motokid108

My dad offered to buy me a flowmaster muffler for my '88 IROC since he didnt like how quiet it was. After we got it and had it installed, he still wasn't too happy. Quite honestly, i'm not too impressed either. It's better than the stock muffler, but not by much. He says it's still too quiet, and doesnt like how he cant hear me hauling a** down the street. Overall, i'd give it a 3/10. Could hear it a little better inside, but again not much. 2/10. Outside of the car, you hear it a little better, but like my dad says, he cant hear it going down the road. 4/10. My motor and exhaust are all completely stock, except for the muffler. We're looking for a good, loud rumble. Any suggestions on a better exhaust set up? If i eliminate the cat and add some aftermarket, non EGR headers, would that help? How would that affect the way the car runs? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Radix

Headers, to a true dual exhaust with H pipe and two slp loudmouths

robguitargod1

iTrader: (4)

First make sure OR won't bend you over for not having a CAT. Next read this sticky. Magnaflow seems to be a solid choice around here.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...tart-here.html

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

If you think the flowmaster 80 is too quiet. DO NOT go with a magnaflow.

Having said that, there is a line between being louder and sounding good. Straight pipes is loud but sounds terrible.

First off, no cat is illegal.

My car, with shorties and an 80 series, can be heard for several miles. On a quiet day my wife can hear me going to work for several minutes. Also one quiet night my dad heard me get on it 3 miles away.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

yeah honestly if you dont like the sound of the flowmasters 80 idk what else youll like, my v6 sounds like a v8 and is loud, i can fire it up and walk inside and hear it idleing outside, screams when i get on it. so im not sure whats going on with yours, mines a 2.5 inch though so yours might be smaller.

Phenom-1

Yeah, mine has Flowmaster 80's Series 3" pipes w' exhaust tips at an Angle cut, When I take off even just touching the pedal you can hear it a block away, you should make a vid on YouTube. Let me find a good Flowmaster vid for you.

This is like 98% what mine sounds like:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEQ2LWQjpSfo&v=EQ2LWQjpSfo&gl=US

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

yeah my girl always says she can hear me coming down her block when i go to her house and last winter after i got the exhaust put on i would let me car sit outside and run to warm up and we could hear it idleing sitting in her kitchen while we were waiting and eating.

Phenom-1

Another

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

You want a loud Flowmaster? You chose the wrong one. Get a 40-series/2-chamber. If you really wanna get obnoxiously loud, get a Flowmaster 1-chamber.

As for the comment above about Magnaflow not being loud? It is mild when it needs to be a part throttle & cruising, but at wide open throttle? I know it is there & so does everyone around me!

Phenom-1

It sounds a little bit deeper on the 5.7 TPIs like mine but on 5.0 TPI as long as its 3" it still has a good rumble.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

At idle and cruise the Magnaflow is a lot quieter. Inside and out. At WOT, the magnaflow gets pretty loud, but by the original post, I dont think that is what they want. Sounds like they want something loud all the time.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Just ditch the muffler 100% & run the cat-only for emissions/inspection purposes. I know that is legal to do here in TX, since I have done it before.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

Only problem with that is they sound like crap with no muffler. Like I mentioned above, there is a line between being louder and sounding good.

Phenom-1

If you wanna be loud all the time & louder than Flowmaster 80's Series you Really want Headers, just have to deal with whether their legal or not. They aren't legal here In CA for smog cars

Ron U.S.M.C.

I have the 3" American Thunder Flowmaster cat back that came with the 80 series muffler and I agree with some of the others about it being loud. Mine started out loud and got louder and deeper over the years. Kind of like a break in period. I have stock manifolds and a Magnaflow cat leading into the 3" cat back and sounds similar to this video only deeper.Granted the car in the video showing the rusty muffler and what looks like stock diameter tips and looks nothing like my car ,it does have the sound.The only thing I can think of that could be holding you back is the stock piping. Any way here's the video =

gmstrong

put a straight pipe in place of the muffler like said above,best bang for the buck.100 bucks says youll thank me so will your dad,I got true dual straight pipes on my vortec 350 also had them on my lt1 caprice best sounding exhaust around.They only sound like *** when you run pipes larger then 2 1/2.i run 2-2 1/4 pipes they sound great,but i like my 350's loud.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

There is your problem. you can't expect a stock 305 tbi to sound like a big block rolling down the street. Add a set of headers and you'll probably be alot happier. And if you don't have emissions in your area, you could always ditch the cat converter.

motokid108

When i got it installed, I asked the guy about true duals. He said that A. I could run it in the same way as single into dual but only get 2" pipes. Or 2. i would have to take off the torque arm underneath and re-route the fuel lines.

motokid108

As for emissions, where i'm at, we dont run smog checks mandatory. I know a county or 2 over they do though.

motokid108

If i pull the cat and run non EGR headers, how would that affect the fuel injection? Would it still run? I plan on swapping motor and going carbbed in the future anyways but i want better sound now.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Was thinking about getting a magnaflow muffler for the opposite reasons the the OP wants. I need a quieter exhaust. I have a flowmaster catback exhaust system (Am. thunder) and it has been good to me for the past 5 years i've had it, love the sound but yes there is droning during idle and on the highway and yes to have a conversation with people you have to somewhat speak loudly, but now I'm moving into a new house with tenants and I'll need a quieter exhaust to avoid complaints. Plus I'll be installing hushmat all around the interior so that will help as well with the interior noise. Ofcourse, I still want it to be loud as hell when I'm at WOT. >

A Magnaflow muffler seems like the best option here.. Can you just put on the muffler or do you need to purchase the whole system?

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

my stock 305 with a flowmaster was pretty loud. but i also had 3 inch pipe and high flow cat.

flowmasters tend to be the loudest of the muffler choices really..if you want louder install an electric cutout after the cat.

MaxpowerTA

I have the flowmaster 3" catback system and wanted it quiter in my vert so i installed the magnaflow muffler, so yes it can be done. The OP's main problem is he put that flowmaster on the stock system, If he installs the whole 3" catback system it will be plenty loud.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

MaxPower, since you have the LB9 and so do I, I'm assuming you have the same 3" flowmaster system as mine. Mine is a 3" catback system, which I think means the muffler is a 3" INLET and 2.5" outlet? (I believe the tips are 2.5" tips and not 3").. And did you re-use the Flowmaster tips on the Magnaflow muffler or did you buy new tips from Magnaflow?

And i've read some numbers that magnaflow's muffler outperforms flowmaster's, but is quieter during idle/part throttle but louder during full throttle.. There was a pic from a thread on TGO where it shows all the brands of exhausts and their decibel output numbers, and magnaflow was a good compromise.

*Also, not trying to hijack OP's thread sorry!*

To OP: To increase the sound of your car you might want to consider a more aggressive cam, headers, gutting the cat or cat delete altogether, and as mentioned above a full 3" flowmaster 3" exhaust system.

HotRodLarry

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

It does boil down to a bunch of things to create the sound it makes. Depending on cam, heads, cubic inches, header size, type of cat and exhaust size, muffler, tips size and type (perforated, angle, straight), etc. Believe me, I can hear it LOUD and clear under my seat and with the windows closed and on the highway it's tough to have a convo. At idle, there is a loud drone and vibration throughout the car, and on a hot day it's not pleasant, but I've been with it for over 5 years now and loved it but my tastes have changed and moving into a house with tenants caused me to quiet down the ride slightly.

My outlet tips are 3" not 2.5". That means this magnaflow muffler will not fit: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-14267/

Which magnaflow muffler fits the flowmaster system?

ringo234

edlebrock headers are 50 state legal.

Sickness91Z28

iTrader: (1)

exactly. I have electric cutouts on my 91 Z28, my 99 WS6 Trans Am and I have dual electric cutouts on my 2010 Camaro SS...I can have it insanely loud when I want.....the best of both worlds.

IROCThe5.7L

I'm sure this was said already. But that's your problem. In my opinion any muffler you put on there isn't going to be much louder. Unless you go with a straight through design. But those tend to get real raspy on stock motors. Throw headers and a 3" exhaust on that thing and it will be louder. Even better if you add a high flow cat on it.

Here's my stock L98 with a full exhaust and a 80 series:

motokid108

I've still yet to get any feedback on eliminating the EGR set up. If i pull the cat, (Which im 90% sure i can do here because where i'm at we dont have mandatory emissions) how will that effect the fuel injection? It's TBI, and i understand you need the O2 sensor to get the right fuel ratio, but i plan on going carbbed later on down the road anyways. So if i eliminate the EGR work now, how would that affect the way it runs now? I'm fairly low on funds, so i'd like to get some headers that will work now, and after i do my motor swap. Would that be possible? I assume so long as it's still small block, it would work.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Regardless of a State's Emissions requirement, the catalytic converter is a Federal item. Like here in Texas? Most counties don't do Emissions testings (like mine) but the cat is still a required item to be on the car for the visual portion of Inspections. Nothing to say it can't be gutted out or even just the outer shell of a cat on a straight tube (better exhaust flow than a gutted cat) but visually when the inspector looks under the car? It has to appear to be there, but nothing says it has to work.

But with a good modern (all the modern ones are "high-flow" cat, like a good Magnaflow cat? Your only looking at about a 1-2hp loss. Is that tiny loss worth the possible fine for tampering with a Federally required item? Your choice, but it isn't worth it to me.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

if you remove the EGR, you will get a code in the computer and your check engine light will always be on. The only way to avoid that is to remove the egr and have a custom tune put into the computer.

88camaroscv6

iTrader: (1)

it might take a little while for the flowmaster to break in, when my brother first installed his it was really quiet and we were disappointed but now that its broken in it actually isnt bad, you might wasnt to change out the pipes to 3 inch, my 80s sound really good and deep compared to my brothers buy i have 3 inch pipes all the way

Shane B

I love my Flowmaster 80 series with gutted cat and 3in piping,has that old muscle car sound....well as much as a 5.slow can!! lol.But in all honesty I love the way my car sounds with gutted cat,3 in pipe and 80 series flowmaster.I guess the 5 speed helps also.You have to remember,our cars came stock with some pretty tiny piping.Opening the piping up helps alot with any muffler you choose.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Just realized I have a flowmaster 3" system with a BLACK muffler.. Which flowmaster version has the black muffler?

My tips are indeed 2.5" so I'll probably go with the higher flow, yet quieter Magnaflow muffler: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-14267/

jtsk

iTrader: (3)

here's a clip that sounds pretty loud, maybe give these a try.

thatsupnow

just get a 3" american thunder flowmaster system you wont be dissapointed it will sound great once its broken in

Manic Z

iTrader: (1)

The american thunder system already uses the 80 series muffler.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Thats correct, (some of this has been said already by me but I wanted to add to it)The American thunder is 3"all the way, including the exit pipes Thats showing that the stock pipes and stock cat are holding him back.The American thunder is what I have and even with the stock manifolds and stock "Y"(I have the Magnaflow CAT) pipe it sounds nice and loud. I can hear mine in the car very clearly. Not too loud but just enough to listen to the car/exhaust. I would be "very" disappointed if I could not hear the engine/exhaust while driving the car.Most of the time I don't even run the radio for that very reason.

PS,you will want 3" piping and the highflow cat (or gutted)with any muffler you have so you wont be wasting your money on the up-grade.

makingPAIN

hallow out your converter ir buy a test pip it will make it nice sounding

89blackbird89

Sry a little off topic but I recently purchase an exhaust system from someone in my local area it has the stock y pipe which goes to a 2 chamber Flowmaster single in dual out where the cat used to be and 2 pipes running side by side in the stock location to the rear with 2 4" chrome tips... It is LOUD! And my car is only a v6 I'm setting car alarms off I need a different muffler to help quiet it down any suggestions?? I'm looking at a dynomax right now would this be quieter??

motokid108

'89 blackbird, You wanna trade? lol

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Still have the stock muffler/tailpipe assembly, or did the shop hack it up during removal?

89blackbird89

Lol no I like the exhaust I'm just trying to find the right tip and muffler combo so I'm going to downsize to 3" tips and possibly a magnaflow not sure yet. Yes I still have the stock exhaust for airfare purposes

ringo234

I have Dyno Don's headers (1 3/4" primaries - 2 1/2" collectors) to dual Magnaflow high flow Cats (2 1" in and out) to Dyno Don's 3" out Y-pipe to Magnaflow high flow muffler. It is loud enough I can't use my phone in hands free mode with windows open. I also have gotten complaints from the Home owners association.

white1991rs

Get headers, lose the cat., and install an electric cutout if your tryin' to get real loud. You could always try selling your old muffler on the third gen classifieds to get money for a new set up.

Dabesiv

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2.5" catback going to a V-force muffler, its like a flowmaster but cheaper, and then it splits to two 2.5" out the back with 3" tips. My buddies say they know when im outside because things are shaking in the house and on a cold morning at start up if you are behind the car it can hurt your ears a bit. Granted everyone likes their own things, mine is loud but not enough for me, so im doing an electric cutout next. A guy in my car club has a '92 RS and just did 3" cat delete ( we have no emissions testing here) to flowmaster 40 series and it sounds amazing, loud and very throaty.

FireDemonSiC

ORLY?

Azrael91966669

peanut cam and stock manifolds into 2 1/4 exhaust make for quiet sounds
the zz3 cam headers into 2 1/2 pipe make for a stupid loud exhaust

i wanted tone decent sounding idle low driving volume and loud wot but instead i got loud all the time lol

Ivos

I had the Flowmaster catback with the 80 series muffler and it wasn't much louder than stock. I went with the hooker aerochamber catback. It uses a chambered muffler instead of one with baffles. I think it sounds awesome, and its not too expensive.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-16823HKR/