Cabin noise

370ZilverZ · 02-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

The thing is, you aren't really talking apple to apples. You are in the "hate the road noise in general camp." Unlike you, many of us here expect and even like the road noise associated with the tires, the pavement and the exhaust. To us that's what a sports car is all about. But what many of us do dislike is the obnoxious pebble/debris noise from the rear wheel wells. Spending time & effort doing the doors will most likely do very little, if nothing at all, to help with this issue. So for us doing the doors is most likely more a waste of time and energy than anything. But I think daemon1957 will be able to answer that better than you because he's more in the pebble noise camp. We'll see.

I for one am sticking with my current plan, for now. I bought a FatMat (Dynamat by a different name) trunk kit for $60 and am going to try to put that in this weekend. I'm going to concentrate on the wheel well arches first, then move out from there. If that doesn't get the job done, then I'm going to buy some FatMat (or the like) liquid noise paint, and paint the wheel well arches on the outside of the car. This will act like a coat of rubber to deaden the actual sound impact of the debris. If Nissan had just added a plastic liner to the wheel wells we wouldn't be having this issue. But there isn't any sense worrying about that, so we make do.

After driving and listening to the sounds of the car and the road. I am satisfied with what I have achieved with doing the hatch and wheel wells. I agree with what Bonzo says. I had a purpose in doing the Dynamat and I cured the pinging of stones being thrown up and making sounds that irritated me. I've driven hot rods all my life and love the sound of open headers and whining superchargers in my ears. I even like listening to loud music at times, but I'm not going to turn up the volume to mask a problem. I guess those that choose to do that would also choose to close their eyes when their oil guage shows 0 or temp gauge shows 300. If I choose to upgrade my door speakers in the future, then I look at insulating my doors for sound quality, but as a noise reduction, I see no point. This is a sports car and it is going to be noisy. To each there own in how they choose to accept it or change it to their acceptance level.

Bonzo · 02-09-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daemon1957

After driving and listening to the sounds of the car and the road. I am satisfied with what I have achieved with doing the hatch and wheel wells. I agree with what Bonzo says. I had a purpose in doing the Dynamat and I cured the pinging of stones being thrown up and making sounds that irritated me. I've driven hot rods all my life and love the sound of open headers and whining superchargers in my ears. I even like listening to loud music at times, but I'm not going to turn up the volume to mask a problem. I guess those that choose to do that would also choose to close their eyes when their oil guage shows 0 or temp gauge shows 300. If I choose to upgrade my door speakers in the future, then I look at insulating my doors for sound quality, but as a noise reduction, I see no point. This is a sports car and it is going to be noisy. To each there own in how they choose to accept it or change it to their acceptance level.

Good to hear about the Dynamat. Hopefully I will feel the same after installing my FatMat. I'll post my results when I'm done installing it.

Thanks ---- Bonzo

RiCharlie · 02-10-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

The thing is, you aren't really talking apple to apples. You are in the "hate the road noise in general camp." Unlike you, many of us here expect and even like the road noise associated with the tires, the pavement and the exhaust.

I dont mind a bit of exhaust and engine noise but to me the very best experience is when I am driving over a newly paved road..smooth and quiet.. right now its not exactly like that but good enough..

But even for a sports car this one is noisy.,,did you read all those reviews I posted earlier?

Anyway we all have our own preferences...but it is strange how those pebbles dont bother me...its really rare....but the tires droning on the road do..I have the Sports package and from what I read that is the package where most of the road noise is...so maybe we are talking about two different packages..

lpsscc · 02-12-2012, 12:12 PM

Did the dynamat Yesterday. I used all 36 Square feet that came with the kit I got on ebay. Pain in the *** and time consuming. Only cut myself like 20 times. Big fun...

Anyway I did the doors and rear covering everything I could.
Huge difference! Even though I spilled at least a gallon of blood it was more than worth it and would do it again. I now plan to do the same with my Altima. Never knew this would help so much or I would have done it 7 years ago with my daily driver...

Thanks all. Was VERY worth it.

RiCharlie · 02-12-2012, 12:13 PM

Actually I have to say that for the first time I can actually understand why the thing may get too quiet in some situations...

I do about 1200 miles a month so noise is a concern but I now think I may be going a bit overboard in trying to get rid of it entirely...

See? old dogs really can learn new tricks!

RiCharlie · 02-12-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpsscc

Did the dynamat Yesterday. I used all 36 Square feet that came with the kit I got on ebay. Pain in the *** and time consuming. Only cut myself like 20 times. Big fun...

Anyway I did the doors and rear covering everything I could.
Huge difference! Even though I spilled at least a gallon of blood it was more than worth it and would do it again. I now plan to do the same with my Altima. Never knew this would help so much or I would have done it 7 years ago with my daily driver...

Thanks all. Was VERY worth it.

Glad to hear! I was really upset at my car at first and thought I made a terrible mistake but doing the hatch and doors makes all the difference...now with the new tires its really a pleasure to drive over long distances...

370ZilverZ · 02-12-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpsscc

Did the dynamat Yesterday. I used all 36 Square feet that came with the kit I got on ebay. Pain in the *** and time consuming. Only cut myself like 20 times. Big fun...

Anyway I did the doors and rear covering everything I could.
Huge difference! Even though I spilled at least a gallon of blood it was more than worth it and would do it again. I now plan to do the same with my Altima. Never knew this would help so much or I would have done it 7 years ago with my daily driver...

Thanks all. Was VERY worth it.

I'm not sure that enough emphasis what put into this thread on how much of a PITA this dynamat install is. Especially if you want it done right. If you can do this without spilling any blood,

. It does make a difference and IMO is well worth the blood, sweat and time.

scottIN · 02-12-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daemon1957

I'm not sure that enough emphasis what put into this thread on how much of a PITA this dynamat install is. Especially if you want it done right. If you can do this without spilling any blood,

. It does make a difference and IMO is well worth the blood, sweat and time.

Man...you're scaring me! I'm going to do mine as soon as it gets warmer (garage is maybe 50 degrees). Fortunately I've got another car so if I get frustrated I can stop and go back to it another day instead of having to finish up. That's the worst feeling - when you've got your car all torn apart and have to finish it becasue you have to drive it when you'd really rather step away for a while.
Drove mine in the rain for the first time Friday. You can actually hear the SPRAY in the wheel wells. Crazy. Can't believe they didn't try to mitigate this in some way or another.

pf62 · 02-12-2012, 02:47 PM

Did the hatch area a few days ago,doors are next and thats it for dynamat.
My fingers hurt, back hurts, knees hurt, a little blood, but it was worth it to me.
I would do it again but not anytime soon.

Bonzo · 02-13-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottIN

Drove mine in the rain for the first time Friday. You can actually hear the SPRAY in the wheel wells. Crazy. Can't believe they didn't try to mitigate this in some way or another.

EXACTLY!!! THIS is the noise that's crazy. Lucky me (sarcasm), all the first times I drove my car was in the rain.

And it was like, WOW, it's sounds like the rain is coming in the car it's so loud. I was like, what is this thing, an open wheeled F-1 car? But while the rain is loud, it doesn't bother me like the pebbles. The pebble noise is outlandish.

Bonzo · 02-13-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiCharlie

But even for a sports car this one is noisy.,,did you read all those reviews I posted earlier?

Yes. For road noise, this car is not nearly as noisy as my wife's Pontiac Solstice. Between the convertible top, the tire noise, the transmission whine, the wind and the whistling antenna, it's a whole "nother" experience entirely. You think the Z is loud, heh, not even close. But even in the super noisy tiny sized Solstice, the pebble thing doesn't even come close to the Z.

Quote:

Anyway we all have our own preferences...but it is strange how those pebbles dont bother me...its really rare....

Rare? Where do you live, dirt free land?

Here in Ohio we have what I would call clean roads compared to other states (well, at least say compared with Michigan, where the mob runs the paving companies, and they don't spend any money on street sweepers, and they still have tons of unpaved dirt roads). I see street sweepers all the time around where I live, and there hasn't been one single drive in my Z where I haven't had the pebble issue arise. It even happens in my own neighborhood, which I would call very clean. Have you driven in the rain? No car I've ever been in has water spray sound like the Z. Or what about salted winter roads? It's obnoxious, and makes you sick hearing all that corrosive salt being kicked up. Again, this is not rare to me.

Quote:

but the tires droning on the road do..I have the Sports package and from what I read that is the package where most of the road noise is...so maybe we are talking about two different packages..

Nope, I have the Sport Package also. Again, the tire & road noise is not a problem for me.

I drive about 75 miles a day to work and back, with it being about a 50/50 split highway / suburbs. So far I've only gotten a chance to drive the Z to work about 5 times (being tore up with mods I'm making and then just the crappy winter weather). The pebble noise doesn't happen so much on the highway, it's on the other suburb streets, and in my neighborhood. Like when you cut a corner, or are making a left turn at a light and you go out into the middle of the intersection. It's in those places where it's frequent.

I'm not looking forward to this process of putting this mat crap down, but since I already have my back end all opened up, it would be dumb not to give it a whirl. We were baby sitting our nephew this weekend or it would be done already.

For those who have done it, did you find actually climbing in the car any easier than bending over from the outside? I'm thinking climbing in for the fender wells might be the easiest way to get to them.

Cheers ---- Bonzo

RiCharlie · 02-13-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

But even in the super noisy tiny sized Solstice, the pebble thing doesn't even come close to the Z.

Rare? Where do you live, dirt free land?

Cheers ---- Bonzo

Honestly, there is very little pebble noise..and you know I am a fanatic about noise..when I pull up to a curb then sometimes I notice some but I drove for about an hour today and not a single pebble sound..

I notice it is louder on wet roads

and i almost never drive in the salt and crap they put down in the winter..That crap really can eat into your car..and then in that case yes it really is noisy..

How come you havent given this old dog credit for learning a new trick? ( see my post about noise at 12:13 I had you in mind when I posted that!

370ZilverZ · 02-13-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

For those who have done it, did you find actually climbing in the car any easier than bending over from the outside? I'm thinking climbing in for the fender wells might be the easiest way to get to them.

Cheers ---- Bonzo

I found it much easier getting inside. You pretty much have to when doing the area in front of the shock towers. If you have a cutting board large enough to do cutting and fit up in there with you will save you having to climb in and out. Even better if you have a cutting helper outside. I had neither. You will feel it in the legs the next day if you are a 50+ out of shape guy like me. That or your back will be screaming at you. This is probably the most physically demanding mod there is to do on this car. But let me tell you this. It is very much worth it and you will not regret it at all!

Bonzo · 02-13-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiCharlie

Honestly, there is very little pebble noise..and you know I am a fanatic about noise..when I pull up to a curb then sometimes I notice some but I drove for about an hour today and not a single pebble sound..

Well, I guess it's lucky for you. Wanna trade noises?

Quote:

I notice it is louder on wet roads

I certainly hope so, because if you don't notice the spray noise, then either your ears work differently or your car has something mine does not. But from your comments about the salt below, I guessing it just doesn't bother you. Actually, the rain spray, while loud, doesn't bother me. It's loud but it doesn't "tink" like the pebbles.

Quote:

and i almost never drive in the salt and crap they put down in the winter..That crap really can eat into your car..and then in that case yes it really is noisy..

I have avoided it at all costs, but I only had 1 day to go over to the DMV to get registered, and that day was just 2 days after a road salting. I avoided the salt as much as possible, but in some places it was unavoidable.

So you have heard this salt pounding, it's about the same as the pebbles, so at least you know what I'm talking about. Same sort of "tinking."

Quote:

How come you havent given this old dog credit for learning a new trick? ( see my post about noise at 12:13 I had you in mind when I posted that!

Credit.

Bonzo · 02-13-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daemon1957

I found it much easier getting inside. You pretty much have to when doing the area in front of the shock towers. If you have a cutting board large enough to do cutting and fit up in there with you will save you having to climb in and out. Even better if you have a cutting helper outside. I had neither. You will feel it in the legs the next day if you are a 50+ out of shape guy like me. That or your back will be screaming at you. This is probably the most physically demanding mod there is to do on this car. But let me tell you this. It is very much worth it and you will not regret it at all!

Thank for the post. I was thinking it might be.

40+ and out of shape here.

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02-12-2012, 12:12 PM	#304 (permalink)
lpsscc Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 75 Drives: 40th, Altima SE-R Rep Power: 13	Did the dynamat Yesterday. I used all 36 Square feet that came with the kit I got on ebay. Pain in the *** and time consuming. Only cut myself like 20 times. Big fun... Anyway I did the doors and rear covering everything I could. Huge difference! Even though I spilled at least a gallon of blood it was more than worth it and would do it again. I now plan to do the same with my Altima. Never knew this would help so much or I would have done it 7 years ago with my daily driver... Thanks all. Was VERY worth it.

02-12-2012, 12:13 PM	#305 (permalink)
RiCharlie Track Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Johnston RI Posts: 857 Drives: 370 Touring Spt A/t Rep Power: 16	Actually I have to say that for the first time I can actually understand why the thing may get too quiet in some situations... I do about 1200 miles a month so noise is a concern but I now think I may be going a bit overboard in trying to get rid of it entirely... See? old dogs really can learn new tricks!

02-12-2012, 02:47 PM	#309 (permalink)
pf62 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 42 Drives: 2010 370z 7at blk ch Rep Power: 14	Did the hatch area a few days ago,doors are next and thats it for dynamat. My fingers hurt, back hurts, knees hurt, a little blood, but it was worth it to me. I would do it again but not anytime soon.