Thread: Exhaust system

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Any suggestions for an exhaust set up for my 41 Chev running a 350sbc w/headers. I would like to have a slight rumble; however, I would also like to hear the stereo over the roar while cruising down the Interstate at 75 - oh yes, in Idaho the speed limit on part of the Interstate is 75. Any suggestions on make and kind?

Flowmaster makes a three-chamber muffler in many configurations and they are v.e.r.y.q.u.i.e.t

If you use the flowmasters and HEAVY gauge exhaust pipes, it should only be loud if you are standing behind it.

Thanks madgrinder - I think that is what I am looking for!

I would go with a 2.25 or 2.5 inch pipe and a flowmaster 50s series (# chamber) and you should get the sound you want.

Ronnie, you must not have seen this link under the '74 Cuda thread. http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/cgi-bin/flowmaster They even have wav files for interior sound for each of their muffler configurations.

LOL. No offense to anyone, but i always find it funny how people always run to Flowmasters as if they were the only muffler out there....

Like lemmings running to the ravine.

Is this truck daily driven? If so Stay away from flowmasters as you will be giving yourself a headache from resonance every time you get in your car.... Flowmasters (or Noisemasters as I like to call them) are cool on weekend cruisers where you only have to put up with the sound for short times... but drive with them all the time and you will hate them.

Dynomax Super Turbo- these sound real good, and not so loud you will be banging you head on the wall.

Dynomax UltraFlow- These are a little louder than the super turbo's but they are still quieter than the flowmasters, but they are a straight through muffler and they flow a lot better than the flowmasters.(better flow=more power)

Borla- Hands down, these guys make the best flowing and best sounding mufflers i have ever heard. Again, not crazy loud like flowmasters, but an excellent rumble

Magnaflow- Another straight through Performance muffler that flows better than flowmasters, and sounds about the same as the Ultra Flow

Hooker AeroChamber- These are similar to flowmasters in that they have separate chambers inside, and they have a wicked cool sound, Pretty loud though, almost up there with the flowmasters. No clue how well they flow.

Another thing to keep in mind... The CASE SIZE of the muffler makes a big difference in the sound level- The larger/Longer the case the quieter/mellower the sound will be. The smaller/shorter the case the louder the sound will be.

So if you don't want it crazy loud- get a large case muffler (ie 20" or so)

Size of the exhaust pipe is more dependant on the HP level of your car. Stock 350 chevy's (~250hp) usually didn't need much more than 2 1/4" pipes. Start pushing 300-350hp 2 1/2" pipes will help some, more than 350hp and 3" pipes would probably be useful.

If you go with a larger than needed exhaust pipe, you will lose some low end torque, so don't go bigger than you need.

-Ben

Originally posted by Streets
OMG, I agree with ya Ben..

say it aint true streets, is this a FIRST ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ....joe

If a myopic lemming can chime back in............................

Ben, you've obviously had some exposure to Flowmasters that wasn't pleasant to you. But I also have to wonder if you've ever lived with a car that had a properly spec'd Flowmaster system. I have to wonder too, if you took the time to take the link to their site, as it clearly lists a variety of styles with an equally varying selection of sound levels. You made a point of specifying case size as an example. Most of Flowmaster's models excede your 20" definition of adequate case size. What you describe sounds a lot like you've been measuring all Flowmasters by the few boy racer types out there who only want obnoxious sounding cars.

Unlike you, I won't paint some of the alternatives you've posted with a broadly negative brush. Most of them are good products within their intended use. A couple of them, ironically, are nearly direct copies of certain Flowmasters, due to the market success of Flowmaster. As I stated in the other thread on exhaust sound, each person should pay attention to the cars at various events. When they find a sound they like they should query the owner about the system design. I say system, because from my experience, there's a lot more to "noise" than just the muffler. I've owned three vehicles with Flowmasters, and none of them had the annoying interior resonance you refer to. Mostly because I don't enjoy that kind of sound.

Your comments ignore the reality of the marketplace. Consumers vote with their dollars. Flowmaster has become one of the most often referred mufflers because so many people like them. If they were such a horrible product they'd only make a sale once, and wouldn't have enjoyed the longevity they have. It's the same for nearly every product out there. A marketer can only fool the consumer for so long. After that they have to deliver what the market wants, or perish.

Hopefully some day you and I will be at the same event when I've got the Bel Air. It's pushin' 468 inches of Big Block Bob through a pair of Flowmasters. We'll go for a ride and you'll learn that interior resonance is almost none existant. In fact, even the exterior sound is pretty subdued, not too much different than some Turbo muffler systems I've had. I've enjoyed your posts to date, and hope to in the future. But this sort of insult laced bashing seems uncharacteristic from you.

Bob- I didn't mean to insult everyone running flowmasters... but you do have to admit it really seems to be the 'blind' choice for performance cars... and it is hard not to be when every muffler shop is pushing them. Flowmasters do sound good- But it is definitely not the end all be all of mufflers-

It gets pretty old when almost every car at a show pulls up and they have that same hollow tin can sound. I really dig it when a car comes through with something different....

Basically my intent was to try and show that there are more options available than just Flowmaster 40's for loud and Flowmaster 50's for quiet.

Hope i didn't offend You flowmaster guys too much...

Streets, what kind of drugs have they got you on boy? Doesn't feel THAT cold out today!

I think Ben is right by at least making him aware that there are other brands out there as well to try to create his own exhaust tone. It makes one unique and his/her car stand out if they have a cool but different sound to it. I'll have to agree.... waaayyyy too manycars out there running flomasters. I really get a kick out of those guys witht he '87 Camaros with 305's and 2 chamber flomasters....like there's really a big block in there. I'm not knocking FlowMaster, heck I have a pair on my truck. Thank god it's a 351W because it doesn't sound like the ever-knowing 5.0 mustangs. For some reason, be it extra pipe length of the larger cubes or firing order, it doen't even sound close to the typical 5.0L fords that you'd expect. I just ended up with these useds ones and I need muffs for my truck otherwise I prolly would have ran Super Turbos or Flo-Techs.
Bob is right aswell. FlowMaster came out with a tone that caught attention and they marketed it full bore. Though if you take note, if flomaster really wanted to control the market they could easily lower thier prices and grab the whole market in all. But I'm sure thay intend to keep things competitive and that's why I'm guessing FlowMasters are kinda still pricey.
I went out on a limb and tried Super Turbos and 2.5 exh on my Duster. I had no idea what it would sound like but I just wanted something different. At first they were a bit too quiet. But after about 2 weeks of long hard freeway driving, they broke right in and sounded great! I get followed off the freeway and stopped at gas stations all the time by other Mopar guys or what not asking me what exhaust I have. They are amazed that I tell them they aren't any of the more popular brands.
Really it's to each his own. I encourage trying muffs of your own and shoot of a more personalized tone, but that may not be your cup of tea. Some guys are on a budget and cannot aford to "experiment." I understand that so naturally you'd go wht what you already know. That's cool.
Personally, I'd recommend 2.25(quieter) or 2.5 piping with a 3 chamber Flomaster or a Super Turbo. There is also a mimic brand of FlowMaster called a Flo-Path by MAC. Never used tham but have been told they are just like FlowMasters. Summit also sell a fully welded muff pretty reasonable. It's a fully welded unit just like a flowmaster but not sure of it's sound. I think the Summit units are actually Flow Techs, just Summit branded.

I have a set of Maremont turbo mufflers on my Corvair engine. Tha whole exhaust from valve-to-tip is only 4 feet long.

It sounds like an Austin Healey that my neighbor had when I was in high school.

Mostly low-and mid-tones, but when you open the throttle you get a nice "crackling" sound...like ripping canvas.

I suggested Flowmasters because of their extensive research and the cool sound bytes on their website.

Every car will sound different, even with the same mufflers. Variables are: muffler distance from engine, muffler distance from tip, inlet/outlet configuration, pipe size, muffler size, chamber design, case thickness, clamped-or-welded, pipe gauge, headers or manifolds, engine breathing, induction, catalyst, tip design, exhaust system mounting points, etc..., etc...

Buy a used set, if possible and try them. Otherwise, it is expensive trial-and-error until you get the all-important exhaust note you are craving.

Side note...I can't hear the exhaust in my Corvair because it is all behind the passenger compartment. The only time I get to hear it is when I am behind the car, tuning the engine.