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New members, please take a moment to introduce yourself. | Cadillac Forums: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound? 
03-20-07, 11:47 PM
|  | Super Moderator Cadillac(s): Poor man's STS--> '00 Regal GS.  | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Twin Cities, MN Age: 22 | | | Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
The other thread about pistons reminded me of a question I had wanted to ask for a long time. What makes one engine sound totally different from another similar engine?
Take for example three OHV, pushrod, 16 valve V8's, the Chevrolet 5.7L, Cadillac 4.9L and Ford 5.0L. They all have very distinctive sounds, you know by the sound that they're all V8's, but you know they're very different. Why?
The first things that came to my mind were valve size, shape of the heads, shape of the manifolds, bore & stroke, etc etc.
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03-21-07, 12:18 AM
|  | Super Moderator Cadillac(s): 2002 Aspen White Escalade | | Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bayside, NYC Age: 24 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Type of exhaust manifold, cats, mufflers, exhaust diameter,...
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03-21-07, 12:34 AM
|  | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 1998 STS/2006 M6 GTO | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mahwah, NJ Age: 24 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Design......
A Ford 302 doesn't sound like a Chevy 302 because they use different shaped pistons, combustion chambers, valves, intake/exhaust ports,..ect. Every element that goes into the design of an engine can affect the sound it produces. That's why most engines (even similar design/displacement/ect) do not sound the same. The smallest change can affect the sound produced by an engine.
Edit: I wouldn't factor exhaust components into the sound bit so much, especially on older motors. A Chevy 350, and a Ford 351 Windsor will still sound different even with both using nearly identical sets of Hedman 1 5/8" to 3" long tube headers and Flowmaster Delta 40's. Exact same exhaust system, but both will still sound different. If you've ever been to the drag strips....one will notice that under high load, Ford motors have a tendency to pop, while Chevy's do not. Chevy's and Chryslers always seemed to have a smoother sound, not as raspy as the Fords. Just throwin' that out there. |
03-21-07, 04:45 PM
|  | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 2000 STS (RHD), 1988 IROC-Z | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Age: 32 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Different firing order too maybe? |
03-21-07, 04:51 PM
|  | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): '98 Buick Regal LS - '91 Caddy Seville - '87 Caddy Seville! | | Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Empire... | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Compression ratio. |
03-21-07, 05:22 PM
| | Cadillac Owners Fanatic Cadillac(s): 1976 FLEETWOOD brougham | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: northern sweden Age: 37 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Bore / stroke ratio also, two motors with the same displacement can have a totaly different "feel" and behaviour, and sound.
jolle |
03-21-07, 05:52 PM
|  | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 1995 FTS | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dover, DE Age: 26 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hardrockcamaro@mac.c  Different firing order too maybe? | DING DING DING!!!! WE HAVE A WINNA!!!! That's what makes up a distinct engine noise. If you have a brand new Mustang GT, a previous gen Mustang GT, a Foxbody GT, etc. all of them sound exactly the same even though they all have different engines. It's all in the firing order |
03-21-07, 06:19 PM
|  | Cold Soaked Cadillac(s): 2006 STS AWD, '95 Ford Ranger | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fairbanks, Ak Age: 70 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
It's the opening rate of the exhaust valves that gives high performance DOHC engines their crackling exhaust note. Pushrod motors have a booming sound because the valve opening rates are much slower. The difference between four into one compared to crossover 180 degree exhaust systems is astounding. Even firing sixes are the smooth and mellow sound. 60 degree V-12's have that Ferrari sound. H-24's sound like ripping canvas. Here's a V-16 clip. This car is owned by a British rock star and he hired his recording crew to make it. http://www.billzilla.org/BRM-pushstart.mp3 This car was built in 1953, 1.5L (90 cu.in.) and puts out 550HP at 12,000 RPM.
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03-21-07, 07:01 PM
|  | Cadillac Owners Master Cadillac(s): None now...1972 Challenger=my pride and joy. | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: Just north of Sacramento, CA Age: 27 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Dkoz...FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY hp out of 90 ci? CRAP almighty! I'm impressed...
What's the torque output, d'ya know? |
03-21-07, 07:21 PM
| | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 1995 FTS | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dover, DE Age: 26 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyder Dkoz...FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY hp out of 90 ci? CRAP almighty! I'm impressed...
What's the torque output, d'ya know? | It's probably like a Honda. 110 tq @ 99,000 rpm |
03-21-07, 07:30 PM
| | Sophisticated Member -V12- Cadillac(s): 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham | | Join Date: Dec 2003 Age: 28 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
I love dinstinctive engine sounds so you can hear what car is passing lol
Other than that let's not go far away just look at post 2000 Northstar engines have a different sound due to different intake and such like that. |
03-22-07, 12:05 AM
| | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 1998 STS/2006 M6 GTO | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mahwah, NJ Age: 24 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
I can't really hear my engine all that much over the exhaust note from the Corsa. Not a bad thing though. |
03-22-07, 10:34 AM
| | Cadillac Owners Connoisseur Cadillac(s): 1997 Cadillac ETC | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fayetteville NC Age: 26 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
since we're on the topic i will say, i hate ford but i loooooove the sound of a mustang, especially souped up mustang they have this distinc sound where one can pass by and i will know its a mustang without looking at it |
03-22-07, 11:36 AM
| | Sophisticated Member -V12- Cadillac(s): 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham | | Join Date: Dec 2003 Age: 28 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OffThaHorseCEO since we're on the topic i will say, i hate ford but i loooooove the sound of a mustang, especially souped up mustang they have this distinc sound where one can pass by and i will know its a mustang without looking at it | LOL, I wouldn't agree more  |
03-22-07, 04:38 PM
| | Cold Soaked Cadillac(s): 2006 STS AWD, '95 Ford Ranger | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fairbanks, Ak Age: 70 | | | Re: Why does each engine have a different, signature sound?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyder Dkoz...FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY hp out of 90 ci? CRAP almighty! I'm impressed...
What's the torque output, d'ya know? | I don't know what the torque output is but I do know that the power curve was so steep that the car was almost undrivable. Even Juan Fangio had trouble with it. If it ever got the lead the other drivers couldn't pass it because the exhaust was so loud they couldn't stand it. If you play that sound file through a 5.1 sound system turned up as loud as it will go you'll get some idea. The guy that owns it will get it out on the track and people tell him it can be heard at least five miles away. | | Cadillac Discussion Tools | | | 
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