Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Reducing Engine Noise

Jump to Latest
55K views 117 replies 41 participants last post by  T/O  
#1 · (Edited)
Starting a thread on modifications that actually reduce engine noise for the driver & passengers. My goal is to reduce engine noise in general and be able to listen to stereo at reasonable volumes vs cranking up the stereo and drowning out the engine.

I did some "rough" testing with a decibel meter and some towels/blankets to see if it actually did anything before I purchase and/or fabricate more items for RZR. I used the meter and measured as is, then with the center rear covered(like the wolfsnout heat kit), then covered up the sides, then added a tarp to simulate a rear window.

Center Covered
Image


Sides Covered
Image


"Back Window"
Image


Initial Reading at higher RPM
Image


Final Reading at High RPM
Image


Here's what I found
  1. Idle - noticed a difference with each step and definitely reduced some of the higher pitches
  2. ~3000 RPM - I noticed a difference with each step, it seemed much quieter, and definitely reduced some of the higher pitches
  3. ~5500-5800 RPM -- I noticed a considerable difference from beginning to end, it was much quieter, and definitely reduced some of the higher pitches.
    1. Nothing - 90.3 db
    2. Center - like wolfsnout - 88.3 db
    3. +Sides - 87.8 db
    4. +"Rear Window" - 86 db

There was a 4.3 Decibel reduction overall from beginning to end at higher RPMs, seems minor but every 3 db is either a doubling or halving of sound energy, and I definitely noticed it so I will be adding insulation to the rear seat panel, a rear window, and finding something to fill in the side gaps. I'll update this post with before and after readings after I add each item.

If there's anything else you've done that has helped, please add to this post. Also.. if you could use a Decibel meter for before and after it will help to quantify the difference, they're only $20 on amazon.
 
E
#2 ·
D
#3 ·
Yea, adding coms is the easiest way a d makes a huge difference, but even so I have been thinking about some sort of blanket sound deadener between the rear wall and seats, definitely something fireproof or at least fire resistant though....
Thinking, some kind of hooks to hang it and grommets in the blanket to hold it in place, but make it easy to remove to wash as it will definitely absorb a crap ton of dust....
 
#8 ·
jmu7b6 said:
Starting a thread on modifications that actually reduce engine noise for the driver & passengers. My goal is to reduce engine noise in general and be able to listen to stereo at reasonable volumes vs cranking up the stereo and drowning out the engine.
Click to expand...
I'd like to reduce the engine noise inside my cab too. And, I don't want to wear a headset, earplugs, etc. either. I bought some generic sound deadening/heat shield matting on Amazon for the console tunnel and the rear cab wall for both heat and sound. But, I haven't installed it yet.

I also want to reduce the sound levels outside the cab to keep the neighbors happy and our trails open. I've been looking at the HMF Twin Loop Exhaust for $1K. They claim it's 8-10 dB quieter than stock. They have a video. But, I can't tell much difference in loudness. I want to see it on a decibel meter. So, I've been dragging my feet to find someone who's actually bought the system and can back their claim.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gswanson89, RZRingAZ, Kodak-Pro-R and 2 others
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
D
#14 ·
SoonerRC said:
I also want to reduce the sound levels outside the cab to keep the neighbors happy and our trails open. I've been looking at the HMF Twin Loop Exhaust for $1K. They claim it's 8-10 dB quieter than stock. They have a video. But, I can't tell much difference in loudness. I want to see it on a decibel meter. So, I've been dragging my feet to find someone who's actually bought the system and can back their claim.
Click to expand...
I don't see the twin loop system available for any turbo rzr.
I have seen someone simply add a second cheap muffler behind the first which was reported to help a bunch.
The biggest issue with these is simply lack of exhaust system length, and lack of material between the engine and "outside". For interior cab noise, all the flat metal surfaces don't help. Adding boat decking or other similar foam type material to the roof and doors, as well as insulation of some type between the engine and passenger compartment will make a big difference.
 
#9 ·
I too would enjoy to lower the noise inside the cab I have a back window and I feel like it did reduce some Noise very slightly. I would be more interested in something that insulates the back plastics as well as insulating the center console. I don't notice as much heat as most say so the heat isn't as big an issue but i would enjoy listening to music and talking at a reasonable volume while riding.
 
R
#15 ·
I bought a used 2021 Trail S 1000 with the ride command and stereo. It had a full cab kit on it and I could not hear the stereo as the Rpm's went up.
I took the seats out and covered the back with Luxury liner sheets from Second Skin and covered the inside of the roof and under the dash with Damplifier Deadening mats also from second Skin.I also bought the Wulf Snout cool cab kit.
All that did make a difference but cant eliminate all the noise, but its an improvement , but it wasn't cheap
.
 
#27 ·
We just made one of our kits for a can- am that is the same as the ones we make for Polaris, only we added 1 more layer of sound mat. It made a 10-15 db difference depending on where in the cab you checked and difference in engine tone. I will be checking the Pro with a DB meter this week once I get it cleaned up. I do notice a nice difference, just never checked it. I will also be adding updated picture for the Pro Xp as it goes all the way across now. Make a great sound difference with audio. Back Seat Heat Shield and Cool Cab Kit Combo for Pro XP - Wolfsnout
Image
 
#33 ·
After Market Exhausts
I've been looking at resonators now, found two companies that sell them but would be curious how much of a difference it made. I was also looking at just purchasing a resonator and then having a custom muffler shop install it.

Force Turbos - front exhaust with Resonator $472 - .. can also get the full exhaust from them for $1282
Treal Performance - Full Exhaust $1099

Does anyone have one of these or something like it that they can give some input on?

Add Custom Resonator to Stock Exhaust
Other options was putting a Flowmaster Resonator $168 + install from a custom shop on. I'd prefer going this route vs adding an additional muffler on the back.

Is anyone a welder in the Denver CO area and feel like rigging this up on my rig for me so we can see how it does?
 
#30 ·
I like your thought process and your approach. Noise is a problem on several levels. First is rider comfort. It’s unfortunate that these machines are getting louder to gain more power. Some of the fun is lost if you can’t have a conversation with your riders, or listen to music without cranking up the volume. That leads to the second concern, noise pollution. Amongst the many complaints, this sport has gotten a lot of heat for noise! Seems to be more and more the number one complaint. Whether it’s engine noise or loud music trying to block the engine noise, complaints amount to people saying that they can hear us long before they see us and it disturbs the natural peace & quite we all enjoy out in nature. Thirdly is hearing loss. As a blue collar guy who has many run ins with OSHA, hearing protection is a big concern. They don’t approve of anything above a certain decibel, not to mention music calling it a safety distraction. This not being a workplace, there are some similarities between the two. We don’t need or want to go deaf enjoy this sport we have spent so much time and money enjoying. I look forward to seeing what other will contribute as a solution. I have place an order on a 23 Pro XP Ultimate, waiting to hear a delivery date. Until then I will follow this thread…
 
#34 ·
Bought my first sxs last year (xp1k, yes I know this is a pro XP thread) and my #1 complaint is noise. Can't even talk with my passenger without a sore throat by the end of the ride. My main reason for going to a sxs was to enjoy riding with my wife and the noise makes it hard. I've tried lining the back wall, roof, and doors with sound deadening which hasn't seemed to have made a lot of difference. I personally get super annoyed when people say just get coms or earplugs. We're not the only ones that don't like how loud our machines are.
 
R
#37 ·
There is a certain amount of riders who are from your point of view, louder the better. Please take a step back and look at all the riding areas being decreased and eliminated. Towns restricting road use etc...I'm trying to be a good steward of our sport. I for one am willing to give up a little hp to quiet my pro down. That 4 cylinder is very vocal when you flog her. I'm seriously trying to find a exhaust to lower decibels.
 
C
#38 ·
I have a 2016 900 S and yes it's noisy. I always ride with earplugs. I have a portable JBL speaker mounted between the seats that works OK, but the engine noise is a nuisance. The only thing I did was to add a headliner to the aluminum roof. It's purpose is to add storage. I use it for storing maps and other flatter objects. As a side benefit, it does cut down on noise by absorbing some engine noise and not letting it bounce back off the underside of the roof. Don't have decibel numbers but I do hear a difference. I'd send a picture but rig in storage. It was $150 so you could just use double back tape and apply some sort of sound deadening material to the roof instead.

John
 
#39 ·
To all the people poking "fun"....
  • You can have a high performance machine and it can be a little quieter, which just makes it more enjoyable for myself, my friends that are with me, and everyone else around.
    • No different than suppressors on fire arms, it's all I shoot now to draw less attention and it's a ton of fun. Try an integrally suppressed 9mm carbine... soo much fun and doesn't draw anywhere near the same attention.
  • Everything I've read online is subjective and mixed opinions on if sound is reduced and/or by how much if at all. I decided to buy a meter and create more objective information to help myself understand and then share with everyone
    • Cab Insulation: I used the blankets just to test how much of a difference it makes before I spent a bunch of money. I found blocking off the back makes enough difference for it to be worth it, greater than 50% reduction in sound energy to the driver. I've already bought the wolfsnout kit and I will buy the Dirt Warrior Rear window in a few months(recovering from Christmas :D) I'll remeasure the differences with each install to help give more objective information to people.
    • Exhaust: There are a few posts online about adding a second high flow muffler that does reduce the exhaust noise and doesn't appear to impact performance, plus there's a few companies that make something I just haven't found anything for the Pro Xp yet, here's one The Silent Rider® ATV & UTV Exhaust Silencer | 1-866-EXHAUST. All the after market exhausts are #1 very expensive and #2 questionable if any of the "Quiet" ones are any quieter than stock.
      • I will either add a resonator before the stock muffler, add a 2nd muffler, or replace full exhaust if I find a good one that dose what I want. My preference would be a resonator in front of the stock muffler.
 
H
#40 ·
jmu7b6 said:
To all the people poking "fun"....
Click to expand...
Another thing I don't understand is how I have an XPT and a Pro XP but the Pro XP is at least twice as loud as the XPT when it's what, like 14 extra hp? You can't tell me "because performance" when you can get a 700+hp Hellcat that you can sneak up on a dog in. That extra 14 hp is not coming from double the noise. We fricking put men on the moon, have robots that have left our solar system, and we've harnessed the power of the atom. But 14 extra hp = double the racket, no way around it, man cannot possibly fathom a way to make 14 ponies without 180db? Puhleaze!
 
Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net
posts
3.2M
members
152K
Since
2007
A forum dedicated to Polaris RZR enthusiasts! A great place to find rides, meet people, and exchange ideas / parts/ rzrs!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General RZR Discussion RZR XP 1000 RZR XP 900 New Member Introductions RZR-S Specific Discussion