Jenson Button Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I'm just about to buy my first 7 which is a 1.6 Superlight. I'm also about to book a track day or two and wanted to know if anyone knew the noise levels? It's got a standard exhaust with catalytic converter. I'm looking to do a track day which has a drive-by noise limit of 98db which strikes me as on the low side. Will the car be OK? What are the static and drive-by noise levels for the Superlight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david nelson Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 you should be fine with a standerd SL. never had a problem. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricks Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 bedford has a 98 drive by, never had any problems there with my sl, unlike the r300 boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanJ Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I recently did a trackday at Bedford with a standard 1.6 Superlight. My car recorded 98db static (but they only tested it at 4000rpm) and then 89.9db driveby. The limit was 87.0db, so I got thrown off in the morning. Replaced the standard silencer with a CCC one in the afternoon and had no more complaints... Please note that as an early '97 superlight, it came with a 4" silencer. I believe later superlights were fitted with 5"/6" silencers so you may be OK. Ian 😬 1.6K SS Superlight #006 Penn Sevens Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanB Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 Had a noise test at Goodwood a few months ago (std Superlight with 5" silencer) and was way over the 98db "quiet day" limit - by 2 or 3 db IIRC. Remember that db is log scale so +3db is double. They test at 75% of max so >5k revs. I've even been chucked off Goodwood previously in an Elise (modified) on driveby, and if my SL is anything to go by it would stand no chance there. Sorry..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenson Button Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 I know that Goodwood are very strict. The track day in question is actually at Donington who normally have a higher noise limit as far as I know. Does anyone know if a car is measured at say 98db static, will it be quieter or louder on drive-by? The car may well be at maximum revs as it goes past the microphone but will be further away from it than in a static test - which makes the bigger difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTrilby Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 A Superlight will have no trouble at Donington. My standard Superlight has run there many times with no hassle. The Bookatrack fleet of Caterhams are Superlights and they equally have no hassles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenson Button Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 I would agree normally but why have they expressly stated that the noise limit will be 98db on the day? I know they normally have a higher limit and, reading their website, they even do totally unrestricted days. But can I go along confident that I'm not going to be sent home for being too loud? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanJ Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 A driveby reading will usually be much lower than static. If my SL recorded 89.9db driveby, I think you would be well inside a 98db driveby limit. Ian 😬 1.6K SS Superlight #006 Penn Sevens Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 FWIW they are now very strict at Donington, my car (not a SL) measures 96.8dB at 4.5k revs so will pass most static tests but it was recorded at 104dB driveby at Donington even with Out of a Box additions 😬 They don't do static tests at Donington, only driveby and according to the 'noise man' there are now 4 mics around the circuit. They are allowed a limited number of noisier days under thier agreement with the local Council as are Goodwood As others have said I doubt you will have a problem with a standard SL Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenson Button Posted October 21, 2004 Author Share Posted October 21, 2004 Mark - can I assume yours is one of the higher powered Se7en's if you recorded a noise reading like that? Alternatively, is there any way tomake the car quieter (without lifting off the 'loud' pedal?!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 CT yep, noisy old 218BHP VX 😬 Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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