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.

[Literati914]

When I restored my car this year I covered every interior surface of the passenger compartment including the back side of the dash and pedal board with lizard skin so panels don't transmit vibrations into sound.

So glad I did.

Is that confirmation that the car is not only running but is doing so noticeably quieter? I like this idea, but does it actually help in the real world? What exhaust do you have and what if any is the noticeable difference?