Turn down the volume?

[alfisti]

Hi folks. I have had my '87 Carrera for about a week and a half now, and I love it to death. It's a joy... And I haven't even had a chance to toss it around yet :-)



I have owned many sports cars over the last 20 years, and I almost always have installed louder mufflers. I love to hear the sound of the engine... Particularly the unique ones.



This 911, though breaks new ground for me. Even driven leisurely, it's hard to hear the radio or have a conversation. This is the first car that might actually be TOO loud... Or maybe I am just getting older!!



In any case, this car appears to be completely stock. My mechanic (Gene at ******** in NJ) assures me it is supposed to sound the way it does. And I admit, I enjoy the sound. Just wondering if there is a way to get less of it?



I don't want to impact the performance of the car, but is there a way to turn it down from 11, to maybe an 8 or a 9?



'87 Carrera, 225k miles, stock exhaust and intake



Thanks

-Glenn





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[alfisti]

I apologize, I posted without searching first. I just did a search and it seems Dynamat is the way to go. My muffler only has one tailpipe, so closing off one pipe isn't an option.


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[andyt11]

I was going to suggest some sound proofing. Mine was never what I'd call quiet, but it wasn't annoying. Makes me think yours might be missing some sound proofing.

[Bob Kontak]

Stock 87 is not loud.

Something is different.

[alfisti]

The engine pad looks beat up... But also looks hard to access. Are they difficult to replace? I read the tech article, didn't have too much detail, and in eyeballing it, I dunno... Looks hard to replace.



Also, is there something better now to replace it with, than the original mat?


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[alfisti]

Also, lifting up the floor mats reveals the steel floor. Is there supposed to be some soundproofing under there?


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[twistoffat]

If its stock and I assume it is then make sure the rear seats are folded upright and not flat. That will make a "Slight" difference. IF you really want to listen to the radio and still have the old speakers in they are probably shot and need replacing. My 87 is the same but that air cooled howl is the music I want. I only ever listen to the radio when I´m cruising as slow speeds below 40(and thats not very often). Oh and yes there is nothing under the mats apart from the rust proofed steel flooring.

[tshebib]

What about the catalytic converter? The PO may have gutted it looking for more performance or sound.

[javadog]

The floors actually have some asphalt-based sound deadening material on them, if you look closely. Most people have two sets of mats; the original carpet and a set of aftermarket mats to cover and protect them. There is heavy soundproofing in the area of the rear seat bottoms and on the rear shelf. Additional, lighter sound proofing is used on the side walls. If all of this is in place, it shouldn't be too noisy. Replacing the engine compartment sound pad might not hurt but I doubt it will make a huge difference.

The stock speakers in these cars are pitiful, so that might be the problem with listening to the radio. You won't be happy with any part of the stock sound system, if you actually want to listen to music while driving.

There may be some wind noise from the front of the car. There are a few things you can do to minimize that. And, if your car is a targa, there may be a lot of noise from the top, if it needs attention.

JR

[gamin]

Are you sure the muffler is stock? Just because you have only one outlet doesn't mean stock. I have a M&K 1in/1out muffler installed on my Carrera and it is louder than stock but not so loud that you can't carry on a conversation. Louder at idle than underway. All the soundproofing is stock. When I want quiet I drive the wife's Nissan.

[Jcslocum]

The muffler could have been gutted at one point. That may be why it looks stock but it loud. The stock muffler is kinda quiet on these cars and the fan is easily heard.

Maybe take some pics and post them up....we like pics!!!

[GH85Carrera]

My 85 has the factory stock muffler and it is just right for noise. No way would I want more sound. Especially on long trips.

If you have a local PCA region around go to a few events. You will find someone else with a similar car to yours. Ask for a ride and have them ride in yours. There are apps for smart phones that will display a DB sound level. Use that to compare.

[alfisti]

OK, I've taken some pictures of what's on the car now. Stock setup, right?



-Glenn






Thanks

[javadog]

It looks stock, apart from the duct tape and the muffler tip.

JR

[HorstP]

Cat does not look stock to me.

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by HorstP

Cat does not look stock to me.

That's what I was thinking but either way it's a Cat and OE muffler it should not be loud.

I will say that my car came to me with a "modified" OE muffler. That's all it said in the work history. I have no idea what was done inside the muffler and mods can't be seen until muffler was removed. Shop cut above the flange all the way around. I found this when I pulled the muffler to swap it out. That muffler with a Cat was loud. That muffler with pre-muffler was described as "obnoxiously loud" by my best friend who BTW owns a 79 Jeep CJ with a V-8 and Cherrybombs turned out under the doors. He knows loud.

Whoever added the tip may have gutted the inside of the muffler. -J

[JAR0023]

Glenn - Look above the back glass. There should be a row of slots in the roof. There should be foam behind the slots but it's likely long gone by now. If you search there are a number of threads on replacing the foam. I've commented so you can search my username as well. Replacing that foam will cut down on the amount of sound you hear from behind. I used a $5 A/C seal from my local hardware store. -J

[alfisti]

I can see the foam inside the slots in the roof.

I guess whatever is there, I need to just enjoy the sound :-)

Thanks all
-Glenn

[porsche930dude]

use a mirror and feel around on top of the muffler for welds. that should tell you if it has been messed with inside

[whiz05403]

Post a Youtube video of it running with a few rev ups.