Road noise - what is normal?

[Raven]

The tires on my 08 coupe have about 6000 miles on them but seem particularly noisy on certain pavement types, especially concrete. During my drive home with the car, sometimes they were so loud I didn't even bother with the stereo.

How much noise is normal? They just seem really loud but I also know this car has a lot of character. I've never owned a Viper before, nothing came up on searches, so I'm asking here. Is this just part of the Viper's soul?

Thanks!

 

[SilveRT8]

Yes, Normal, The Viper is noisy

 

[Thom]

If the tires aren't directional, try moving them to the opposite side of the car. You should find that this makes the tire noise much quieter.

As the rubber tire surface wears into its rotation direction, it begins making more noise. Reversing the rotation direction of the tire quiets it down. Worth a shot if you don't have a directional tire.

 

[Raven]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Steve M]

What you are describing sounds normal to me...mine makes a lot of noise on concrete portions of interstates.

 

[Allan]

I have noticed that different brands of tires make different amounts of noise depending on the road. The Nitto Invo is the quietest tire you can get for the Viper, although I haven't tried the new Super Sports yet, they are probably quiet also, as Michelin products tend to 'not ****'. The Pilot Sport Cups are really loud on the highway in my opinion, if that's what you have on your car, I understand why your complaining.
Remember, these tires are full-blast wide, so in many aspects, that will be noticable. -they also like to hydroplane ugly style in the rain......don't ask how I know.

Your Viper has a stereo?........................................for what?

 

[Steve M]

Your Viper has a stereo?........................................for what?

Listening to the announcer at the *gasp* drag strip.

 

[08viperviolet]

The ss are quieter than ps2 but not as quiet as the invo. Good luck tires are always loud on the viper.

 

[Torquemonster06]

^^^^^^^^^^^What 08viperviolet said.^^^^^^^^^

 

[bmw2nv2000]

Yep my 09 with invos is crazy quiet inside

 

[kenphjr]

most viper tires are directional -so make sure you have them in the direction they are supposed to be facing-check that someone didn't mistakenly put them on the wrong side-other than that and proper tire pressure-it may just be the brand of tire-some are noisier than others-Luke at Tire Rack would be someone to talk to.

 

[Raven]

My tires are the Michelins. Not really complaining though, just wondering what is normal. I also found that the dealer had left he battery cover off but under the mat so that might have allowed a little extra noise to seep in too. I put it back on.

The car is just amazing.

 

[rukcus]

Its normal when you driving with such a wide tire. If it bothers your passenger give them some active noise cancelling headphones

 

[agentf1]

I don't hear much tire noise at all from my Viper. I would say it is not normal.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Took my car out today, ran on lots of different surfaces, Concrete, tarmac, (various types)
Concrete is noisy.
Tarmac varies, they can lay different types, some is loud others not so.
Fully decatted exhaust system, armageddon was shouting at my wife today, telling her to shout louder as I could not hear her

 

[Raven]

It's definitely my tires at fault (which are the Pilot Sports). Different surfaces affect the noise level so I'm satisfied it is normal.

I drove the car today over a variety of road surfaces. I even rode in the passenger seat while my wife or son was driving (they both love the car too) and i thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

What a car.

 

[Raven]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[ROCKET62]

Pretty easy to add a sound deadener to also help with the situation if it still bothers you. Dodge did a decent job with the carpeting - but there is an area they missed right behind the seats.

 

[MoparMap]

Yeah, I'd certainly agree with the road type being the main issue. I have the Michelen PSS on mine and the highway to work transitions from asphalt to grooved concrete half way between home and work and you can always tell by the sound. Similar to driving over a bridge, most vehicles I've ever driven get really noisy on bridges and are typically very quiet on asphalt.

 

[Raven]

Yeah, I'd certainly agree with the road type being the main issue. I have the Michelen PSS on mine and the highway to work transitions from asphalt to grooved concrete half way between home and work and you can always tell by the sound. Similar to driving over a bridge, most vehicles I've ever driven get really noisy on bridges and are typically very quiet on asphalt.

Definitely what mine does as well. Quieter on blacktop, VERY noisy on concrete or bridges and most overpasses.

 

[ViperCobra]

My exhaust noise takes away the road noise

 

[TexasTorred]

Drowns my wife out....Just kidding babe!

Switched from run-flats (Michelin OEM ZPs) to Nitto Invos.....noticeably quieter and MUCH better ride quality. Of course, my run flats were about 7 years old and almost to the wear marks on the rears....which made for some interesting U-boat captaining on rainy days.........

The road noise, is "part of the Viper-Soul" to me. I love the loudness, especially the exhaust.....

 

[ViperGeorge]

It's definitely my tires at fault (which are the Pilot Sports). Different surfaces affect the noise level so I'm satisfied it is normal.

I drove the car today over a variety of road surfaces. I even rode in the passenger seat while my wife or son was driving (they both love the car too) and i thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

What a car.

Pilot Sports? Do you mean Pilot Sport 2s (ie PS2s) or do you mean Pilot Super Sports (ie. PSS)? I think they called the tires on the Gen 2 Pilot Sports MXXX or something. I have PS2s on my Vert and PSSs on my ACR. Both are quiet enough that I don't notice any tire noise.

 

[Sonoman]

Most high performance "summer" tires (and tires in general) get noisier as they wear, and harsher in ride as well. Big, blocky, UHP tread is a lot noisier than the old squiggly line, small-siped passenger car designs.

That said, a lot of guys that are concerned with noise add a layer of Dynamat Extreme or similar product under the carpet in these cars. I also added some Dynaliner (closed cell self-adhesive 1/4" foam) above the plastic inner fender liners while I had them out to do some new coilovers, etc. The Viper is built more to the extreme track setup than most cars, and it could be argued that every pound matters. However, I would say that a convertible like mine is really not a track car and that a few pounds of well-placed sound dampening isn't detectable in the performance of the car without a very good stop watch. I like to hear the engine music and anything else is just noise (unless you're talking about tire slippage...).

 

[Raven]

Pilot Sports? Do you mean Pilot Sport 2s (ie PS2s) or do you mean Pilot Super Sports (ie. PSS)? I think they called the tires on the Gen 2 Pilot Sports MXXX or something. I have PS2s on my Vert and PSSs on my ACR. Both are quiet enough that I don't notice any tire noise.

Sorry I wasn't clear - yes, mine has the PS2s, not the SS's. Mine are somewhat noisy in varying degrees but mostly so on concrete. However, I too consider that part of the Viper's character/soul; the brash, 'In your face' sort of personality that makes a Viper a Viper with no apologies. I love that about this car.

Like my son said yesterday when he drove, the performance/acceleration is intoxicating.