How do I make a GM LS-based motor sound like one of these?

(I'll preface this question with a statement regarding my general lack of understanding regarding V8 architecture and what makes one V8 sound so different from another).

Is it possible (for a reasonable cost) to take a GM LS-based motor and make it act and sound like a high-revving V8 such as is found in a Ferrari 458? I realize the Ferrari is a flat plane crank but can a GM motor get close?

This is a random 458 video I found that exhibits the (in my opinion) super cool sound of the Ferrari motor:

Monza Ferrari track day

I also love the sound of the Judd V8 that can be found in various European hill climb cars. I can only imagine how expensive that motor is, but, again, the sound is intoxicating.

BMW 320 hillclimb video

Problem solved

http://www.araoengineering.com/LSX.htm

180 degree headers. They arrange the header tubes in relation to the firing order and emulate the flat plane crank sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZTbR6C6Lw

180 degree crank. I know a crank shop in MI that did that, for just that reason. Make a LS sound like a Ferrari....

Kendall

AutoXR wrote: Problem solved http://www.araoengineering.com/LSX.htm

I am pretty sure that A: they probably don't improve much on the flow of a good 2 valve aftermarket head (didn't check the website over carefully) and B: They would not contribute much to the sound.

Kendall_Jones wrote: 180 degree crank. I know a crank shop in MI that did that, for just that reason. Make a LS sound like a Ferrari.... Kendall

There is a years-old thread on hybridz about that, but I think the project never got off the ground. It's do-able, but it's expensive and there are a lot more factors, for instance, the resonances you introduce drastically affect component life, but I am not privvy to specifics on which parts and how much.

ditchdigger wrote: 180 degree headers. They arrange the header tubes in relation to the firing order and emulate the flat plane crank sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZTbR6C6Lw

That does sound reasonably close. Interesting.

As for a flat plane crank for an LS motor, I bet that would be terribly expensive.

dyintorace wrote:

ditchdigger wrote: 180 degree headers. They arrange the header tubes in relation to the firing order and emulate the flat plane crank sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZTbR6C6Lw

That does sound reasonably close. Interesting. As for a flat plane crank for an LS motor, I bet that would be terribly expensive.

I think this is correct, and I also think wheels777 might know a thing or two about those headers.

Seems to me a flat plane crank for an LS motor would cost about the same as a custom stroker crank for an LS motor. You might want a different cam, too

Here's a similar question: how do I get a Chevy to sound like the old Boss 302 winding out to 9000 rpm like I heard at the Mitty?

The soundracer is the cheapest way to change the sound. I however would not have the cajones to use it

http://technabob.com/blog/2010/12/02/soundracer-v12-sound-generator/

AutoXR wrote: Problem solved http://www.araoengineering.com/LSX.htm

Back when I played with domestic V8s, there were a plethora of pissed off patrons of that particular parts purveyor.

My Northstar Fiero with just resonators sounds very ferrari esque @ 7500rpm

Keith wrote: Here's a similar question: how do I get a Chevy to sound like the old Boss 302 winding out to 9000 rpm like I heard at the Mitty?

Take out the Chebby and replace it with a Boss 302, duh!

The original style GT40 180 headers

the noise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN-J4Jydnkc

Some meant to fit in the bay of a production-ish car

This topic has been on my mind for at least the last 10 years.

So......180 degree headers, a very light flywheel and a motor built to take 8000 rpm, and you can have noise like that? My truck already has an LS motor, I'm halfway there! I wonder what my wife would say........

There are companies out there who make flat-plane crank conversions for the LSx. Fran @ Race Car Replicas knows who they are and how to get in touch with them. I think he built up a flat-plane LS7 for a customer to put in an SL-C.

Yes, headers too.

Arao Engineering has been in some legal hot water for years now. If you were to ever wish to buy some heads from them, I'd fly there, purchase and pick them up, and fly home.

dyintorace wrote:

ditchdigger wrote: 180 degree headers. They arrange the header tubes in relation to the firing order and emulate the flat plane crank sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZTbR6C6Lw

That does sound reasonably close. Interesting. As for a flat plane crank for an LS motor, I bet that would be terribly expensive.

It's been done, it sounds awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIxngbwE8jg

Keith wrote: Here's a similar question: how do I get a Chevy to sound like the old Boss 302 winding out to 9000 rpm like I heard at the Mitty?

If it was being raced in historic class, probably some form of a chambered exhaust to start with.

I have no idea what you people are talking about, but I love the sound!

HiTempguy wrote:

Keith wrote: Here's a similar question: how do I get a Chevy to sound like the old Boss 302 winding out to 9000 rpm like I heard at the Mitty?

If it was being raced in historic class, probably some form of a chambered exhaust to start with.

Okay, for cereal now. Boss 302's (and other T/A vintage V8's) sound so good for a few reasons. Primarily, a giant solid lifter camshaft. Most of the engines were also a very large bore with a short stroke. Built for high-RPMS and run through straight exhaust sidepipes.

Fords do sound different than Chevy V8s, though. It's the one thing I don't like about the LSx, it's not as sweet sounding as the Ford. Must have something to do with the firing order, those are all over the map on bent eights for some reason.

The best sounds of the Mitty were a couple of high-rpm Mustangs making a wicked whoop, the F5000 (an exercise in how little extra material is required to turn an engine into a car) and the Chevy-powred McLaren M8 replica. The F5000 was a Chevy based on the exhaust ports.

Keith wrote: Seems to me a flat plane crank for an LS motor would cost about the same as a custom stroker crank for an LS motor. You might want a different cam, too Here's a similar question: how do I get a Chevy to sound like the old Boss 302 winding out to 9000 rpm like I heard at the Mitty?

Get a custom cam to change the firing order to the old 289/302 pattern. The LSx has the same firing order as the 5.0L HO/351w. Ever hear a LSx swapped Fox body with full exhaust? They sound amazingly similar to the 5.0L. I'd imagine a change to the 289/302 firing order would result in a very similar sound to the boss 302.

Randy has 180 headers and a 7# clutch and flywheel assembly on his Camaro. It sounds unholy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnck2ITynk0&feature=youtu.be

Javelin wrote: Most of the engines were also a very large bore with a short stroke. Built for high-RPMS and run through straight exhaust sidepipes.

I know I am picking nits here, but I don't believe short stroke = high RPM potential. I think that large bore = high RPM potential and that most classes have a CID limit. I doubt that stroke contributes much to sound. I am not sure if that's what you were saying or not. For one example, IHRA mountain motors have crazy high RPM potential, easily cresting 8 grand, and their strokes are over 5.5".

Does anyone have a picture of these 180* headers? I'm curious as to what they'd sound like on a Coyote V8...