Loouud horn (updated)
Moderators: Dan Szwarc, jleonard
Loouud horn (updated)
I don't use the horn often but when I do, I like it strong and loud, especially against *(/&?$*(/ texting drivers
I also felt the stock horn(s) didn't do this car justice, so I explored the world of very loud horns, many of which require pressurised air.
In the end I wasn't enthralled by air setups so I went for the next best thing:
a larger number of electric horns muahaha.
Why be content with the loudness of 3 tones when you can have 6, 7, 8 or more?
I found out just how many amps each of these horn units require, made a few calculations, and ended up with a 10-tone monstrosity which, despite being less loud than an air horn, packs quite a few decibels.
On paper, this is 120db@1m (no BS), or about 4 times louder than the stock horn. Very much worth it in my opinion.
The resulting sound doesn't aim to resemble a train or anything, it just aims to be loud as hell (for an electric setup).
(below):
It seems some classic cars have PLENTY OF ROOM to install extra horns!
but on a 1970LC, there are few suitable places they can be bolted on
(allowing the sound to go forward):
I noticed however, that the center part of the header panel is essentially empty
(ground level, looking straight UP between the radiator and grille):
and being just above the grille opening, it's pretty much the best spot for full-frontal-loudness.
Plus it won't significantly disturb air flow to the radiator.
Here is a list of the horns I used.
One GM Delco 'C' sharp, 550hz,
A set of two Stebel TM80 magnums, 410hz & 550hz,
All three OEM horns with unknown frequencies (most probably 360,410,500hz)
One GM Delco 'F' sharp, 360hz,
One Dorman 9-1794, 360hz,
A set of two Fiamm AM80s, 485hz & 510hz
The average estimated individual SPL is slightly above 109db.
The 2 Fiamms, and especially the Stebels, were utterly deafening during testing. Here's what they sound like(individually):
Fiamm AM80 twins:
https://vimeo.com/232403778
Stebel TM80 Magnums:
https://vimeo.com/232404500
Now imagine, the horn described in this thread includes BOTH these sets, plus 6 other units!
Now back to installation.
After removing the grille, I bolted all units securely with lock washers.
Had to craft a few custom brackets and avoided making holes in the frame by using existing ones.
These GM units tuned "DFAC", are used in the famous cadillac 'train-like' 4-tone horn. I used two units in my setup.
The average current required by each horn is about 5-7 amps,
so a 12V 80A relay should be plenty.
This one was sold with a wired socket (not shown).
These ANL fuses are great and easy to mount on my existing setup.
Next I needed a beefy wire to carry the total load.
6-AWG should be plenty for a length less than 3 feet from the relay to the battery:
This is the setup near the battery
wired all horns together near the hood release handle:
Here's the electrical diagram:
Aaaaand here's a little video of the finished setup (including the final sound)!
(Yes, this was filmed before I put the insulation on the harness)
https://vimeo.com/232406050
Subjectively, in person the amount of loudness of this horn is slightly ridiculous.
beep.
I also felt the stock horn(s) didn't do this car justice, so I explored the world of very loud horns, many of which require pressurised air.
In the end I wasn't enthralled by air setups so I went for the next best thing:
a larger number of electric horns muahaha.
Why be content with the loudness of 3 tones when you can have 6, 7, 8 or more?
I found out just how many amps each of these horn units require, made a few calculations, and ended up with a 10-tone monstrosity which, despite being less loud than an air horn, packs quite a few decibels.
On paper, this is 120db@1m (no BS), or about 4 times louder than the stock horn. Very much worth it in my opinion.
The resulting sound doesn't aim to resemble a train or anything, it just aims to be loud as hell (for an electric setup).
(below):
It seems some classic cars have PLENTY OF ROOM to install extra horns!
but on a 1970LC, there are few suitable places they can be bolted on
(allowing the sound to go forward):
I noticed however, that the center part of the header panel is essentially empty
(ground level, looking straight UP between the radiator and grille):
and being just above the grille opening, it's pretty much the best spot for full-frontal-loudness.
Plus it won't significantly disturb air flow to the radiator.
Here is a list of the horns I used.
One GM Delco 'C' sharp, 550hz,
A set of two Stebel TM80 magnums, 410hz & 550hz,
All three OEM horns with unknown frequencies (most probably 360,410,500hz)
One GM Delco 'F' sharp, 360hz,
One Dorman 9-1794, 360hz,
A set of two Fiamm AM80s, 485hz & 510hz
The average estimated individual SPL is slightly above 109db.
The 2 Fiamms, and especially the Stebels, were utterly deafening during testing. Here's what they sound like(individually):
Fiamm AM80 twins:
https://vimeo.com/232403778
Stebel TM80 Magnums:
https://vimeo.com/232404500
Now imagine, the horn described in this thread includes BOTH these sets, plus 6 other units!
Now back to installation.
After removing the grille, I bolted all units securely with lock washers.
Had to craft a few custom brackets and avoided making holes in the frame by using existing ones.
These GM units tuned "DFAC", are used in the famous cadillac 'train-like' 4-tone horn. I used two units in my setup.
The average current required by each horn is about 5-7 amps,
so a 12V 80A relay should be plenty.
This one was sold with a wired socket (not shown).
These ANL fuses are great and easy to mount on my existing setup.
Next I needed a beefy wire to carry the total load.
6-AWG should be plenty for a length less than 3 feet from the relay to the battery:
This is the setup near the battery
wired all horns together near the hood release handle:
Here's the electrical diagram:
Aaaaand here's a little video of the finished setup (including the final sound)!
(Yes, this was filmed before I put the insulation on the harness)
https://vimeo.com/232406050
Subjectively, in person the amount of loudness of this horn is slightly ridiculous.
beep.
Last edited by denizen44 on Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:43 pm, edited 40 times in total.
Re: Loouud horn
Thats enough to wake the dead! lol
1972 Lincoln Continental 4dr, 1973 Lincoln Continental TownCar
1974 Ford Ranchero GT 500, 1993 DAC 112 UDM
1994 Rocar 112, 2004 Ford Crown Vic Sport
2014 Chevy Camaro 2LS, 2022 Dodge Charger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Wide Body
1974 Ford Ranchero GT 500, 1993 DAC 112 UDM
1994 Rocar 112, 2004 Ford Crown Vic Sport
2014 Chevy Camaro 2LS, 2022 Dodge Charger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Wide Body
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Re: Loouud horn
i'll be using train horns that will be fed by the tanks from the air ride. i've seen some can reach 140db.
'59 Continental 2dr hardtop, burgundy, 460, AOD, 9" rear, 4-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, air ride, vintage air. purchased 7/7/06. Restoration in progress...
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Re: Loouud horn
My 66 needs these horns. I like the idea of buying all different frequencies of horn and running them all in parallel. It must sounds really rich and full (can't view the video right now).
A truck horn or train horn is good, but all electric is the way to go.
A truck horn or train horn is good, but all electric is the way to go.
The below links are mostly dead.
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Shop Manual or MPCs available
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Shop Manual or MPCs available
Signature rules.
Help the forum for 2024.
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Re: Loouud horn
A bit simpler and nearly as good: 2 Hella supertone horns (B133) achieve 118dB @ 2 meters distance! Power for those: 78W per horn. This means in total about 13Amps. Important: Always use the bracket that comes with the horn! The brackets are tuned for optimum resonance of the whole assembly. Bolted to a rigid mounting point and you'll blast the road!
For the relay I would have selected one with integral supressor diode to minimize the chance of electrical troubles.
For the relay I would have selected one with integral supressor diode to minimize the chance of electrical troubles.
1974 Lincoln Mark IV -triple black-
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Re: Loouud horn
Great setup! Well done! I always added more electric horns on my everyday drivers 'cause I wanted to lay on them when some idiot needed it!( plus I had lots of them laying around from parts cars)
Re: Loouud horn
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who likes all-electric.Dan Szwarc wrote:It must sounds really rich and full (can't view the video right now). A truck horn or train horn is good, but all electric is the way to go.
The sound is 'rich and full' all right, but of course you'd hate to be standing in front.
I mean, the sheer loudness is downright nasty, offensive, almost obnoxious....
(i.e. perfection!)
I saw those when I was shopping around... Did you ever actually hear them?thegermanfan wrote:A bit simpler and nearly as good: 2 Hella supertone horns (B133) achieve 118dB @ 2 meters distance!
In my opinion, they don't sound AT ALL like they should be on a big car!! This is why I passed....
(sound starts at 20s):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XLULsqTIpA&t=20[/youtube]
Last edited by denizen44 on Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Loouud horn
Hella sound quality is not the best, I admit. Sound pressure and sound penetration is good.
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Re: Loouud horn
Denezin44, Love your horns !! My dad installed Ford Air horns ( 2 Trumpets )and a compressor behind the grill of our 67 Convertible when new ! He always liked the Cadillac horns but hated the stock lower frequency Lincoln sound. They would certainly get one's attention !
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Re: Loouud horn
Your 70 sounds like a train.
The below links are mostly dead.
Dan Szwarc: 1966 Convertible
Shop Manual or MPCs available
Signature rules.
Help the forum for 2024.
Dan Szwarc: 1966 Convertible
Shop Manual or MPCs available
Signature rules.
Help the forum for 2024.
Re: Loouud horn
I just remember, i have two horns from a 69...hehe...the 72 is getting a louder voice hehe
1972 Lincoln Continental 4dr, 1973 Lincoln Continental TownCar
1974 Ford Ranchero GT 500, 1993 DAC 112 UDM
1994 Rocar 112, 2004 Ford Crown Vic Sport
2014 Chevy Camaro 2LS, 2022 Dodge Charger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Wide Body
1974 Ford Ranchero GT 500, 1993 DAC 112 UDM
1994 Rocar 112, 2004 Ford Crown Vic Sport
2014 Chevy Camaro 2LS, 2022 Dodge Charger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Wide Body
Re: Loouud horn
Thank you everyone for your fantastic feedback.
I just updated my first post above with 2 more videos of the loudest horn units.
https://vimeo.com/232406227
I just updated my first post above with 2 more videos of the loudest horn units.
Ya think so? I just made a new videoDan Szwarc wrote:Your 70 sounds like a train.
https://vimeo.com/232406227
Last edited by denizen44 on Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:45 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Re: Loouud horn (updated)
That video is AWESOME!. The echo is priceless. Im really thinking of doing that on the 73 now
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Re: Loouud horn
My 1961 Mercedes 220Sb had the loudest stock dual horns I have ever heard! Two Bosch dual pitch horns; hit them and get the hell out of the way! My 300 SEL 6.3 had town and country horns that you would opt between with a switch on the dash, but still, nothing like the '61! My '67 Lincoln with triple horns sounds like a cruise ship getting ready to set sail, kinda like this one (which is friggin' awesome!)
But for me, no car will have a better horn setup than that of The Car
http://fsa.zedge.net/dl/ringtone/cdbde7 ... ww&type=mc
denizen44 wrote:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41hgrm0LHU0&hd=1[/youtube]
But for me, no car will have a better horn setup than that of The Car
http://fsa.zedge.net/dl/ringtone/cdbde7 ... ww&type=mc
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Re: Loouud horn (updated)
Nice Doppler effect on the drive by!
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