Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptable

[PilotaX]

I've tried everything I can to get used to it, but I have to be honest: while the 2013 exhaust sounds good, the dB level in the GTS (at mid throttle to WOT) is on par with my 1966 GT350 race car (with side exhaust, no mufflers). As a long-time racer, I know what constant exposure to this level of sound can do to your hearing long term. And I would be willing to bet that anyone who drives their GTS in its stock form (not sure about their SRT, haven't driven one) and uses it as intended (accelerating briskly and often) will likely suffer hearing damage over time. I've been successful in largely avoiding that so far (with ear plugs), and I don't plan to give it up any time soon.

I don't know if SRT has any fixes they plan to implement in 2014 or beyond. But I'm ready to fix mine now.

As a starting point, does anyone know why the stock 2008-09 exhaust system is so much quieter from inside the cockpit? Is it simply more restrictive? Or is there something else about its design that makes it produce less sound pressure in the cabin than the stock 2013 system?

P.S. Ear plugs is an option, except that it's a PITA when you want to listen to the awesome sound system in the GTS. I want my cake and, having paid over $140K, I want to eat it too.

 

[VENOM V]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Totally agree, it's my ONLY complaint about my dream machine. Around town, it rarely bothers me. But on road trips, the drone literally gives me a headache. I drive in 5th at 75 instead of 6th gear, just to avoid the dreaded drone. I find myself shifting to avoid the roughly 2,000 - 2.400 RPM drone zone.

I plan on looking into the just-released Corsa exhaust. They are the kings of suppressing drone.

 

[kdaviper]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

sounds like you need to trade in for a Prius.

 

[PilotaX]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

KDA: If you have something constructive to contribute, please do. Otherwise, please move on to the next thread.

 

[ACRucrazy]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

How bad can it be?

 

[ViperSmith]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Honestly, it doesn't bother me much. Or hasn't yet. 2000 behind the wheel. Granted, I drive with the windows down most of the time so I wonder if that is an impact.

 

[PilotaX]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

How bad can it be?

I can measure the dB and post that to give some frame of reference, if you are interested. Besides the unmuffled race car reference above, I can also say that the interior dB is also considerably higher than a 2000 GTS with Belanger headers and exhaust.

 

[PilotaX]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Honestly, it doesn't bother me much. Or hasn't yet. 2000 behind the wheel. Granted, I drive with the windows down most of the time so I wonder if that is an impact.

Windows down definitely helps some. It may have a crossover effect of sorts.

In fact, a crossover pipe would likely help tremendously. If the sources I found are correct, they removed the crossover from the Gen 3 due to complaints about heat. If accurate, I'm not sure how much of a problem the heat would really pose.

Given that the 2008-09 exhaust system is perfectly fine dB wise (from inside), I figured that would be a good starting point... if anyone knows what's different about that system.

I guess I could buy one used and cut it open to find out. (Not wild about cutting open the exhaust on my 09.)

 

[SRTviper]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

That is strange since they have to meet the legal requirement which I think is 80db. When I drove it I really didn't think it was that loud up to 5k RPM. It doesn't sound any louder than my shelby which was made quieter but corsa mufflers. Maybe u should look into adding more sound deadening like hush mat. I bet if u hushmat the floor with sheets and foam it would make a huge difference

 

[PilotaX]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

That is strange since they have to meet the legal requirement which I think is 80db. When I drove it I really didn't think it was that loud up to 5k RPM. It doesn't sound any louder than my shelby which was made quieter but corsa mufflers. Maybe u should look into adding more sound deadening like hush mat. I bet if u hushmat the floor with sheets and foam it would make a huge difference

SRTviper, thanks for the info.

EDIT: It looks like the interior dB requirement, if there is one, is very high. Browsing though Edmunds, I found many cars with a dB at WOT over 90 and some over 100.

Also, what year Shelby do you have? I had a 2007 and a 2013. Both were way quieter (inside) than the 2013 GTS.

FWIW, the issue I'm referring to is only at roughly 2/3 throttle to WOT, and from roughly 2,500 - 6,000 RPM. Somewhere right about 6,000 it seems to move through the high sound pressure zone and honestly sounds freaking awesome. It's very strange.

I wonder if they made any changes in the exhaust system design (or had any QC issues) during the 2013 production run so that only some of the 2013s have this issue?

 

[DMan]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I don't think it's just a crossover thing. On my gen3 I did a corsa and I had no drone at all. On my gen4 I did and aero exhaust and it has a subtle drone that can get to me on very long drives, it like creeps up on you. So I think it really is a muffler thing. I'd put my money on the corsa, I'd really think they could reduce the drone as much as any one or thing could.

 

[ViperSmith]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I'd be curious if the corsas could fix your problem

 

[Brian GTS]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I know what you're saying. There is a slight drone going down the highway. We have taken the car on a couple 4 and 5 hour trips, but I can't say it really bothers me to the point I want to do something about it. I would rather it be this way than SRT change something to correct and the end result is a quieter exhaust. This is THE BEST sounding stock Viper ever! Therefore, I can live with it.

 

[Voice of Reason]

I'm doing a test but don't know if its made a difference yet. I have Lloyd mats in my car for the past week and on the passenger side I added some sound deadening under the last foot of the mat (the portion where you passenger would need to be 7' tall to ever touch). I also have the extra plush Lloyd trunk mat with sound deadener cut to fit under it. I know the sound isn't originating in the trunk but if I can put something back there to help absorb the sound waves I'll try it. Again it's too early to tell if its doing anything yet so I'll report back after another week or so.

 

[ACRucrazy]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

All the videos I have seen, the Gen V reminded my of my 08 with Corsa.

 

[Viper X]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Hey Don,

I think I heard that they opened up the cats a bit to ad HP and TQ compared to the Gen IV.

If there is room, the exhaust pipes are the same size (2.5 inches) and the hanger locations are the same, it's likely that the Gen III crossovers will quiet your car down a bunch. There should be some of these available as many guys take them off.

I like a quieter car too and have tried many muffler / cat / header combos over the years on various Vipers.

Dan

 

[Carleton]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

 

[SRTviper]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

SRTviper, thanks for the info.

EDIT: It looks like the interior dB requirement, if there is one, is very high. Browsing though Edmunds, I found many cars with a dB at WOT over 90 and some over 100.

Also, what year Shelby do you have? I had a 2007 and a 2013. Both were way quieter (inside) than the 2013 GTS.

FWIW, the issue I'm referring to is only at roughly 2/3 throttle to WOT, and from roughly 2,500 - 6,000 RPM. Somewhere right about 6,000 it seems to move through the high sound pressure zone and honestly sounds freaking awesome. It's very strange.

I wonder if they made any changes in the exhaust system design (or had any QC issues) during the 2013 production run so that only some of the 2013s have this issue?

Mine is 2013. In an interview with Jay leno on the 13 shelby could have sworn Hamedi said the db limit is like 80 or 82. If it is higher than that especially for the interior I am surprised. But do the floor sound deadening then get lloyd lux mats for the floor and trunk and I bet the problem will be solved.

 

[LouN]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I've tried everything I can to get used to it, but I have to be honest: while the 2013 exhaust sounds good, the dB level in the GTS (at mid throttle to WOT) is on par with my 1966 GT350 race car (with side exhaust, no mufflers). As a long-time racer, I know what constant exposure to this level of sound can do to your hearing long term. And I would be willing to bet that anyone who drives their GTS in its stock form (not sure about their SRT, haven't driven one) and uses it as intended (accelerating briskly and often) will likely suffer hearing damage over time. I've been successful in largely avoiding that so far (with ear plugs), and I don't plan to give it up any time soon.

I don't know if SRT has any fixes they plan to implement in 2014 or beyond. But I'm ready to fix mine now.

As a starting point, does anyone know why the stock 2008-09 exhaust system is so much quieter from inside the cockpit? Is it simply more restrictive? Or is there something else about its design that makes it produce less sound pressure in the cabin than the stock 2013 system?

P.S. Ear plugs is an option, except that it's a PITA when you want to listen to the awesome sound system in the GTS. I want my cake and, having paid over $140K, I want to eat it too.

I have SRT, very loud inside when windows up. Def helps to have windows down. Hasn't been a big issue for me yet because I routinely drive with windows down, but overall I agree. Please post db level if you measure it.

 

[VENOM V]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I have SRT, very loud inside when windows up. Def helps to have windows down. Hasn't been a big issue for me yet because I routinely drive with windows down, but overall I agree. Please post db level if you measure it.

Yep, same here. Windows down, it's better. But it's hard to do that on a road trip or with crappy weather. It's interesting that clearly many don't have an issue with the drone, I suppose some ears are more bothered by it than others. I rarely get headaches, but unfortunately I do get them if driving in the drone zone for long.

 

[cubican]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

The Corsa will help or you can add a second HF cat before the muffler, that will fix it for sure. On the hf cat you are looking for a race cat 200cel or 300cel

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

I have to say I like loud when I am really into the loud pedal (so much for my left-ear hearing), but I'm not a fan of "drone", and with the windows up the V has a good bit of drone going on in that 2k rpm zone (which just happens to be my highway cruising rpm here is SoCal of 75-85mph).

I've been very pleased with the Corsa sport on my C6Z, it is nice and loud when you dig in, but you can be "reasonable" with you sound output with very light throttle and low rpms. Drone is almost non-existent once the exhaust is warm. I was hoping for similar qualities on the V once some people get some time with Corsas on them and could provide driver-reports. Someone on another thread mentioned that Corsa was saying they couldn't completely eliminate the drone in the V, though I'm not sure if that is current information or was from an earlier version of the exhaust.

I'm also curious, with a crossover pipe on these side-pipe cars, are you giving up anything in the performance department, or is the power curve being noticeably altered?

 

[PilotaX]

Thanks for the tips on the Lloyd's mats. That's definitely worth a try.

I am considering the Corsa too. FWIW it sounds great on the Gen 2. I spoke to them today and they think they have reduced and evened out the "sound pressure".

Dan which combination of exhaust bits did you find worked the best on your cars?

 

[PilotaX]

Also cubican, do you know if there is room for an additional hi flow cat?

 

[GTS-R 001]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Keep in mind guys that one of the ways that a Corsa system reduces drone is not the way they advertise. They add material above and beyond what the stock system has.

If you weigh a Gen 3 Corsa you will see that the 2 Corsa side pipes together weighs more than the stock side pipes PLUS the cross over,

The Corsa side pipes weigh double what the stock ones do, I seriously question the effectiveness of the noise cancellation vs just the sound deadening of adding another 13 lbs of stainless to the muffler, add stainless, weight = reduce drone.

 

[SilveRT8]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

After close to one month with the Gen 5 and about 1,100 miles, I can say I like almost everything about the car just the way it is, except for that Drone when cruising between 2,000 and 2,400 rpm : I could live with it but it's still annoying. I'm pretty much tempted to go for it and order the Corsa exhaust. On Corsa's site they have 2 videos of a SRT and a GTS (owned by John B of Partsrack) and they mention the system increases airflow by 18%. I'll be ordering an extra set of Sidewinder II wheels with Mich PSS for my street set-up, so might as well do the Corsa too. If I do, I'll dyno the car before an after the change also.

 

[SilveRT8]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Keep in mind guys that one of the ways that a Corsa system reduces drone is not the way they advertise. They add material above and beyond what the stock system has.

If you weigh a Gen 3 Corsa you will see that the 2 Corsa side pipes together weighs more than the stock side pipes PLUS the cross over,

The Corsa side pipes weigh double what the stock ones do, I seriously question the effectiveness of the noise cancellation vs just the sound deadening of adding another 13 lbs of stainless to the muffler, add stainless, weight = reduce drone.

As you have a lot of experience with exhaust system, I'm sure you are right about the Corsa for the Gen3, but what other alternative do we currently have to get rid of the Gen5 drone ? I'll inquiere about the weight of the new system before purchasing and speak to the man who owns and drives one too.

 

[VENOM V]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

Yikes, double the weight for the Corsa? Hope that's not true for the Gen V.

Claude, on the Corsa weight.

 

[GTS-R 001]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

As you have a lot of experience with exhaust system, I'm sure you are right about the Corsa for the Gen3, but what other alternative do we currently have to get rid of the Gen5 drone ? I'll inquiere about the weight of the new system before purchasing and speak to the man who owns and drives one too.

I am sure the Corsa for Gen 5 will reduce the drone, but it is doing it by insulating the muffler, with Steel, LOL, so expect a 13 lb or so weight increase per side.

 

[Nine Ball]

Re: Reached the tipping point: the stock 2013 exhaust interior dB level is unacceptab

My wife is very picky about loud exhausts, and since I bought the '13 for her, she has never had any exhaust noise complaints. We've got nearly 6,000 miles on the car now. Being an SRT model with less sound proofing, it should be louder inside than the GTS. No complaints here. Maybe we just drive faster than you guys to, to stay out of that drone zone.