The Whir...and what makes a 911 a 911

[scoe911]

If you own,have ridden in,or seen one drive by, you have heard the whirring sound the 911 makes. After 12yrs of ownership I only recently found the source(s) of this whirring sound. During a pre-winters hibernation ride a female friend made a comment about how much she liked the whirring sound we all know(and love) so well and it got me thinking. I always had my own ideas about the source(s) of the whir and I wasn't too far off. It turns out the whirring sound is a combination of the cooling fan(thought so),timing chains(yep),injection intake(OK),and exhaust note. I don't know how much each contributes to the symphony but the sound combined with the handling and build quality make this a car I will never sell...

[skinnerd]

98% the fan.

[scoe911]

Originally Posted by skinnerd

98% the fan.

Those timing chains thrashing about on both sides have got to count for more than 2% of the noise(I mean whir)...

[Pettybird]

should be pretty easy to check--next time you pull the fan belt start the car for 10 seconds and have a listen!

[porschenut]

It doesn't sound like chain noise at all to me. I'd say 100% fan.

[FrinkFrog]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty sure mine makes noise 'cause of this being in the back.

[scoe911]

Originally Posted by porschenut

It doesn't sound like chain noise at all to me. I'd say 100% fan.

I got my info from the video "1987 Porsche 911,Portrait of a Legend,(3.2 and Turbo)". Its on youtube. Look at point 4.33 into the video...its not just the fan.

[TimBer]

I especially like at the end of the video when it says to follow local speed "recommendations."

[sailchef]

I think the brushes in the alternator contribute as well.

[DanielDudley]

A tappy engine is a happy engine.

[scoe911]

Sailchef your sarcasm fails to elude us. The point is carbs,slide-valve injection(as someone else pointed out)timing chains ect all contribute to the whir or become part of the total sound of precision.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by scoe911

I got my info from the video "1987 Porsche 911,Portrait of a Legend,(3.2 and Turbo)". Its on youtube. Look at point 4.33 into the video...its not just the fan.

The video says "combine to create a sound unique" but it's talking about more than just the whir. That is just the fan. Chains, intake, etc. impart a different quality to the sound in addition to the whir of the fan.

[aadrew10]

Originally Posted by skinnerd

98% the fan.

ha haaaa! shut down!

I understand the romantic image you're trying to portray, but my pants are still dry.

My whirring comes from the feathers!

[sailchef]

I think the whir is different if you have a WUR.

[scoe911]

Originally Posted by scoe911

The point is carbs,slide-valve injection(as someone else pointed out)timing chains ect all contribute to the whir or become part of the total sound of precision.

So the whirring sound = 100% cooling fan noise. Ok, I think I already agreed to this...

[Gogar]

Mine comes from the turbonator.

[scoe911]

Sailchef, your attempts to ingratiate yourself with the disussion are improving..that was funny.

[sailchef]

Originally Posted by scoe911

Sailchef, your attempts to ingratiate yourself with the disussion are improving..that was funny.

I'm glad you find it funny, I like to make people laugh, but..........both comments were made on a serious note........or should I say on a serious "sound unique"

If you have carbs and slide throttles you will not have a WUR.

If you have a WUR you should, in most cases, have fuel injection.

My point being, the whir of the carbs, and the whir of fuel injection, will, inevitably, be different. That would be by your definition of the Whir being an Orchestra of sounds and not just one component.

[sailchef]

Just having fun with you, I think everyone here is extremely proud of whatever whir their car makes, because like you pointed out , it is very unique.

[scoe911]

Sailchef, forgive me if I read anything Machiavellian in your earlier comments. You've got to admit alternator bushings cant generate that much noise(or can they?...)