George Ab
Drag Racing Champion
- Location
- Pacific NW
Completed anti-resonance and sound absorption treatment of my GTI. Noted there is no carpet insulation from the front of the back seat on. No wonder there is so much noise when you put the seats down! The only absorption material was absorption pillow located in the rear quarter panel (still in its plastic, making it useless for the job intended) two 6 X 4x ½” pads on the back of the wheel housing, a patch of carpet insulation on the back of the plastic quarter panels (C pillars). There was fairly good anti resonance treatment, but that is to stop the car from generating noise not kill the road noise from outside. If you have ever pulled a door panel off you will notice that there is both anti resonant treatment and sound absorption curtain attached to panel. Not great sound treatment, but better then most cars.
Typically, to make your car quieter from road noise you start underneath where you sit, but on my GTI from what I am seeing it is from the rear seat back where the thick carpet insulation ends. You have probably noted that most of the road noise is coming from the back of the car. I first did the doors as an audio performance upgrade and went on to the rear of the car to quiet it down.
Weight: Completed the anti-resonance treatment. Supposedly 25% coverage provides 99% performance of reducing panel vibration noise. My technique was if it bongs (large areas that bong when you strike) treat. It is heavy at .7lb per square foot, so another reason to apply as recommended. To treat the rear of the car was about 5 ½ lbs. Now the sound absorption materiel is super light, just over a pound for 19 square feet. 38 square feet covered everything from the rear seat back, so approximately 7.5 lbs of total weight gain.
Costs: I used Noico as it a respectable product and reasonably priced. 36 sq feet of 80 mil dampening material was $64 more than enough for entire car, and $80 in 150 mil sound absorption for the rear of the car which used 36 sq ft. I need another 19 sq ft for doors so total cost is under $200.
The project is labor intensive, it took me a couple of long days. Isopropyl alcohol, wipes, scissors, box cutters, scissors, roller and normal hand tools to remove a few bolts is all that is required along with a willingness for a butt-load of work.
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Is it worth it? My car is no Benz S class quiet, but is quieter than before treatment. Much more aware of wind noise from windows which I never heard due to noise from rear. I did not take any before after dB readings, but I would estimate 3dB reduction at highway speeds. I will be appreciating the noise reduction for some time. I have the “cheap and easy” Fender subwoofer mod http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39460. I noticed improved subwoofer performance immediately, something I was not expecting.[/FONT]
Typically, to make your car quieter from road noise you start underneath where you sit, but on my GTI from what I am seeing it is from the rear seat back where the thick carpet insulation ends. You have probably noted that most of the road noise is coming from the back of the car. I first did the doors as an audio performance upgrade and went on to the rear of the car to quiet it down.
Weight: Completed the anti-resonance treatment. Supposedly 25% coverage provides 99% performance of reducing panel vibration noise. My technique was if it bongs (large areas that bong when you strike) treat. It is heavy at .7lb per square foot, so another reason to apply as recommended. To treat the rear of the car was about 5 ½ lbs. Now the sound absorption materiel is super light, just over a pound for 19 square feet. 38 square feet covered everything from the rear seat back, so approximately 7.5 lbs of total weight gain.
Costs: I used Noico as it a respectable product and reasonably priced. 36 sq feet of 80 mil dampening material was $64 more than enough for entire car, and $80 in 150 mil sound absorption for the rear of the car which used 36 sq ft. I need another 19 sq ft for doors so total cost is under $200.
The project is labor intensive, it took me a couple of long days. Isopropyl alcohol, wipes, scissors, box cutters, scissors, roller and normal hand tools to remove a few bolts is all that is required along with a willingness for a butt-load of work.
[FONT="]
Is it worth it? My car is no Benz S class quiet, but is quieter than before treatment. Much more aware of wind noise from windows which I never heard due to noise from rear. I did not take any before after dB readings, but I would estimate 3dB reduction at highway speeds. I will be appreciating the noise reduction for some time. I have the “cheap and easy” Fender subwoofer mod http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39460. I noticed improved subwoofer performance immediately, something I was not expecting.[/FONT]
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1resonant.JPG114.5 KB · Views: 6,635
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3insulationinplastic3.JPG109.1 KB · Views: 6,898
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5complete.JPG109.2 KB · Views: 8,022
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6treat1.JPG99.4 KB · Views: 7,059
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7treat2.JPG75.6 KB · Views: 7,434
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