1974carrera |
02-26-2007 06:56 PM |
Quote:
Originally posted by randywebb
You are correct about the weight, but are conflating density with sound attenuation. Put a new pad in; it significantly attenuates noise, and serves as a thermal barrier as well.
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Actually, I do think I am conflating density and sound attenuation just a bit...and perhaps you will too if you consider the mass-density law, an approximation which indicates that the heavier the material the better it insulates sound.
Generally, the mechanisms for reducing sound depend on where the sound originates relative to where you are listening from. For example, if the sound is generated within a room and you are listening from within the room, then sound can be absorbed to achieve some attenuation. If the sound is originating from outside, then to keep sound out it is necessary to insulate the space you are listening from.
Cellular and porous solids can be good absorbing media, but they are not very good at insulating against sound. Typically, foam materials are not good at providing insulation from sound. Again, the degree of sound insulation depends on the mass-density law...the heavier the material the better it insulates sound.
Considering these general concepts, I can see how the oem foam pad inside the engine compartment could absorb some sound, although it still seems, to me, that its porous, foam structure best serves as thermal insulation. On the other hand, a primary purpose of the dense pads on the passenger side of the firewall and underneath the rear seats is to insulate the passenger compartment from sound occurring outside the passenger compartment. It seems to me that Porsche got it right: a good thermal insulator and some sound absorption in the room with the sound and a sound insulator in the room adjacent to the sound.
Quote:
Originally posted by randywebb Use the aluminum faced stuff if you believe that the engineers at JC Whitney are significantly better than the ones at Porsche AG....
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You must have confused my post with another as I never mentioned JC Whitney nor any inane comment suggesting that the Whitney engineers are significantly better than the P AG engineers?!? And no thanks, I'm not using the aluminum-faced stuff. I chose the oem pad when it came time to replace. You say a new pad "significantly attenuates noise"...I am certainly not refuting your individual experience, but as another reference I will say I ran my engine without the pad in the engine compartment and, subsequently, with the oem pad in place (see pics below) and I couldn't tell the difference in sound in the interior. Maybe that's due to too many years of rock 'n roll when I was younger and too many years with a sport muffler as I've gotten older :-) .
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1172548307.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1172548366.jpg
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