I have a 1969 Chevelle 396 that I would like to have sound more aggressive. It has standard exhaust manifolds. I would like to keep the stock manifolds and install a pair of Flowmaster mufflers. I would like to hear from anybody who has installed 40 Series on their Chevelles, any feedback would be great.

Thank you
Paul

Everyone seems to love them. Check out this link.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121459&highlight=flowmaster

Not everyone!! I ran the 40 series 2 chamber for two years, the sound at idle and low rpms was great, but at higher rpms, they sounded tinny. And I have heard this complaint from many others. Remember, everyone has their own likes and dislikes...I disliked them enough to sell them to a friend, and I bought Dynomax ultra flow ovals. Love the sound, they sound just as aggressive at low speeds, but they keep the same deep tone all the way up thru. No match, as far as Im concerned. Im sure others will disagree, but thats my take on it. I think a straight thru muffler has a much better sound than a baffled muffler. Oh, and both of these are very loud!

Concur with the Dynomax mufflers although I am using the shorter 18" version. Great when oyu get on it. And with the CA "greenies" waiting for any excuse to look under your hood. Quieter at idle and cruise is more better.

About to install the FLO-17200, 3" kit with 30 series mufflers. I will let you know if I can still hear.

Muffler sound is a matter of personal taste and what one guy loves, another hates. Try to do some sample listening before you decide which ones suit YOUR tastes. Hit some local car shows or places that rodders hang out and ask for a demo. They don't have to be Chevelles (or even Chevies). Traditionally, mufflers are designed to smooth out the natural sounds of combustion but Flowmaster and some others don't. To me, their sound is like open headers but from a distance. My El Camino has 40 series and I love them. I put Dynomax's on my `65 Corvette but wound up replacing them with FM 40's to get the sound "I" wanted. Again, determine what sound YOU like before you buy.

www.dynomax.com
20" Ultra-Flo's on mine

I loves my Flowmasters ,man!!!!:thumbsup:

I personally dislike "FLOWDISASTERS" and everyone has them. I am running dual dynomax's with a 3inch kit froms jegs. I think that it sounds great and it's just something different than what most people are running. Does anyone know if you can post a sound clip on any of the forums on this site?

Two chamber Flowmasters are great, for the first 45 minutes, you cruise around thinking "man this sounds awesome", then the initial "woo hoos" wear off, and they slowly become too loud.

I wonder if any of the motorcycle guys have regret after drag pipe installs.
Got behind a couple of Jap cruisers with drag pipes, and thought to myself, "they can't possible like that sound".

Just remember, there is a lot more that contributes to the sound than just the mufflers. To really compare mufflers, idealy, you would want to compare them on the same engine, pipes etc. I have heard FM's that I didn't like and I have heard dynomax that I didn't like too. I have also heard each that sounds great as well. I am running FM's behind my 454, Isky 620 solid roller, aluminum rectangle port heads, hooker 1/78 SC's, 3" pipes w/H cross over, then through the 40 series and tail pipes. Mine has a sound like "If ya touch me, I'll eat ya" and I get comments all the time on how good it sounds. When I romp on it, ya it's loud, but it's a goooood loud :D

Gaz

My 1970 396/402 soundclip is on Pypes website if you want to hear it. More aggressive than Flow's from BEHIND the car, but quieter INSIDE the car. I took flow's off of a smaller system before putting the Pypes system on.

Here's a link to the site with the soundclips: http://www.pypesexhaust.com/sounds-gm-abody.html

Mine is the 70SS with Streetpro's.

.......I would like to hear from anybody who has installed 40 Series on their Chevelles, any feedback would be great.

FYI - Flowmaster makes a bunch of different sounding mufflers (I counted 12 twelve on their web page) and three are 40 series; Standard 40 series, Super 40’s and the Delta Flow 40 series. Some posts I’ve read just mention Flowmaster or 40 series and this is not telling the whole story.

:) Super 40’s are a fairly new muffler to the Flowmaster line up. I bought a set last spring for my 67 BB and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Im mulling this one over too..I have 396 with the FM American Thunder 2.5" system, using the crossover..I am pretty sure the mufflers are 30 series that come with the kit. It sounds really good, but sometimes I wonder if a little more volume would be ok? I think that the crossover would probably have a bit of a mellowing effect on the 2 chamber 40's if I went that way..

Wondering if anyone has this system and has made the change from 30's to 40's..?

....three are 40 series; Standard 40 series, Super 40’s and the Delta Flow 40 series....

As far as I know all three models of 40 series Flowmaster mufflers are 2 chamber design. According to Flowmaster each one has is own distinctive sound.

I have the 50 series 3 chamber Delta Flow Flowmasters.
No resonating noise at all inside the car, yet they give me that famous Flowmaster sound.
JMO

I just bought the super 40's on Ebay for $70 each shipped. I will post 2 sound clips when I get/install them next week. One of my current setup and one with the super 40's.

I'm running a 502 with headers and full 3" H pipe exhaust. Currently have Cherry bomb Vortex mufflers.


I ran original 40 series on my 70 Camaro which had a 300hp small block and 2.5 exhaust dumped at the axle. Really liked the sound, but hoping the super 40's will be deeper. Here's a sound clip from that setup....

Might have to turn up your volume a little.

http://media.putfile.com/70-camaro-idle

I gotta try and find the rate of flow links page to post it here.

Flow master simply do not flow as well as the other major players with both chambered and turbo mufflers. Off the top of my head here but dynomax, hooker aerochambers and magnaflow just flat out MURDER flowmasters in performance and flow numbers. In fact I believe they are a ways down the list in terms of breathing.

I ran them for years and grew tired of the tinny type sound and I can tell when someone is running flows from a mile away since, well, its what every mustang owner I have ever encountered has run. Not that its a bad thing, I can just tell when someone is running them.

Magnaflow, dynomax and hooker aerochambers are the only choices for me from here on out. Spintech makes good flowing mufflers but they're too darn "cackle like a nitro car" for my personal tastes.

So ask yourself when looking at mufflers - do you want performance or sound or BOTH and then look from there and compromise as need be.

I look more at flow numbers and I like a deep sounding muffler without serious resonance and that always seems to bring me back to the 3 I mentioned above.

What sounds good on the outside may not sound so good on the inside. Dont forget to consider the condition of your interior. If you're interior is just a strip of carpet on the bare metal, I'd expect any muffler to be annoying after awhile. If you have sound deadener and a couple of layers of material on the floor, that will mute down any volume in the interior while your mufflers can be setting off alarms on the outside!

i have 2.5 exhaust with 2 chambers and i love it and its not to loud for me...but i have gear drive to and drive with the radio really LOUD!

I'm running 2.5" flowtech Terminators dumped at the rear axle. They really have a nice sound especially on the upper rpm scale. Sound levels May be a bit offensive to some, but I like them more than FM's.

I have the 50 series 3 chamber Delta Flow Flowmasters.
No resonating noise at all inside the car, yet they give me that famous Flowmaster sound.
JMO
Just put these on my 73 corvette 454 roller motor and really am pleased. Not too loud but enough to let you know that your about to get your feelings hurt.

Well, I got my new Flowmaster Super 40's today and installed them. Not really pleased with them. Tomorrow I'm going to put my old mufflers back on. The super 40's tone sounds good, but they have too much of an echo to them. The cam notes from the exhaust just sounds too muffled or echoed. To be honest, I was hoping they were going to be a little bit louder too.

There is an extremely good sale on the Pypes Race Pro and Violator Mufflers. The Violator has the sound of FM but the high flow of a straight thru muffler like the DynoMax UltraFlow. Click on this link.

http://www.pypesexhaust.com/newproducts.html

In the meantime, the first person to e-mail me will receive a FREE pair of Pypes mufflers mentioned above.

The Catch:

1. You must include your name address, model, year and muffler size and configuration needed.
2. You must install the mufflers withing 21 days and you must reply in this topic and give the membership your review of the mufflers.

email sent :thumbsup:

i have flowmaster 40 series(not sure which ones) in my chevelle. 3" all the way back with a 350 .480 lift cam. sounds good but also sounds like i have subs in my trunk when im at a stoplight.

I ran them for years and grew tired of the tinny type sound and I can tell when someone is running flows from a mile away since, well, its what every mustang owner I have ever encountered has run.

Flowmasters and 5.0/4.6 Mustangs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

BTW you don't think the Ultraflows/Aerochambers really have all that much interior resonance do you?

dynomax, hooker aerochambers and magnaflow just flat out MURDER flowmasters in performance and flow numbers.

I just put Magnaflow mufflers on my 64 C10 with 350. I love them. Very quiet unless you really romp on it.

I have the "stock" mufflers on mine, the kind you would get from Ground Up, the Paddock, etc. The cases are 20" long and they have a nice deep tone inside the car at cruise. To really hear them, you have to be behind the car. Outside the car they have a nice rumble and you can hear the cam just fine. I don't know who makes them and I couldn't find a name on the case. If I ever win the lottery, I'd like to put the original chambered type exhaust system on it.

I have an American thunder system (2.5 inch)on my 388 stroker with 40 series Flowmaster, Dynaflow headers, if it was my daily driver I think I would have a problem with the interior drone. But for a weekend cruiser, that what American Muscle cars are all about, sounding mean and letting the fart cannon crowd know what torque is all about!

that what American Muscle cars are all about, sounding mean and letting the fart cannon crowd know what torque is all about!


If you cant HEAR me Coming .. IT MEANS I AM NOT :eek:

Hey guys,

Chris from Pypes Exhaust is going to send me a pair of their Violator mufflers sometime next week. Once I get them installed I will be posting a review on them as well as a sound clip. Can't wait!

I'll also be posting sound clips this evening of my Cherry bomb Vortex mufflers and the Flowmaster Super 40's.

Flowmasters and 5.0/4.6 Mustangs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

BTW you don't think the Ultraflows/Aerochambers really have all that much interior resonance do you?


Aero's on my 05 Sierra with the 5.3, tuned, intake, etc. None.

I get more resonance from my cold air intake than the mufflers. You can hear them when you open it up but at cruise on the freeway, etc - none. AND - its dumped under the bed, before the axle not even running them out the back. still no resonance.

I really like them so far.

OK, here's the sound clips of the Vortex and Flowmaster mufflers on my car....

GM ZZ502 BB crate motor
Hooker Super Comp headers
Torque Tech full 3" H-pipe exhaust

Idle-1500-2000-2500-4000rev

With Cherry Bomb Vortex mufflers.... http://media.putfile.com/Chevelle-Vortex-Mufflers

With Flowmaster Super 40 mufflers.... http://media.putfile.com/Chevelle-Flowmaster-Super-40s


I personnally like the Vortex mufflers better. In person they seem to accent the cam notes better. The Flows have a slightly deeper tone, but seem more muffled or echoed. The cam notes are drowned out a bit. Both mufflers are surprisingly pretty quiet inside the car, but the Flowmasters do give a little more interior noise. So, as of now I'm gonna stick with the Vortex, but will be testing out a pair of Pypes Violator mufflers soon.

Actually I have these on My Chevelle and :) Love them...

http://www.flopro.com/VForcehdr.jpg

http://www.flopro.com/VForce.htm

FYI, V-Force=Pypes ProV Good quality, great sound, but not the best flow for higher horsepower motors.

i did not read all of these and dont know if anyone mention them but i have and love the hooker aero chambers on my 496 they sounds great . i also had a set of them on my 95 mustang GT . they sounded great on it also to have a stock h pipe and 4 cats on it ..

the hookers is the only muffler i will ever use again .

oh and did i mention the aeros sound good on a rev limiter :D

I just installed my Pypes Violator mufflers this weekend. I received the muffler's for free from Pypes as long as I posted my thoughts on them in this forum. This is my honest review of them. Pypes made it clear that they wanted me to post my honest opinion of them, good or bad, so here it is...


Quality/Appearance

The mufflers seem to be well built. Nice, even welds and sturdy construction. It would take a hard blow to dent these badboys. Definitely not a flimsy muffler! The only slight downside would be their appearance. The welds stand out and there is slight discoloration around the welds. One side of the muffler has a weld straight down the center too. So, if you need a show car muffler, it would be wise to wait for their next production run which, I was informed, will not have the seams in the middle of the muffler. I was also told the next run will have a large ‘Violator’ logo instead.


Sound/Performance

These mufflers are a straight through design. So for those that are looking for max flow, these fit the bill. These mufflers can be mounted in either direction with a different sound each way. The tube through the muffler has little perforations or sound deflectors raised up. One direction the exhaust would flow more smoothly over them and the other direction would produce an even louder sound. I installed mine in the direction advertised as being the louder of the two. As for the sound, two words describe them... LOUD and UNIQUE! These mufflers were built for those like me who like loud exhaust. These are definitely the loudest mufflers I've had on the car so far. Although they are loud outside the car, they seem to not have a terrible drone sound inside the car. I haven't done road testing yet, so this is just based on idling and holding certain rpm ranges while in park. The mufflers have a unique sound that I haven't heard before. They're not quite the same, echo sounding muffler like a chambered design. They also aren't as deep sounding as some other mufflers either. The tone is more of a mid pitched muffler, but they definitely have an aggressive sound. The cam notes are well defined and "on top" of the overall sound. Sometimes cam notes can be muffled or drowned out in a muffler, but with these that's not the case. They also have a slight "crackle and pop" sound to them, but I was told this would not be present with the mufflers mounted in the opposite direction, with the flow going over the louvers instead of into them. Overall, the sound is loud and aggressive with a mid tone. Definitely a unique sound that will demand attention, before and after you arrive!

Here's an actual sound clip of the mufflers on my car.... http://media.putfile.com/Chevelle-with-Violator-mufflers

Overall, I'm pleased with the mufflers. They are loud and attention grabbing, as I like. The sound is definitely unique, and grows on me more and more each time I fire the car up. I'm used to a deeper sounding muffler, but it's a nice change from the same old sound that every other car at the cruise in has. So, if you're looking for an attention grabber with a unique sound, I would recommend Pypes' Violator mufflers


My engine and exhaust setup...

GM zz502 crate engine
Hooker Super Comp headers
Torque Tech full 3" H-pipe exhaust
Pypes Violator mufflers


Previous mufflers...
Cherry Bomb Vortex (original version) http://media.putfile.com/Chevelle-Vortex-Mufflers
Flowmaster Super 40 http://media.putfile.com/Chevelle-Flowmaster-Super-40s

I love my Pypes street-pro mufflers. You can hear my car on the Pypes site:

http://www.pypesexhaust.com/gallery58.html

Finally got a nice day to take the Chevelle for a spin. I like the Violator mufflers even more now! They sound awesome while getting on it a bit. :D

I do not like my flow masters and have been looking for the right muffler for me. The Flowmasters are Too loud and can't stand the rap from the exhaust tip at WOT. They would sound better at WOT if no tail pipes, but than you run into another annoying problem with fumes and loud in car at cruising speeds.

Phil, thanks for the review ! Any chance you could put your videos up on youtube or something ? those links doesn´t work very good after all these years LOL
Would love to hear how your car sound as I have a ZZ502 myself, and I am about to put violators on my 65, I have FM 40´s now.. Would be great :-)

Flow master simply do not flow as well as the other major players with both chambered and turbo mufflers. Off the top of my head here but dynomax, hooker aerochambers and magnaflow just flat out MURDER flowmasters in performance and flow numbers. In fact I believe they are a ways down the list in terms of breathing.



:yes:

IMO this is a alternative type of system that will give you greater RWHP and Torque plus be a Mandrel bent system that allows for 20% to 30% higher flow with a X-Pipe, all stainless steel with lifetime warranty. This is a straight thru design that has less back pressure and eliminates the annoying drone inside the car.

Part# 15898 (http://www.magnaflowplus.com/ShowItem/101729%20Stainless%20Steel%20Cat-Back%20System,%20Mandrel-Bent.aspx) 3" complete system.

Here is a sound clip of my Chevelle with a 383 plus headers from Hedman this is a 3" system. Click Here (http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/domestic/gml.htm) for launch.
Click Here (http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/domestic/gmd.htm) for Drive by.

Please feel free to call, email or PM me anytime with questions or for Low Forum Pricing.

Regards,
Don
JDP Motorsports/Magnaflowplus
888-308-6007

Flowmaster simply do not flow as well as the other major players

In fact I believe they are way down the list in terms of breathing.

I ran them for years and grew tired of the tinny type sound



I can tell when someone is running flows from a mile away



Same here...leads to the "Oh, no!" reflex. :(

Guess we got enough "attention" while we were kids growing up. :beers:

Phil, thanks for the review ! Any chance you could put your videos up on youtube or something ? those links doesn´t work very good after all these years LOL
Would love to hear how your car sound as I have a ZZ502 myself, and I am about to put violators on my 65, I have FM 40´s now.. Would be great :-)

I'll see if I can find one of them and get it up tonight. In the meantime here's a short vid of my car on a dyno. Keep in mind it was taken with a cheap digital photo camera...

YouTube - Chevelle Dyno Run 2

I´ve seen that one on youtube before :-)