Operatic engine/exhaust sound.

[disgusted]

There's a tunnel on the M25 called the "Bell Common tunnel". This is the one just after the M11 junction when heading anti-clockwise. I go through here, one way or the other, about twice a week.

Of the three M25 tunnels, this one seems to have the best acoustics.

I know that it's childish, but this is what I like to do:

Leave home at 05:20 to go "Up North" (any later and there would be too much traffic).
Arrive near the tunnel at about 06:15.
At the tunnel approach, choose a lane that is clear.
Lower all windows and turn off the radio.
Slow to 45mph(ish). Remember, there's little traffic about.
Choose Sport mode.
Enter the tunnel (give it 50m or so), FLOOR IT.

The car kicks down to 2, the sound is incredible (I have a Ragazzon exhaust). It's like..., it's like..., well I can't really describe it other than it's an incredible howl - almost operatic in quality.

I've only heard it bettered in that tunnel by a Lambo softop thingy.

It is not even necessary to exceed the speed limit! Good clean fun?

Even Mrs Disgusted smiled and approved, she is my severest critic when it comes to automotive shenanigans and expenditure.

I shall be going that way tomorrow morning, I can't wait.

[paul.o]

[chrisf_v6]

There's a very good case for building more tunnels. There's nowhere like enough of them in Cambridgeshire.

I played the same game in the Galleria tunnel in Hatfield on the A1 recently.
Windows down, full beans through 2nd and 3rd.

V6 GT with Alfaholics exhaust. One word. EPIC.

[djtrauma]

ha ha love it. us boys never truly grow up do we?and when the wife is into it too well thats all the encouragement e need eh? think i'll have to find a tunnel now!

[djtrauma]

everyone must hear that amazing v6 noise once in their life.

[alfaaddicted]

In these days of electric hybrids to hear an Alfa V6 howling like a cross between the hound of the baskervilles and an opera diva makes me sad to think that such pure delights are probably over in new cars with their eec sound proofed diesel and hybrids.
I know having Kylie Minogue whispering in a lexus is alluring but imagine her in a howling Alfa V6.
Did i just say that aloud ? anyway having owned many V6s i do miss the sound but my personal favourite is the original 2.5 in the Alfetta GTV6 with a standard exhaust system they just make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and when i first got my first one nearly 30 years ago i just used to drive around for the pleasure of listening to the banshee sound even at low speeds ,
Now youve made me feel like having another busso just when i thought i was cured.

[alfaaddicted]

V6 GT with Alfaholics exhaust. One word. EPIC.[/QUOTE]

The V6 GT is such an under rated beast wish i still had mine .
A true Alfa ,real alfa engine real alfa sound and fantastic looks i still think they are more of a car than the Brera

[disgusted]

djtrauma,


Your nearest is at Saltash I think. Has a low speed limit though.

[HenryB]

Video?

[disgusted]

There's a thought.

I'll speak to a technically astute son (choice of two here) to see if they could assist with a video/audio recording.

I don't think that it would be very safe if I tried to do it while driving!

[michaelb]

Originally Posted by alfaaddicted

my personal favourite is the original 2.5 in the Alfetta GTV6 with a standard exhaust system they just make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end

+1

There is something deliciously creamy about that 2.5. I had an Ansa back box on mine which I later changed for the OEM Alfa part and it was even better: less boom boom at low speeds and more spine-tingling rasp at higher revs. It was just so cultured.

[djtrauma]

ive got a standard exhaust on mine, would love to get something nice and noisy and shiny instead. yeh saltash tunnel prob my closest. and 30mph speed limit, boo. sport-manual in first gear then!

[mick164]

..yeah some audio/video would be great

if you're doing it could you get some at regular motorway speed with the windows up as well.. ?

[disgusted]

"if you're doing it could you get some at regular motorway speed with the windows up as well.. ?"


Mick 164,

Where's the entertainment in that? I'm confused>

[djtrauma]

that kylie lexus ad makes me laugh. just dont get why you'd want a silent car. boooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrring

[chrisf_v6]

Originally Posted by alfaaddicted

The V6 GT is such an under rated beast wish i still had mine .
A true Alfa ,real alfa engine real alfa sound and fantastic looks i still think they are more of a car than the Brera

+1
I hadn't realised just how much quicker than the 166 it would be but those extra horses and shedding a couple of hundred kg make a big difference.

[chrisf_v6]

Originally Posted by disgusted

"if you're doing it could you get some at regular motorway speed with the windows up as well.. ?"


Mick 164,

Where's the entertainment in that? I'm confused>

I think Mick's alluding to the fact that some sports exhausts can be a bit ... er ... boomy?

[disgusted]

Not a with a Ragazzon exhaust. No "boomy" there.


A gentleman's express, with a faint sound of distant thunder in everyday use. This is not a "boy racer" exhaust.

Superb tones only happen under load and at higher revs.

[chrisf_v6]

Originally Posted by disgusted

Not a with a Ragazzon exhaust. No "boomy" there.


A gentleman's express, with a faint sound of distant thunder in everyday use. This is not a "boy racer" exhaust.

Superb tones only happen under load and at higher revs.

My apologies.

"A gentleman's express, with a faint sound of distant thunder ..." -

[GLPoomobile]

Tunnels are one of the few things I miss about living in London I've no idea where any are in Scotland.

Remember, when making a video, it's very easy for the sound to be ruined by the wind noise when you have the windows down.

[ultraviola]

Clyde Tunnel

[Avocet]

I have to admit to having done it to in the Mersey tunnel in a TVR with the roof off...

Mind you, my 12V V6 also sounds pretty darned good under the same circumstances. Both very different sounds, so very hard to pick a favourite!

[mick164]

Originally Posted by disgusted

Not a with a Ragazzon exhaust. No "boomy" there.


A gentleman's express, with a faint sound of distant thunder in everyday use. This is not a "boy racer" exhaust.

Superb tones only happen under load and at higher revs.

yeah that's what i was getting at.. i have a ragazzon centre section which is exactly the same. when the time comes to replace the back box the obvious thing to do is add the ragazzon back box, but only if it does the trick of disappearing when you're cruising

[mick164]

..quick question on the ragazzon back boxes;

they seem to get plenty of good feedback around here, but is everyone referring to the 2x80mm back box or the 2x70mm..? ..is there much difference..?

unless the 2x80 is boomy or something it seems like a no-brainer for the sake of a few bob..?

[niallmoran]

Originally Posted by ultraviola

Clyde Tunnel

I think it was the clyde tunnel and my dads old lancia beta that made me interested in italian cars - i was really young but i can still remember that twin cam doing it's thing in the clyde tunnel