Interior Sound Generator

DisgruntledSanta

DisgruntledSanta

Active Member
I know this will get some hate, so to each their own. Please keep this post to constructive comments…

Does anyone know of any system that can add back in engine noise that is halfway decent? I don’t care if it can be heard outside the car (some preference to not), but it would be nice to hear an engine rev (or some kind of throttle response noise, ICE or sci-fi) when zipping around town.

I got a loaner from the dealer while they tore the dash apart to check connections on the instrument display, and man, Mini Cooper S’ have a great note in sport mode. Even though the acceleration was less manic than the SE, it felt more engaging just from the noise.

Previously, I had thought the reason our Fit was a nice sometimes more engaging to drive from the SE was it being manual, but I think it really is the sound. It’s fun to hear the engine rev out, but the drone on the highway… ugh. I don’t miss that.


Any thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Normally you could use Potenza Drive to fake the audio from OBDII data, but I don't know if there is an AUX port for audio (bluetooth can lag).

You would still need an OBD2 ELM327-compatible bluetooth adapter and an Android smartphone/tablet.
 
DisgruntledSanta said:
I got a loaner from the dealer while they tore the dash apart to check connections on the instrument display, and man, Mini Cooper S’ have a great note in sport mode.
Click to expand...
Funny, I'm also currently in a loaner. I personally hate the ICE noise nowadays, thinking losing the EV serenity seriously detracts from the driving experience. That said, everyone has their own preference. I wonder if one could write an app to emulate engine sounds based on the accelerometer in the phone...
 
Puppethead said:
Funny, I'm also currently in a loaner. I personally hate the ICE noise nowadays, thinking losing the EV serenity seriously detracts from the driving experience. That said, everyone has their own preference. I wonder if one could write an app to emulate engine sounds based on the accelerometer in the phone...
Click to expand...

That was exactly my thought! Turns out, those exist. And they… are atrocious. I watched some videos of them… and yikes. No bueno.

I think I found some guys online, sound-booster.com, but yikes… talking thousands to get it installed.
Hoping the great Hive-Mind has alternatives…


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
DisgruntledSanta said:
Can that decode the SE’s Diagnostics port though? I was under the impression that few had cracked that code..
Click to expand...

I'd imagine some of the battery management system and other things are locked down. Basic things like speed/RPM should be readily available through ISO or SAE automotive protocols via ELM327.
 
The SE accelerates continuously, but a manual-shift ICE car accelerates in spurts. How would you want the engine to sound, continuous revving to 18,000 rpm or artificial shift-breaks that you can't feel in the seat of your pants?
 
insightman said:
The SE accelerates continuously, but a manual-shift ICE car accelerates in spurts. How would you want the engine to sound, continuous revving to 18,000 rpm or artificial shift-breaks that you can't feel in the seat of your pants?
Click to expand...

Not sure how the shifting would sound. I would not be terribly opposed to have something that revs out that high haha. Basically a formula 1 engine driving through the entire rev range.

I am wondering about a Formula E-inspired sound, too. They sound pretty good. Just some auditory signal of acceleration/deceleration.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Funny, coming from my previous DD (m240i), I worried I would miss the engine/muffler noise, which is fabulous. But it became a constant reminder of the gas I was burning, and as a ridiculous climate-change activist it actually made me feel terrible. The SE, with it's great torque and agility have given me zero pangs of remorse, and I love the semi-silent whir of the electric engine. What I loved about my ICE was the revs, the shift-changes combined with the slight lurch in the tranny, and the robust down-shifts in Sport mode. It's an exhilarating sound that I think would feel disappointing in a constant drive engine. Have you ever driven a Hybrid? I love our Hi-Hy, but the sound of the revving engine gives me no excitement. And I definitely change my driving style to avoid that when I'm in control.

But I do appreciate your interest in this!
 
I have no insights to offer about how to generate such sounds inside the car, but as someone who LOVES the rorty growl of a gas engine — of the cars I’ve owned, the shockingly loud roar of the 485-hp 6.4L Hemi V8 in my Dodge Challenger Scat Pack was by far the most thrilling! — I think an EV with a selection of different simulated engine sounds would be ideal. You could cruise in blissful silence as the default setting but, whenever you wanted, call up the sound of an aggressive exhaust note, tuned to your liking, just for fun.

I mean, if it was executed well, why not? Test drives in EVs so equipped might even help nudge some diehard ICE enthusiasts to consider going electric.
 
insightman said:
Someone solved the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad EV silence "problem" by installing a V-8 in this Tesla.
Click to expand...
Wow. These guys are seriously car surgeons. While it's an insane, useless endeavor, it's fun to watch and realize I would never even consider this!!!
 
The pedestrian warning sound is a WAV file, so it may be possible to load your own WAV file of engine revving.
 
This is the best… at a price!
https://evsoundsystem.com/evsma-1/

https://evsoundsystem.com/
If you only want the interior sound, then you would have go back to ICE car. I haven’t found one yet for an EV. See below.
The SoundRacer invention
Never before has it been so easy and affordable to make a car feel as a muscle car.

Set up in a minute, easy as 1-2-3 and then you are ready to enjoy the fun and excitement of hearing the impressive engine sounds of a famous sports car.


1. Plug in the SoundRacer in the car 12V/cigarette lighter socket.
2. Find a free FM frequency on the car stereo and set the SoundRacer to the same frequency. You can also connect to the radio AUX input with the incuded cable.
3. Start engine and make a short revv to about 2500 rpm and down. Three beeps will indicate that SoundRacer have synchronized with the car engine rpm.
 

Attachments

  • upload_2022-2-18_10-55-26.webp
    upload_2022-2-18_10-55-26.webp
    19.7 KB · Views: 14
F14Scott said:
Along the same lines, I am looking for an automatic gasoline dispenser I can install inside the charging port. I'd like a small squirt on my hands as I plug in to give me that "just pumped unleaded" smell for the rest of the day.
Click to expand...
Maybe you could install some dispenser bottles that look like exhaust pipes at the rear of your SE and fill them with gasoline.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top