Question for Fasttoys

[Plasboy]

I’ve watched several videos of Lamborghini cars lately. They all seem to have a lot of engine or mainly exhaust noise in the cabin. I have no idea how the recording is set up.
So the question is, do all mid engine cars have a lot of engine or exhaust noise?

[Boomer]

Good question! I haven't seen any thing about engine noise levels with MEs but since the engine is basically in the driver/passenger compartment it would be a trick to keep the noise level low. I have thought about this as well and look forward to folks responding.

Another related question would be engine heat in the driver's compartment. I wonder how isolated the engine can be in an ME to limit noise and heat.

[Fasttoys]

Plasboy, The answer is not all sound loud in the cabin, I thought my 2015 Z06 was louder than many ME I have driven.

I have driven, Porsche GT2/3/4, McLaren’s, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi R8, Lotus Evora S, New Acura NSX & many front engine cars.

Each manufacturer has its own unique sounds, not one of those cars are similar when it comes to sound. The more aggressive GT versions of each one of those brands are no different than moving from a Z51 C7 all the way to the C7 ZR1 when it comes to the volume of the soundtrack. My 1^st gen Audi R8 V8 was so quite my wife's 2018 Audi Q5 was louder under normal driving conditions unless I was at full WOT & getting close to the 8500 RPM redline. Which is why I change the exhaust to a custom made aftermarket exhaust.

Many European cars have very strict rules on exhaust DB levels. The manufacturers have incorporated a mode select switch similar to the C7 Corvette. My Lotus was quite too, I added a full titanium exhaust to the car, it made a big difference but you never heard it in the cabin like you would in an FE. I have been in some loud ME’s but most of them have aftermarket exhaust on them. Audi is very quiet inside even though the car had a loud soundtrack after the exhaust was installed. I am not sure if it’s because the engine is behind you and the exhaust is sitting off the rear bumper. In a front engine car, you have the headers in front of you and the exhausts running under your feet in the cabin. This is not the case with an ME, exhaust which sits all the way in the back off the car. Car & Driver measured the DB in the new Z06 and they said it was one of the loudest production cars they have ever tested I am sure the new ZR1 is even worse.


Boomer Heat is not an issue in the cabin on the ME’s have driven. You are driving forward most of the time Engine is in the back so the majority of the heat is on the back especially when moving forward. When I was driving a Viper ACR the heat was so bad I could not wait to get out of the car. The engine was like a furnace & the engine being up front and the car moving forward meant the heat was headed my way no matter what I did R8 in the same situation was not an issue & that was with a V10 R8 on the same track as the viper both cars had V10's.

[Boomer]

Great info Fasttoys. Thanks.

[MikeC8]

I had a 05 Ford GT and that was a supercharged 5.4 V/8 but not a loud exhaust noise in the cabin. Some whine of the supercharged but not anymore then a 14 GT500 I owned. Actually the 14 GT500 had louder exhaust from the factory.
Now my 16 F type V/8 has one of the loudest stock exhaust on the planet. Its much louder the the 17 GS. It’s adjustable so maybe that’s how they get around the Europe noise requirements. They are just as loud over there.

[Bikerjulio]

I have a question as well.

Is that you in your avatar?

me in mine.

[brad66]

Fasttoys' avatar is Zora Arkus Duntov.

[Fasttoys]

Thanks, yep that's Zora which is one of the main reason why Corvette will be going to an ME. I have no grey hair, never smokes and still a young guy, at least that's what I tell my wife every day. Usually my Avatar is one of my cars I have owned, inthought it was appropriate to have Zora on this forum.

[Fasttoys]

I had a 05 Ford GT and that was a supercharged 5.4 V/8 but not a loud exhaust noise in the cabin. Some whine of the supercharged but not anymore then a 14 GT500 I owned. Actually the 14 GT500 had louder exhaust from the factory.
Now my 16 F type V/8 has one of the loudest stock exhaust on the planet. Its much louder the the 17 GS. It’s adjustable so maybe that’s how they get around the Europe noise requirements. They are just as loud over there.

The F Type has one of the better sounding exhaust in a modern car, its loud with pops and back fires similar to a Lamborghini Evo/Huricane. Had a type R for a day I was wanting to buy it but the dealer was not willing to budge to my price. Think the F type Coupe is a great looking car and O the Ford GT that car is like money in the bank. if they are stock with no accidents It's one of the best car investments they keep moving up in value every year.

[Bikerjulio]

Thanks, yep that's Zora which is one of the main reason why Corvette will be going to an ME. I have no grey hair, never smokes and still a young guy, at least that's what I tell my wife every day. My Aviator most of the time is one of my many cars I have owned but thought it was appropriate to have Zora on this forum.

My apologies for my faux pas. I have seen maybe a pic or 2 of Zora, but not this one.

[Fasttoys]

My apologies for my faux pas. I have seen maybe a pic or 2 of Zora, but not this one.

all good that's no big deal. My question what is on top of your handlebars in your picture.

[Plasboy]

Thanks Fasttoys, it seemed like a lot of noise in the videos. Our Z06 to me is very quiet with the exhaust in quiet mode other than road noise. I was hoping the ME would not be too much different.

[Bikerjulio]

all good that's no big deal. My question what is on top of your handlebars in your picture.

The Union Jack. On my first 2 wheeler. Circa 1953. It hints at my country of origin.

[Fasttoys]

Thanks Fasttoys, it seemed like a lot of noise in the videos. Our Z06 to me is very quiet with the exhaust in quiet mode other than road noise. I was hoping the ME would not be too much different.

One thing I can almost guarantee just in technology and quality of materials alone. The C5 was better than the C4 & C6 better than the C5 & C7 is better than the C6, I know the C8 will be better than all before it. If GM can bring the price point under 70k we have a hit on our hands.

It's strange out of all the cars I mentioned above next to my Z06 the next loudest sports car with tire noise was a new 2017 911S. Many of the 911 I drive have a strange hollow sound in the rear that I can't explain, you definitely hear the tires crossing every line on the street.
I agree when you put the Z in stealth mode it's very quite other than the run flats in the rear. I know Mclaren 570S, 720, 650 uses a carbon-tub and that is one of my favorites supercars when it comes to suspension drivability and total road noise, it comes in a very close 2nd to the R8 in every day Drivebility. I can say out of all the cars I been blessed to drive and own, I always feel more connected and confident in mid engine designed sports car. I Loved my Z06 it was faster than my R8 and many ME but in the end if I had to choose one design I will always go with a ME designed sports car. It's hard to explain and I will be very interested in hearing all the reviews from long time corvette owners on this forum after they drive in their new ME corvette.

[Fasttoys]

The Union Jack. On my first 2 wheeler. Circa 1953. It hints at my country of origin.

Nice bike, with a hand brake that's high technology back then the Campagnolo’s classic sidepull brakes.