Early 1990's mclaren-had an unusual exhaust note-WHY?

[TauToadmiester]

(Listening to F1 sounds on YouTube made me think of this question)

This was the era of drivers Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, it was about when McL had working and was later ruled illegal the dual brake pedals to brake either side (front and back or just rear?) independent of the other side to aid in turning.

The exhaust sounds the McL made was very unique and almost sounded as if lots of gears were whirring or something. It seemed most notable when they were pulling away from the pits and not so when blasting down the straights.

I thought it sounded very nice but completely unlike all other V-10's (then and now) and it had that sound only the one season, I believe.

Coulthard said that it was just the cylinder pairing of the actual exhaust making that unique sound but with the 'innovations' and such, who knows?

Does anyone know the actual truth to this?????????

Thanks!

PS: I am sure this has been discussed before but I could not find a reference to it.

[zoic]

If you'd link the youtube vid you mention having this sound, it would be easier to discuss. And do you mean late 90's with Häkkinen and Coulthard driving?

[Mysticf1]

I think i know what you are referring to, they had both exhaust banks converge into one and blew into the diffuser, it produced a very unique note compared to the rest of the field, which car/year it was i can't recall.

[TauToadmiester]

Sorry, I did not hear on YouTube, listening to some F1 sounds REMINDED me of the unique Mcl sound I heard back then!

[Ratatouille]

IIRC it was the year that Mercedes experimented with the 90 degree angle on their engines, which later proved to be a disaster in terms of reliability, and next year returned to the 72 degree design.

I don't recall any unified exhaust from the MP4-14, MP4-15, MP4-16A,MP4-16D which were maybe the last cars Hakkinen drove in.

[samoth]

Hi all! Yes, it´s right they have an especially exhaust outlet, very nice sounding, very beautiful, back to the 10 cycl. engines! Greets Thomas

[SiLo]

You might be in luck my friend. I have a photo of the rear of the 98/99 car (can't remember which) and you can clearly see the exhausts inbetween the rear suspension. I don't have it on me now but I will try and find it soon and scan it in.

[SiLo]

http://absolutmodeling.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html

For now you can look at this very accurate model. Scroll down to see where the exhausts were exiting.