[Squirrel]

Methinks the switch adjusts a whole host of things to sharpen up the powertrain responses in terms of throttle and shift speeds etc... after all, the 'enhanced' induction feature was added as an afterthought so it's unlikely the switch was originall put there for no reason at all...

[6th element]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

Methinks the switch adjusts a whole host of things to sharpen up the powertrain responses in terms of throttle and shift speeds etc... after all, the 'enhanced' induction feature was added as an afterthought so it's unlikely the switch was originall put there for no reason at all...

I'm not saying that, exactly. What I mean is that the manual says it only makes a difference in Auto mode. Do you know of any other reference to other parameters being influenced by the Powertrain dial? i.e. throttle response is not mentioned in the Owner's Manual, where I thought it would be.

[Squirrel]

I know what you mean but I think there are differences, for example: When in normal powertrain mode the car automatically upshifts rather than allowing you to rev to the limiter, this 'nanny' intervention doesn't happen in sport / track...

[6th element]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

I know what you mean but I think there are differences, for example: When in normal powertrain mode the car automatically upshifts rather than allowing you to rev to the limiter, this 'nanny' intervention doesn't happen in sport / track...

I noticed that, too, a couple of days ago when I finished the break-in an started revving to redline. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, though, so thanks for verifying. I would imagine the throttle response is sharper, too, but strange that it is not mentioned. I'll look for references in other places.

[andy c]

Originally Posted by 6th element

I noticed that, too, a couple of days ago when I finished the break-in an started revving to redline. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, though, so thanks for verifying. I would imagine the throttle response is sharper, too, but strange that it is not mentioned. I'll look for references in other places.

Im also sure it sharpens it 6e,but in line with everthing else,if you want to see the real difference go from on exteme to the other!! Set the car in maximum attack,then press winter mode and vice/versa.You will think someone has bolted a lump of lead to your foot

[6th element]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

I asked McLaren whether this could be made a switchable feature accessed through Iris, they said they'll look into it but of course no promises were made, so in the interim I have had the plenum to cabin pipework removed / blocked in order to get rid of the artificial sound (McLaren Birmingham did this for me)

Fact is that induction roar is only a small part of the overall 'engine' sound - I want to hear the turbos spinning, the exhaust note and all the other mechanicals, not just a crass induction sound artificially piped into the cabin. You may as well be playing induction roar through the stereo!!

Lose the pipework & associated valves, and save the weight.

Life is far better without it and of course the car sounds 100% identical to those outside.

Squirrel, now that you have removed the induction sound, do all 3 Powertrain modes sound identical? i.e. do Sport and Track now sound exactly like Normal? I am pretty sure I am going to ask my dealer to do this, but just want to know precisely what effect it will have. Thanks.

[Squirrel]

Yes, all modes sound identical, as previously in normal mode only.

[mac4lyf]

Originally Posted by 6th element

Squirrel, now that you have removed the induction sound, do all 3 Powertrain modes sound identical? i.e. do Sport and Track now sound exactly like Normal? I am pretty sure I am going to ask my dealer to do this, but just want to know precisely what effect it will have. Thanks.

So do you regret getting the sport exhaust now? Wonder if MPC will just not add the induction plumbing on request for new orders...

[6th element]

Originally Posted by mac4lyf

So do you regret getting the sport exhaust now? Wonder if MPC will just not add the induction plumbing on request for new orders...

No, I don't regret it because the induction sound has nothing to do with the exhaust. It is a result of the tweak after some stupid journalists suggested that the car wasn't loud enough. So the induction noise is piped directly into the cockpit and is not affected by which exhaust you have. It's not the volume of the induction noise that is bothersome, it is the quality or timbre of the sound itself - it is very much a drone that resonates in my inner ear and, for me, takes away from the experience slightly, rather than adding to it.

The sports exhaust itself sounds properly awesome. If anything, I would appreciate even having a "quiet mode" so that it doesn't wake my neighbours as I leave for work in the morning.

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

Yes, all modes sound identical, as previously in normal mode only.

Have you confirmed that from the outside, there is still a difference in the sound that the engine puts out in the 3 modes? (I had my son do a "drive-by" while I stood on the side of the road, so I knew how it sounded from the outside but we never tested all 3 modes from an outside sound perspective to see if it varied based on mode selected). It sounded much better from outside than inside!

[mac4lyf]

Originally Posted by 6th element

No, I don't regret it because the induction sound has nothing to do with the exhaust. It is a result of the tweak after some stupid journalists suggested that the car wasn't loud enough. So the induction noise is piped directly into the cockpit and is not affected by which exhaust you have. It's not the volume of the induction noise that is bothersome, it is the quality or timbre of the sound itself - it is very much a drone that resonates in my inner ear and, for me, takes away from the experience slightly, rather than adding to it.

The sports exhaust itself sounds properly awesome. If anything, I would appreciate even having a "quiet mode" so that it doesn't wake my neighbours as I leave for work in the morning.

I also hate the drone of some of the aftermarket exhaust systems I have heard and have been on the fence on which exhaust to go with (and colour of course), but I definitely love the way the sport exhaust sounds from the outside as in these 2 videos from McLaren San Francisco the first one is revving, and the second at idol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhzz3ZGzHjE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykz9B618KYk

[AugustWest]

Originally Posted by Thunder

Have you confirmed that from the outside, there is still a difference in the sound that the engine puts out in the 3 modes? (I had my son do a "drive-by" while I stood on the side of the road, so I knew how it sounded from the outside but we never tested all 3 modes from an outside sound perspective to see if it varied based on mode selected). It sounded much better from outside than inside!

Outside the car there is no difference between modes. The switch only affects sounds inside the cabin.

[Moncho]

I listened to both exhausts side by side and was hard pressed to justify the $5,400 difference between them. They sound very similar from the outside and identical from the inside. I decided on the standard exhaust and am happy with it for now. I can always upgrade to the sport exhaust later. Or maybe, someone will come up with an awesome exhaust later!!

[mac4lyf]

Originally Posted by Moncho

I listened to both exhausts side by side and was hard pressed to justify the $5,400 difference between them. They sound very similar from the outside and identical from the inside. I decided on the standard exhaust and am happy with it for now. I can always upgrade to the sport exhaust later. Or maybe, someone will come up with an awesome exhaust later!!

Thanks Moncho that is why I was sitting on the fence since the sound was not really different and since there is no power increase with the sport exhaust makes sense to go with the standard and as you said it can always be swapped out if desired.