Exhaust Upgrades?

[Johnny Acree]

I have, for a long time, had an idea. Someone should build a sound synthesizer. You plug it into the OBD II port and it picks up the throttle position and RPM to control the sound. More throttle = more volume and more RPM = faster impulse. The sound could be any thing from an A Model to a top fuel dragster or George Jetson"s space mobile. The sound could be piped through the stereo inside the car or out side to an all weather speaker.
I think it is an idea who's time has come. It would be perfect for electric cars and low powered small cars, that no matter what exhaust system you install it will never sound good.

 

[StuartGrant]

Sorry, I don't understand your post?? You dislike quiet cars but you hate when people in noisy cars can't hear emergency vehicles and rear end you? Seems like a Quiet car would be (as you pointed out) better for hearing your surrounding area for safety? Similar to the Harley poor example, "Loud pipes save lives". Should read, "Loud pipes are just Loud pipes".

The problem is that most car's aren't actually that quiet except for EVs. For the most part your super quiet compartment is accomplished via sound insulation attached to the sheet metal and panel gaps in the car which are traditionally sources of noise. This prevents the noise from the car's exhaust, tires and suspension from entering the passenger cabin of the car, but it also prevents emergency vehicle sirens from being heard. Luckily sound insulation is heavy and adds extra cost which isn't really needed, so I doubt the Elio will be napping vehicle for the rear passenger.

This isn't an unknown problem however, there are many an Engineering Senior project and a number of patents for systems to detect emergency sirens and either pass it through or reproduce it on the vehicle's stereo.

 

[2.ooohhh]

The problem is that most car's aren't actually that quiet except for EVs. For the most part your super quiet compartment is accomplished via sound insulation attached to the sheet metal and panel gaps in the car which are traditionally sources of noise. This prevents the noise from the car's exhaust, tires and suspension from entering the passenger cabin of the car, but it also prevents emergency vehicle sirens from being heard. Luckily sound insulation is heavy and adds extra cost which isn't really needed, so I doubt the Elio will be napping vehicle for the rear passenger.

This isn't an unknown problem however, there are many an Engineering Senior project and a number of patents for systems to detect emergency sirens and either pass it through or reproduce it on the vehicle's stereo.

A new Mercedes I drove last week already warns drivers of approaching emergency vehicles via the navigation/computer screen, I'm not sure how it detects them but it's pretty slick once you know what's going on. Though since it's outfitted with IR, radar, and ultrasound emitters/receivers nothing would surprise me, the S65s are closer to a comfy fighter plane than a car from the driver's seat. lol

 

[CheeseheadEarl]

I have, for a long time, had an idea. Someone should build a sound synthesizer. You plug it into the OBD II port and it picks up the throttle position and RPM to control the sound. More throttle = more volume and more RPM = faster impulse. The sound could be any thing from an A Model to a top fuel dragster or George Jetson"s space mobile. The sound could be piped through the stereo inside the car or out side to an all weather speaker.
I think it is an idea who's time has come. It would be perfect for electric cars and low powered small cars, that no matter what exhaust system you install it will never sound good.

Already being done, by some of the Euro mfgs.

Dumb in my book, if I want motor noise, I'll take the real thing.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

I hope Borla comes out with something for the Elio.

Highly unlikely. With a sub-liter engine there isn't much to work with for a "performance" muffler. And buyers of the cheapest vehicle on the road are not likely to be a good customer base for selling expensive performance mufflers. No sale!

 

[Hog]

An interesting aside to this whole topic, and confirmation that 'loud pipes save lives', was with this recent article about the Gummit requiring electric cars to actually broadcast sounds like a car while they are moving, to prevent pedestrian accidents (seriously, not kidding), so your nice electric Volt will have to scream like a banshee (powered by your electric system of course) while it is moving.

http://doglawreporter.blogspot.com/2013/01/proposed-highway-safety-rules-for.html

 

[UCF'73]

Sorry, I don't understand your post?? You dislike quiet cars but you hate when people in noisy cars can't hear emergency vehicles and rear end you? Seems like a Quiet car would be (as you pointed out) better for hearing your surrounding area for safety? Similar to the Harley poor example, "Loud pipes save lives". Should read, "Loud pipes are just Loud pipes".

They say that consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. To this I say, what the heck is a hobgoblin?

 

[wheaters]

I have, for a long time, had an idea. Someone should build a sound synthesizer. You plug it into the OBD II port and it picks up the throttle position and RPM to control the sound. More throttle = more volume and more RPM = faster impulse. The sound could be any thing from an A Model to a top fuel dragster or George Jetson"s space mobile. The sound could be piped through the stereo inside the car or out side to an all weather speaker.
I think it is an idea who's time has come. It would be perfect for electric cars and low powered small cars, that no matter what exhaust system you install it will never sound good.

That's already been done! You plug it into the cigar lighter and tune your radio to it. Look up "Soundracer".

 

[Jim H]

A new Mercedes I drove last week already warns drivers of approaching emergency vehicles via the navigation/computer screen, I'm not sure how it detects them but it's pretty slick once you know what's going on. Though since it's outfitted with IR, radar, and ultrasound emitters/receivers nothing would surprise me, the S65s are closer to a comfy fighter plane than a car from the driver's seat. lol

And their electronic package alone probably costs more than the Elio

 

[Seann]

I see quite a few people want silent cars........and as far as the gentlemen stating that loud cars draw attention!!!!!! you will be driving an Elio......get used to the attention loud or not! but make mine noisy if i'm going to drive this car it has to have the triple cyl. sound. if you don't know that sound, take some time and go to the closest Triumph dealer.....you wont be disappointed!