More about engine noise

[Cahuna]

Found this article this morning whilst reading another forum.

“Transport officials are investigating the implementation of a robust and repeatable objective noise test to supplement the subjective (opinion-based) noise test currently used by WoF/CoF testing agents.

"The objective noise test will be based on the international ISO 5130 measurement of exhaust sound level emitted by stationary road vehicles and the Australian National Stationary Exhaust Noise Test Procedure. Both methods measure exhaust noise using sound equipment placed 0.5 metres from the tailpipe of the vehicle.

"I am currently finalising interim measures to introduce the objective noise test. These measures include placing orders for testing equipment in the next few weeks and finalising decisions on location of test sites. These interim measures can be adopted under existing legislation, meaning the objective noise test will be progressively implemented over the next two – three months, considerably less time than a change to relevant legislation," said Mr Duynhoven.

Full article at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=24885

So basically it sounds like the government is intending to introduce testing to a known standard rather than solely a subjective test, and that they are looking to do so sooner rather than later. Hopefully they will make it open so that concerned people can go along to get their cars tested (free of charge?) before getting hassled by the cops, and if they do pass the test then maybe get a piece of paper to display if they do get questioned.

I'm still hoping they can make some kind of dispensation for competition vehicles, but then again I'm obviously hopelessly biased on that one

[Punter]

Well thats definatly good news

maybe get a piece of paper to display if they do get questioned.

Nah I don't see that working. It would go somehting like.

Put silencer in,
pass test,
pull silencer out,
drive around and around and around and around.

I'm still hoping they can make some kind of dispensation for competition vehicles, but then again I'm obviously hopelessly biased on that one

Yea that's definatly a good idea.

[Leon]

We're (Motorsport NZ) hoping that we can work something out with LTNZ for competition vehicles. Never can tell with LTNZ though, everything can take a terribly long time. We've actually done really well with them recently though.

But, be assured, we are working on it.

No idea if Drag Racing etc are doing anything similar sorry.

[Cahuna]

That's great to hear Leon.

Out of interest, if MSNZ do manage to organise dispensations does it look like being part of the Authority Card or the Low Volume Cert at this stage? And would it be an upper limit that applies to all competition vehicles or x% louder than standard for that vehicle?

[Leon]

God only knows.

Depends what LTNZ hit when they throw a dart at their wall of decisions.

[DriftMonkey]

Looks like a good step forward, unlike the story in The Nelson Mail tonight. A couple of MP's were saying there are approx 100 cars with exhausts louder than a 747 taking off (WTF!!!) and they were pushing for a set limit to be imposed (good stuff) at 76db (again, WTF!!!). They also wanted testing equipment at all testing stations. Guess what testing stations are made out of? Concrete. Yes, that's right, concrete. What happens when you make a sound in a building made of concrete? It echoes. Badly. Surely they would understand that it would seriously affect the noise readings? Unless they just want it to show higher so more cars fail and need a quieter exhaust fitted. FFS most new performance cars are louder than the old 86db "limit" stock. Our world will have effectively ended if a 76db limit is put in place. Every car over 2L or so will have to have a pea shooter fitted, the ecu completely retuned to compensate for the massive increase in back pressure and then re-tested for emissions because the ecu has been tampered with. Stupid, stupid proposition.