On the overrun in our longterm 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, the exhaust note responds in a way that was probably intended to sound burly and burbly and old-school-y.
While I appreciate the effort to add some flavor to the experience, the end result is a hollow plip-plip-plap that doesn't quite sound right to my ears. In a word, it's feeble. The flip side is that it's not obtrusive, either, so there's no real drawback related to it.
I'm reminded of another recent sporty car that had carefully-crafted spice in its exhaust -- the original Dodge SRT4. With its pops and cracks, the little four-banger turbo did Sporty Car On The Overrun more convincingly than this Camaro. Perhaps a bit too convincingly, though, as the SRT4's constant exhaust enthusiasm could grow tiresome in prolonged stop and go driving.
There's a balance between character and annoyance to be had here. Striking it must give exhaust NVH engineers sleepless nights.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 9,198 miles.
mrryte says:
02:45 PM, 12/ 7/09
"There's a balance between character and annoyance to be had here. Striking it must give exhaust NVH engineers sleepless nights."
Possibly but not likely. They know that owner will buy aftermarket exhausts/mufflers if not satisfied with the OEM/stock setup.
fundango says:
03:39 PM, 12/ 7/09
Agreed, throw a free-flowing exhaust on there and let that V8 sing.
jaden82 says:
05:47 PM, 12/ 7/09
I may be biased as I am a Ford fan, but I love the current Mustang's V8 rumble. It's noticeable and when the windows are down, I really hear it as I go down a street. As I still have yet to own one, I'm hit with fits of jealousy when I drive other peoples' Mustangs (I work in a service shop).
That said, I'm actually impressed with the Camaro. I like it as it is and I will admit..at least until the new rumored V8 debuts in the Mustang...that it easily beats its arch rival in the power department.
However, I was severely disappointed when I had a chance to drive one for a bit. One of my uncles bought a brand new Camaro with the R/S package. I was expecting a drool-inducing rumble when I started her up, but nope. It sounded almost as muted as my old 94 Grand Prix's V6. If I owned a Camaro, I'd slap a new exhaust system on it soon as I drive it off the lot. Not gonna happen since I'd be riding out in a Mustang, instead.
cr_driver says:
06:23 PM, 12/ 7/09
This thread is worthless without VIDEOS.
yellowmiata says:
07:33 PM, 12/ 7/09
I always find "exhaust note" posts interesting. It reminds me of the constant banter between inline 4 motorcycles and harleys when it comes to exhaust. Both camps seem to think louder is better, but at what cost? Both gain some high rpm power from the free exhaust but usually lose low- and mid-range torque, which is arguably more usable on a daily basis. I fall into the camp (for cars and motorcycles) that creating an exhaust to best move the car forward by creating usable power rather than massaging extra pipes or removing cats to aurally please a deaf grandmother.
I will agree with fundango about letting the v8 sing if he meant to increase usable power, not just making more noise.
majin_ssj_eric says:
08:01 PM, 12/ 7/09
I like the Camaro's burble on the overrun. In fact I like all 3 musclecar exhausts (Mustang, Challenger, Camaro)...
slickersdrip says:
08:19 PM, 12/ 7/09
Thanks for the shout-out to SRT-4s!
I don't know how carefully crafted the SRT-4's exhaust really was... as an owner of one (going on seven years, actually, albeit with the MOPAR/Borla catback option installed summer of '05) it really seems more like the engineers were drinking too much one night and decided to see how to truly make the most obnoxious Neon of all time. Though considering mine is also Solar Yellow it's pretty obnoxious as is. And I'm sure my hearing is the worse for this exhaust. Driving from coast to coast on I-10 multiple times will do that to you.
I wouldn't want it any other way, either.
roadburner says:
11:02 AM, 12/ 8/09
yellowmiata,
The best sounding motorcycle is a Triumph triple.
Case closed.
;)
rick8365 says:
01:38 PM, 12/ 8/09
I think I'll take a Ducati exhaust note over other bikes.
And, I think pound for pound (or sound :-) ), year after year, the Mustang GT has had the best stock exhaust sound for cars of this type/price range. And, when they are modified you can literally pick out the sound of a Mustang among others from a mile away.
A different animal and a significantly higher price but.....for burly, rich, great all around tuned exhaust V8 sound, I think the Aston Martin V8 Vantage sounds just about perfect - whether idling, normal acceleration or WOT.
fundango says:
03:44 PM, 12/ 8/09
YellowM -- that's the great thing about free-flowing exhausts. They sound better AND add power! Although I'm not opposed to modifying a car purely to make it sound better (not louder necessarily). BTW, for a 4 cylinder car, the exhaust note on stock Miatas is pretty darn good.
Rick -- agreed, a MGT with exhaust downshifted slowing to a red light this morning. Made my head turn and the noise was very unique. I've heard that V8 mustangs sound unique due to the firing pattern of the cylinders.