Exhaust sound changes based on weather

[TheShit]

I have Longtubes, no cats, xpipe and gibson catback with a tune.

This isn't my first muscle car, but all my previous cars were LS based engines.

The exhaust note on my car seems to change a bunch depending on the weather outside. And it's not something I really noticed on my previous LS powered cars.

Mainly between 2-4k RPMS the sound is different day to day depending on the weather, is this in my head or is anyone else running into the same thing?

Also at times the exhaust sounds almost like metal clapping sound at higher RPMS, but everything runs fine. If I was in one of my previous LS builds I would be worried to death. The exhaust is tight, so there is no rattle. I'm guessing it's just a high revving V8 and It's new to me.

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[EFI]

What generation of LS engines did you have experience with? The different tones could be attributed to the highly variable engine tuning of the Coyote, something that was not nearly (or at all) present on the LS/LT engines depending on the generation.

The Coyote has variable cam timing on both intake and exhaust, the Gen 3 has two different fuel delivery methods that the ECU alternates or mixes at different rates, and the intake manifold has flaps that again act differently based on engine speed and load. All these factors and combinations could easily create a slightly different tone to the exhaust, so depending on what the ambient weather is these could occur at different times and intensity in the operation of the engine.

 

[gadgtfreek]

My 2019 and 2021 "clap" at high rpms, very obvious in a tunnel and two different exhausts. Just the coyote. She screams, but its not your standard V8 sound. Some hate it, I love it.

As far as weather, I would think cold vs warm, air density all play a part in sound.

 

[fast306stang]

I can't say I've ever heard a difference in mine but I do know it makes or loses power noticeably depending on the weather...more specifically the temperature. HP=(exhaust) noise, so I'd say it's definitely possible.

 

[TheShit]

What generation of LS engines did you have experience with? The different tones could be attributed to the highly variable engine tuning of the Coyote, something that was not nearly (or at all) present on the LS/LT engines depending on the generation.

The Coyote has variable cam timing on both intake and exhaust, the Gen 3 has two different fuel delivery methods that the ECU alternates or mixes at different rates, and the intake manifold has flaps that again act differently based on engine speed and load. All these factors and combinations could easily create a slightly different tone to the exhaust, so depending on what the ambient weather is these could occur at different times and intensity in the operation of the engine.

All were LS1 & LS2 blocks, I'm just surprised with amount of different between the exhaust note based on weather. I'm alwasy listening to things to try an evaluate how healthy a motor is, and these motors make a variety of sounds.

 

[AvalancheSVT]

ls motors don't have variable cams but odds are its in your head.

 

[TheShit]

ls motors don't have variable cams but odds are its in your head.

I had an LS1 with piston slap that got on my nerves, so it wouldn't shock me if it was just in my head.

 

[BigD94]

I have Longtubes, no cats, xpipe and gibson catback with a tune.

This isn't my first muscle car, but all my previous cars were LS based engines.

The exhaust note on my car seems to change a bunch depending on the weather outside. And it's not something I really noticed on my previous LS powered cars.

Mainly between 2-4k RPMS the sound is different day to day depending on the weather, is this in my head or is anyone else running into the same thing?

Also at times the exhaust sounds almost like metal clapping sound at higher RPMS, but everything runs fine. If I was in one of my previous LS builds I would be worried to death. The exhaust is tight, so there is no rattle. I'm guessing it's just a high revving V8 and It's new to me.

I definitely notice this.

In the colder weather its more of an italian v8 type scream. High pitched a little more metallic.

In the heat, especially 90 and above, it's got a deeper muscle car type tone with some deep gurgle below 3k. I have a similar exhaust setup as you.

 

[EFI]

All were LS1 & LS2 blocks, I'm just surprised with amount of different between the exhaust note based on weather. I'm alwasy listening to things to try an evaluate how healthy a motor is, and these motors make a variety of sounds.

Yeah so those had no such variability in cam timing or anything else really. The only real variable parameters were spark timing and/or fueling. So the sound was very consistent.

Weather plays a big factor in all engines, but even more so in the Coyote. All of the variable engine parameters are based on, among others, weather like air temp, air pressure etc. So depending on the incoming air those variables could be quite different than another day and time and produce slightly different tone.

I'm sure you would agree that changing the cam timing and LSA on an LS based engine would create a slightly different sound. Now imagine that happening hundreds of times a minute often big swings (up to 25* either way). That would surely create a different tone.

 

[AvalancheSVT]

I had an LS1 with piston slap that got on my nerves, so it wouldn't shock me if it was just in my head.

wait a sec... i thought ls motors never had any problems ever.

shenanigans.

 

[BrianGT2015]

My long tubes paired with the Borla Atak cat back system is pretty wicked wide open. Hot or Cold

 

[GregO]

gibson catback

The Gibson muffler design is the cause of your questions.
I know exactly what you’re referring to and yes the Gibson does change with temperature. At higher RPM’s there is a distinct metallic percussion sound.
This is all due to the design features of the Gibson muffler, like the sound of a high compression motor w/Flowmaster 2 chamber but a bit different.

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