Mark in Hermosa

I am headed to Laguna Seca March 1 & 2. How can I check the db's of my car to make sure I adhere to the 92db sound limit imposed at this event? Is there a "check station" for something like this?

Thanks in advance.

Buck

Unless you've got a real loud set of mufflers you shouldn't have a problem. If you do have loud mufflers and want to check it go by Radio Shack and buy a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. I bought one to set-up my home theater. You also need to know the distance they do the measurement.

DJ

Performing a test adequately similar to that which is run at Laguna Seca will be difficult at best. I believe the transducer is 50' from the edge of the track, 90 degrees off axis, measuring the sound level of the car whilst you accelerate full-throttle up a hill.

From past experience, I'll agree with Kim. You should easily make sound.

Mark in Hermosa

Thanks all. DJ, I was considering running with the supercups. That is why I was concerned. Sounds like I should just put the RSR's on for this one.

Thanks again. I would like to measure the db's for the hell of it, though.

Laura

You'll be fine with the RSR's. The reading from the permanent monitor alongside the track isn't the problem. It is when they have the roving monitor than you usually get caught by, but I don't assume they will have it out at your event.
Most race shops that go to Laguna have a meter, but typically can tell you by ear if you will pass. (If you worried, take a quick run over to Johnson Alignment and let Steve take a listen or go a few doors down to Tony Callas, they both have lots of experience meeting Laguna's noise restrictions.)
We can easily pick up DJ car's 2-3 blocks before he gets here!

David '96 993

Mark,
I was in our shop at work and they use something called a Dosimeter to measure sound. I may be able to borrow it over a weekend and we could do some tests on your car.

Let me know if you are interested and I will talk to our Plant Manager.

Mark in Hermosa

David:

That would be great! Thanks a lot. We can do runs on your street, then come to mine to **** off my neighbors...

I wish I had that thing installed in my house when I told my wife about the Carrera S.

I am home this weekend and next. If you can, let me know.

David '96 993

Mark,
The unit is out of the plant for a couple of weeks <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

I will try to get it before Laguna Seca, but if it is cutting it too close, you should put your RSR's on just in case. I will let you know when it is available and we can do some test runs (test our neighbors tolerance <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> )

Mike S

I ridden there a bunch of times on my Suzuki TL1000S motorcycle. You will pass with flying colors. I have run with aftermarket race cans at that track with wide open throttle and still passed(granted it was borderline). With cars, I have never seen a car get flagged other than the ones running no cats or full straight pipes. If you were tempted to run a full out race exhaust, some people still pass by clamping on little diverter(just something to point the sound towards the inside of the track...or towards the drivers side in laguna's case). That usually makes it much tougher for the sound meter to pick you up.