From the For What It's Worth Department:
To listen to how the engine sounds with the rubber strips go back to page 1 (second posting) and click on link 2 OF 2. I do not think those are loud, metallic sounds at all. As you know, I briefly road tested a G5 (see The First Time thread) that had the strips around the fins. The LIVE sounds from that UCE were musical; that engine that I personally heard -- with my ears a mere foot or so away -- was even quieter than the one on link 2 OF 2. All this said, I acknowledge that I do not know how the UCE sounds without the sound deadening strips. That's all folks!