Discuss What determines an exhaust note? on AllFordMustangs.com, the place for Mustang enthusiasts.
Welcome to our Mustang forums where Mustangers come together to hang out, discuss and enjoy their favorite Mustang hobby with fellow Mustang enthusiasts. We invite everyone to read, post, and enjoy our Mustang forum as well as the many other sections of our site.
You are currently viewing our forums as a guest. By joining our community you gain access to post topics, communicate with members, upload your photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and free so why wait, join our Mustang community today! If you have any problems with registration or your account login, please contact support.
This thread doesn't exactly fit in any subsection because it is general car tech and not limited to Mustangs, but what causes a car to sound the way it does? Before any witty quips, I mean a car's signature stock tone. Every Mustang from 1964.5-2012 has sounded just about the same. Of course electronic fuel injection over carbs and pushrods changed the texture of the sound a little bit, but you can absolutely tell it's a Mustang once you step on the throttle.
__________________
1999 SVT Cobra (4.6L NA 4V)
Stage 3 clutch kit
Flowmaster mufflers
2.5 inch pipes
8.8 solid live axle
I have to disagree, because an engine doesn't know what kind of car its in. listen to an exploreer 4.6 or an f150 4.6 and it sounds exactly like a 4.6 stang when it starts
I can't say I have much personal experience with either one of those vehicles but that's an interesting point. However, even with the ten-plus years between the Windsor and Modular 4.6 and the Coyote 5.0 there's still a clear "Mustang" sound. Maybe not at start up and idle but with a strong rev or WOT.
__________________
1999 SVT Cobra (4.6L NA 4V)
Stage 3 clutch kit
Flowmaster mufflers
2.5 inch pipes
8.8 solid live axle
Almost everything will determine the tone. Header/manifold diameters, pipe diameter, any bends/kinks/ sharp turns, cats/no cat, muffler placement, overall length of the system. Every piece of the system will go into determining its tone. Even the intake, cam arrangement and so forth of the engine itself.
And I have to disagree, the OHC engines sound nothing like OHV engines. They may come close but you will never mistake a Coyote 5.0 for the original 5.0.
jstafford1, you're right they don't exactly sound the same. I said in my original post that the technological difference between valve and carb vs injected and cammed would change the sound quite a bit but don't you agree they still greatly resemble each other? Not just the 5.0 Windsor and the 5.0 Coyote but all of the different cars/engines?
__________________
1999 SVT Cobra (4.6L NA 4V)
Stage 3 clutch kit
Flowmaster mufflers
2.5 inch pipes
8.8 solid live axle
jstafford1, you're right they don't exactly sound the same. I said in my original post that the technological difference between valve and carb vs injected and cammed would change the sound quite a bit but don't you agree they still greatly resemble each other? Not just the 5.0 Windsor and the 5.0 Coyote but all of the different cars/engines?
I will agree that there is a "sound" to the Mustang V8. The 5.0 in the trucks and suv's didn't sound like the Stangs, and the 4.6 was the same. Ford put alot of work into keeping that "sound alive when they went to the cammed motors. Its different, but still similar.
This guy analyzes with the sound equipment. He talks about the resonant frequency of an exhaust system on a Ferrari, its a very interesting write up. I think it has everything to do with your subject.
__________________
In a few years I will grow my fuel in the fields.
Last edited by billyfogg; 12-10-2012 at 04:05 AM.
Reason: Mispelling
What determines an exhaust note? 
Every Mustang from 1964.5-2012 has sounded just about the same. Of course electronic fuel injection over carbs and pushrods changed the texture of the sound a little bit, but you can absolutely tell it's a Mustang once you step on the throttle.
