Old Brit Sports Car Exhaust Note

[ollie, ollie M3]

Someone has a thread about exhaust loudness, and I didn't want to hijack it so I'll start this new one on a slightly different subject. I would be quite interested if there are any exhausts out there that can simulate the old Austin Healey - Triumph - MG kind of sound. On the other thread, somebody mentioned Dinan, but I've not seen that written before.

I've done searches on this, heard most of the exhaust sound clips and heard a lot a M3s. So far, only an E46 M3 in a grocery store parking lot has come close, but I couldn't flag the guy down to ask what he had.

I'm not interested in loud, just that old Brit kind of sound. Ideas?

[s_ribs]

Not to kill your day dream, but that simply isn't going to happen. The reason my old 2002 didn't sound like a ricer with it's full exhaust, or a 360 Modena doesn't sound like a Mustang is the same reason you will never get your M3 to sound like an MGB, etc. Motor layout, i.e. piston firing order, etc., all contribute to the sound of your car.

[SQ Bimmer]

Not to kill your day dream, but that simply isn't going to happen. The reason my old 2002 didn't sound like a ricer with it's full exhaust, or a 360 Modena doesn't sound like a Mustang is the same reason you will never get your M3 to sound like an MGB, etc. Motor layout, i.e. piston firing order, etc., all contribute to the sound of your car.
Don't forget the lovely things called catalytic converters...

[s_ribs]

Don't forget the lovely things called catalytic converters...

Ok, but that really has nothing to do with making a motor sound like a different one though it certainly does affect sound/loudness. Taking your cats out isn't going to make it sound like a different car, just a louder version of what you already have.

[Avalon]

Not to kill your day dream, but that simply isn't going to happen. The reason my old 2002 didn't sound like a ricer with it's full exhaust, or a 360 Modena doesn't sound like a Mustang is the same reason you will never get your M3 to sound like an MGB, etc. Motor layout, i.e. piston firing order, etc., all contribute to the sound of your car.

Actually Triumph TR6s use the same firing order as an M3 (1-5-3-6-2-4), and sound quite similar, but do to the difference in the degree of the crank, it doesn't sound exactly the same. I've heard the Dinan exhaust does the best job of emulating the low growl of a TR6 or Healey.

[SQ Bimmer]

Ok, but that really has nothing to do with making a motor sound like a different one though it certainly does affect sound/loudness. Taking your cats out isn't going to make it sound like a different car, just a louder version of what you already have.
There is more to catalytic converters to them just being there. Emissions controls in general help add to the lack of "lustful" sound in our modern cars (not as much as the engine designs though). Catalytic converters are just a major part of this, and are the main target for "emission control haters."

[ollie, ollie M3]

Oh, well -- it was just a thought. Thanks for your well-reasoned answers. Fortunately the stock sound is just fine, so I'll stick with it until the components crumble.