Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit?
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit? Dude,
I have to chime back in. We are NOT missing the point.
There are a couple points here, but the overall point we were trying to make is that if you are putting the words "annoying" and "supercharger whine" in the same sentence, DO NOT BUY ONE.
Secondary points:
1. There are quiet(er) superchargers out there, but he'll have to shop around. A buddy of mine had a 4 lb powerdyne on his '93 Firehawk and you really couldn't tell it was there. However, 4 lbs on a stock internals LT1... not exactly slow but not really fast either.
2. Superchargers are badass,
and part of that is THE SOUND, not just the extra gobs of HP and TQ. The intimidating whine is part of the package to most guys, and someone who is looking for a "quiet" one is either trying to make money street racing a sleeper or (in my opinion) a little too faint-hearted for a seriously blown application.
If he wants a HP/TQ rush that won't make his car noisier, then bolt on the silly sauce, but make sure all precautions and extras, like bottle heater, rpm switch, etc.etc. are included.
I have to chime back in. We are NOT missing the point.
There are a couple points here, but the overall point we were trying to make is that if you are putting the words "annoying" and "supercharger whine" in the same sentence, DO NOT BUY ONE.Secondary points:
1. There are quiet(er) superchargers out there, but he'll have to shop around. A buddy of mine had a 4 lb powerdyne on his '93 Firehawk and you really couldn't tell it was there. However, 4 lbs on a stock internals LT1... not exactly slow but not really fast either.
2. Superchargers are badass,
and part of that is THE SOUND, not just the extra gobs of HP and TQ. The intimidating whine is part of the package to most guys, and someone who is looking for a "quiet" one is either trying to make money street racing a sleeper or (in my opinion) a little too faint-hearted for a seriously blown application.If he wants a HP/TQ rush that won't make his car noisier, then bolt on the silly sauce, but make sure all precautions and extras, like bottle heater, rpm switch, etc.etc. are included.
10 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit? If there was no demand for a quiet supercharger Vortech would not have the SQ option. Sure probably most guys like the noise but there are some that don't. And if you like it quiet but still want to be blown you can have both. He probably needs to ride in a supercharged car that is normal sounding to see if he's O.K. with it. If not he can get an SQ. I can relate, I was very nervous about getting a T-trim because I thought it might be obnoxious. I posted everywhere to get a feel for what to expect. In the end I'm perfectly O.K. with it. I heard a car at the Trans Am Nationals that whined so loud it was hard to believe. It was an older camaro with a big blower (I don't know what kind). That one had me worried because I didn't know what to expect with the T-trim. Also you can see that a lot of guys talk about how loud there blower is. That may be cool to some but not to all. If I was a little younger (44 now) I would probably enjoy the noise more.
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit? Here is a small movie for an idea of what to expect with the ATI D1-SC
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jsbird98/idlepurge.mov
Don't pay attention to the purging of the N2O, I was tuning the purge on that day. 1st shot of the car is from about 15 feet away, second shot is about 6 feet away.
Hope this helps.
J
PS I can get an in car video if you want to hear the D1 going down the road. I love the way it sounds from stop to about 40 and then you can't hear it anymore.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jsbird98/idlepurge.mov
Don't pay attention to the purging of the N2O, I was tuning the purge on that day. 1st shot of the car is from about 15 feet away, second shot is about 6 feet away.
Hope this helps.
J
PS I can get an in car video if you want to hear the D1 going down the road. I love the way it sounds from stop to about 40 and then you can't hear it anymore.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: University Place, WA
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit? Hi Guys,
Yes, I expect some noise from my supercharger. And a certian amount of noise is a good thing. The bad part is on a several hour drive. Would I need earplugs? It looks like the answer is no. It's interesting how defensive people get over the use of the word "annoying." But, 105dB+ on the street IS annoying from any car. I expect that from a top fueler, not a road car.
I have a Flowmaster and LS1 Motorsports lid now and that's just about where I like the sound output. Above 93dB and we're getting a little too agressive for street use. My concern was just how loud it was. I thank you guys for the movies. They were especially helpful. I've decided on a 7# P-1SC-1 kit.
Any one want to go to Radio Shack and invest in a dB meter? That would be the best answer for me. I own a meter. I even use it on my Dirtbikes, which I try to keep down aroung 94dB. I'm here to enjoy my toys, not p*ss every on off around me.
Thanks again for the help.
-scolieri
Yes, I expect some noise from my supercharger. And a certian amount of noise is a good thing. The bad part is on a several hour drive. Would I need earplugs? It looks like the answer is no. It's interesting how defensive people get over the use of the word "annoying." But, 105dB+ on the street IS annoying from any car. I expect that from a top fueler, not a road car.
I have a Flowmaster and LS1 Motorsports lid now and that's just about where I like the sound output. Above 93dB and we're getting a little too agressive for street use. My concern was just how loud it was. I thank you guys for the movies. They were especially helpful. I've decided on a 7# P-1SC-1 kit.
Any one want to go to Radio Shack and invest in a dB meter? That would be the best answer for me. I own a meter. I even use it on my Dirtbikes, which I try to keep down aroung 94dB. I'm here to enjoy my toys, not p*ss every on off around me.
Thanks again for the help.
-scolieri
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit? If this doesn't meet your need, I don't know what will. 
Here is an .mp3 (423 KB) of my car cranked-up, idling in neutral, then in gear, then off.
http://www.blackls1ta.com/wavs_vids/...50_In-gear.mp3
It's idling at 750 RPMs in gear, 850 in neutral, for that lopey, "about-to-cut-off" sound.
This mp3 file is FULL stereo:
Left channel is from the exhaust.
Right channel is near the left fender by the Supercharger.
I have these Shure SM-58 Mics set at ear-level, front and back, to simulate someone standing by the car.
The first skip you hear at about 11 secs is going from Neutral to 1st.
The skip just before shut-off is back to neutral.
I must LOVE my LS1 buds to do all THAT kinda setting up!
Here is an .mp3 (423 KB) of my car cranked-up, idling in neutral, then in gear, then off.
http://www.blackls1ta.com/wavs_vids/...50_In-gear.mp3
It's idling at 750 RPMs in gear, 850 in neutral, for that lopey, "about-to-cut-off" sound.
This mp3 file is FULL stereo:
Left channel is from the exhaust.
Right channel is near the left fender by the Supercharger.
I have these Shure SM-58 Mics set at ear-level, front and back, to simulate someone standing by the car.
The first skip you hear at about 11 secs is going from Neutral to 1st.
The skip just before shut-off is back to neutral.
I must LOVE my LS1 buds to do all THAT kinda setting up!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: University Place, WA
Re: Just How Loud is a Supercharger Kit?
If this doesn't meet your need, I don't know what will.
Here is an .mp3 (423 KB) of my car cranked-up, idling in neutral, then in gear, then off.
http://www.blackls1ta.com/wavs_vids/...50_In-gear.mp3
It's idling at 750 RPMs in gear, 850 in neutral, for that lopey, "about-to-cut-off" sound.
This mp3 file is FULL stereo:
Left channel is from the exhaust.
Right channel is near the left fender by the Supercharger.
I have these Shure SM-58 Mics set at ear-level, front and back, to simulate someone standing by the car.
The first skip you hear at about 11 secs is going from Neutral to 1st.
The skip just before shut-off is back to neutral.
I must LOVE my LS1 buds to do all THAT kinda setting up!
Here is an .mp3 (423 KB) of my car cranked-up, idling in neutral, then in gear, then off.
http://www.blackls1ta.com/wavs_vids/...50_In-gear.mp3
It's idling at 750 RPMs in gear, 850 in neutral, for that lopey, "about-to-cut-off" sound.
This mp3 file is FULL stereo:
Left channel is from the exhaust.
Right channel is near the left fender by the Supercharger.
I have these Shure SM-58 Mics set at ear-level, front and back, to simulate someone standing by the car.
The first skip you hear at about 11 secs is going from Neutral to 1st.
The skip just before shut-off is back to neutral.
I must LOVE my LS1 buds to do all THAT kinda setting up!
scolieri
