Which engines sound best at idle?

SteveSS · Apr 21, 2014

We have a 408 stroker that started as a 360. On the first few minutes the engine it sounds awesome until it warms up and smooths out some. Sounds like the drums from Van Halen's intro to "Hot for Teacher". I know exhaust plays a major role but some engines just sound better at idle than others.

The 1997 Camaro SS with loudmouths sounds good but my favorite is our 1972 Ford F-100 390 with dual blown-out (old) glass packs. There's a new Corvette in our neighborhood that idles by and I think it sounds like crap. Very tinny.

What engines sound best at idle? I know my little speakers don't do cars justice, but I've never heard some of the engines most talked about on this site.

- - - Updated - - -

The cars are in storage right now so this is the best I could find.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo7EHeviWn8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mzZ6j5B6x4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXbKiJ5mQ_A

Coyoteduster · Apr 21, 2014

The Mopar sounds better, hands down. ;)

Rocketman · Apr 21, 2014

no contest, Mopar wins again!

bobtile · Apr 22, 2014

http://youtu.be/6npZlAi6Nyg

bigblock · Apr 22, 2014

The Demon by a wide margin. Bobtiles Plymouth sounds good too. I love Flow masters.

Bruzilla · Apr 22, 2014

I think it depends a lot more on the exhaust system than the engine. Any engine with Flowmaster 40s is going to sound good at idle.

Durandal25 · Apr 22, 2014

The 5.0 mustang engine is really sweet, but my 383 Bee makes it sound tame in comparison, and the new 440 sounds like a hungry T-Rex chewing on Mike Ditka.

YY1 · Apr 22, 2014

I used to say my 70 383 with MP 484 cam, glass packs and cheap headers sounded like two harleys running.

Budnicks · Apr 22, 2014

of those 3 the Demon sounds the best hands down, Bucket T - Bucket T - Bucket T - Bucket T - Bucket T, ya' got to love the sound of MoPars with a cam at idle, even SB's sound great...

70redbee · Apr 22, 2014

I am a Mopar man but I always loved the sound of the old Ford Flathead. They have a sound of their own, especially with a little bit of cam and some headers.

SteveSS · Apr 22, 2014

I forgot to ad the story on the SS. It was maxed out with options from SLP. the problem was they had the infamous 2 on the left exhaust. It looked like a 6 cylinder, THEN GM said was too loud so they put the cone of silence in the main exhaust. Basically just a cone dropping the 2.5" down to a 1" in one section. Took that out and added a cutout. It sounded like an old beater trash truck. The loudmouth was just perfect. Sounds like a Borla but a lot cheaper.

I agree the 408 sounds best. I was hoping you guys could throw some Hemi's, 440's, 383's out there. I just haven't heard them before. Again that's not our Demon it just has the same 408 as us. We used Magnaflows on the Chally I thought they sounded deeper than Flowmasters.

I have heard 5.0's sound good at idle and LT1's sound better than LSX motors. I would like to compare different Mopars.

Budnicks · Apr 22, 2014

I don't have a video camera, or I'd post mine.. my lowly 383/479ci-6bbl sounds pretty mild thou, but thru 3" mandrel tubing, with a H-pipe & Flowmasters Delta Flow 50 Series Race mufflers & tail pipes out the back, it thumps some, deceivingly mild sounding, older Crane custom grind roller & 1.6 Super Gold roller rockers, good flowing/ported Eddy heads, hot ignition, trick 6bbl, built for a good idle/good vacuum/street manners, but flow/perform well on top end... Can't wait to finish my custom step headers & scavenger 4-2-1 collectors, should sound a little throatier/thumpen'... some day I will buy a video camera again, I had a VHS...LOL.. like that would do any good

SteveSS · Apr 22, 2014

The drums I'm talking about start at 45 seconds.

Hot for Teacher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmsXZaFEBME

Propwash · Apr 22, 2014

I was hoping you guys could throw some Hemi's, 440's, 383's out there. I just haven't heard them before.

Here's my 512 Stroker.....2" Dougs Headers, 3" TTI Exhaust, Dynomax Super Turbo Mufflers, Factory oval cut tips....

[video=youtube;GiLPsLgkMrw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLPsLgkMrw&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Which engines sound best at idle?

SteveSS

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Coyoteduster

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Rocketman

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bobtile

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bigblock

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Bruzilla

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Durandal25

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YY1

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Budnicks

Jackstand racer #1 & proud of it, Sir Posts A Lot

70redbee

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SteveSS

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Budnicks

Jackstand racer #1 & proud of it, Sir Posts A Lot

SteveSS

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Propwash

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