Chr1s46536

Could somebody please give me the true low down on how this muffler sounds

Half the people i have asked say its very loud, the other half say its very quiet.

I am going to be putting one on my 91 Rs V8 soon with a new cat, and a 2.5 inch to the muffler. If anone has a similar system could you please share how it sounds

CaptPicardsZ28

You will like it IMO...When I had mine installed I was a little disappointed cuz I thought it would be louder. After 2 weeks it "broke" in and it sounds great now. Wouldn't put another muffler in my car except an 80 series.

Cadillac

Click me

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

The 80 Series with the 3" in and 2.5" out is one of the best sounding mufflers out there.

Cadillac

I'm biased but I totally agree. "Chr1s46536" has the same engine as me so there is every expectation that my sound clip could be realized in his car verbatim.

IROCThe5.7L

I have headers, 3" exhaust, no cat, and an 80 series (3" in, 2.5" out) and it is pretty darn loud.

If I were you, I'd get 3" pipeing.

CaptPicardsZ28

I had the guy who did my exhaust change my 80 from 3in and 2.5 out to 3in and 3 out.

Chr1s46536

Ive heard that for just an RS with a 305, that a 3inch pipe would be too big for my engine and wouldnt sound as good though

IROCThe5.7L

I disagree.

firebirdjones

I have the 80 series flowmaster on my 350 iroc, I have it modified with 3 inch tailpipes also and no converter. I don't think it is that loud, it doesn't bother my wife so it can't be that bad. Cruising down the highway with the windows up and the air on I don't even here the engine. It has a nice burble to it although I think it would sound better if the engine had more compression, some headers, a small cam etc.....to give it a little more pop...
I have flowmaster exhaust on 5 other of my cars of all different configurations and sizes and I have never been disappointed with the sound of any of them. As a matter of fact, I am currently removing the flowmaster system on my chevelle for a larger setup and I am torn between the new Super 40's or the Delta Force Race Mufflers for that application. Too many decisions but I don't think you would be disappointed with the 80 series for a third gen, I know what you are going through, there are so many choices it's hard to pick, goodluck, Larry.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

To the first half, a factory muffler is loud enough. For the 2nd half, nothing short of open pipes is loud enough.

My family considers mine to be an early warning system that I'm on my way home.

firebirdjones

And theres always the old saying that I believe in......
Loud pipes save lives If they here ya coming atleast they may look first, maybe Larry.

v8nate92RS

Ultimately, its your decision, but hell, my 3" American Thunder Cat-back sounds great on my RS!

mj14sports

Would there be a difference in sound if you had a 3 inch inlet and 3 inch outlet compared to a 3 inch inlet and 2 1/2 inch outlet? I'm still talking about Flowmaster 80 series. Just wondering. Thanks

IROCThe5.7L

I never though so, but IROCZTWENTYGR8 has heard both and says the 3" in, 2.5" out sounds better.

firebirdjones

I have the 80 series on my Iroc, it is the 3 inch inlet and then I had 3 inch tailpipes made to mimic the stock pipes. I really don't think there is a sound difference between 2 1/2 inch tailpipes and the 3 inch tailpipes mainly because there just isn't enough tailpipe there on these cars to make much difference. I just went with 3 inch tailpipes for 2 reasons,,,,one,,,I had to custom make the tailpipes anyway because I don't like the aftermarket tailpipes poking out straight under the bumper so why not do 3 inch since I had to make them anyway.....second,,,,I like the look of 3 inch pipes better, even though it is hard to see mine since they are tucked up underneath like factory. Those are the only 2 reasons I went with 3 inch tailpipes. If you are custom making your tailpipes I would say go for the 3 inch, the cost is or should be about the same anyway so why not, Larry.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

The mufflers themselves are different. The 2.5" outlet muffler is not as big as the all 3" muffler included when you buy the entire system and has a more 40 Series-like sound. It's dimensions are also more similar to the 40 Series. The smaller outlets also don't tend to produce a hollow type sound. If I had a choice I'd take the 2.5" outlet muffler over the 3" just because of the sound difference.

rudyt5000

flowmaster's are the bomb diggity...i just upgraded to headers and got lucky to have the y-pipe come with 3 inch just a lil bit before the flowmaster ....but once i weld the rest of the 3 inch to the muffler im pretty sure i'll have more power and better sound and stick with 2.5 inch tips but make them aluminum even if it cost more .....or save up for the american thunder system then just add headers and y-pipe

btw...i believe there is 2 type of 80 series: 2 chamber (aggressive sound) and 3 chamber (mellower sound)

firebirdjones

Irocztwentygr8 is correct, I guess I should clearify a little more what I did, I purchased the flowmaster muffler seperate as my original rusted recently after 17 years,,,LOL anyway I purchased the one that has the 3 inch inlet and 2 1/2 inch outlets but since I had to make my tailpipes I figure why not go with 3 inch tailpipes so I modified the muffler a little, removing the 2 1/2 inch ends where in necks down so the 3 inch pipes would fit nicely and then after they were bent how I wanted I welded them to the muffler. So assentially I started with the 2 1/2 inch outlet muffler but now I have 3 inch pipes on it. Hope I explained that well enough. Larry.

92RZ

I think cadillac's sound clip sounds pretty good. But what sounds better, an 80 series or a 40?

firebirdjones

The 40 series according to flowmasters catalog is the original flowmaster sound with powerfull and aggressive tone and is listed as a standard type muffler that is single in and single out that would use 2 mufflers on a true dual system. The 80 series is also listed as an aggressive and powerfull tone but this muffler is listed as for there crossflow applications for a single muffler application that will sit sideways in the car as like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen camaros. According to the catalog I have, the series designation is more for the style of muffler and the application and not so much the sound quality. Also according to the catalog the 80 series is all that is listed for our application with the differences being the inlet pipe diameter, one has 2 1/2 inch inlet and dual 2 1/2 inch outlets, the other 80 series has a 3 inch inlet and dual 2 1/2 inch outlets, part numbers are 42583 for the 2 1/2 and 43083 for the 3 inch,,,,,,hope this helps, Larry.

GTA_JOE

Yep, there is 2 different versions of it. The 2 chamber version which is what you get at the local muffler shop and the 3 chamber version that comes with the cat back set ups. I put the American Thunder 3" inlet and 3" dual outlet exhaust on my GTA. It came with the 3 chamber version. It dosen't sound bad, its just not loud. It has a lower beefy tone. Im going to have the regular 80 series 43083 3" inlet 2.5" outlets modified to fit my 3" tails and have it installed this coming Thursday. I just want a more aggresive sound. It sounds good under hard acceleration but under normal load and cruising it sounds mediocre. I think anyways.

IROCThe5.7L

FLO-43083 - 1986-99 Camaro/Firebird: 80 Series, 3''In/2.5 Dual Out - 80 Series ($89.95)

This is a two chambered system?


Then this is the 3 chambered?

FLO-53083 - Muffler, 80 Series, 3 in. Inlet/ Dual 2 1/ 2 in ($103.99)

GTA_JOE

The one that comes with the 3" inlet 3" dual outlet is a 530831. Im having mine replaced with a 43083 and the guy is going to blow out the outlets to 3".

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=egnsearch.asp

rudyt5000

also there is a big difference with 80 series flowmasters on different set up intakes....TBI sounds mellow ....TPI aggressive . My buddies and I had the excact same set up ..no cats 2 chamber flowmasters and stock manifold but since mine was TPI it sounded better than his TBI ...he was upset and i was happy ...i guess TPI sucks in more air and pushes more air so it sounds better

GTA_JOE

Exactly. My dad had a '90 Firebird with the TBI 5.0 and a 2.5" system with no cats and a the smaller 80. It sounded OK but sounded a little mellow, almost had a gurgle to it. Everyone I have had was on a TPI car and they sounded pretty damn sick. Mine will sound like that again next week when I get mine done. hehehe

305q_ta86

iTrader: (1)

And it plain old sounds like *** on a v6.

v8nate92RS

I do not think that any 80-series mufflers are 3-Chamber. The American Thunder systems are supposed to come with 2-Chamber mufflers exclusively. I have the American Thunder system that is 3" all the way to the stainless tips. It sounds good on my 305 TBI, and if TPI cars sound better then WOW, I want to hear it!

Nytmayr

Last summer I went ahead and put a Flowmaster Series 80 muffler on my Formula, and I love it. It isn't real loud, but it is just a bit more than stock. Here are the details: Flowmaster actually makes 2 different 3" in, dual 2.5" out mufflers. They are part # FLO-43083 and FLO-53083(These are Summit Racing part #'s.) The FLO-53083 is 5 inches thick instead of 4 inches, consequently is will give more of a rumble than the 4 inch version. Also, your exact setup can, and will, make a difference. I have a 1992 Formula, 305 TPI, with the dual converter exhaust and the performance enhancement package from the factory. This means I have a 3 inch intermediate pipe from the catalytic converters back to the muffler. I chose to stick with the stock tailpipes, and they direct the sound down and to the rear, making the exhaust note sound not quite as loud and nasty as some others I have heard. The other difference between mine and others that I have heard is that it is a stock engine with converters.

My suggestion is to not be in a real hurry to spend money. Go to some car shows where they have Firebirds, and look, listen and ask questions. That is what I did. I found a guy who had a Firebird at the 2004 PHR Power tour, and he was nice enough to start it up and rev it once or twice for me. After listening to some you can make an informed decision.: thumbsup:

mickman

I had the 80 series on my car and changed it for a dynomax bullet . The bullet is 10x's better. And thats right, this is a 3 chamber muffler wich KILLS HP! Don't do it! Save money and get some type of bullet that will perform and sound way better. The 80 series sounds ok at low RPM but gets real whiny as you get into the throttle. Its a restrictive LOW GRADE muffler to say the least! Hardly better than stock!!!

IROCThe5.7L

Ok dude, please don't bump all the flowmaster threads with this.

mickman

Somebody's has to tell the truth! Its called word of mouth, I feel the truth about flowmaster should be exposed. I'm sorry to hack on your setup, I fell for them too but swapped it out for a better setup. If we both saw a blue car drive by would you want me to tell you it was red?

firebirdjones

Naaaah,, can't be all that bad, my Chevelle runs 11.40's through a pair of flowmasters and hardly picks up anything with open headers. My 70 Firebird picked up 3 tenths and 3 mph when I installed a complete flowmaster kit along with the factory style transverse 80 series flowmaster muffler, which replaced the factory style muffler and pipe system made by Walker. And when I open up the headers on that car it only picks up a tenth, hardly worth the trouble. I would say Flowmaster is not as bad as some people make them out to be. Alot of it has to do with your tune, you free up the exhaust you have to fatten up the fuel mixture to compensate and find a happy spot. Takes alot of time and alot of passes down the strip. I am not bias towards Flowmaster just because I have 6 cars with them, I have tried other mufflers with good results also, I usually come back to flowmaster because I tend to like the sound,,,thats all. No sense in bashing everyones choice in mufflers, they are all pretty decent, everyone just has there own opinion of the kind of sound they are looking for. Larry.

IROCThe5.7L

Thats fine and dandy. Your welcome to your opinion. But don't find every thread in here (including old ones and bump them) with all that. I've had complaints already. I am giving you a fair warning.


I like to defend flowmaster as a lot of you most likely have seen. But I do not find every thread in the exhaust forum and argue or promote the system.



Thank you. Having data > word of mouth

firebirdjones

You are welcome Iroc5.7,,,,I have more data if interested, I have raced all my cars and tried many things over the years, although some of it may not pertain to a 3rd gen F-body since I have many different cars. I like to experiment with things. I am currently going to change the exhaust system yet again on the chevelle in the quest for more speed, still using flowmaster mufflers, just playing with X pipes and larger pipe sizes along with larger headers and the new flowmaster mufflers called the super 40's. I talked to Flowmasters tech line for quite a while about these new mufflers, since I was thinking of going with a race muffler for this car, they told me their new super 40's are pattented and designed after there race/shootout muffler and are very similar with the only difference being the super 40 has a thicker case but overall they are the same width and length with similar baffle design. So I decided to give these a shot, he told me they are the best flowing muffler they have made to date, guess I will find out. Later,,,,Larry.

IROCThe5.7L

Thanks for the info Any data/results you have are always welcome here

mickman

I thought the purpose of a forum was to share information? Wether it be bad or good. Some have good experiences and some have bad. This how we can learn from each other and progress. So all good info is acceptable and negative ones are to be shunned? I'll stop knockin on flowmaster since it seems to be a sensitive subject. From here on I'll keep my nose clean and talk about irrelevant issues that don't offend anyone.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

Not true. I find that each is an individual. My <A title="Best car" style="COLOR: #65b45c; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://69.42.87.204/cgi-bin/ezlclk.fcgi?id=9122" target=_blank>car</A> got louder, especially after it "broke in."<A title="Best car" style="COLOR: #65b45c; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://216.130.188.208/cgi-bin/ezlclk.fcgi?id=9122" target=_blank><A title="Best car" style="COLOR: #65b45c; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://216.130.188.208/cgi-bin/ezlclk.fcgi?id=9122" target=_blank> </A></A>i

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

Personally I don't think the 80's series is very loud nor very aggressive sounding.. of course I run 3" straight pipes, so look who you're talking to. Imho it just isn't loud enough to be on a sports car.

The difference in the flow between flowmasters and something like my setup is minimal, the biggest difference was the change in powerband, moving my torque curve up in the RPMs. While it's true that flowmaster is the WORST flowing of aftermarket brands, the difference in rwhp in your power levels is negligable - probably not more than 5 to the wheels. At larger power levels the difference can be as much as 25 rwhp in an 11 second car. That's just a broad generalization, but it's pretty much true from what I've seen and read.

Pick what you think sounds good if it's just a daily driver.

v8nate92RS

I'll say it again, the 3" 80 series with the American Thunder cat-back is plenty loud on my daily driven RS. I guess most people that say it isn't loud enough are like you, used to open straight pipes. Your comment about picking what you think sounds good is right on.

firebirdjones

I would like to see some real world results with all these mufflers. Everyone says flowmaster stinks etc...has anyone ran there cars with different mufflers and seen any time difference? I have done alot of this, everytime I make a change I go to the track and dial it in, to make sure I am going in the right direction but there is also the fun factor. Some of the cars I have that run with Flowmasters I have actually run at the track both through the mufflers and then open headers, I have to tune the carb to compensate, usually go up on jet a little but in the end, the open headers have not yielded me enough to make it worth while which tells me the flowmasters are not doing a bad job. Of course all of my cars (except the Iroc ) have real dual exhaust systems. On the Iroc and any other 3rd gen that still runs the stock style system, is trying to funnel all that exhaust through a single pipe, with this in mind I could see where a muffler may play a more critical role in performance. Although like what was stated above, most 3rd gens on here are not fast enough to worry about what muffler is better, although there may be a few that would be an exception, but I would think most of the pretty quick ones have fabbed up some type of a dual system anyway.
As far as my Iroc goes, I baselined the car stock, every change I make I will run the car again and see what it yields. I am currently looking into a header and Y-pipe setup, I will then run the car again etc....then maybe intake runners and fuel pressure regulator, run the car again, then I will look into custom burning a chip etc....Maybe some 1.6 rockers blah blah blah, it never ends does it? Anyway,, guess what I mean is seeing some real world differences at the track would be most helpfull here. I do this all the time with my other cars but that would not be 3rd gen related and may upset some people here. Oh well, just babbling again, sorry,,,,it's all fun anyway,,,,Larry.

firebirdjones

Just to add, I am a little curious,,,anyone on here ever try the Edelbrock cat back? I was looking at one and it looks like a very well made system, the muffler has a nice 3 bolt flange to make it easy to remove when it comes to fuel pump time plus the tailpipes look just like the factory ones which really interested me. Just curious what that muffler sounds like and if anyone used that system, I never really see much mention of it on here. Larry.

Abird4u2nv1

iTrader: (-1)

I gonna go on the downside of the flowies. I had the 80 series on mine with no cat and 3" pipe, with 3.5" tips, Sounded great but with a 5-speed when letting off the gas its too raspy for me. Today I put a new Magnaflow muffler on there with everything else the same, I'll keep u guys posted after i break it in, but right now it sounds absolutley beautiful. Kinda like the flowmaster, but not as raspy when letting off the throttle.

firebirdjones

So Abird, your problem with flowmaster seems to be with the sound and not so much the performance then? Did you ever run the car with the flowmaster installed? It would be interesting to see you run the car again with your new muffler and nothing else changed and see if there is actually a performance difference between the two. I don't mean the old butt dyno, I mean actual timeslips. Just curious..as I think alot of other people like seeing real world changes on these cars, it really helps us out when modifying these 3rd gens. Later,,,,Larry.

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

yes I've seen and talked to people that have compared the flowmasters. Like I said before, at low power levels (stock 3rd gen levels) the difference is 5-10 rwhp. Nothing to write home about, but it does show that flowmaster flows the worst.

At higher power levels the differences are much higher, but since those cars already run faster (thus making it harder to gain tenths) the difference on the track isn't seen as a whole lot, but put it on a dyno and you'll see 25+ rwhp differences, equating to about a tenth in an 11 second car.

The differences are usually so small on the track that it can be contributed to driver error, the only way to really see the difference is on a dyno.

mickman

5-10 rwhp is alot to me. 5 here, 7 there, they all add up!

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

Which is why I run straight pipes

mickman

That's right bro! I can't wait to get rid of my cat, then its really gonna sound mean!

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

http://videos.streetfire.net/Player....4-15BDDAD79771


how mine sounds with hooker shorties, 3inch all way out to 80 series on a 350 TPI L98

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I set off the neighbor's car alarm yesterday pulling away from the house.

I wasn't in it that hard, the engine isn't broken in yet.