Getting a new horn... couple of questions!

[ajf3ajf3]

Hey all - I'm going to be replacing the toy horn that they included with the vibe... but I'm torn about which one to get.I've read a lot of different threads here on horns & everyone seems to be happy with the new horn, regardless of which one it was - i.e., there are ~$20 air horns from harbor freight, Hella kits for ~50, and even real train whistles for ~$400. Thing is, all of these are rated at like 120-140db, so they seem to be just as loud as one another - I've listened to the sample wavs online & you can hear the tone, but it doesn't give you a good sense of the loudness.So - any good reason to choose something other than the 135db, $20 air horn from harbor freight?Thanks!

[Raven]

The only thing to consider with air horns is the installation. You have to find a place to mount the compressor and trumpets and do a bunch of wiring. If you replace the stock beeper with a pair of low, high horns, it's simple. You mount one in the stock position and run a short jumper wire over to the other a few inches away, done deal. I bought a pair of Fiaam horns made in Italy tonight on Ebay for $10.00 plus $7.50 shipping. I had the same ones on my '04 and they were plenty loud believe me. Louder than the dual horns on my truck.

[JustinVGT]

I'd say try the $20 air horn. I'm having a hard time recommending the Hellas. I got them a couple years ago and have had problems ever since. The Ebay seller even exchanged the first set that went out for some new ones. The 2nd set went out even though I had it wired correctly with a relay switch directly to the battery. I completely disassembled them and found some corrosion inside. I cleaned them, figured out how to recalibrate them and installed them. They worked great for the very few times that I rarely used them and now a few months ago, I noticed the low tone went out again. The high tone works, but sounds a lot like the wimpy stock horn. When I get around to it, I'll check out the low tone AGAIN. Everyone raved about the Hellas and when they do work, the sound good, but mine haven't been reliable at all.

[Mase]

Be aware, those air horns at Harbor Freight are pretty hi pitched. They sound like Ferrari horns.

[Pyro-Andrew]

i have a Train Horn for sale......it has a compressor, wiring, 3horns and eveything you neeed to have a freight train horn sound in your little Vibe..... (but its probably too expensive...hahah $250)

[binary]

Typically if you want a loud horn - grab yourself a hi/lo tone horn much like equiped on trucks and most (other) cars today. Be sure you point their trumpets slight down to allow for rain to flow out.if you're going for insane volume - train horns (see above) will scare the pinstriping off anything in your way.Air horns are subject to size and quality. The smaller the horn - the higher the pitch. Multiple horns are louder and more noticable - but you need a good compresser to push enough air. Then you're looking at a heavy draw on your battery.

[ajf3ajf3]

Thanks guys - still trying to get a feel for things... from what I've read the Hella aren't really any different from the $20 Harbor Freight horns - other than having the brand name.I think the train whistle is more than I want to spend right now, so...Are the $20 airhorns louder than a stock electric horn from a pickup truck, or say a 70's lincoln (I've heard those fit well)... trying to decide if I should just go with one of those electric ones that may be more reliable long term if they're going to be just as loud...

[Raven]

This is what I boughthttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ID_IT I had these on my last Vibe also and they were excellent. Or if you want even louderhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

[4X4CHICHI]

I've installed a few of the H.F. air horns in my cars. they are good and loud, but a little hard on relays. get a good heavy duty one.

[ajf3ajf3]

Has anyone heard both the HF type air horns and also the Electric Magnum Blaster from a couple of post up?Wondering which is louder...

[NascarXprt]

or you can get this http://videos.streetfire.net/P...4&p=0 (this was from drunkenvibes humor post) .

[ajf3ajf3]

I saw that one before - funny!