ExhaustPost your questions and suggestions about stock or aftermarket exhaust setups. Third Gen exhaust sound files and videos!
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I've done alot of work to put this together. My hope is that it will be used as a quick guide to helping people decide what cat-back exhaust to use and as a reference as well as a repository of clip links.
Be aware that I'm only including cat-back systems here, but will list the additional mufflers available. The reason being that most of the people who post here are mostly interested in entire cat-backs, and don't have the knowledge or desire to fab up a system, or the money to have someone do it. The exception to this are Bullet Mufflers, which I will go over.
Some of these are fourth gen catbacks. Some people have alot of trouble making a fourth gen cat-back fit. My personal experience is that it will fit with very minor modifications that any good muffler shop can perform.
If you don't plan on MAJOR modifications, then pick your exhaust based on what sound you like. It won't affect your power output at the level a bolt-on thirdgen is at.
I have tried to assemble a wide variety of sound clips (primarily from this site and from ls1sounds.com - please inform me via PM if any links are broken. Thank you!). Please be aware of what engine you're listening to. An LT1 sounds different from an L98, and an L98 sounds different from an L03 in regards to aftermarket exhaust.
Yes I am a little biased in my opinions on catbacks, but I've tried to explain everything as clearly as possible.
Okay, Catbacks 101:
1. ALWAYS go at least 3"
2. ALWAYS go mandrel bent
3. On stock thirdgen powerlevels, follow 1 and 2 then choose based on sound.
Those are three good rules to follow when talking about a stock thirdgen. To be quite honest, even the highest powered L98 making 245 hp is not going to be highly affected by the power levels between mufflers, so just pick what you think you'll like.
The name of the company is a link, click it to go to their page. Under the company link is a quick little blurb about them. Under the picture I've included the price, and part numbers where applicable, as well as a link to the site to buy it at (in most cases, summit). Under that is my personal experience (or descriptions from their site) with the catback in question, and under that are sound clips. If no clips are there, that means I couldn't find any!
If anyone has any questions about what exhaust to use on your ride, feel free to send me a pm, I'm more than happy to help!
If anyone has anything to add to my guide please post or PM me, I've done alot of research on this, but it's possible I've missed or typod a few things. Anyone with clips they want to add, post or PM me!!!
In the course of making this, I neglected to include all the creators of the clips, so if you know who made the clip, pm me THANKS
By far the most popular brand of muffler for Third Gens. Loud and aggressive. It's a love it or hate it sound. If there are complaints against it, they're often about the 'droning' noise during cruising since you hear it all the time.
30 Series: Quiet, but maintains the Flowmaster tone.
40 Series: These resonate inside and out, and are the loudest of the mufflers flowmaster offers.
50 Series: Eliminates some interior resonance, but maintains exterior sound.
80 Series: Loud, aggressive tone, made for our cross flow applications. Link to webpage.
I recently put a Magnaflow muffler on my LT1. It is one of the best sounding mufflers I've ever heard. The thing about a Magnaflow is that it's very deep and bassy at idle and part-throttle (cruising). At idle if you're cammed, this muffler will hide it. Excellent choice for sleepers due to that. When you step on it, this muffler will SCREAM.
This muffler undercuts tone alot, making it a poor choice for a TPI inducted ride. As far as performance, they're an excellent choice.
The mufflers can also be bought seperately from the catback.
This thing is LOUD. Plain and simple. It's a straight through resonator with perforated metal tubing around it to tone the sound. It doesn't muffle at all, just tones. It gives a very high pitched, "NASCARish" tone. Comes in two lengths, the part number above is the shorter of the two.
Edelbrock isn't usually the most popular choice for catbacks. Their catback system is usually considered one of the lower end for performance and sound.
Now on the Summit site it lists this catback as being a 3" catback, but it lists it as a 2 3/4" I-pipe on the edelbrock site. Link to Edelbrock page. Also be aware this is a single cat catback.
I honestly can't find a vid or sound clip, so hopefully someone will post something up.
"BORLA Cat-Back™ exhausts feature patented straight-through and multi-core technology to unleash hidden horsepower. Increased exhaust velocity adds power, driving excitement, fuel economy and the distinctive BORLA Sound of Power respected by motoring enthusiasts everywhere. Each system is built from premium Aircraft-Quality T-304 Stainless Steel, an alloy superior to T-400 series knockoffs, to give you the absolute best in performance and durability. Ultra-smooth mandrel bends ensure maximum flow and power, and precision computer-controlled CNC manufacturing ensures an accurate fit. Best of all, BORLA stands behind every system with a Million-Mile Warranty."
That's from their site. In addition to that, the adjustable sound plate system is very nice, giving the owner the option of quiet, to straight through and a few settings in between.
This is a straight through design resonator, very similar to the Dynomax Bullet, but much more expensive. Similar sound. The part number posted is the 3" version, but they also make 3 1/3".
I can't find clips for the XR-1, so post em if you got em!
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__________________
1972 Chevrolet Nova
355 SBC - Big heads, big cam, big carb, big bottle and totally forged.
Click here for my BACKPRESSURE FAQ. Click here for my CATBACK FAQ.
Last edited by Kevin91Z; 03-31-2009 at 11:09 PM.
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Corsa is one of the higher end exhaust manufacturers, not many people go this route, so if you get one of these - rest assured that your car will sound unique among the rest.
Price: $829 or $852 on Corsa's site, Part # SEE SITE. Link
It's important to note that these are only available for fourth gen cars, so modifications to the hangers will have to be made. There are two different types of tips available, the 3.5 and 4.0, and the prices are different.
SLP has been a dedicated supplier of parts to the F-cars for years. Nowadays I consider them a little overpriced, but they quality is top notch and they have customer service to match. They have two popular F-Body systems - the Loudmouth and the 2OTL. There's also the dual-dual, however I understand it isn't made anymore. An interesting thing to note - all SLP catbacks are stainless steel.
This is basically a very expensive bullet muffler - but it does even less. The inside of the SLP LM is nothing.. It's a slightly larger than average tube that does the reasonating and "tuning." In reality it does nothing for the sound. The only benefit of buying this system is that the rest of the catback is already there for you. Many people buy these and replace the slp lm unit with a Borla XR-1 or Dynomax Bullet. SLP also sells a LM 2 muffler that is similar to the XR-1 and Bullet. The SLP LM also has a good amount of drone to it.
IMO, this catback is a waste of money. I had the exact same thing mocked up for me for $150 by a great muffler shop. That plus the cost of the bullet ($35) gave me this same system for $185 out the door. Of course it didn't have the tips, I guess that's SLP's reason for charging an extra $200 bucks.
It's basically a custom catback with a Dynomax Bullet. Finally someone stepped up to the plate! Please note that the price is without tips, and that this is a 4th gen catback.
This is a chambered muffler, pretty much EXACTLY like the one on the GMMG system. Please note that this muffler is a 2.5" entrance/exit. I've seen alot of people "make" a "GMMG" style system with these, and it sounds just as good for less than half the price.
When you talk about tone regarding these things.. think of grandpas old 69 'Vette. Sweeeeet! I'm using these to construct a GMMG style setup as my next muffler, for sure.
Price: $129.95 on Summit, Part # STW-ST3243P. Link
Note that these are 3" entrance/exit. These are basically longer bullet mufflers (glass insulated however) providing quiet performance at cruising, and SCREAMS at WOT.
Not many people choose to go with Random Tech's catback, but here's the info anyway.
Price: $389 on Thunder Racing, Part # 13-413006. Link
Two PowerMax converter-back exhaust systems are available for Thirdgen Camaros and Firebirds, one manufactured of T304 stainless steel, the other of aluminized steel. Both systems feature mandrel bent 3" tubing and include a straight through PowerMax muffler with dual 3" outlets.
If you want the stainless steel system, you'll have to modify the hangers to fit a Third, as it's only for 98-02 F-Bodys. It's also $600.
Spin Tech makes mostly race mufflers, but they have some options for us as well.
Price: $399.95 on Spin Tech's site, Part # 131398. Link
Spin Tech's patented design provides maximum performance for today's modern engines. Its all done by means of a Spin sound trap, which captures sound vibration (noise) and turns it into heat within the muffler case. As exhaust gases enter they are routed to the spin traps which create a high velocity vortex trapping the sound waves. The extremely high flow rates are achieved by a unique internal scavenging system that creates a venturi effect.
This muffler is a bit louder than a Flowmaster 80 series and deeper/better sounding all around.
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The above listing was for the 4th gen catback, however the muffler shown is also available seperately for $115. They only list 4th gens, but they'll make ANYTHING custom. Just call and ask!
Clip 1: Idle - Stroked, cammed 383 with "quiet" spintech muffler part # 1444
True Duals:
There are many setups for True Duals, and I think that's best left to the true duals thread (Link (Third Gen Dual Exhaust Picture Collection)). Also search on TGO, you'll find even more pics. I felt it had to be mentioned here, since it is an exhaust system.
Just so you know, the mufflers NASCAR runs, are Dr. Gas mufflers... be prepared to pay a premium price. They sell one catback for our car, and MANY other race mufflers. I recommend you browse their site if you're interested in something out of the ordinary, or just want to look at cool ****.
Price: $239.95 on Dr. Gas's site, Part # See site Link
Make sure to choose your application, dual cat or single.
Clip 1: Idle - 396 Stroker LT1 - side exit Dr. Gas
Mufflex sells multiple catbacks, utilizing different mufflers. The special thing about their catbacks are that they're 3.5" and 4" rigs. They also sell stainless steel. Take a look through their offerings if you're looking for a larger than average exhaust system:
If you're curious about whether you should upgrade or not, take a look through my Backpressure FAQ, it'll explain alot. A good rule of thumb is that 3" will support a healthy 350 motor making 400hp at the flywheel, and having a full 3" exhaust system will keep the powerband in a usable range, while not restricting the power. Higher power levels give you a number of options. There are two popular ones:
A. Go with a larger catback like Mufflex offers. This is best for mufflered classes, as you retain the muffler but free up the exhaust.
or
B. Go with dual cutouts right off of your headers (you do have headers, right?!) for race use, and have the catback for a milder street tone. This is the cheapest option, and best for the street/strip car that doesn't see class racing.
Last edited by urbanhunter44; 07-26-2006 at 07:59 PM.
Another brand of muffler that can be used in a custom catback configuration or true duals that is similar to Sweet thunder or Stainless Works is the Powerstick chambered tubes by Classic Chambered Exhaust Inc.
you can mount it in the I pipe section behind the cat converter on stock systems, in which i'd use the 20inch body muffler.. which is what i used
Soundclip of hot startup, idle and revs to near 5 grand on L98 with hooker 2055 headers and 3inch mandrel bent tubing. Stock cat Putfile - Powerstick Chambered tube on L98
I can't post a sound clip of the Edelbrock system, but I can tell you it's pretty loud at idle and under full throttle, but has a very,very reasonable tone at 60 MPH. Considering this is on my convertible and heard with the top down too. The difference between the two systems that summit sells is that one is for the 2 1/2" I-pipe and the other for the 3" I-pipe. The smaller one is 3" but is choked down to 2 1/2" right before the convertor flange.
The picture you have is dated, even on Summitts web site too and the system you'll get for that money has Edelbrock's new SDT muffler which is extremely well built and heavy too. The tips look and exit exactly like the Magnaflow system you have pictured and I couldn't be happier with the fit and finish of all the hardware. It was easy to install and came with band clamps, not muffler clamps, which made it look much better up under there.
I hate my flowmater american thunder what a waste of time and money. The fit is sub par at best. I just finished my ground up restore and had nothing but problem. They hit the driveshaft balance, burned a hole it a new e brake cable, hits in four spots on the fresh paint under the car and to top it all off every time the trans shift it bang the pan hard.
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Oh by the way, if I did make myself clear they are junk. Great post thank you for the time you invested it will save me time looking for the flowmaster replacement!
Last edited by driver8; 07-25-2006 at 11:08 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
thanks for the comments guys. i gotta get a wot driveby run sometime
anyway i had the flowmaster american thunder and had no problems with it. it sounded good and performed good too. just wasnt loud/mean enough for me anymore so i just swapped in a new muffler and cut out the old one.
check the exhaust sound clips thread for clips of alot of catbacks including my old flowmaster flyby
I hate my flowmater american thunder what a waste of time and money. The fit is sub par at best. I just finished my ground up restore and had nothing but problem. They hit the driveshaft balance, burned a hole it a new e brake cable, hits in four spots on the fresh paint under the car and to top it all off every time the trans shift it bang the pan hard.
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Oh by the way, if I did make myself clear they are junk. Great post thank you for the time you invested it will save me time looking for the flowmaster replacement!
Quite honestly, that's my experience with flowmaster as well. I hate them with a passion. Many people like them, but many don't. It's a love/hate thing.
Yeah Orr, your car sounds AWESOME. I can't believe that's a basically stock L98. You're really making me consider going with a powerstick setup like that (I change exhaust often, to try new sounds), basically I'd have 1 3/4" LTs, 3" collectors to 3" uncatted Y-pipe, 3" powerstick, 3" over the axle split into dual 2.5" exits. Could sound good.
Quite honestly, that's my experience with flowmaster as well. I hate them with a passion. Many people like them, but many don't. It's a love/hate thing.
Yeah Orr, your car sounds AWESOME. I can't believe that's a basically stock L98. You're really making me consider going with a powerstick setup like that (I change exhaust often, to try new sounds), basically I'd have 1 3/4" LTs, 3" collectors to 3" uncatted Y-pipe, 3" powerstick, 3" over the axle split into dual 2.5" exits. Could sound good.
i think flowmaster 40 series sound best on carbed motors with decent compression and cam. cams with narrower lsa. also on cars with no cats and true duals. those old muscle cars with mild motors sound mean with those 40 series. true duals helps that sound out alot.
and urban, thats the setup i want to have.. i still have to have the dual exits fabbed up out the back of the car. just decided to do a LT1 intake mani swap first and leave exhaust dumped for now. i really want to dump the cat or get a high flow unit to really see how it sounds. i bet it would sound alot better.
I just like to contribute lol. I remember being a newbie to cars, if it wasn't for this site and my '85 Z28 I probably wouldn't know much at all about performance work. Thanks for the compliments
im not versed on the exhaust thing at all mr. urbanhunter44 will you PLEASE give me a cost effective idea on what to run on my 350. i did a swap on my 82 z28, i put flowtech performance headers,with power plenum collectors, parallel ground pt.#342, my torque arm adapter will arrive tommorrow, and the exhaust is all thats left in a long awaited test drive, you sound like you know your chit, if you would sir please show me the way
im not versed on the exhaust thing at all mr. urbanhunter44 will you PLEASE give me a cost effective idea on what to run on my 350. i did a swap on my 82 z28, i put flowtech performance headers,with power plenum collectors, parallel ground pt.#342, my torque arm adapter will arrive tommorrow, and the exhaust is all thats left in a long awaited test drive, you sound like you know your chit, if you would sir please show me the way
Are you running a cat. or not? If you want all out budget, go with the Dynomax Super Turbo system. Pt. # WLK-17493 from Summit Racing. If you want a little more bark in the exhaust, go with the Hooker Super Comp. system Pt. # HOK-16820HKR from Summit Racing.
Urbanhunter, feel free to chime in and tweak my suggestions as you see fit.
whats rong with using magnaflow on a tpi powerd car is it restriction or what cause i have one going on my car this week
No, it will not be a restriction. The performance will be great. Just on TPI powered vehicles the muffler tends to undercut the tone, so if you have a cam you won't hear the idle at all and it won't sound quite as mean as the LT1s they were designed for. But give it a try, you may like it.
im not versed on the exhaust thing at all mr. urbanhunter44 will you PLEASE give me a cost effective idea on what to run on my 350. i did a swap on my 82 z28, i put flowtech performance headers,with power plenum collectors, parallel ground pt.#342, my torque arm adapter will arrive tommorrow, and the exhaust is all thats left in a long awaited test drive, you sound like you know your chit, if you would sir please show me the way
A cost effective idea.. if you want to go REALLY cheap, just hook up the stock **** and get dual cutouts
As for anything past that, unclechuckles is on the right track. Personally I'd recommend a 3" hooker system (they're both listed above), great bang for the buck catbacks - a tad on the quiet side, but it'll work fine for ya.
What's your whole setup? I'm willing to bet the flowtechs are holding you back alot. Better than the stock sh!t for sure, but not as good as a set of hooker 2055s.
Last edited by urbanhunter44; 07-30-2006 at 02:35 PM.
This muffler undercuts tone alot, making it a poor choice for a TPI inducted ride. As far as performance, they're an excellent choice.
What do you mean it's a poor choice for TPI? I have a 305 TPI '89 Iroc that i'm installing hooker 2055 headers on now and was planning on going with magnaflow... is that a bad choice? I'd do borla but $240 just for the muffler is a bit steep...
I'm curious as to how "different" it sounds? I'm definitely after the deepest tone more so than loudest.. I thought Magna had a very high flow and could provide me with the sound i'm looking for. If i'm wrong.. i still have about a week before ordering, is there a better option for me? Thanks-
i'm not sure... the cam and heads on lt1 do flow abit more than a L98 or 305... and optispark is different from distributor motors. so its probly gonna have minor differences
I have a couple of video clips from an 88 IROC 350 with the new SDT series Edelbrock CatBack exhaust system installed. It comes with a 3 inch aluminized I-pipe, the new improved Edelbrock SDT (Sound Deflection Technology) muffler and two 2.5 inch stainless steel tailpipes. The IROC in these videos is completely stock except for the exhaust and a CRT Performance Airfoil.
The first clip is the startup with idling and a few nice revs (please excuse the quality, I had to use a digital photo camera with limited video capability):
Thanks goes to IROCthe5.7L for finding me some webspace for these files!
Here is a link to the Edelbrock website, with a pic of what the new SDT system looks like (keep in mind this isn't the exact part that our cars take): Edelbrock.com - Exhaust - Cat-Back Systems
The system is an easy install using all the original OEM hangers the car offers. They use these nice high-quality bands to hang up the system now, not the brackets which are pictured. I bought my system at Summit Racing (amazing customer service!), and it arrived at my house in TWO DAYS!!! The system has an amazing price, only $295 including the handling fee of 10 dollars. Check out Summit Racing if you are interested, however don't be fooled by the outdated info they have on their website. The website has an old pic and outdated info of the former RPM system. Since Edelbrock is phasing out the RPM system and replacing it with the new SDT system, when you order from Summit you will get the nice new SDT system, not the crappy old RPM system. Both W72 and I ordered from Summit with the same great results.
ROC on,
JCRULZ
My personal experience with the L98 and the magnaflow is that it doesn't sound anything like it does on an LT1. On my friends heads/cam TPI inducted 350 it sounded weak. It totally hid the idle and didn't "scream" like it should. I put it on my otherwise stock (at the time) LT1 and it sounded like a bat out of hell.
On short-runner and carburated setups, it sounds really good. On a TPI car it doesn't sound as great to me.
question guys ive seen hearthrob cat back exhaust would any body recomend these ,ive seen them alot on 2 guys garage on tv...im thinkin about buyin one with the 3 inch cat back thier hvs muffler and 21/2 tail pipes($250) or mAYBE the hooker catback exhaust.dont know yet i want something that sounds nice while cruising but aggrecive as hell at wot,i dont want that obnoxsious flow masters.
by the way i have a 350 tbi.
Last edited by eschevyrda; 11-10-2006 at 05:24 PM.
Reason: pressed enter by mistake wasnt finish
question guys ive seen hearthrob cat back exhaust would any body recomend these ,ive seen them alot on 2 guys garage on tv...im thinkin about buyin one with the 3 inch cat back thier hvs muffler and 21/2 tail pipes($250) or mAYBE the hooker catback exhaust.dont know yet i want something that sounds nice while cruising but aggrecive as hell at wot,i dont want that obnoxsious flow masters.
by the way i have a 350 tbi.
Where did you find one for our cars? I looked and couldn't find it.
Thanks,
Mike
Has anyone ever put the TSP Rumbler cat-back on thier thirdgen? if so how well did it fit? I'm looking for a cat-back since I dont want to lose ground clearance with true duals. I like the design of the TSP Rumbler. But not a fan of the bullet... I would rather replace it with a muffler from classic chambered.
Has anyone ever put the TSP Rumbler cat-back on thier thirdgen? if so how well did it fit? I'm looking for a cat-back since I dont want to lose ground clearance with true duals. I like the design of the TSP Rumbler. But not a fan of the bullet... I would rather replace it with a muffler from classic chambered.
don't know about the rumbler but my installer has installed just about every brand of cat back for f bodies and he says the magnaflow has the best fit and finish
Has anyone ever put the TSP Rumbler cat-back on thier thirdgen? if so how well did it fit? I'm looking for a cat-back since I dont want to lose ground clearance with true duals. I like the design of the TSP Rumbler. But not a fan of the bullet... I would rather replace it with a muffler from classic chambered.
you definately get a better tone with a chambered tube. i love mine
Has anyone ever put the TSP Rumbler cat-back on thier thirdgen? if so how well did it fit? I'm looking for a cat-back since I dont want to lose ground clearance with true duals. I like the design of the TSP Rumbler. But not a fan of the bullet... I would rather replace it with a muffler from classic chambered.
Yes. I have.
It sounded like a pickup truck with glasspacks. Raspy as hell in the mid rpm range as you can hear at the end of the vid. That snapping/clapping sound has to be the gayest sound ever.
The tailpipes don't line up right. You have to re-bend the pass side tail if you want them to be evenly spaced.
you definately get a better tone with a chambered tube. i love mine
What powerstick did you put on yours? i'm thinking its going o be cheaper to have an exhaust shop bend what I want rather than buying the TSP Rumbler. I was thinking a 3" 26" long powerstick. Thanks for the info abou the TSP Rumbler
How does the mangaflow sound on a 305 carbed car? i'm contemplating the classic chambered but also the magnaflow... I cant make up my mind! If anyone has exhaust clip for a carbed 305 I would really like to hear it. If i ended up going with the classic chambered I'm going to have my exhaust shop fab up something like gmmg cat-back. Bassically my car is sitting in my garage waiting for my choice of exhaust... Anyone know where I can get some 94' style tips? with a 2.5" inlet? Well thats what i'm undecided about... I love the raspy sound but also love the deep tone of magnaflow...
How does the mangaflow sound on a 305 carbed car? i'm contemplating the classic chambered but also the magnaflow... I cant make up my mind! If anyone has exhaust clip for a carbed 305 I would really like to hear it. If i ended up going with the classic chambered I'm going to have my exhaust shop fab up something like gmmg cat-back. Bassically my car is sitting in my garage waiting for my choice of exhaust... Anyone know where I can get some 94' style tips? with a 2.5" inlet? Well thats what i'm undecided about... I love the raspy sound but also love the deep tone of magnaflow...
its smooth and mellow and has a deep balsy tone. It also covers crackling very well. If you get one depending on which setup, u may have to have a different curve to the cat made (i did) but otherwise all you need is a new set of hangers for the rear. i'll get you a clip of my tpi 305 as soon as i get to my studio so i can grab a mic. oh and at wot my car sounds like a tee'd off gorilla!
Last edited by redcamaro83; 03-21-2007 at 09:39 AM.
Reason: punctuation
mr. urbanhunter44 will you PLEASE give me a cost effective idea on what to run on my 350. i did a swap on my 82 z28, i put flowtech performance headers,with power plenum collectors, parallel ground
Raspy as hell in the mid rpm range as you can hear at the end of the vid. That snapping/clapping sound has to be the gayest sound ever. 
