How does a 3.0L engine sound so diesel?

I agree that the sound is marvelous. But. . . diesel? Having owned a mid 80-s MB Turbo Diesel for much of the time I also had my Ferrari, I can't say I see the similarity.

 

Poor fuel and ignition management

 

^^^that popping is lean overrun condition, and not too healthy. When I tune my carbs to optimum idle, i have that condition. So i back out the idle screws until it clears and makes a burble sound....

 

I am not sure if normal, think it can be caused by air leaks at the manifold or low back pressure exhaust. Running a stock exhaust? What do the plugs look like? Just need to make sure its not running too lean...

 

Hoping John chimes in as i am interested in the question here.

 

Mmm, I wouldn't use the term diesel to describe the sound... Someone asked if my Alfa Romeo Milano was diesel, just because of the valve train noise.. "Umm, no..."


I'm assuming your QV has no cats - if it doesn't, then possibly that's your source. I've driven QV's with and without cats - the one without cats popped and burbled on the overrun.

 

No cats here (84 Euro QV) no popping either, just a deep distinguishable burble.

 

Same for my 85 Euro QV with Stebro exhaust. Burble is the right word. Definitely not "popping."

 

Nope, that's flames.

 

Ah, I wanted to edit: QV no cat(s) - off throttle in gear deceleration it burbles, give it some part throttle during in gear deceleration and you can probably make it pop a little.

 

What?? Part throttle in gear deceleration... Is acceleration. Still no "pop" with a QV if fuel management is working properly. would expect some "poping" with a carbed model however.

 

Nope, I've also never heard 'diesel' used as a positive descriptor for a sports car engine - calling a sports car engine 'diesel' would be a major insult, IMHO. There's nothing about a diesel engine that I want associated with my sports car's engine!

 

Yep, works every time!

 

Hoo, wee! Diesel, snap, crackle, pop. . . Evidently all used by the OP to describe good sounds!

Okay. I agree: 308/328 engines sound real nice, especially if they're tuned right.

Not like a diesel engine, and not counting poor fuel and ignition management. Just sound nice when running right. Yup. Nothing like it.

 

Funny that when my Harley popped through the exhaust in deceleration it meant time for a carb rebuild. Which got rid of that annoying sound.

 

Well, there are pops and there are pops.