No turbo whistle = turbo rabbit hole
#1
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
No turbo whistle = turbo rabbit hole
Part of my daily routine is a three mile walk through active suburban neighborhoods with numerous stop signs. One of my many cognitive issues is a hyper awareness of car sounds around me. As cars pull away from stop signs, I often, without looking, try to guess engine cylinders, type, brand, etc. It's weird, I know. But I remember not long ago when a turbocharged engine was always identifiable by the whistle/whine from the crazy fast spinning turbine. Newer turbo gas engines seem to have eliminated this sound. (Ford EcoBoost engines are still reliable whistlers, however.) And, we don't count the slammed WRXs with aftermarket whistle/blow-off gizmos.
I started to wonder if this was due to turbo design or manufacturer packaging: intake silencers, etc. So, I started reading about turbocharger engineering and... wow, no foolin', these things are interesting as hell. So, while the concept behind turbocharging is straightforward, the engineering most definitely is not. Even if you don't normally give a second thought to how things work, I'm betting you'd find this technology fascinating.
From what I've read so far, using the science of Computational Fluid Dynamics, aerodynamists were able to design turbine tips that create a whistle that's now above audible range. So, if you're someone who would be bothered by this sound (I'm not), thank the smart people at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for making a turbo that goes about its ridiculous business in a quiet manner.
I started to wonder if this was due to turbo design or manufacturer packaging: intake silencers, etc. So, I started reading about turbocharger engineering and... wow, no foolin', these things are interesting as hell. So, while the concept behind turbocharging is straightforward, the engineering most definitely is not. Even if you don't normally give a second thought to how things work, I'm betting you'd find this technology fascinating.
From what I've read so far, using the science of Computational Fluid Dynamics, aerodynamists were able to design turbine tips that create a whistle that's now above audible range. So, if you're someone who would be bothered by this sound (I'm not), thank the smart people at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for making a turbo that goes about its ridiculous business in a quiet manner.
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JB in AZ (05-11-2020)
#2
Drifting
Part of my daily routine is a three mile walk through active suburban neighborhoods with numerous stop signs. One of my many cognitive issues is a hyper awareness of car sounds around me. As cars pull away from stop signs, I often, without looking, try to guess engine cylinders, type, brand, etc. It's weird, I know. But I remember not long ago when a turbocharged engine was always identifiable by the whistle/whine from the crazy fast spinning turbine. Newer turbo gas engines seem to have eliminated this sound. (Ford EcoBoost engines are still reliable whistlers, however.) And, we don't count the slammed WRXs with aftermarket whistle/blow-off gizmos.
I started to wonder if this was due to turbo design or manufacturer packaging: intake silencers, etc. So, I started reading about turbocharger engineering and... wow, no foolin', these things are interesting as hell. So, while the concept behind turbocharging is straightforward, the engineering most definitely is not. Even if you don't normally give a second thought to how things work, I'm betting you'd find this technology fascinating.
From what I've read so far, using the science of Computational Fluid Dynamics, aerodynamists were able to design turbine tips that create a whistle that's now above audible range. So, if you're someone who would be bothered by this sound (I'm not), thank the smart people at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for making a turbo that goes about its ridiculous business in a quiet manner.
I started to wonder if this was due to turbo design or manufacturer packaging: intake silencers, etc. So, I started reading about turbocharger engineering and... wow, no foolin', these things are interesting as hell. So, while the concept behind turbocharging is straightforward, the engineering most definitely is not. Even if you don't normally give a second thought to how things work, I'm betting you'd find this technology fascinating.
From what I've read so far, using the science of Computational Fluid Dynamics, aerodynamists were able to design turbine tips that create a whistle that's now above audible range. So, if you're someone who would be bothered by this sound (I'm not), thank the smart people at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for making a turbo that goes about its ridiculous business in a quiet manner.
Whats also amazing, is Mitsubishi. They are so talented in so many areas, just not vehicle marketing! At least in the US.
#3
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
Amazing! Thanks for posting this. I am not quite as interested in the "engine" sounds as you, but have for years often tried to guess what engine I was listening to...often with poor results.
Whats also amazing, is Mitsubishi. They are so talented in so many areas, just not vehicle marketing! At least in the US.
Whats also amazing, is Mitsubishi. They are so talented in so many areas, just not vehicle marketing! At least in the US.
The turbo sound was distinctive too, and not hearing it in most newer cars, including ours, was a curiosity.
#4
Drifting
The car sound thing goes back to childhood days. When GM divisions made their own engines, I was able to "hear" an Oldsmobile or a Cadillac. I could "hear" a Chrysler product starting. Not a marketable skill, unfortunately.
The turbo sound was distinctive too, and not hearing it in most newer cars, including ours, was a curiosity.
The turbo sound was distinctive too, and not hearing it in most newer cars, including ours, was a curiosity.
#5
User Awaiting Email Confirmation
With the windows down, you can absolutely hear the turbo spooling up in the RDX. No, it's not like a big single turbo Supra spooling up, but that likely has to due with everything you mentioned along with the size of the turbo.
#6
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
Last edited by DJA123; 05-11-2020 at 03:14 PM.
#7
Drifting
So I guess future e-cars will broadcast "pedestrian alert noise". I wonder what that's gonna be like.
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#8
Mitsubishi, an old and diverse company. They made the Yamato during WW 2, the largest battleship ever built. They build planes and rockets and wind generators and so much more. Cars were a a very small part of their overall business empire and that is good thing. There trucks have done much better than their attempts at main stream autos. All that truck work helped with their turbo's. .
#9
User Awaiting Email Confirmation
With the windows up, I can't hear a thing. I'm sure there's some active noise canceling going on in the cabin. Once I put the windows down and I accelerate, I can definitely hear the turbo spooling. It's not overly obnoxious ... just a faint, but noticeable, intake noise that's pleasant sounding IMO.
#10
I did notice a 'swoosh' sound when I stepped on the accelerator last time I drove the RDX. Was worried initially, but figured it is probably the turbo. It sounded like gas escaping from a puncture in a rubber hose.
I have never heard it before, maybe the ANC was misbehaving, my windows were up.
I have never heard it before, maybe the ANC was misbehaving, my windows were up.
#11
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
I did notice a 'swoosh' sound when I stepped on the accelerator last time I drove the RDX. Was worried initially, but figured it is probably the turbo. It sounded like gas escaping from a puncture in a rubber hose.
I have never heard it before, maybe the ANC was misbehaving, my windows were up.
I have never heard it before, maybe the ANC was misbehaving, my windows were up.
#12
Unregistered Member
Many manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that the occupants of their cars cannot hear turbo spooling noises. On my Audi, for example, there's a "turbo muffler" built into the turbo inlet pipe, right below the turbochargers. The sole purpose of this thing is to silence the turbochargers. I like hearing my turbo spooling, so I removed it and replaced it with "turbo muffler delete", which is basically just an open aluminum pipe that bolts into place of the OEM turbo muffler.
Now I can hear my turbo, but it's still very subtle. If I really wanted to hear it, I could swap to an aftermarket intake that doesn't have a contained filter. That works on pretty much any modern turbo engine.
Now I can hear my turbo, but it's still very subtle. If I really wanted to hear it, I could swap to an aftermarket intake that doesn't have a contained filter. That works on pretty much any modern turbo engine.
#13
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
Last edited by DJA123; 06-02-2020 at 01:10 PM.
#14
Back in 87 I owned a Mazda RX-7 Turbo II and it whistled, I thought it was cool. But I was a lot younger then.......
#15
2020 RDX, Advance, AWD
Thread Starter
I don't mind hearing the sounds machines make doing their work... within reason.
Anyone familiar with the Vietnam era "deuce and a half" know that as the standard for OEM turbo whistle.
Anyone familiar with the Vietnam era "deuce and a half" know that as the standard for OEM turbo whistle.
#16
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Mitsubishi, an old and diverse company. They made the Yamato during WW 2, the largest battleship ever built. They build planes and rockets and wind generators and so much more. Cars were a a very small part of their overall business empire and that is good thing. There trucks have done much better than their attempts at main stream autos. All that truck work helped with their turbo's. .
Their real accomplishment was the Mitsubishi A6M, the Zero.
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RENARELLO (06-03-2020)
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