The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Mufflers- Mangnaflow v flowmaster

I'm about to take my truck to the muffler shop and was planning on using either the Flowmaster 50 SUV (524554)dual-in dual-out muffler w/2.25" pipes and is sort of flat/rectangular like standard mufflers, or a magnaflow (14568), which is oval, 2 in 2 out and 2.5" pipes.

Does anybody have any experience with these two different companies or suggestions about the choice?

Thanks!

(I've got fentons)

I have flowmasters on 34 Chevy coupe and my 48 Chevy 3100. The 34 has a 327 and it sounds really nice (in my opinion). The 48 has a 235 and it sounds pretty good too. Both have a nice mellow tone at idle but only the 34 has a real bark when you get on it.

I've just read sevearl other posts here about magnaflows, flowmasters, glass packs, steelpacks, turbos and other mufflers. There definately isn't one clear answer for everyone!

What I'm looking for is something that sounds good but isn't too loud and doesn't sound like a Fastn'Furious rice=racer. My hearing isn't great and not getting better so I'd like something quiet that lets me hear problems with the engine/driveline or the radio without having to turn it up too much. I've thought about even adding resonators after the mufflers, just to quiet it down.

Although I want it quiet, I wan't some charachter to the sound too.

My '62 261 is pretty well built with a clifforf's 3/4 cam, fentons, hei, milled head, decked block, offy and 2 Carter progressive 2bbl carbs, so I don't want to choke it off with an overly restrictive muffler.

I use 2 in. pipes with long glasspacks. Has a nice rummble at idle but is not noisey inside the cab. This is v-8s though. I dont know how it would sound on a six.

when you read leo's book, he states that smaller is better for the street. his engine uses 1-5/8'' pipes. unfortunately when i went to the muffler guy they put 2'' duals to a walker (a quiet one - caroline does not like it loud) to a single tail pipe. which is about what i wanted pipe wise except i think they should have done it w/ 1-3/4'' after the headers and maybe a 2'' or 2.25'' single out.
i'm running a 292, no cam work yet, 500cfm, T5, langdon 3+3 headers, but i can not tell you a clear answer. i do not have the 3100 running yet and that will be many more months away. the muffler guy said i could come back if i did not like it. I'm in the dark about what will work on a 235, 250, 261 ??

read leo's book. i'm at work and can not quote it.
this is not an easy issue to figure out...

Carolines's truck,the book says 1-5/8 for the primary pipe size on tubular headers.You should be using 2 inch or so pipes from the headers for duals or maybe a 2-1/2 inch single pipe.Mild street engines aren't too fussy about pipe size other than it being too small.

I'm using Patrick's (Bazani) dual-in/out stainless with 2" from the fentons to the end and it has a nice deep and sorta mellow sound with great notes. Not very loud unless I really get on it.

thanks tony
that's what i DO have
so i guess i should re read the leo book tonight
i was at work and not thinking again b4 i spoke

NM51 forget what i said OK

Guess I would question that particular muffler
(dual in dual out) but I have flowmasters since last week and enjoy the sound balance.

I swapped in 2 Flowmasters and dtrashed the Cherry Bombs, because on long Autobahn tripps it was like a WWII fighter plane is riding my rear bumper.

I like the sound of the flowmasters - it`s more like a deep thunder rumble at idle and also more mellow low frequencys at higher speeds.

But I learned (the expensive way) that the 2.25 dual pipes on a 235/261 are way to much unless you don`t rev at 4500 all the time. I lost all my low end power (feels like I was towing a big trailer) and went 1.5 wich brought it all back.

Frank

Stovebolt, Gazim, Caroline, etc...

Thanks for the tips- I think what I"m gonna do for now is run dual 2" pipes from the fentons to a single inlet round/oval truck style muffler in the stock location and then one tail pipe out behind the driverside tire. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

bigmacdaddy mentioned Patrick's SS muf system for the Fentons'.
Can anyone else comment on these?
First, the stainless is real nice. Keeps that showroom look. But what about that performance vs. pricing? (@ $600)
And the sound?
Is there ANYONE in Southern California that has these on?
-jeff