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Why do you suppose some podracers sound like they have pistons? They seem like pretty minimalistic machines, so I would guess that whatever's making that sound is pretty directly involved in making the podracer go.

Could it be something completely un-piston related that just happens to make a piston sound, or could they actually have pistons for some reason, or could something spinning (like a turbine) make that kind of sound?

Obviously I know the real reason is that pistons sound badass, but can anybody think of any in-universe explanations for the sound?

Maybe they're more like 'rice' racers? You know adding frivolous crap to the pods so that they look or sound more cool, but generally don't affect the actual performance of the racer?

Crown wrote:Maybe they're more like 'rice' racers? You know adding frivolous crap to the pods so that they look or sound more cool, but generally don't affect the actual performance of the racer?

Could be, but most, if not all, rice rocket ornaments are meant to imitate something real, e.g. a spoiler when you don't need one, an extra exhaust pipe that's not hooked up to expel exhaust, etc. What would a piston sound imitate? I shouldn't think that internal combustion would be used much for vehicles in the SWU.

Robert Treder wrote:

Crown wrote:Maybe they're more like 'rice' racers? You know adding frivolous crap to the pods so that they look or sound more cool, but generally don't affect the actual performance of the racer?

Could be, but most, if not all, rice rocket ornaments are meant to imitate something real, e.g. a spoiler when you don't need one, an extra exhaust pipe that's not hooked up to expel exhaust, etc. What would a piston sound imitate? I shouldn't think that internal combustion would be used much for vehicles in the SWU.

Well I get the spoiler stuff, but I think that you are overlooking the neon lights on the bottom of the rice cars.

But the sound of the internal combustion engine might appeal to a certain demographic. For example I know with certain Japanese manufactures they actually do audio tests of their new cars (different exhaust designs) and then see which sould appeals more to their target demographic.

Episode 1 Incredible Cross Sections shows them as being powered by plain old jet engines using good old combustion.

Sea Skimmer wrote:Episode 1 Incredible Cross Sections shows them as being powered by plain old jet engines using good old combustion.

Pistons or turbines? I thought it was just the latter.

Sea Skimmer wrote:Episode 1 Incredible Cross Sections shows them as being powered by plain old jet engines using good old combustion.

As far as I know, jet engines make a whining noise rather than a chugging noise.

But I guess there are any number of exotic things on a podracer which could be powered by a piston engine that might make that distinct sound.

Crown wrote:

Sea Skimmer wrote:Episode 1 Incredible Cross Sections shows them as being powered by plain old jet engines using good old combustion.

Pistons or turbines? I thought it was just the latter.

Duh, turbines. Thus the "plain old jet engines using good old combustion" part of my sentence.

You're right, the sound is distinctive, and unlike just a plain ol' jet engine. I was thinking that it might be the repulsor lifts, but the sound seems to come from the throttle of the pod racers. It might have to do with the fuel injectors, or what kind of fuel it uses. Perhaps the combustion is of a different nature and causes a more piston-like sound to result. No doubt, these things are 'hot' so they could be using a very volatile, hot burning fuel source. This could be constrasted to Luke's Landspeeder, which would be a more conventional thrust vehicle.