muscle balt?
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From: Natchez, MS
muscle balt?
I am a big fan of American muscle, but my cobalt just doesnt have that low gutteral rumble that I love. How can I soup it up without making it sound too ricey, like a pissed off bumblebee? if its doable, let me know
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From: here
In a word.....no. You displace 2.2 liters not 7.0 or better. Can't be done, sorry.
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From: Minneapolis, MN
It's not just displacement that gives V8s their distinctive sound, it's also the ignition order and exhaust manifold piping. Basically, V8 exhaust manifolds and headers create a lot turbulence because of the cylinder firing order. This means that about half the exhaust "pulses" get cancelled out and when the sound leaves the exhaust you can only hear half as many pulses as there actually are...or something like that.
There are special headers that are designed so the ignition pulses are evenly spaced and it dramatically changes the V8's exhaust note. Makes it sound more like an inline 6. It also increases power. The downside is that they are very complex and heavy, so any power gains are offset by the wieght increase.
The culmination of all this is that a 4cylinder will never sound like a V8, unless you deliberately alter the exhaust piping to create that turbulence which will mean you lose power and add weight. Not worth it. That, plus the Cobalt isn't a V8 musclecar and I think it's an insult to try and pretend it is. You don't need a V8 to have a fast car, or more importantly, a fun car. A well-tuned 4-cylinder exhaust has it's own charm, you just have to learn to appreciate it.
There are special headers that are designed so the ignition pulses are evenly spaced and it dramatically changes the V8's exhaust note. Makes it sound more like an inline 6. It also increases power. The downside is that they are very complex and heavy, so any power gains are offset by the wieght increase.
The culmination of all this is that a 4cylinder will never sound like a V8, unless you deliberately alter the exhaust piping to create that turbulence which will mean you lose power and add weight. Not worth it. That, plus the Cobalt isn't a V8 musclecar and I think it's an insult to try and pretend it is. You don't need a V8 to have a fast car, or more importantly, a fun car. A well-tuned 4-cylinder exhaust has it's own charm, you just have to learn to appreciate it.
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From: CT
It's not just displacement that gives V8s their distinctive sound, it's also the ignition order and exhaust manifold piping. Basically, V8 exhaust manifolds and headers create a lot turbulence because of the cylinder firing order. This means that about half the exhaust "pulses" get cancelled out and when the sound leaves the exhaust you can only hear half as many pulses as there actually are...or something like that.
There are special headers that are designed so the ignition pulses are evenly spaced and it dramatically changes the V8's exhaust note. Makes it sound more like an inline 6. It also increases power. The downside is that they are very complex and heavy, so any power gains are offset by the wieght increase.
The culmination of all this is that a 4cylinder will never sound like a V8, unless you deliberately alter the exhaust piping to create that turbulence which will mean you lose power and add weight. Not worth it. That, plus the Cobalt isn't a V8 musclecar and I think it's an insult to try and pretend it is. You don't need a V8 to have a fast car, or more importantly, a fun car. A well-tuned 4-cylinder exhaust has it's own charm, you just have to learn to appreciate it.
There are special headers that are designed so the ignition pulses are evenly spaced and it dramatically changes the V8's exhaust note. Makes it sound more like an inline 6. It also increases power. The downside is that they are very complex and heavy, so any power gains are offset by the wieght increase.
The culmination of all this is that a 4cylinder will never sound like a V8, unless you deliberately alter the exhaust piping to create that turbulence which will mean you lose power and add weight. Not worth it. That, plus the Cobalt isn't a V8 musclecar and I think it's an insult to try and pretend it is. You don't need a V8 to have a fast car, or more importantly, a fun car. A well-tuned 4-cylinder exhaust has it's own charm, you just have to learn to appreciate it.
Finally someone that understands that it's firing order and exhaust pluse routing and not displacement that makes American muscle cars sound like muscle cars.
Ever heard a Ferrari or other flat-plane crank V8? Doesn't sound like a muscle car at all, regardless of it's larger displacement or V configuration. http://www.radicalextremesportscars....vd2005/sr8.php Clearly doesn't sound like a muscle car.
OP, if you want to, you can disconnect one of the coils and the car will sound just like a WRX.
LSX RWD S/C conversion
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From: Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
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From: Natchez, MS
i realize that my balt will never sound like a 67 stingray or a charger, i was just wanting to find an exhaust with the deepest sound. it would be a crime to put it in the same category, but thanks for the suggestions. im saving up for the stingray!
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That is good advice. I think that set up sounds great. I just feel 3" exhaust is to big and you won't see as many gains from 3" as 2.5". Inless of course your going for 400whp+.
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From: Beverly Hills, Florida
If you are actually looking for a deeper sound, cut off the stock piping and stick tiny little 2" pipes on there with a Large Borla muffler designed for bigger engines, this way there is more room for the sound to dampen. It will be quieter, but also deeper. Used crushed bends for any new bends that you have to make, it will hurt you a bit in performace, but again, it will up the resistance and make the sound lower.
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The biggest thing that makes them go lumptiy lumpity lumpity is the amount of overlap in the valve lift on the camshaft and thier high compression with large displacement. The overlap is where the intake AND exhaust valves are both open for a small amount of time to allow cylinder presure to bleed off at idle so the car can run. When you have a big block with 8 cylinders running at 220psi of cylinder presure its hard for it to idle.
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From: West Babylon, NY
If he can fit it in this.... then you should go for the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waN4aM5tZa4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waN4aM5tZa4
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From: Dallas, TX
I was told to go no bigger than 2.25" if I want to increase power in lower power bands, and 2.5" if I wanted more power in the higher bands. True?
That Bug is wicked!
If he can fit it in this.... then you should go for the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waN4aM5tZa4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waN4aM5tZa4
Last edited by DallasCobalt; Jun 18, 2007 at 04:03 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost