The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What Mufflers?

I've got a 57 3100 with 235 3spd. I've converted to Fenton headers with dual 2" exhaust flowing through glasspacks. The intake is Offy with dual Carter/Webers. I'm not happy with the cracklin' sound at high RPM. What mufflers are you using to get that sweet growl?

flowmaster 40's. go to www.mongosgarage.com and click on projects then click 53 exhaust to hear what it sounds like. ron

Jerry,I have had good luck with Flowmasters on my 350 V/8s.On my 72 I have Magnaflows,they are a lot raspier than the Flowmasters.

Hey Dale, clarify that. My favorite muffler shop has been trying to talk me into Magnaflows for the 350 going into the '47 panel. I have a single Flowmaster (3" all the way front to back) on the 350 in the '89 Suburban and it is a sweet and mellow growl. I'm going with dual exhaust on the '47, thinking 3" pipe all the way through, and was really leaning toward the Magnaflows until you said that.

I like the construction of the Magnaflow. Fewer seams to rust out.

Brad,in my 72 it has a 350 cu.in.it has a 2 1/2 inch dual system with Magnaflow mufflers.Best way I can describe them is they sound a lot like glasspack mufflers.If I keep my foot out of it they are just fine,however if I really get on it they rap pretty good.I personally like the sound of them.On my 55 with the 350 I have Flowmasters,they have a deeper sound,more of a roar.I dont have crossovers on either one.Flowmaster has about 2 or 3 grades of muffers,with I believe the 40s being the loudest,which is what I have.I dont know if Magnaflow has different sound levels on their mufflers or not.both are excellent performance mufflers.Oh yeah the 55 has a 2 1/4 inch system.good luck with whatever you choose. Dale

Brad,one more thing,the 55 with Flowmasters has blockhugger headers,while the 72 has full length headers,with collecters.

Jerry,how did you make out getting your axles redrilled at Moser? If you did what did you think of their operation? Dale

Jerry-

What size of glasspacks do you have? I have 24" and they are a little raspy at higher RPM's, but not too bad. I wanted 30", but they would have had to order them.

I have actually heard some people say that the 235's are more mellow with straight pipes than with glasspacks. Personally, I didn't have the nerve to try it.

My 69 and the kid's S-10 have Dynomax Super Turbos. Not as loud as the Flowmaster, but still sounds good. With them I can listen to the radio while going down the highway. With glass packs the p.o. had on the 69, the radio lost the noise battle around 45 mph.

I prefer quiet mufflers and just installed some Walker economy mufflers, their SoundFX line. With the headers and duals, they are a lot throatier than I expected, but are still quiet enough to not be noticable inside the cab on the highway.

Jerry -

I've been watching the answer posts for you on your question and I think you have answered you own question with the question you possed on the General Truck Discussion board - "WHAT MUFFLERS?"

That is exactly what you need to say to the police officer when he stops you and tells you your mufflers are too loud! You say, "WHAT MUFFLERS?"

The answer is "STRAIGHTS!"

Joe

Whoever said glasspacks were louder than straights evidently have no idea what they are talking about.After glasspacks get carboned up they tend to get louder,but not as loud as straights.On the newer vehicles with catalytic converters you can sometimes get away with straights,because the converters tend to quiet the exhaust down a bit.Put a set of straights behind a straight 6 with split manifold,or headers and you sre guaranteed to see red and blue lights flashing in you rear view mirror.

Come on gang. Why spend the money on an old set of mufflers. I bought a set of Smitty's and can't bring my self to put them on.I've been running a strong 350 for about 5 years now and never been stopped......listen to Joe, RUN STAIGHTS...hehe man do they sound good out the back of my 37. I think I'll go for a ride. Several of the car club members are CUTTING THEIRS OFF.

Jerry,

If you're after the sound that I *think* you're looking for, then get rid of the true dual exhaust and get a single inlet/dual outlet FlowMaster 40 series DeltaFlow muffler. You can retain the true duals look, yet have a much deeper and throatier sound that will convince many that you have a mildly built bent 8 under your hood.

-ftyler

Preach it, Joe! A friend of mine is running dual straights on his Cummins Dodgebolt and it sounds GOOD!! Can't wait until the muffler falls off my Cummins D-Bolt

John

I'm not running a muffler on the '96 Cummins (just the cat), using a 5" tailpipe, and it isn't all that loud at all. Some guys around here remove the cat, as well, but that's almost too loud, especially when towing.

A pair o 36" Smitty's are going on the '67 C-10 after I get it home. It'll have a sweet sound with the exhaust dumping out right in front of the rear axle and down. VROOOOOM!

I've heard of Smitty's mufflers, but what exactly do they sound like anyway??? I know they've been described as "nostalgic" but what the heck does that mean? Anyone have a sound clip of them on 6 banger?

Smittys are just a brand of glasspacks.Back in the 50s we used to run either,Smittys,or Hollywood Belonds.Course you could go to your local Western Auto store and buy a set of cheapies.They sounded just as good.

I need to replace the system on my cckw (270).Originally 2.5" from manifold to muffler ,then 2"outlet- why the step down? Is some back-pressure an advantage on these motors or is 2.5" right through better?