[Pinocchio]

I just ran at Laguna Seca on August 3rd. On my first lap, I got meatballed (mechanical flag) and was pulled off the racecourse for exceeding the noise limit. I was recorded at 94 decibels and the limit is 90. I had no idea that a stock 718 Cayman S, with a stock exhaust system, was that loud. Admittedly I was pulling hard, in 3rd gear, on an uphill straight. Of course, that is exactly why Laguna Seca puts the noise-limit microphone at that location.

For the rest of the day, I up-shifted from 3rd to 5th whenever I passed by the listening station. That meant I was in the wrong gear for about 5 seconds each lap. I lost a few ticks but was not flagged again and the marvelous, low-RPM torque of this mighty little four banger kept my loss of speed to a minimum.

To the above, I just want to say that I LOVE the sound of my car. It roars with a sound that is unlike the normally aspirated sixes. Personally, I think they both sound fantastic on the racetrack, but given the choice, I chose the turbo performance over the familiar six cylinder exhaust note. Now porsche is back to the six and with more horsepower, but you can never keep up unless you buy a new car every year. My 718 is all that I can handle on the racecourse and I can't foresee a time when my skill level will demand more car. The Cayman S is absolutely amazing.

 

[roundtail]

I just ran at Laguna Seca on August 3rd. On my first lap, I got meatballed (mechanical flag) and was pulled off the racecourse for exceeding the noise limit. I was recorded at 94 decibels and the limit is 90. I had no idea that a stock 718 Cayman S, with a stock exhaust system, was that loud. Admittedly I was pulling hard, in 3rd gear, on an uphill straight. Of course, that is exactly why Laguna Seca puts the noise-limit microphone at that location.

For the rest of the day, I up-shifted from 3rd to 5th whenever I passed by the listening station. That meant I was in the wrong gear for about 5 seconds each lap. I lost a few ticks but was not flagged again and the marvelous, low-RPM torque of this mighty little four banger kept my loss of speed to a minimum.

To the above, I just want to say that I LOVE the sound of my car. It roars with a sound that is unlike the normally aspirated sixes. Personally, I think they both sound fantastic on the racetrack, but given the choice, I chose the turbo performance over the familiar six cylinder exhaust note. Now porsche is back to the six and with more horsepower, but you can never keep up unless you buy a new car every year. My 718 is all that I can handle on the racecourse and I can't foresee a time when my skill level will demand more car. The Cayman S is absolutely amazing.

P on them anyway. The 982 S is just as fast as the 981 GT4. It's been tried, with a professional driver.

 

[InTgr8r]

I lucked out at one of our track days as well re sound warnings
I'm considering changing to the Soul tips so that I can also use their turn downs at the track

.

 

[Semitone]

It's funny that you got flagged for being too loud. At my local track, I am always trying to hear other 718's because...well..when I am in my car with a helmet, I don't hear much. Listening to what few other 718 cars are around, I have found, my response is always the same.."Hmm..that doesn't make much sound at all!" It is just so quiet.

 

[DriveInHouston]

OP do you have PSE? Was it on Sport?

 

[Snrubel]

The 4 cylinder sounds impressive when pushed hard, particularly my 2019 with sport exhaust— it’s really that simple. Normal car enthusiasts are impressed. I drove these back to back with 911s in Atlanta and the sound is 90% as good, but mostly just different.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

Sound limit at a race track? Really? Now I've heard everything.

 

[Sunny SF]

I just ran at Laguna Seca on August 3rd. On my first lap, I got meatballed (mechanical flag) and was pulled off the racecourse for exceeding the noise limit. I was recorded at 94 decibels and the limit is 90.

Thanks for the info. I always knew Laguna Seca had a 90db limit, I just didn't know how loud our 718s got. I was a bit worried as I heard the 718 GTS's are all getting into trouble at Laguna Seca. I'm planning track days at Sonoma Raceway first, and they have a 103db limit that should not be a problem if we are only hitting 94db for our stock exhausts. I'll have to remember to turn off the sport exhaust at the track.

 

[Sunny SF]

Sound limit at a race track? Really? Now I've heard everything.

The homes around Laguna Seca have significantly increased in value, and many are mansions going for $2M - $5M+. Somehow, as rich and smart as those home owners are, they don't seem to realize that it's kinda noisy living next to a race track. Sound travels far during those foggy Monterey days.

 

[roundtail]

Somehow, as rich and smart as those home owners are, they don't seem to realize that it's kinda noisy living next to a race track.

Or airports. Arrogance and self-importance are not cured by wealth, unfortunately. The entitlement mentality knows no limits, nor is it tempered by income. They know exactly where they bought.

 

[Graustark]

Thanks for the info. I always knew Laguna Seca had a 90db limit, I just didn't know how loud our 718s got. I was a bit worried as I heard the 718 GTS's are all getting into trouble at Laguna Seca. I'm planning track days at Sonoma Raceway first, and they have a 103db limit that should not be a problem if we are only hitting 94db for our stock exhausts. I'll have to remember to turn off the sport exhaust at the track.

With the next Apple Watch update, it will show you a decibel meter. Can't wait to test it out next time I'm watching my friends race.

 

[Pinocchio]

OP do you have PSE? Was it on Sport?

Yes. It was on sport. I could look down and change it from sport to normal, but its easier to hit the paddle shifters and keep my eyes on the road.

 

[Pinocchio]

Thanks for the info. I always knew Laguna Seca had a 90db limit, I just didn't know how loud our 718s got. I was a bit worried as I heard the 718 GTS's are all getting into trouble at Laguna Seca. I'm planning track days at Sonoma Raceway first, and they have a 103db limit that should not be a problem if we are only hitting 94db for our stock exhausts. I'll have to remember to turn off the sport exhaust at the track.

I think you are better off upshifting. It ss the RPMs that are to blame. I think I could have gotten away with shifting to 4th instead of 5th, but I wasn't about to lose driving sessions just to figure this out. Better safe than parked...

 

[Soul Performance Products]

I lucked out at one of our track days as well re sound warnings
I'm considering changing to the Soul tips so that I can also use their turn downs at the track

Thank you for considering us! You have to love Lagnua Seca. We've worked with a lot of customers to tailor sound solutions to pass stringent sound restrictions at tracks - such as our Resonated Turn Down Tips for GT3s. We have something similar (turn downs with resonators) out for testing on a 981 Cayman. We could build something similar for you should you want to take the turn downs and turn up the effectiveness.

Our standard turn down tips have been proven to reduce dB limits by 2-5 dB on average. It does help to know where you are being metered from so you can point the tips slightly away, but that's not always an option.

Should you want to try our bolt-in X-pipe and get both standard tips and turn down tips let us know - we'd be happy to extend a forum discount.

-Mike

 

[BlueNorther]

Sound limit at a race track? Really? Now I've heard everything.

I don't think it is uncommon. There are noise limits on both tracks I've been on (Mt. Tremblant and Lime Rock). Palmer was having an issue getting permits because of noise. Hours of operation are also strictly limited, as in all cars off track by 5 pm sharp.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

@BlueNorther - Lime Rock? Really? Haven't been there in years, but used to go to the CanAm and IMSA GT races there. Those cars definitely exceeded any normal decibel levels. I guess things have changed.

 

[roundtail]

I guess things have changed.

I think that's the sad truth.

There's a small stretch of road right near me that the kids used to test their skills on when my wife was in high school. It's just perfect for a car like ours. Curves, dips, rises, that kind of thing, coming so quickly one after another that you can't go too fast or you'll lose it (the kind of road where our wide F4T power curve really shines).

Shortly after getting our Cayman, I set out to take a drive on it, thinking how much fun it would be. I followed five cars, mostly SUVs, in a painstaking torture crawl the whole way. Back in the day, you wouldn't see five cars on that road in a hour, much less in the same direction at the same time. Now, it's a soccer-mom artery, most of them probably driving with white knuckles while conceiving a petition to have it widened.

All I could do was sigh, apologize to my new car, and promise to find others (I have ?).

Yes, things have changed.

 

[BlueNorther]

@BlueNorther - Lime Rock? Really? Haven't been there in years, but used to go to the CanAm and IMSA GT races there. Those cars definitely exceeded any normal decibel levels. I guess things have changed.

From Lime Rock Park "Rules and Regulations"

• Lime Rock Park operates under a strict municipal injunction limiting hours of operation and setting noise restrictions. Cars may ONLY be operated on the Course Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

They don't state decibel limits, but I believe limits can vary depending on event, to allow for the occasional races, with lower limits on DE events with street cars.

 

[Merlotsj]

I always knew Laguna Seca had a 90db limit, I just didn't know how loud our 718s got.

The limit depends on when you are there, I think they get 5 unlimited days, about 10 102 dB days, some 94s, 92s, and the rest 90 dB. They save the unlimited for things like the historic races during Monterey car week, Formula race days, etc. I did a track day there, mid-week, when the promoter managed to snag a 102 dB day.

 

[InTgr8r]

@BlueNorther - Lime Rock? Really? Haven't been there in years, but used to go to the CanAm and IMSA GT races there. Those cars definitely exceeded any normal decibel levels. I guess things have changed.

For race events they have exemptions.
There is also a limitation on the number of such events