Road noise
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Here is what I did. Can't say it made a big difference but I tried.
1. Switched to Continental DWS06 All Season non runflat tires
2. Installed a Lloyd's Luxe cargo mat
3. Put rubber foam mats behind seats under the carpet
1. Switched to Continental DWS06 All Season non runflat tires
2. Installed a Lloyd's Luxe cargo mat
3. Put rubber foam mats behind seats under the carpet
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Agree. The available noise data show no differences between PSS ZPs and and regular versions. Yet folks keep repeating the same antiquated and inaccurate info as fact. The placebo effect takes care the rest.
Last edited by Foosh; Mar 13, 2018 at 08:51 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 80
New tires are always quieter than old tires with worn treads- this probably explains most of it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Didn't know cont. Dws06 was all season, good to know. I knew they had the non RF.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
The road surface has a yuuuge effect on cabin noise. My previous cruiser was an '11 Mustang GT Premium which had noticeable road noise, especially on rougher surface asphalt.
When I got the C7, I noticed it had more noise on familiar roads than did my Mustang, with a particularly aggravating amount being generated by the drum head aka the cargo bin floor. It seemed that every bump in the road was amplified through the cargo bin and bounced off the rear glass directly to my ears....
I considered swapping the tires to Michelin A/S 3+, but before plunking down $1400, decided to investigate Block It mats.
Before installing the mats I ran a ten mile course on known local roads and freeways to get a baseline noise level with my iPhone Decibel X Pro app. I installed the mats (a five minute job) and reran the same course. The result was a reduction of 2 - 3 db overall, and a significant drop in the annoying rear deck noise.
While the noise level is still noticeable and affected by the road surface, it is equivalent to the cabin noise in my Mustang, and more importantly, the noise spikes from the back have been significantly reduced.
When I got the C7, I noticed it had more noise on familiar roads than did my Mustang, with a particularly aggravating amount being generated by the drum head aka the cargo bin floor. It seemed that every bump in the road was amplified through the cargo bin and bounced off the rear glass directly to my ears....
I considered swapping the tires to Michelin A/S 3+, but before plunking down $1400, decided to investigate Block It mats.
Before installing the mats I ran a ten mile course on known local roads and freeways to get a baseline noise level with my iPhone Decibel X Pro app. I installed the mats (a five minute job) and reran the same course. The result was a reduction of 2 - 3 db overall, and a significant drop in the annoying rear deck noise.
While the noise level is still noticeable and affected by the road surface, it is equivalent to the cabin noise in my Mustang, and more importantly, the noise spikes from the back have been significantly reduced.
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Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 687
Likes: 102
From: Albany NY
I'm with jimmbbo. My ears are my db meters. I've done the Blockit mat, with the 2 extra matts behind the seats, some Blockit adhesive stuff for rear floor, up and over the "hump" and all around the drive train (behind the arm rest), topped it off with a layer of Loyds Total $ 345. and I'm ALMOST done, much better, but in 2-3 weeks, some Contis non RF are coming my way. Any resale market on 4 Mich OEM Cup's with 3,000 miles?????
Some one in this mentioned lexan/plex wall behind the seats, esp. for when to top is off....any "noise" comments pre and post install ? Anyone bought one ?
Some one in this mentioned lexan/plex wall behind the seats, esp. for when to top is off....any "noise" comments pre and post install ? Anyone bought one ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
The road surface has a yuuuge effect on cabin noise. My previous cruiser was an '11 Mustang GT Premium which had noticeable road noise, especially on rougher surface asphalt.
When I got the C7, I noticed it had more noise on familiar roads than did my Mustang, with a particularly aggravating amount being generated by the drum head aka the cargo bin floor. It seemed that every bump in the road was amplified through the cargo bin and bounced off the rear glass directly to my ears....
I considered swapping the tires to Michelin A/S 3+, but before plunking down $1400, decided to investigate Block It mats.
Before installing the mats I ran a ten mile course on known local roads and freeways to get a baseline noise level with my iPhone Decibel X Pro app. I installed the mats (a five minute job) and reran the same course. The result was a reduction of 2 - 3 db overall, and a significant drop in the annoying rear deck noise.
While the noise level is still noticeable and affected by the road surface, it is equivalent to the cabin noise in my Mustang, and more importantly, the noise spikes from the back have been significantly reduced.
When I got the C7, I noticed it had more noise on familiar roads than did my Mustang, with a particularly aggravating amount being generated by the drum head aka the cargo bin floor. It seemed that every bump in the road was amplified through the cargo bin and bounced off the rear glass directly to my ears....
I considered swapping the tires to Michelin A/S 3+, but before plunking down $1400, decided to investigate Block It mats.
Before installing the mats I ran a ten mile course on known local roads and freeways to get a baseline noise level with my iPhone Decibel X Pro app. I installed the mats (a five minute job) and reran the same course. The result was a reduction of 2 - 3 db overall, and a significant drop in the annoying rear deck noise.
While the noise level is still noticeable and affected by the road surface, it is equivalent to the cabin noise in my Mustang, and more importantly, the noise spikes from the back have been significantly reduced.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 365
Likes: 54
From: Huntsville Tx
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 365
Likes: 54
From: Huntsville Tx
Thanks to all who have responded. "30MPH on smooth concrete roadway" was misinterpreted. I meant that concrete is way less noise than asphalt, and slow speed is less noisy than high speed. So under ideal conditions, the noise is acceptable with concrete/30MPH. But 98% of my driving is on non ideal normal asphalt road bed at typical around town speeds (30-50). On typical Chip and Seal road surface, Anything over 20 MPH is too loud. After 10 minutes driving the corridor between Longmont CO and Boulder CO, my ears were ringing.
Seems there are two types of solutions- thin butyl rubber (50-80 mm) like Dynamat, and thick foam like Blockit. Blockit was totally ineffective, perhaps I'll try the butyl.
Also, I wonder how much difference there would be between, say, a stock non-Z51Stingray and a Z06 in terms of noise. I would be willing to step down to a base Stingray, even with the stock skinny tires, if this would satisfy my noise requirement. As it is, all the wonderful performance/looks of a Z06 is wasted on me cause the noise is so irritating.
Anyone tried a stock stingray vs a Z06?
Seems there are two types of solutions- thin butyl rubber (50-80 mm) like Dynamat, and thick foam like Blockit. Blockit was totally ineffective, perhaps I'll try the butyl.
Also, I wonder how much difference there would be between, say, a stock non-Z51Stingray and a Z06 in terms of noise. I would be willing to step down to a base Stingray, even with the stock skinny tires, if this would satisfy my noise requirement. As it is, all the wonderful performance/looks of a Z06 is wasted on me cause the noise is so irritating.
Anyone tried a stock stingray vs a Z06?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 30
Likes: 10
When I got my 16 2LT Stingray, I thought the noise was unbearable and was really regretting my purchase. I used Dynamat on the back and behind the seats, added the 3 piece BlockIt and put down the Lloyds mats. Really made a big difference. No problems with conversation or hearing the radio. Local roads and I95. Now just loving the car whenever I'm behind the wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,136
Likes: 672
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 37
From: Monterey CA
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
No, tire noise is NOT a function of the runflat design, PSS ZPs and non-ZPs test out about equal in terms of tire noise. The noise is primarily due to the the lack of insulation in the very thin rear cargo area floor.
You may find a slightly quieter tire that is not available as a runflat, but there's nothing inherent in the runflat design, which is only about sidewall construction, that makes them louder. If you think you can cure the noise issue by simply purchasing a set of non-ZP tires, you'll be disappointed unless you are particularly susceptible to the placebo effect, in which case you probably can fool yourself into thinking it's quieter.
You may find a slightly quieter tire that is not available as a runflat, but there's nothing inherent in the runflat design, which is only about sidewall construction, that makes them louder. If you think you can cure the noise issue by simply purchasing a set of non-ZP tires, you'll be disappointed unless you are particularly susceptible to the placebo effect, in which case you probably can fool yourself into thinking it's quieter.
Last edited by Foosh; Mar 15, 2018 at 12:43 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Here was my response to road noise on another thread:
"The fun of having a Corvette is not only feeling the road, but hearing the road! What's wrong with you guys? Unbelievable.
Let me see? I'm going to buy a car and noise is one of my prime concerns. I think I'll start by shopping for a Corvette. Give me a break.
"
"The fun of having a Corvette is not only feeling the road, but hearing the road! What's wrong with you guys? Unbelievable.
Let me see? I'm going to buy a car and noise is one of my prime concerns. I think I'll start by shopping for a Corvette. Give me a break.
"
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,246
Likes: 4,624
Joe,
the last Corvette I test drove was a new C5 coupe back in the '90s. I test drove it one exit down the expressway in front of the Chevy dealer and back. The sound of the exhaust, with the road noise from the cavern was very noticeable and bothersome. I lucked out on considering a new C7 vert instead of the cavern hatchback. So glad I did. Almost no noise from back there. You need to get back on a vert.
the last Corvette I test drove was a new C5 coupe back in the '90s. I test drove it one exit down the expressway in front of the Chevy dealer and back. The sound of the exhaust, with the road noise from the cavern was very noticeable and bothersome. I lucked out on considering a new C7 vert instead of the cavern hatchback. So glad I did. Almost no noise from back there. You need to get back on a vert.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,045
Likes: 12,412
From: NE South Carolina
Thought this Thread was one of the best on decreasing noise! The OP did his homework, spent a lot of time adding multiple layers of quality sound insulation and has dB data before/after and then after changing tires! 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-readings.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-readings.html
Last edited by JerryU; Mar 15, 2018 at 08:43 AM.