My favorite Porsche sound is from the early 80 SC's to late 80's models. You know, that higher pitched "mechanical whine." At what point (model/year) did this go away? Does anyone know what caused it and why the later air cooled models dont have it?

Just curious.

Thanks

Kuhl

 

I think that would be the 964 which, to me, was the best sounding street 911 out of the box. It also was the last 911 model to have mechanical valve lifters.

 

Sure,

I know what your saying.

Porsche had to conform to tougher "drive by" noise regulations in Europe. So as the 911 matured, the "sound" did as well.

I do like the way the 993 engine sounds though.

The 993/964 exhaust sound is even better. It blows away the SC/Carrera exhaust sounds of years gone by (you know the saying: There is no replacement for that cubic inch displacement). Nice deep tones from a 3.6... Not to mention how a 993 sounds w/ some RSR mufflers!

 

Thanks for the reply's.....so the mechanical valve lifters gave the earlier 911's that sound?
Did all the 964's (including turbo's) have the mechanical valve lifters?

BTW, I love all 911 sounds

 

[quote]Originally posted by kuhl 993:
<strong>Did all the 964's (including turbo's) have the mechanical valve lifters?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes.

[quote]<strong>BTW, I love all 911 sounds</strong><hr></blockquote>

Even the 996?

 

Loaded question huh?

Actually, the 996 is growing on me, but
I should have said all "air cooled 911's"



Kuhl

 

Kuhl,

As Michael mentioned, the <a href="http://p-car.com/exhaust/" target="_blank">Robin Sun / RSR mufflers</a> do recapture some of the more traditional 911 sound. I'm very pleased with mine, and Robin is a pleasure to do business with.

 

Anir,

Thanks for the recommendation. I am strongly considering the upgrade to RSR's. It just seems like there is so much info on the different exhaust options that Im overloaded...miglia, fabspeed, RSR etc. I wish I could hear each and then I could commit

Kuhl

 

I've found that doing the "Performance" mod to the air filter cover box (drill a bunch of holes in it) gives the 993 more of a "roar" at full throttle. I prefer it to my old '84 Carrera w/ the Bursch muffler (where you still heard valve ticking at times).

Can't remember if the engine underpanel removal did anything; that was removed shortly after I got the car (which was 6 years ago).

996 sounds too much like a luxury car; my impression from driving one of the first year's models.

 

Ray,

I thought the Motor Sound Option that comes with the C4S was basically what you describe but done at the factory. Is this not correct?

thanks,

Kuhl

 

[quote]Originally posted by kuhl 993:
<strong>I thought the Motor Sound Option that comes with the C4S was basically what you describe but done at the factory. Is this not correct?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, but some have chosen to drill their standard boxes instead of replacing them with the M159 unit.

 

I believe much of the high-pitched whine came from the engine fan. You'll note on 964's and 993's the engine fan has swept blades that reduced the fan whine considerably. Previous models had straight blades that contributed to the turbine-like sound you enjoy so much.

MC

 

Drilled-out factory airbox and Fabspeed MaxFlo mufflers - man oh man, what a sweet sound!

Pre-'02 996's are amazingly quiet. '02 996 models definitely a big improvement in sound..

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

I'll second Ray's advice--definately worth doing. Look it up in the archives, but I think it was AJ who made a really good autocad template (he posted it) to drill holes in the stock airbox. Drilling the airbox may have even made more of a sound improvement than the exhaust. My car came with the fabspeed, which I love. They're a little bit louder than the RSR's, from what I remember from riding in Hank's car.

David

 

I have installed mechanical valve lifters on my car, removed the engine underpanel and together with the single mass flywheel have gotten closer to the old sound.