So let's set this straight on what gives it that v8 sound

[Number 3]

There are several factors that create the sound of the V8 vs the V6. And do not confuse loudness of the sound with the "quality" of the sound. I could probably make a V6 as loud, but much harder to give it the same sound.

Firing order is pretty big. Has anyone listened to the difference in a Harley Davidson V-Twin and a Ducati V-Twin? Same size cylinders..............one is a 90 degree the other a 45 degree and they sound nothing alike. Nothing. And also consider a Ducati with Carbon Fiber exhaust vs one with stock. One is awesome, the other the sound of God. Basically the reason I can't sell my 916.

The other is the volume of gas. Cylinder size x number of cylinders. Why do you think the V8 Camaro has a larger exhaust? The V8 flows more exhaust gas than a V6.

And the other is simply the number of pulses in a single revolution of the engine, 4 vs 3. So 3 pulses of 600cc vs 4 pulses of 775 cc.

For example, compare a 90 degree V6 (4.3 L for exmample) and the 60 degree V6 in the Camaro. Firing order and frequency is different.

So the sound comes from frequency, volume of gas and firing order as well as the exhaust itself (material and baffles)........................and your right foot.

[HumanWiki]

A V6 doesn't sound like a V8 because it's not one.
A V8 doesn't sound like a V6 because it's not one.

They are mechanically, mathematically and functionally not the same thing.

People should stop focusing on making their engine something its not and accent what it is. I don't worry about my V8 not sounding like some exotic high cyl # engine.. I make it sound like a mean old American V8.

[formare]

If I weren't fuzzy from last night - it would be interesting to calculate the frequency in hertz at the exhaust for an engine running at 650rpm for 4,6,8 and 10 cylinders.

Simple math won't work as the wave coming from the exhaust would be similar to a saw tooth wave form, maybe a square wave. Either way it shore ain't a sine wave. Geez, wish I still had a tone generator/oscilloscope that would be interesting to replicate at a work bench.

How the heck would you calculate the duration of each pulse. You would need to know that as well as the frequency. Dank this is gonna eat at me..

I think I got it:

The critical factor is exhaust gas temperature and pressure at the exhaust valve vs the pressure at the tail pipe. This is some complicated crap....

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

A V6 doesn't sound like a V8 because it's not one.
A V8 doesn't sound like a V6 because it's not one.

They are mechanically, mathematically and functionally not the same thing.

People should stop focusing on making their engine something its not and accent what it is. I don't worry about my V8 not sounding like some exotic high cyl # engine.. I make it sound like a mean old American V8.

This.

/ Thread

[robnus]

I love my 6 and the way it sounds! I love the 8's and the way they sound! I love the sound of NASCAR going by at 195 mph at Daytona/Talladega... I HATE the way ricers sound!

[Ratchetwrist]

Hello. I know this topic is a few years old, but I'd still like to comment on it. I have a 2010 Camaro with the V-6 and the manual 6 speed. I enjoy the car, but the quietness of the exhaust bothers me. I'm getting ready to remove the resonators, install a Flowmaster Super 44 PN 8425454 in their place, remove the stock mufflers and install a muffler delete kit. I hope it will give the deep tone I'm looking for. Ok enough of that the topic of this is boils down to what makes a V-8 sound the way it does, and why you can't get the same sound from a V-6. I believe it is because of exhaust pulse. In a GM V-8 with the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 in a complete firing rotation the pusle inside of the exhaust manifold has gaps in the pulse rate. What I'm trying to say is when #1 fires and the valve opens there is a pulse in the left manifold the next cylinder to fire is #8 then #4, both #4 and #8 are on the same side of the engine, same manifold. Lets say "L" is for left manifold and "R" for right.Here is the firing order an manifold that the pulse is in. Example #1L, #8R, #4R, #3L, #6R, #5L, #7L, #2R. So you see it's L,R,R,L,R,L,L,R the pattern gives the V-8 its signature rumble. Unlike the firing order of the V-6 which is 1-2-3-4-5-6 in this configuration the exhaust pulses are equal and balanced L,R,L,R,L,R,L,R.

[Ratchetwrist]

I also believe that with special custom built headers a V-6 could sound a lot like a V-8, but it will never sound the same as a V-8.

[Ratchetwrist]

With the left bank having cylinders 1,3,5 and the right bank having cylinders 2,4,6. If a manifold was built that #1,2,4 cylinders would pulse through and on the other side have cylinders #3,5,6. It's not hardly practical, but I'd like to hear what it would sould like

[2010reddevil]

Firing order is the only thing that makes a typical V8 sound the way it does. Ferrari on the other hand, uses an equal firing flat plane crank that fires just like every 60 degree V6 engine, LRLRLRLR. The majority of V8's use the more common crossplane crank that as listed above, fires LRLLRLRR and that gives it the characteristic "burble/roar" we are so familiar with. A 90 degree V6 and V10 sound like ass because the crank has split journals to make the firing pattern fit in the pre-existing engine architecture, think Dodge V10 and Chevy 4.3L V6 and Buick 3.8L V6. Ford, for whatever reason has managed to give their V10 an exotic sound similar to the Lambo V10 and I think it is their specific firing order that sounds like that. I know a Porsche Carrera GT and the Lexus LFA have one of the most wicked sounding V10 made in a production road going car. And as stated before, you can compare a BMW 4.0L V8 vs the Chevy 4.3L V6, I can guarantee you that the Beemer will sound an ass load better every which way, no matter what you do to the V6.

[redcoats1976]

lets not forget the signature ferrari 12 cylinder shriek at 8000 rpm.

[acammer]

Firing order. This 1200cc Vmax has tiny pistons, but still sounds remarkably like a high winding race V8, because it shares exactly the same firing order. Exhaust size and design can change the tone, and even impact how much or how little "pulse" there is in the exhaust, but the root of it all is in the firing order.

[Rusty35]

Originally Posted by acammer

Firing order. This 1200cc Vmax has tiny pistons, but still sounds remarkably like a high winding race V8, because it shares exactly the same firing order. Exhaust size and design can change the tone, and even impact how much or how little "pulse" there is in the exhaust, but the root of it all is in the firing order.

This is the problem, some people think that sounds like a V8.
That sounds exactly like a 2cyl.
Nothing even close to a V8.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Rusty35

This is the problem, some people think that sounds like a V8.
That sounds exactly like a 2cyl.
Nothing even close to a V8.

You know that's a 90* V4, and not a twin, right? Literally the exact same "timing" as your typical 90* V8 - with half the cylinders. If you don't think that has the same "pulse" as a V8 when the revs are up, you need to get your ears checked.

A 60* V6 (A la 5th Gen V6 Camaros) and a 90* V8 (LS3) have nothing in common with regards to firing order. Never gonna get your V6 Camaro to sound like the V8 car - the 60* V6 is it's own animal.

[1Coopgt]

Originally Posted by Rusty35

This is the problem, some people think that sounds like a V8.
That sounds exactly like a 2cyl.
Nothing even close to a V8.

Always loved the sound of the Vmax. Just mean.