Alright,

I have been quiet about this enough. I am a performance guy, I love the sounds of just about all performance vehicles as much as the next guy.

However, when Mitsu and all the magazine reviews started stating that the new 4B11 has less NVH than the 4G63 I thought they were all smoking crack. I have had my X (GSR) for over 6 months and have put almost 12k miles on it.

There is no way in hell that this engine is any smoother than a 4G63 WITH BALANCE SHAFTS. It's considerable noisier and still has the same idle stumble as 4G63's. Yes, I know balance shafts were looked at with distrust. I currently have a 91 GVR4 with 130k miles on it with the original balance shafts. Proper maintenance folks .

The X can never dream of the day it is as smooth as the GVR4. The sound that you hear in the cabin, I do not believe, is the raw motor/exhaust sound. I believe it to be a high-freqency harmonics that transfer motor vibration into the chassis/cabin.

While you do not "feel" alot of vibration in your feet, you ceratinly hear it. I also believe that is why alot of people "wish" they had a 6th gear. It's not because you'll get 1-2mpg better mileage, but because it would be a slightly more comfortable commute for all my commuters.

Once I get the power where I want it.... I will have to bump the power another 30hp just to compensate for the 50-100lbs of dynamat it's gonna need in on the firewall/floor.

Thoughts

 

Its loud as **** in the X. I find myself surprised that I have a hard time hearing on the phone in the cabin. Its pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

 

ANy thoughts of the source, or do you agree with my assesment? Maybe an engine damper will help.

 

I think that it's just the harmonic of the engine note at around 80 mph, which puts the car at like 3750 rpms. It just needs a sixth gear, but the problem is that the 5 speeds have always been stronger than the 6 speed because they have thicker gear faces. To put a 6th gear in here would thin out the rest of the gears and I don't know if that's a worthwhile tradeoff. I'd rather have a beefy tranny than low rpm highway cruising.

 

I agree about the beffy tranny vs low rpm cruising. I don't agree that it's 80mph that causes the harmonics. You can duplicate the sound/vibration in your driveway at 4000 rpm.

 

I'm just saying it's most noticeable at 80 mph on the highway.

 

oh no... i bought a performance rally car and its loud... should have bought a lexus if you ask me if you care so much about sound.

don't mod your car, don't put anything on it, no wheels no exhaust no nothing....its only gonna get louder.

 

Gee i wonder if mitsubishi tested a street legal car(that's design for performance) for noise @ 80MPH. Granted that the legal speed average is 60MPH.

I dont cruise @ 80, mostly 65 so i can see how some of you are talking about it being loud.

 

+1

Coming from an audi TT, the Evo is quieter at 80 than my 6 speed pig anyday. We're talking about a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine on horse-grade steroids. It's going to be raw regardless of what you do.

 

It has to do with the with the reverse lattitudinal configuration and lifters design being different than the 4g63. We will have more info available as we move into the head internals.

 

not called for, and you don't know my background. I most likely have alot more track experience than you. I choose this as a daily driver and I know the downfalls. I didn't expect it to be a Lexus. If you have seen my previous posts you would have known that I sold my Lexus because it didn't appeal as much as I thought it would. ..I'll leave it at that.

 

Is it your opinion that the NVH is originating from the head design? If it's vibration being transmitted through the motor mounts into the chassis, a damper *might* help.

 

I thought some of the marketing claimed the 4b11 to be smoother engine. I have heard a couple at idle and they seem to be quieter than the 4g. Does seem at higher RPM they are a noiser engine though.

 

haha, if only you had any idea of my track experience.

I saw your post, and now I see this post where you are complaining about noise... you came from a quieter car and now you are complaining about noise. Perhaps you made the wrong decision in coming to the evo and should have kept your lexus as it is a much quieter ride and seems that it would fit your appeal much better.

 

Hmm I don't know about you guys but my X is A LOT smoother and quiter than my 8 was... I don't really notice too much noise on the highway, but then again my 8 had cams.. and a catless Buschur TBE(plus LOTS more) so that might be the reason... LOL

Just saying I think the new engine feels good to me.