Looking for a sound opinion!

themoose · Apr 15, 2012

OK, I keep hearing about cams that Thump, timing gears that Whine, mufflers that are Mellow, or exhaust that Barks ..... its all very confusing so I thought Id try to get to the bottom of it. Its obvious that the sound of the car is very important to most people so what do you think makes a hot rod sound like a hot rod?

cakes · Apr 14, 2012

I am going to have to go with the symphony of 8 cylinders working in unison,

kind of like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLFTO0Bx9-E

badshifter · Apr 14, 2012

An actual exhaust "system". (Whatever it may consist of, not just a bunch of crappy stacks sticking out of the engine.) And some compression always helps.
Not much beats a warmed over flathead with headers and porters and a full exhaust.
Nothing sucks as much as a bone stock engine uncorked.

maybelene · Apr 14, 2012

The unmistakeable stutter of a cam. It separates the customs 9and everything else) from the hot rods for me.

Wild Turkey · Apr 14, 2012

It's not so much what the ear hears as what the heart feels.

Grew up driving flathead trucks and Poppin' Johnnies so I've got a soft spot for both.

Spent years going to sleep listening to a 354 Hemi running at peak torque so they've got a special place too.

SAM123 · Apr 14, 2012

...... when the occurence happens you will know grasshopper .... you will know.

Fuzzy Knight · Apr 14, 2012

good cams make it go rubba rubba rubba
Good pipes rap real good at 6 grand
Gear drives or blowers make the motor whine.
All the above sounds when in unison make a Hot Rod sound like a Hot Rod

Bad Daddy · Apr 14, 2012

Wild Turkey said: ↑

It's not so much what the ear hears as what the heart feels.

Spent years going to sleep listening to a 354 Hemi running at peak torque so they've got a special place too.
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. Spent many nights in the back of my parents '70 Challenger being "sung" to sleep by the hum of that 383 motoring along.

GaryB · Apr 15, 2012

combination of all parts totaled,when you hear it you know it

Salty · Apr 15, 2012

I must be getting old cause now I concentrate on low non-excessive rumble and low profile in the exhaust department....

tommy · Apr 15, 2012

themoose said: ↑

 
OK, I keep hearing about cams that Thump, timing gears that Whine, mufflers that are Mellow, or exhaust that Barks ..... its all very confusing so I thought Id try to get to the bottom of it. Its obvious that the sound of the car is very important to most people so what do you think makes a hot rod sound like a hot rod?
Click to expand...

That's a personal preference that only you can answer. Got to a lot of shows and flag down a car that you like the sound of and ask what it's running. A lot depends on the style of the build. I will have Flowmaster clones on my 56 because I want the thumper type sounds. That sound was not around in the early 60s which my build is based on but it is what I want. All the naysayers can kiss my ass.

V4F · Apr 15, 2012

Not much beats a warmed over flathead with headers and porters and a full exhaust.

i agree . i have a banger , nice lumpy cam , header , porter , exhaust split after the porter , going out in front of both rear wheels . it is a hot rod !! it sounds like a hot rod !!!!

oldcarfart · Apr 15, 2012

To me the ultimate "thumper" is a Pratt & Whitney radial engine, close is a Harley, I want my SBF to have the thump you feel not only hear. Inputs? E303? Comp cams "Thumper" series? Years ago to get the thump you sacrificed driveability but todays technology (roller cams, etc) hidden under traditional looking engines give the best of both to me.

Sir Woosh · Apr 15, 2012

Hot rods and the different sounds each one can make are like instruments in a band. If every rod sounded the same, it would be pretty boring. Some rumble, some cackle, some roar. Some sounds fit the look, some don't. Some instruments are out of tune.

So like music, it's up to you to pick the instrument you want to play, and be happy with it...........

LSGUN · Apr 15, 2012

steve norcal said: ↑

Not much beats a warmed over flathead with headers and porters and a full exhaust.

i agree . i have a banger , nice lumpy cam , header , porter , exhaust split after the porter , going out in front of both rear wheels . it is a hot rod !! it sounds like a hot rod !!!!
Click to expand...

Any vids? I'd love to hear it.

BashingTin · Apr 15, 2012

This is what a car should sound like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNETPlz9nPw

themoose · Apr 16, 2012

I must admit....That is some pretty good music! I'm not sure the Connecticut state boys would agree though.

BashingTin said: ↑

This is what a car should sound like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNETPlz9nPw
Click to expand...

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themoose Member from Connecticut Connecticut HAMB'ers HAMB Old Farts' Club Termites and Bowties Primeval Chevy Disciples

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maybelene Member from Yazoo City,MS

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themoose
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from Connecticut

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cakes
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from Charleston, SC

badshifter
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from Chatsworth, CA

maybelene
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from Yazoo City,MS

Wild Turkey
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from Elizabethtown, KY

SAM123
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from NorCal (transplant from SoCal)

Fuzzy Knight
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from Santee, Ca

Falcon's Done Right

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1952-59 Ford Social Group

EL MIRAGE HAMB CLUB

JUST FAIRLANES

Bad Daddy
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from Healdsburg, CA

GaryB
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from Reno,nv

Salty
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from Florida

tommy
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oldcarfart
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Sir Woosh
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LSGUN
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BashingTin
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themoose
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from Connecticut

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