if you have an FRC, conv, or coup to allow first recommendations, but previous posts are a good start....Your level of "quietness" may exceed these ideas, but these are a great start.....If so, get ready to dampen one source only to have another creep in....
GL
Tom
GLTom
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
As you see in a Z06 it has a "fixed roof" and considered a coupe.
HTH
(I was typing while my colleague above posted
)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
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From: Conejo Valley CA
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...os-photos.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires cut the noise by about half from what the Goodyear runflats were making. Keep in mind you are sitting right in front of your back tires. I took a trip this fall and packed a sleeping bag in the center storage opening in the trunk. It deadened the sound back there so well that I've just left it in there.
Going from the stock Goodyears to Michelines made a BIG difference for me,,,in my FRC!! Oh my,,,I'm a poet
!! Seriously,,,they are a LOT quieter than Goodyears!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 275
Likes: 2
From: Tucson Arizona
Wow guys. Thanks for the replies!
The noise is from the rear although I do have some wind noise from the drivers weatherstripping when I am at highway speeds. I have the FRC with Falken FK452's in 275-40/18. The new engine does have long-tube headers and a Vortec with BOV and N20 so there won't be worry about rear noise. I like the idea of a partition so I will look at making one. There are some noises back there that sound like a clunk. I thought it was bad shocks and found that they were all stock. Possibly original so I replaced them with Koni FSD. The clunk is still there. Possibly sway links. The control arm bushings look fine so I am going to check the ball-joints. Do the uppers not fail? It seems that the price and availability indicate a low rate of replacement. I should probably start another thread as I am getting into suspension system rather than sound deadening.
The noise is from the rear although I do have some wind noise from the drivers weatherstripping when I am at highway speeds. I have the FRC with Falken FK452's in 275-40/18. The new engine does have long-tube headers and a Vortec with BOV and N20 so there won't be worry about rear noise. I like the idea of a partition so I will look at making one. There are some noises back there that sound like a clunk. I thought it was bad shocks and found that they were all stock. Possibly original so I replaced them with Koni FSD. The clunk is still there. Possibly sway links. The control arm bushings look fine so I am going to check the ball-joints. Do the uppers not fail? It seems that the price and availability indicate a low rate of replacement. I should probably start another thread as I am getting into suspension system rather than sound deadening.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 26
From: Spring Texas
Mats and carpet
I had a Lloyds mat- went to Lowe's and purchased a roll of indoor/outdoor carpet ( not the fake grass-looking stuff but the flat type) for about $20.
Used the Lloyds mat as a pattern. You can get two layers from the one roll and the floor level is raised only about 1/2". Helps a lot.
Next step will be non-runflats.
Used the Lloyds mat as a pattern. You can get two layers from the one roll and the floor level is raised only about 1/2". Helps a lot.
Next step will be non-runflats.
