Why do our cars sound so much different then say the 02 to 04 GT's?

 

You mean 96-04? 2v vs 3v, mid muffler set up vs axle back, just things like that.

 

It basically boils down to 3 valve design and the location of the mufflers.

 

It's just the rear muffs in the S197. We still have only one exhaust valve.

 

Yea, that's what I meant. I thought the engines were pretty much the same except for the heads. I don't see how having an extra intake valve can change the sound of the cars. If the difference is the mid muffler vs axle back, will a mid muffler system or custom mid muffler system give me the same sound. I just think the exhaust on the 96-04 sounds better then what we have IMO.

 

Some put way too much emphasis on the location of the mufflers. It's not that. Many have put mufflers (flows, M80s, etc..) in the mid and it didn't change the sound a whole lot. It's 99% because of the 2v vs 3v. How an engine flows determines its basic sound characteristics. The exhaust is only a small part of it.

While I do like the 2v sound, I MUCH prefer the 3v sound. To me it sounds more full. What I like the best is the older pushrods (which happen to be 2v ) like you'd find in the classics.

 

I believe you are right, though I thought it may have something more to do with the valve overlap and exhaust duration difference between the two engines. I also agree with you on the classics, just sold a 69 with a 351W that I built, would love to stuff that engine in the 05. Thanks for the replies.

 

The variable cam timing is the main difference in the sound IMO. When the engine is idleling, the timing is retarded for efficiency giving it the sound it has.

 

VCT+3V+Axleback mufflers= Honda exhaust on steroids. It's hard to get a good tone out of these cars.

 

i heard a car with lts no cats and magnapacks revving the other day.. sounded like an integra qith a growl