First drive borla cat-bac v8

[bradyb]

Initial experience

I just got my car back from BORLA> All I can say immediately is WOW (to save a 4 letter expletive)! So I did it right, I drove back from Oxnard to San Diego on PCH, then through LA! I was so excited about the exhaust I drove mainly in the shiftronic mode most of the way....pick-up is notably different - in and out of shiftronic; now the Genny behaves as it were completely different car.

The BORLA rep and I went for a test drive, we were followed by a car full of teenagers and got several head snaps while cruising through town. During the drive south I was constantly surround by BMW's, Audi's, Corvettes, and Mustangs some cracking their windows, gawking, and cruising along side-front-back to check out the car; at least that’s what I noticed. The Genesis COMMANDS allot more attention now. My wife was driving behind me most of the way and noticed the same thing. She said from her seat the car sounds fierce when accelerating hard, while cruising it seems to purr, and from inside the car she said it sounded like a muted growl when revving with the windows up. I can say it sounds like a beautiful symphony of power from the inside of the cabin. From the inside of the cabin it’s very easy to have a conversation. Cruising at 70-80mph, the audio system completely mutes exhaust tone at level 5-6(light jazz).
From the driver seat I can say that on WOT I get sucked back in the seat now. The Genesis seams to pull quite a bit stronger(and longer) now. I also discovered that a quick blip with the throttle while downshifting will snap the trans into gear. The exhaust level is nowhere near overbearing from inside the cabin. I will post a complete amount of data very soon. I can say this with a great deal of confidence that if you are after more sound, attention, and performance this exhaust is a MUST! People will approach you at gas stations, parking lots, casinos, restaurants and ask what the hell is “that”. If you prefer a whisper quite subdued entrance this exhaust is NOT for you.

 

[bradyb]

Initial testing:

I am using a simple hand held digital decibel meter that has a foam cover for wind suppression.
>note: at level 5-6 the audio system plays at an average of 66.67db

These are my initial findings. As I discover more pertinent information or conclude additional testing I will post it.

start up:
windows up> 68db
windows down > 70db

Idle:
windows up> 50db
windows down> 62db

rev @ 4000 RPM:
windows up> 72db
windows down> 78db

acceleration light in "D":
windows up> 72.9db
windows down> 78db

acceleration medium in "D":
windows up> 83 db
windows down> 88db

acceleration hard(1/2 to 3/4 throttle) in "D"
windows up> 82.5db
windows down> 89.3db

acceleration WOT in "D":
windows up> 83.5db
windows down> 91db

acceleration WOT in "1st":
windows down> 91.2db

FINDINGS:
As I continue to test this system(and enjoy it) I find that it seems to be unique in the fact that it is able to be quiet and refined and a fanged street-rod at the same time. I'm sure Hyundai engineering plays into this very much; things like laminated glass, structural rigidity, and insulation all play a part in this. The one thing I am noticing is that with aggressive driving it is VERY very apparent that the ESC system does not shut off completley. I am anticipating that sedan will be significantly faster(and more fun!) without the interferance from the ESC system. It sounds like a hopped up Vette or Camaro. I've owned a Vette, albeit a modified '85, and driven a 2003 475hp SLP Camaro. The Genesis SEDAN is more rigid, better ballanced, well and FASTER!!!!! Well and IMO it sounds better too. I'm in southern CA and want to connect with some car enthusiasts. Anyone?!!

all opinions, questions, and conversation welcome

 

[JDC]

Did you make any sound readings before the new exhaust, as comparison?

 

[Dimitry]

Sound level @ idle (dB) 43.8
@ Full throttle (dB) 72.3
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 63.3

From the IL comparison last year:
http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/g...-hyundai-genesis-46-vs-2008-lexus-gs-350.html

 

[bradyb]

Sound level @ idle (dB) 43.8
@ Full throttle (dB) 72.3
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 63.3

From the IL comparison last year:
http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/g...-hyundai-genesis-46-vs-2008-lexus-gs-350.html

yes i took preliminary measurments. The measurments from the review are slightly lower than mine. However I took measurments in realworld conditions with all of the variables.

idle > 45db (highest)
WOT> 73-75
70mph> HWY 405 southern CA 65db

variable conditions are wind noise, equipment calibration, road noise -etc....at any rate there seems to be a huge difference with the windows up/down.

 

[JDC]

Excellent information. Thanks for taking the time for your various testing measures, and for being so complete.





Well done.

 

[nearwater]

Thank you so much for the info, bradyb!

Dan

 

[Disaster]

It is important to remember db is logarithmic, base 10. 10db louder is 10 times louder. 3db louder is twice as loud.

Normal conversation is about 60db. At 70db you have to raise your voice to have a conversation. At 80db you need to shout. 80db is generally considered the threshold level for hearing loss. Volume and time are both factors. 85db over several hours might be as damaging as 100db over a few minutes.

The problem is exacerbated when one tries to listen to music or conversation above the background noise. Because of the background noise one needs to raise the music up above it...at least two to three times louder to hear it clearly.

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/hearingloss.cfm

Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines

Accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC, 2002. For every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.

Continuous dB,Permissible Exposure Time

85 db, 8 hours

88 dB, 4 hours

91 db, 2 hours

94 db, 1 hour

97 db, 30 minutes

100 db, 15 minutes

103 db, 7.5 minutes

106 dB, 3.75 min (< 4min)

109 dB, 1.875 min (< 2min)

112 dB, .9375 min (~1 min)

115 dB, .46875 min (~30 sec)

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/noise.htm

Hazardous Noise

Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered potentially dangerous. Both the amount of noise and the length of time of exposure determine the amount of damage. Hair cells of the inner ear and the hearing nerve can be damaged by an intense brief impulse, like an explosion, or by continuous and/or repeated exposure to noise.

 

[bradyb]

It is important to remember db is logarithmic, base 10. 10db louder is 10 times louder. 3db louder is twice as loud.

Normal conversation is about 60db. At 70db you have to raise your voice to have a conversation. At 80db you need to shout. 80db is generally considered the threshold level for hearing loss. Volume and time are both factors. 85db over several hours might be as damaging as 100db over a few minutes.

QUOTE]

VERY good info Disaster I can't believe I overlooked that some folks may not fully understand how a DB measurment can relate in "real-world" enviornment! UHG I can be so uni-demensional sometimes! Seriously thanks for the addition.

I'll post some mileage figures as soon as I can keep my foot out of the accelerator.... So far not bad 20mpg combined with very aggressive driving....

 

[Rey]

Brad, with this Borla do you notice a spike in increased noise or drone at a particular rpm level?
As you probably know Corvette aftermarket exhausts (except mabe Corsa) drone around 1600 rpm. Wondering if the Genesis has a similar drone level? Thanks.

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[bradyb]

Brad, with this Borla do you notice a spike in increased noise or drone at a particular rpm level?
As you probably know Corvette aftermarket exhausts (except mabe Corsa) drone around 1600 rpm. Wondering if the Genesis has a similar drone level? Thanks.

most of the "drone" is from light throttle acceleration in "D" 1st and 2nd. Then again db measurments are in the 65-70 area not too bad. highway is only noticable going up a 7-8% grade under light-med throttle.

 

[bradyb]

B-u-m-p

 

[balance]

Thanks for the info, which of course whetted my appetite for a Borla system.
However, when I went to their web site, it informed me that they do not have a system for my vehicle (2012 4.6L). As your OP is nearly 18 months old, I would have thought they were in production and beyond prototype stage.
Do you have a contact I can reach out to at Borla?
Thanks,

 

[bradyb]

Thanks for the info, which of course whetted my appetite for a Borla system.
However, when I went to their web site, it informed me that they do not have a system for my vehicle (2012 4.6L). As your OP is nearly 18 months old, I would have thought they were in production and beyond prototype stage.
Do you have a contact I can reach out to at Borla?
Thanks,

Alvin Tosla at Borla. Mention my name and the forum and he may kick you down a discount or some Borla goodies.

 

[thnworld]

i have this forsale if you guys are interested:
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?p=86768

 

[bradyb]

** Bump **