Lets talk about drone (i.e. what is, and what is not)

[flowmann]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

This has been a hot topic here, and a recent PM inspired me to throw this post up. One thing to remember about drone, is it is like porn, in that it is hard to define, but you know it when you see it (or in this case hear it). Also, drone is very subjective. What is drone to one person, is not drone to another.

One point I want to make up front is that PRETTY MUCH EVERY EXHAUST DRONES!

Now that I have your attention..here is where the interesting part is. Pretty much every exhaust is gonna make a droning noise at some point in the RPM range. There is really no way around it without making the car super quiet. That being said, most exhaust manufactuers tune the exhaust to make it's "droning" noise at something other than highway cruising RPM. For instance..if someone asks me if the Borla Stinger drones on an M6, I would say no. But to me the definition of no drone is at high way speeds between 55-70mph at 1000-1500 rpms or so. That being said..at around 2000 RPM's toolling in traffic, it makes a noise that could be considered a "drone". I have a supercharged GTO with a Bassani exhaust. Same story..non existant drone on the highway, but at 40mph it drones.

This (along with AFM) is why you see some exhaust manufactuers make different exhausts for the M6 and A6..because at highway speeds, they have a different crusing RPM. If you design an exhaust for an M6 to not drone, when you put it on an A6 car that has a higher cruising rpm, it may drone. A6 Corvettes are very hard to buy no drone exhaust systems for because almost every Vette system is designed for the M6. Not only that..the A6 Vettes come with two different axle ratios that move the cruising RPM around evene more.

I guess what I am saying is-

A.) When someone says an exhaust has no drone, they are refering to highway crusing speed and RPM.

B.) Almost every aftermarket exhaust has the potential to make a droning sound at some place in the RPM range..so don't be surpised to hear it at 40-55 or 75+. It's not so much the speed, as much as at a certain RPM. You can get out of drone sometimes by shifting to a different gear.

C.) If you can't have drone anywhere because of wife or kids you really are better off keeping the stock mufflers and getting a set of cutouts or something. The supposed drone I mentioned in my Camaro at 40 with the Borla Stinger is nowhere near offensive..but every person is different.

MarylandSpeed - Great post! Flowmaster spends a lot of R&D time to confirm every system increases power over stock and also has the Flowmaster sound without having drone at cruising speed like you mentioned. Every performance exhaust system has some drone. It's subjective and some people take it as exhaust sound and don't care about it, but some people are highly sensative to it.

One of the problems with drone is that the term is over-used and incorrectly diagnosed.

Drone is a frequency created by the physical opening of the exhaust valves and gases are introduced to the exhaust system. These days with computer controlled vehicles we have ignition systems cancelling and altering spark (especially on automatic transmission vehicles) which also changes the frequency of gases entering the exhaust. Every car is a little different.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Switchback700

I have driven 4 -8 hours trips on the highway a few times already.

= noob... you said it, not me.

I guess I'll have to call it drone for you to believe we are talking about the exact same thing, because you can't understand it any other way... Please re-read the very first paragraph in this thread and it might make more sense. I'm done carry on...

[Dangeruss]

This thread is so old I forgot I posted here. AFM has been gone a long time, and I no longer care anything at all about drone. That was hundreds of HP ago.

I did end up going with a Borla ATAK instead of my Borla S. Both sound great, but because of its deeper tone the S-type does have more drone. At this point my car is so loud none of that really matters anymore!

[Jdevy]

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

Only drone that would bother me is if it rattled something.

Other than that the louder the better =p

Hellz ya!

[Switchback700]

Originally Posted by Dangeruss

This thread is so old I forgot I posted here. AFM has been gone a long time, and I no longer care anything at all about drone. That was hundreds of HP ago.

I did end up going with a Borla ATAK instead of my Borla S. Both sound great, but because of its deeper tone the S-type does have more drone. At this point my car is so loud none of that really matters anymore!

I like your sig picture.... that dude can paint.... the first PBS show I saw with him was amazing.... all is good, we'll keep the Camaro Family Happy...

[Switchback700]

Originally Posted by mlee

= noob... you said it, not me.

I guess I'll have to call it drone for you to believe we are talking about the exact same thing, because you can't understand it any other way... Please re-read the very first paragraph in this thread and it might make more sense. I'm done carry on...

All is good, we'll have to agree to disagree...... watch out for that AFM growl under the hood (tuned out, I know) it might come and get you in your sleep.....

[Switchback700]

Good post Bendan....... your opinion is appreciated.....

[Switchback700]

Originally Posted by bi11ymc

Actually, he is stating that when in AFM mode (4 cylinder mode) and you hit a RPM that drone occurs, it is worse than when in 8 cylinder mode and you hit a RPM that drone occurs.

Someone here does see the light...... just trying to help without the "Forum know-it-alls"......

[Switchback700]

"But AFM is NOT DRONE... it's a noise the engine makes that is accentuated when your exhaust is made louder. Please do not confuse AFM noise on the A6 with drone. It IS definitely something to consider as you noted..."

This post????? You're a very confused individual...... maybe when you hit 5,000 post you will make sense.... don't attack me when you are clearly not understanding AFM ...... take a break and think about what u r giving advice on..... have a good one and peace out!

[Switchback700]

Originally Posted by Switchback700

"But AFM is NOT DRONE... it's a noise the engine makes that is accentuated when your exhaust is made louder. Please do not confuse AFM noise on the A6 with drone. It IS definitely something to consider as you noted..."

This post????? You're a very confused individual...... maybe when you hit 5,000 post you will make sense.... don't attack me when you are clearly not understanding AFM ...... take a break and think about what u r giving advice on..... have a good one and peace out!

Correction.... when you hit 9,000 posts.... wow.... maybe time to research before so many post dude.... this site is now reminding me of the other Camaro site.....

[BigRed585Lbs]

"Drone" is what this thread has become.