Fister's/PSE and Lime Rock

Hi Guys; Not sure if anyone in here has been to LRP with the Fister Mods on their 996 ('03, 3.6L). A recent memo directly from LRP states, that for the most part, the noise limit will be 88bd. It appears that P-cars are somewhat notorious for noise issues. I would prefer not to waste $$$ on going to LRP for a DE to find out that I woun't pass. So, I am asking if anyone in here, who has a Fister Mods, or if their car has PSE, will it pass, has it passed the noise level limit.? Any feedback will be helpful and certainly appreciated. LRP is going to have a couple of test days in late March but that may be a bit to late to withdraw and get a refund for $$$ spent for an April 8th event. r\ Scott

I seriously don't think you will have an issue. If your car is street legal for sound it is track legal. Its a race track not a quiet neighborhood burrow. Let us know how the DE goes.

Pete: will surely do! I am hoping that fister Mods won't be an issue. I know in the Racing/De forum, there is a thread (constant?) about LRP and noise v. mufflers/issues. I guess I will be the Guinnie Pig on this one and then have to report back.

I ran my modded exhausts recently and they measured 101.5dB static at 0.5m from the exhaust tip so I passed the static test (102dB limit). I was allowed on track and then they monitor drive by levels and the limit for that is 87dB at 20m. I got half a day in before they black flagged me for exceeding the noise limit. Edit - Static noise test was at 4500 RPM by the way.

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That stinks.....looking at the db levels for common day sounds, a semi truck (90 db) would not be allowed on the track. I wonder what distance they basing the db levels on. But I still think you would be good. I have fabspeed cans and never had issues. Other DE guys need to chime in.

What noise levels do you record with the Fabspeed cans Pete ?

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I really have no idea. They are louder at WOT than stock is all I can say. I can say there are several cars at DE's louder than mine and have never seen them pulled off. Just really surprised that a track would limit noise levels that are similar to highway levels.

Scott, You Fister D cans are going to be close! They will be checking all PCA DE's at 88db (as you noticed in the other thread). My current system will not pass and it really is not worth the effort to make it comply...

The track that runs 87 dB here in the UK is the strictest of the bunch. Most run 105dB. I have taken my modded stock cans off and fitted the Fabspeed cans (with 200 cell cats) it measured 102dB static at a different track (by that time I had modified the intake as well) but my perception is that the Fabspeeds are quieter than the modified stock cans. I guess I will find out on the 19th when I head back to the 87dB track (Bedford).

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I thought this rule was at LRP, not every PCA event. LRP is serious about noise. I passed with my Fabspeeds last year, but I don't know the exact measurement.

This is strictly LRP we are talking about here. Last year they sent many poeple home for loud mufflers. They will be enforcing the rules this year with an SS type mentality! Here is the ruling: Here it is officially: 03/03/11 From: Skip Barber, Georgia Blades and Scott Mayo As you know, exhaust noise has always been an issue at Lime Rock Park. We operate under a 1959 Court Injunction that stipulates: the number of weekends (10) that we can run unmuffled; other times we aren’t restricted (Tuesday afternoons); the decibel limit for all other track days; and bans Sunday track use. There have been no changes in the injunction and we don’t anticipate any court ordered reductions in noise levels. But we have growing criticism from some of our neighbors; some of which is justified: 1. Significant manufacturers like Porsche, Mercedes (AMG), and Ferrari are building street legal cars that at high speed and full throttle are “on the edge” of our required decibel limit. Given the right atmospheric conditions they go over the edge 2. There has been a major increase in the number of small manufactures building great track cars that are too noisy “out of the box” 3. More and more of our track users have cars in these two categories 4. The Skip Barber Racing School has steadily increased its use of “noisy” Miata’s rather than relatively quiet single-seaters 5. There are a small number of SCCA race cars, mostly Porsches that turn up at multiple club events for “cheap” practice. They almost always need to “test” their “improved” exhaust systems, making too much noise in the process For 25 years the track set a limit 1 dB level below the injunction requirement to be safe and never exceed the mandated limit, unless the exhaust system broke. Cars were checked while stationary, before going on the track, 1000 RPM below the redline, and theoretically never got on track if too loud. There was no on-track testing to check for compliance as there is now. Porsches had the most trouble complying and it was common to have a Lime Rock exhaust system. Over the years the 1 dB margin has vanished and on-track testing has replaced stationary checking. A common scenario is that a car runs 4 or 5 laps; is too noisy; comes in to correct the problem (often with steel wool); goes out again; the steel wool blows out after a few laps and it takes a few more laps to get the car in. Then the process starts all over and by the end of the day the car has run multiple noisy laps. And now we have more complaints. We are going to deal with this proactively: � We are going to reduce the total noise � We are going to have a sound engineer calculate the total reduction � We are going to tell the town what we have done and we are going to stick with it We are NOT: � Going to court to try to change the injunction � Going to complain about the injunction � Going to criticize the states motor vehicle laws or the measuring system � Going to make the economic argument that the town needs a viable track – they know that We want to stand in front of the town and say: 1. The total noise is down_____% 2. All quiet days are quieter 3. Even the biggest professional race, the American Le Mans Series, is down 2 dB We are going away from a “one size fits all” dB limit; assigning every club a limit we think is reasonable in terms of cost, impact on performance, and effect on entries. We know “reasonable” doesn’t always mean “easy” or “cheap.” The new limit, effective immediately for your club, PCA is 88 db. The two big problem groups are the school’s Miatas and some Porsches, regardless of what club they run with. The school is fortunate – they have a new sponsor, Borla, who is building them all new complete exhaust systems. They have already tested under 83dB, their new limit at Lime Rock Park. This is a tremendous reduction – they have been running 88-89 dB, and they use the track more than 100 days each season. Not so easy for some Porsches, so all Porsche clubs go down 1 dB; but we are going to rigidly enforce this. This 88dB limit is for non-race Porsche days – not for Porsche cars regardless of what club they are running with. So a Porsche limit would be: 88 dB Porsche Club Day 105 dB Porsche Race Day 87 dB BMW Club 86 dB PDA non-race 88 dB SCDA 88 dB Lime Rock Drivers Club 105 dB Tuesday afternoon Test & Tune PLEASE don’t let anyone come for testing or a club day with an unchanged car that was too noisy last year. This isn’t about “beating the system” by short shifting or lifting off the throttle while being checked. This is about lending real meaning to the phrase, “We’re all in this together.”

Last year Monticello had their DB meter in use when NNJR was there. We had a few cars flagged but no one was asked to leave.

Thanks for the clarification CW. I think that LRP are just trying to be good neighbors. Good for them. I have only done DEs there, but it's time to sign up for this year. Did you ever do NJMP or Watkins Glen?

Watkins Glen is my home track... I spend probably 6 days a month there on average... NJMP is a great track as well... Both communities want the business and embrace the participants that attend them.

Hi all: CW, I am pretty sure that my mufflers will be borderline at best.....I don't want to write off LRP, so I guess that means that I will go to the 8 APril event with HCP and see what happens. If I am black flagged, then I will know that I can't run there, period. Perhps I will need to move closer to the Glen....lol For sure, this will be an ongoing issue with LRP and I would guess that many many drivers will just give up and go to other tracks, this might be the year for Tremblant and NNJR, too, besides, the Glen.

^ you are always welcome to crash at our place, or we buy a large estate in the finger lakes for the new race shop and 12 room home for all our wayward friends... Also, I have my OEM cans that I can get you... then when you attend LRP you just swap out the FD's for the OEM cans.

Hmm, a race compound, 12 rooms in the finger lakes.......near the Glen..........*cough, cough* sorry took too big hit......(not!) but, I must say that would be very enticing. In all seriousness, we just might put the place on the market this Spring. We have been doing work on it all winter...since I can't wash/ wax drive my car. As for crashing at your place, I might take you up on that thi year, as I want to go to the Glen a few more times than last year. We'll see, I'll bring the sticks and the wine/scotch! (as usual) As for the stock cans, I can't carry them down to LRP, no room. I have been thinking about trailering, even the little tire trailer to tow behind the car......just not yet...other items are more importannt right now. Would be happy to pull the cover and take her out fir a run, at this point...........