Earplugs for 914 Driving?, Plus a fun AI cartoon Options

[Stev914]

Just returned from a very nice country drive in my 914-4. I'm putting it away for the Winter, so this was a great last drive of the year. I prefer to drive it with the top off, and it's about to get very chilly here in Michigan for late Fall and Winter. After owning it for a few months and putting about 800 miles on it, I feel like I am just starting to learn to drive it well. My motor memory has mastered the vague gearbox and the engine really purrs between 3,500 and 5,000 RPM. Tons of fun!

But... earplugs.

I prefer to wear foam earplugs when I drive it more than 10-15 minutes. I actually prefer the sound of the engine this way; I can really feel the low frequencies of the engine. Also, the 914 doesn't really create a lot of noticeable wind noise for me with the top down, even at 50mph+. But I said "noticeable." If I drive for longer than 10-15 minutes without earplugs, I can definitely feel that post-concert dullness in my ears. A simple pair of foam plugs that cut 32dB work perfectly: the same ones I use for operating power tools or going to rock concerts. I keep a little jar of them in the garage.

Anybody else use earplugs?

I've been wearing ear protection for noisy things since my college days of playing in rock bands, and then later in party and rock bands. While playing amplified music, I actually hear better with ear protection. Kind of funny: the sensation of feeling the engine behind me in the 914 is not unlike the feeling of my bass rig behind me on stage. The earplugs really make it more enjoyable... and that's to say nothing of the post-drive feeling of normal hearing when you put the car back in the garage.

Just thought I'd share. I hope you had a great drive in your 914 today!

Steve
1972 914-4

P.S. Here's a fun AI cartoon of my car.

[Ishley]

A good friend of mine had a new 914 in 73. He drove it from Chicago to LA and several trips to Denver etc. with a buddy... with camping gear for nights on the road. All in he drove over 80k mile in it.

He hadn’t been in a 914 since the mid 80’s. I took him for a ride in my 72 this summer. Mine has a bursch exhaust with a slightly quieter magnaflow muffler I welded in. I don't have any sound deadening inside the engine bay but I did add a layer inside the car firewall. I also have the original firewall interior sound piece and backrest etc. My floors and doors all have sound deadening too.

His first comment was about how loud my car is compared to how he remembered his original 73 2.0. Mine is loud… and with the top on and the windows rolled up… it’s even louder inside. With the top off… it’s better for running around town.

I’m thinking this winter I might try some engine bay sound deadening and a pad to see if that helps.

[Stev914]

I took him for a ride in my 72 this summer. Mine has a bursch exhaust with a slightly quieter magnaflow muffler I welded in. I don't have any sound deadening inside the engine bay but I did add a layer inside the car firewall.

Mine is a '72 and no firewall padding, too. With earplugs, I actually like it. Long story, but I got this car instead of a motorcycle. With the targa top off, it kind of feels like a motorcycle. The earplugs do the same kind of deadening that a helmet would. And I've been paying attention--I can still hear environmental sounds (other car engines, horns, etc) just fine.

Regarding the highway, I am really surprised at how nice it is at cruising speeds. At 75 or 80 on the highway, it sits at 3,500 RPM or so and doesn't seem like it's straining or too loud. I'm really loving this car.

SR