general question about engine sound
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21
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general question about engine sound
Ok, I've got very general technical question about engine sound. The other day, once again a s2000 tries to race me. I didn't race, but as he took off I thought of how much more I appreciate the deeper sound of a V8 vs. higher pitch sounding inline 4. And then I thought about rpm's and power strokes. With one revolution of the crankshaft, the v8 , on average goes through 4 power strokes, and the 4 cylinder gets just two bangs, right? So, a v8 at 6.5k rpm will be going through as many power strokes as a four cylinder at 13K rpm!!! I'm guessing then the frequency I'm hearing is NOT the power strokes, but something to do with the size of the chamber where the sound in produced, is that right?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
Ok, I've got very general technical question about engine sound. The other day, once again a s2000 tries to race me. I didn't race, but as he took off I thought of how much more I appreciate the deeper sound of a V8 vs. higher pitch sounding inline 4. And then I thought about rpm's and power strokes. With one revolution of the crankshaft, the v8 , on average goes through 4 power strokes, and the 4 cylinder gets just two bangs, right? So, a v8 at 6.5k rpm will be going through as many power strokes as a four cylinder at 13K rpm!!! I'm guessing then the frequency I'm hearing is NOT the power strokes, but something to do with the size of the chamber where the sound in produced, is that right?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
Hey, another example- the Viper sounds like a chain saw to me, especially in the late 90's configs w/ unconnected sidepipes (or whenever that was, I'm sure someone will correct me) of that ***-sounding V-10... More cylinders does not equal better sound. Depends on config. V-12 on the other hand sounds orgasmic in any car I've heard. Go figure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 781
Likes: 4
From: Reno Nevada
A big V8 has a deeper sound because of the size of the cylinders (and the firing order).
Viper V10’s firing order causes that droning sound. (I think)
A V12 sounds so good because the cylinders are (generally) small and a V12 (generally) revs higher that a big V8.
4 cylinder ricers (generally) have small engines and smaller cylinders and (generally) rev much higher that big V8s.
600cc sport bikes can sound wonderful with the right pipes, they rev to 15 – 17000 rpms.
A V8 that can rev to 10,000rpms or so sounds great.
Viper V10’s firing order causes that droning sound. (I think)
A V12 sounds so good because the cylinders are (generally) small and a V12 (generally) revs higher that a big V8.
4 cylinder ricers (generally) have small engines and smaller cylinders and (generally) rev much higher that big V8s.
600cc sport bikes can sound wonderful with the right pipes, they rev to 15 – 17000 rpms.
A V8 that can rev to 10,000rpms or so sounds great.
