1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 12:03 PM
  #1  
bcodog's Avatar
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From: Denver CO
Noob Question

Hi, thanks in advance for any help.

I have a 80 RX7, 65K miles always garaged, runs real nice.

I love it, but it has alot of cab noise, starting around 45+ mph and especially at 65+ mph. I have to really turn the stereo up and on long drives its very grating to me.

Thats the question, what can be done. I saw in the other section on this forum (interior/exterior/audio) a thread or two about adding soundproofing sheeting to the doors and tranny tube, but that was for some newer kind of rx7. I did a search on "sound" and "SA" and some other searches but can't seem to find specifics.

Anyone with any advise or some threads on what can be done with my older rx7 and how to do it I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 12:11 PM
  #2  
Supper's Avatar
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From: So dubbed by teh Poops!
Originally Posted by bcodog
I love it, but it has alot of cab noise, starting around 45+ mph and especially at 65+ mph. I have to really turn the stereo up and on long drives its very grating to me.
Hell, if its just the sound of the baby running, i would turn the stereo off and just listen to her run. Nothing better wounding then a wankel running strong in my opinion.

~Sup
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 12:12 PM
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Go and buy some sound deadening material and lay it down underneath the carpet. It is usually a metal reflective type material, and you can cut it to different shapes depending on where you want to put it. I imagine you could find some at just about any auto parts store if you ask around. If you really want to try and quiet things down, you could put some in the back hatch area under the carpet, as well as underneath the storage bins. You might even try taking off the door panel and cutting a piece that would fit nicely on the doors. This would probably decrease the amount of noise you are getting. I considered doing this, but personally I like the noise of the car, because it is an obnoxious rotary whine...

To each his own... good luck!
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 12:12 PM
  #4  
Glazedham42's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Supper
Hell, if its just the sound of the baby running, i would turn the stereo off and just listen to her run. Nothing better wounding then a wankel running strong in my opinion.

~Sup
My thoughts precisely.....

Hey, everyone's got there own plans though....
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 02:17 PM
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Is it engine noise, exhaust noise or possible wheel bearing noise? Need to determine exactly what it is first, may have mechanical failure going on like diff bearings, axle bearings or front wheel bearings. rx7doctor
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
Is it engine noise, exhaust noise or possible wheel bearing noise? Need to determine exactly what it is first, may have mechanical failure going on like diff bearings, axle bearings or front wheel bearings. rx7doctor
Forgot to add, if vehicle had been sitting for long time without being moved, may have bad tires and it is a howling noise that only can be fixed by new tires.
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 02:54 PM
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if worse comes to worse buy ear plugs
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 03:37 PM
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bcodog's Avatar
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From: Denver CO
Thanks for the replys. I have considered earplugs.

It has been driven fairly regularly over the lifetime. I have new tires just this spring. The noises have been present since I've had the car (about 5 years/10,000 miles), nothing sudden or new.

I have been listening carefully to try to determine where the noises are coming from. Doesn't seem like much is coming from the front of the car. When the AC compressor kicks in I can hear it distinctly from the front but thats all. Mostly the noise comes form the center/back: If at 60 mph I put it in neutral and coast, I can still hear quite alot of noise from the back what I think is the differential - this noise is sort of a mechanical whine/whirring sound. Putting it back in gear and giving it some gas increases the mechanical whine, and also a "roaring rumbling" from the back which I think is just the from the exhaust. The wheel bearings I think are all good. There is some airflow noise but nothing that seems out of the ordinary.

This brings up another question I forgot in the original post. Is the stock muffler louder than a standard sedan-type muffler. Not quite like a glass pack or a muffler with a hole but tweaked to make the engine sound throaty? What about switching to a plain generic quiet muffler? Would that mess up performance significantly?

Thanks again

Last edited by bcodog; Aug 9, 2004 at 03:40 PM.
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 03:59 PM
  #9  
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Hmmm. Well, the rotary engine is definately going to sound different than your normal family sedan. Also, this is a sports car.
You'd be hard pressed to find a quieter muffler that wont melt from the high heat of the rotary, I would imagine.
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Old Aug 9, 2004 | 04:20 PM
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Put the vehicle up on jack stands, buy your self a cheap sthetoscope. listen to the diff and
each independent axle for noise. rx7doctor
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