Why don't dual exhausts sound any good on V6's?

[Calaber]

Okay, here's a technical question - maybe someone with technical knowledge can provide a sensible answer.

We all know that V6's with duals sound bad, but why?

A V8 has two sets of four cylinders firing through separate pipes, usually connected by either balance pipes or dual in/dual out mufflers. This gives them that distintive and attractive sound we all like.

So, allowing for the fact that it only has three cylinders firing through each pipe, why doesn't the V6 at least have a similar sound, or at least sound decent? Everybody will say they sound like crap, so don't fill this thread with just opinions about the sound they make. Let's have some sensible suggestions about why duals on V6's don't sound any good.

[STEALTHY™]

Could we also add, why do 4cylinders sound like wet farts....

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It has a lot to do with bore and stroke. The bigger the bore and the longer the stroke, the deeper the exhaust note. Also, the firing order of the V8 makes a distinct note as well. The V8's send exhaust pulses down each pipe from opposing banks, then two from the same side. This gives the V8 rumble. The V6 fires opposing banks alternatively and each pulse is evenly spaced. It gives a higher pitched note as the revs increase.

[Calaber]

It has a lot to do with bore and stroke. The bigger the bore and the longer the stroke, the deeper the exhaust note. Also, the firing order of the V8 makes a distinct note as well. The V8's send exhaust pulses down each pipe from opposing banks, then two from the same side. This gives the V8 rumble. The V6 fires opposing banks alternatively and each pulse is evenly spaced. It gives a higher pitched note as the revs increase.

That sounds feasible. I thought firing order and capacity would have a part to play, but couldn't comprehend why you can't get the opposing beat that an eight provides.

[greenfoam]

What abba fan said is 100% correct, it's that extra pulse from the same bank to the Human ear sounds like one big 10 litre pulse and that gives you your uneven V8 gurgle that is so pleasing. I don't agree that dual systems on V6's sound bad, you just haven't heard a good one at enough revs

[greenfoam]

The V6 Mustang guys are right into dual systems

[NZVK308]

The ol V6 capri used to sound good with twin pipes

[ryno_vrx]

Could we also add, why do 4cylinders sound like wet farts....

not all 4 cylinders sounds like shit, just the ones with horrid 5inch cannons

[STEALTHY™]

Still doesn't sound exciting. A stock 5L sounds better.....

[ryno_vrx]

Still doesn't sound exciting. A stock 5L sounds better.....

agreed but a good 4 will sound better then a shit ls1

[STEALTHY™]

agreed but a good 4 will sound better then a shit ls1

Post a link to back up that statement

[Rolla_Rolla']

agreed but a good 4 will sound better then a shit ls1

I would rather a coughing and splattering LS1, over a 4 banger any day..

[TMM]

Post a link to back up that statement

sounds good to me.

Personally i think the LS1 sounds like shit. The 5L sounds a bit better but i'm just not a fan of V8s. I4/I6/V6 with an exhaust that doesn't drone down low sounds way better to me.

[STEALTHY™]

Still waiting

[wana s' charge stock vt]

whats a dual 2.5' sound like on a l67????????? better not sound crap... im waiting for one to get delivered but now you's have got me worry'd.

[TMM]

whats a dual 2.5' sound like on a l67?????????

Pretty much exactly the same as an Ecotec with a dual 2.5.

[feistl]

What does a stroked L67/Ecotec with dual exhausts sound like? Would a "lumpy" cam in a worked V6 sound ok?

General rule of thumb is that horsepower sounds good. Doesnt matter what system is fitted to an engine... if your producing a decent amount of kw it should sound ok.

Question though.... what effect would changing a dual 2.5" system to a dual 3" system on a heavily worked LS1 do? Ive currently got 4 into 1 pacemakers going into a dual 2.5" system with rear hot dogs and it sounds pretty sweet... im about to add in dual 4.5" high flow (100cpsi) cats which will hopefully give it a little more noise/base. Would going to a 3" system make it deeper? or just louder? Or both...

[ryno_vrx]

Still waiting

come up to mackay 90% of all ls1 engine owners think there car has to be louder then everyone else's and in a direct result they happen to sound like shit, now i'm not saying all ls1's sound like shit i'm just stating that a nice properly done 4 banger will sound better then a shit sounding ls1

[GOTMYN]

What does a stroked L67/Ecotec with dual exhausts sound like? Would a "lumpy" cam in a worked V6 sound ok?

General rule of thumb is that horsepower sounds good. Doesnt matter what system is fitted to an engine... if your producing a decent amount of kw it should sound ok.

Question though.... what effect would changing a dual 2.5" system to a dual 3" system on a heavily worked LS1 do? Ive currently got 4 into 1 pacemakers going into a dual 2.5" system with rear hot dogs and it sounds pretty sweet... im about to add in dual 4.5" high flow (100cpsi) cats which will hopefully give it a little more noise/base. Would going to a 3" system make it deeper? or just louder? Or both...

Twin 3"........Deeper, and louder.....
Plus mine has a noticable pulse at around 3000rpm to about 4000, then it becomes insanely loud, but good, so i'm told :-)

[STEALTHY™]

come up to mackay 90% of all ls1 engine owners think there car has to be louder then everyone else's and in a direct result they happen to sound like shit, now i'm not saying all ls1's sound like shit i'm just stating that a nice properly done 4 banger will sound better then a shit sounding ls1

Yes, i'm waiting for a vid of a good sounding 4 cyl, or even a V6

[GOTMYN]

Yes, i'm waiting for a vid of a good sounding 4 cyl, or even a V6

Hmmmm.....

I had a Datto 1600 with a 2.4lt stroker, 11:1 comp, twin Webbers, Genies with single 2.5" system and Walker straight through.... Sounded tuff as!!
Cam was Huge, 32/76, and it went like the clappers.....
I had 193rwhp, and at the time, that was insane...lol...
Mind you, LS1's didn't exist...
Still, I used to hose VS 215's without trying :-)

[STEALTHY™]

Hmmmm.....

I had a Datto 1600 with a 2.4lt stroker, 11:1 comp, twin Webbers, Genies with single 2.5" system and Walker straight through.... Sounded tuff as!!
Cam was Huge, 32/76, and it went like the clappers.....
I had 193rwhp, and at the time, that was insane...lol...
Mind you, LS1's didn't exist...
Still, I used to hose VS 215's without trying :-)

Got a vid? Thats the type of thing i'm talking about.....

[ryno_vrx]

Yes, i'm waiting for a vid of a good sounding 4 cyl, or even a V6

yeah i'm going to have to eat my words cause i'm slack to search youtube

[GOTMYN]

Got a vid? Thats the type of thing i'm talking about.....

Nah, sadly I don't, so wish I still had that thing....
Was my Pride and joy for many years!!
940kg, Full race prepped, Fibreglass panels, Fibreglass covered aluminium floor pans.......Seam welded, locked rear, 5 speed race box...............

[FuzzY]

YouTube - WH Statesman LS1 cam idle

Thats my mates WH with a cammed ls1, cruising along in a low gear actually sounded like a 5lt from behind him, cams make a huge difference aswell.

i changed the cam in my 5lt to suit the boost, didnt make it more lumpy or deeper, just louder and more raspy.

But if a different cam was fitted to a v6 im sure it would sound better aswell, i had a huge cam in my old ford i6 and it sounded wicked as most stock fords sound like fart bombs