15 replies to this topic

[Scotracer]

Just a little request: does any one have much information on the Illmor V10s from the 90s/early 00s when they made that tremendous sound? And information on why they made such a noise? I'm having tremendous trouble finding media that isn't spoken over.

[primer]

I'm having tremendous trouble finding media that isn't spoken over.

This has more to do with how the different audio channels are mixed for broadcast, rather than an engine being particularly tremendously loud.

Edited by primer, 06 December 2009 - 04:28.

[Dale Harvey]

This has more to do with how the different audio channels are mixed for broadcast, rather than an engine being particularly tremendously loud.

I think it was probably all in the exhaust system.

Dale.

[Tony Matthews]

I must say I don't remember them sounding very different - the basic architecture was similar to other engines, but it just might be that Ilmor were the first to specify 'megaphone' exhaust systems, with the tube diameter increasing shortly after the stubs, and if they were, I can't remember when that happened!

[Victor_RO]

Didn't they have diffuser-exit exhausts in the late '90s, 2000 and 2001? And also longer stroke due to those controversial Al-Be pistons?

[primer]

IIRC in the final years of V10 era, only the Honda motor enjoyed the distinction of sounding somewhat unique.

[David Lawson]

I clearly remember the distinctive higher pitch of this engine/exhaust when it was introduced, it was noticeably higher pitch than other manufacturers' engines at that time. It was definitely discussed in the motoring press at the time.

I also remember the extremely loud and harsh note from the Peugeot engine in the Prost, I couldn't stand in their garage even with my fingers firmly shoved in my ears.

F1 Racing magazine did a very nice free CD of all the current F1 engines in the February 2003 edition - there was no commentary to spoil the wonderful sounds.

David

Edited by David Lawson, 06 December 2009 - 12:00.

[Tony Matthews]

F1 Racing magazine did a very nice free CD of all the current F1 engines in the February 2003 edition - there was no commentary to spoil the wonderful sounds.

I would like to hear that! Surely pitch is a function of revs, but the sound can change in other ways for other reasons. I think it was Keith Duckworth who said of the Matra V12 - "Most of the power is coming out of the exhaust!" or similar.

[Scotracer]

It had a very distinctive wail rather than shriek of the other V10s. I unfortunately never got to any races where they ran it and I want to listen. There's the odd clip on Youtube but commentary spoils it. If someone can find even a decent quality home-video clip I'd be appreciative.

That CD in F1 Racing would be brilliant if anyone could get it uploaded via torrents somewhere.

[stuartbrs]

Wasnt it to do with som,e exotic material that later got banned, um, Berylium or something? I`m sure it was mentioned that this attributed to the unique sound.

[Tony Matthews]

Wasnt it to do with som,e exotic material that later got banned, um, Berylium or something? I`m sure it was mentioned that this attributed to the unique sound.

As victor_RO mentioned in post#5, aluminium-beryllium, since banned, but I still don't see how that can change the sound. I wait to be enlightened...

[Victor_RO]

As victor_RO mentioned in post#5, aluminium-beryllium, since banned, but I still don't see how that can change the sound. I wait to be enlightened...

As far as I could find out, the now-banned materials enabled a longer stroke at the same amount of revs as the rivals. I suspect that the engine's bore/stroke does have some kind of bearing on the sound it produces, along with the way the exhausts are configured.

[Tony Matthews]

I suspect that the engine's bore/stroke does have some kind of bearing on the sound it produces, along with the way the exhausts are configured.

I'm sure these things affect the 'sound' but also I feel sure that pitch is purely dependent on revs.

[Allan Lupton]

I'm sure these things affect the 'sound' but also I feel sure that pitch is purely dependent on revs.

Pitch (i.e. frequency) must depend solely on number of cylinders and revs.

[macoran]

Wasnt it to do with som,e exotic material that later got banned, um, Berylium or something? I`m sure it was mentioned that this attributed to the unique sound.

Don't different materials give different resonances ?
twink a crystal glass and it gives a distinctly different "ping" than does normal glass.
Let certain pieces of metal drop on the workshop floor and I am sure there is difference in "thud"
I mean a lumpalead would sound like plop
whereas a dainty stainless lock thingy would give more pling
regardless of mass (unless you drop it on your big toe) I believe metals have a different sound "characteristic"

[Tony Matthews]

Pitch (i.e. frequency) must depend solely on number of cylinders and revs.

Yep, 12,000 rpm = 200rps = 100 firing strokes /sec x 10 cylinders = 1,000Hz. Is that right? I can't 'audiolize' what 1,000Hz sounds like, but it seems a bit low.