Vehicles with Loud Exhaust Systems

[Alue]

So I was driving home from work today and I pulled up behind this vehicle that I could tell just by looking it had a modified exhaust to make it much louder. The engine was revving while idling and it was already pretty loud. It wasn't even nice sounding like a sports car, just a crappy vehicle modified to be as loud as possible. Luckily I had pair of 30db earmuffs in the passenger seat of my car, and I happened to have foam earplugs in at the time because I had just got off work. I don't normally wear either while driving but I slapped the earmuffs on before the light turned green and I'm glad I did. The idiot floored it sending a billow of smoke out of his exhaust and even with my ~35db hearing protection it seemed pretty loud!

Does anyone know how loud exhaust systems can get? People like that make me so angry.

 

[LeQuack]

Yes the make me angry as well, also motorbikes with loud exhausts.

 

[glynis]

Glad to hear you had ear plugs handy to pop in so well done @Alue
I don't know why people want their cars noisy and motorbikes too but bet you they are not the ones who get tinnitus.... lots of love glynis

 

[Path Maker]

I have taken to wearing my ear plugs around my neck when I go out. They came with an extremely thin (thread-like) but tough string that ties around the plugs. I have the Etymotic musician's plugs. I don't wear them everywhere, but I do keep them around my neck in the car for this exact same reason (loud cars, ambulances, etc.). Also, for walking across parking lots, I pop them in to help in case a car alarm goes off.

Wearing them like this makes it easier to be ready. You can just tuck them into your shirt.

 

[Bertman]

As a car enthusiast, loud exhausts don't make me angry at all. I actually envy people who can drive/ride loud sports cars and motorcycles.

 

[bill 112]

I'm a huge car enthusiast and during my 3 years with T before H showed up I often had exhaust systems on my car,Jasma exhaust systems which are sporty but not overly loud and they never had an effect on my T.You should try that Bertman if your still into cars.Also my mate has a crazy Exhaust system on his Nissan Skyline but yet inside the car it registers on my decibel meter as no louder than your average car,maybe 5-10db at certain revs but that's it.

But yes I agree with the original post,overly loud exhaust systems are just ridiculous and pointless and something before even my T days I heavily dis agreed with.They are not damageing to the driver because of the insulation but to the people exposed outside its a different story.Still though I envy the people who can drive them

 

[Alue]

As a car enthusiast, loud exhausts don't make me angry at all. I actually envy people who can drive/ride loud sports cars and motorcycles.

But purposefully modifying your vehicle to make it louder does. And it's illegal. I'm sure it was way over 100db.

Like @bill 112 said it's not damaging to the person driving it because of insulation and the exhaust is pointed directly behind, but to bystanders and people driving behind it can be damaging to their hearing. All for what? To make your car sound cool? It's fucking stupid. Makes me want to run the person off the road and rage.

And like I said, it wasn't a sports car with a performance exhaust, that I get to some extent, it was a vehicle that had the catalytic converter removed and an exhaust pipe put in for the sole purpose of making it louder.

 

[bill 112]

@Alue yeah that's a de-cat exhaust system and they are fucking stupid so I couldn't agree more.For someone like myself who was heavily into the modified car scene here in Ireland I could never understand the need for such a loud exhaust system.It makes the car sound like a screaming fart.

 

[Bertman]

I agree a loud exhaust on a crap car is dumb. But on a performance oriented car it's fine by me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's okay to be driving around with a full race exhaust, but in general adding more noise adds to the experience of driving a sports car. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Alue]

@Alue yeah that's a de-cat exhaust system and they are fucking stupid so I couldn't agree more.For someone like myself who was heavily into the modified car scene here in Ireland I could never understand the need for such a loud exhaust system.It makes the car sound like a screaming fart.

Do you know how loud those de-cat systems can get? Like how many decibels at 6 meters?

 

[bill 112]

Do you know how loud those de-cat systems can get? Like how many decibels at 6 meters?

Depends on exhaust system etc.

But in general your looking at 100db+ at the pipe.None of my cars exceeded 90db at the pipe but I of course didn't have a de-cat system.

 

[bill 112]

The loudest one I've ever encountered was a Buddy Club spec 2 exhaust system on a Civic Type R.This was years ago but it was so loud it actually shuck the glass on a nearby shop.Most are not this loud and usually sound a lot louder than what they are.Friend of mine has a Nissan Skyline that sounds insane but yet with a decibel meter he reaches 80db inside the car and 94db at as he drives by.My point is unless your head is stuck to the exhaust at full rev it's highly unlikely to do any damage.

 

[linearb]

The loudest motorcycle I've ever clocked was about 120 at the pipe.

 

[Alue]

The loudest one I've ever encountered was a Buddy Club spec 2 exhaust system on a Civic Type R.This was years ago but it was so loud it actually shuck the glass on a nearby shop.Most are not this loud and usually sound a lot louder than what they are.Friend of mine has a Nissan Skyline that sounds insane but yet with a decibel meter he reaches 80db inside the car and 94db at as he drives by.My point is unless your head is stuck to the exhaust at full rev it's highly unlikely to do any damage.

You're probably right.

The loudest motorcycle I've ever clocked was about 120 at the pipe.

120 still is pretty darn loud. But sound dissipates over distance quite a bit. Inverse square law.

 

[linearb]

120 still is pretty darn loud. But sound dissipates over distance quite a bit. Inverse square law.

That bike was loud enough that I was not a fan of revving it up to test it, let alone ride it. Probably six times louder than my bike.

 

[LeQuack]

On my way to/from work I have a few tunnels to go through and those are the worst because the assholes with loud exhausts will rev them inside the tunnel. Like they could be driving normally but once they get inside the tunnel it's like instant aasshole mode. Even inside the car it gets very loud.

 

[Codaz]

You're probably right.



120 still is pretty darn loud. But sound dissipates over distance quite a bit. Inverse square law.

Is there any calculation or how do you calculate that?

 

[Codaz]

Today I visited a friend an we walked trough the city. Unfortunately those idiots with modified Harley's drove along. And no, I don't think they have dB killers as people were nailed to the Streets because of the insane noise.
Police does nothing. When I walked to another street with more quiet shops it became clear that there was also a old motorcycle festival. I almost immediately left, but some idiot started his Harley and drove of to show off to people.
I have to remind myself more to cover my ears or take my plugs with me all the time.

 

[GregCA]

Is there any calculation or how do you calculate that?

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/acoustic/isprob2.html