Noisy Viper & Laguna Seca, can I run???

[SoCal Rebell]

I wanna run Laguna Seca in Dec. but they will have the 92 db noise rule in effect. I have headers, hi-flow cats & 3" catbacks, will I pass. Has anyone run there with these mods? Any tricks I can use (ie curved exaust pipe ect.). I'd hate to drive the 400 miles and pay the $500 not to run!

 

[toddt]

Ron--

There was just a thread about noise a few days ago..Grab it. One of the guys on it said that what he does is just get off the throttle as he passes sound check.

He was also very skeptical that the viper in question would fail, as his normal race car never does.

 

[Stephen Yap]

Ron,
Stock vipers are measured around 90+ db. I have a borla exhaust and put in Ted May's exhaust plugs which are turned 90 degrees away from the sound station but still had to keep it around 4000 rpm when I passed them to avoid the black flag.

 

[Tomer]

At the risk of asking the dumb question, why is the track sooooooooooo tight on this? If a stock Viper is on the hairy edge of getting black flagged, are they not too strict? Stock Vipers are not that loud after all...

I don't know the area, but I assume there is not any retirement homes right beside the track???

Tomer

 

[MtHam ACR]

Two choices:

1. Run stock exhaust at WOT
2. Short shift into 4th at the exit of 5 and don't drive too aggressively up the hill.

There aren't generally other options, but I'm sure some of the shops wouldn't mind taking your money to prove it. Lots of variables effect the readings (distance from the meter, traffic, weather), but in the final analysis it comes down to those two above.

Stephen Yap wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Stock vipers are measured around 90+ db.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> My experience is different, I've been measured at 87-88db in my 2001 which is a significant delta from 90 as the db curve is exponential. I've driven Laguna on 90db days and had no issue. For reference, I've been told California's street sound limit is 93db.

If you're running with Green Flag, they will give you some lenience, but they have to call you in if you trip the meter and ask you to "change something." Typically that means a short shift and judicious application of right foot. If that doesn't work, 3 flags and you park it (these guys are serious about this as they can lose their right to come back).

tomer wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>why is the track sooooooooooo tight on this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> The guys with expensive real estate have more clout than guys with expensive cars.

Even though the track was built in the boonies in the late 50s, Monterey area real estate has encroached and prices continue to rise. I guess that if you pay 7-figures for a home, you don't want your saturday afternoon nap disturbed (because, it is only naptime disturbed, they only run from 9am to 5pm).

This is in contrast (from a very good source) who tells me the music concerts can go to 11pm or later and he promises THEY are well over 90db even at that hour (or was that the sheep's bleating from you having your way with her, Gav?)

 

[Tomer]

thanks Eric...

So this boils down to the Old Golden Rule, he with all the Gold makes the rules...

Downright despicable...

Tomer

 

[Jim Hodel]

I ran with the Ferrari Club in June and didn't have any problems with my 99 GTS with a Corsa 3 inch cat back although your car is probably louder the mine. I could run full throttle up the hill past the sound station.

Jim

 

[DanElam]

Yeah, that was me the other day. Just lift by sound control if you have a problem. They almost always put sound control about 2/3 down the straight when you are max throttle. Just find the spot and lift as you go by. Some guys do it in the races. (We usually have a 103db limit. One guy had a 119 not too long ago.)

The db scale is exponential - not linear. My Viper is usually around 88db (varies with atmospheric conditions). You should be fine.

For a school or open track day there is no reason to spend money changing your exhaust. Just go out and have fun except for the few seconds when you lift.

-Dan

 

[Steve-Indy]

Try a search ..the specs may be here...and/or, call Nor Cal's Fred Kinder...as he probably knows the proper distance to tell you to set a db meter from your car for a reading at at a high rpm, then at speed...good luck

 

[JonB]

Call Ted May at Valaya Racing.

Ted has engineered a Laguna-specific temporary fix, easily removable.

 

[Tom Glenn]

If you can keep your passengers from screaming you will probably be ok.

 

[prodiver]

I would make certain you can pass the db test before going. Laguna Seca is very strict. One warning and then you are out. I ran there many times with my Vette but haven't even tried it with the Viper. It is a fun track but not as good as Buttonwillow. Good luck.