Hey All,

I have a perfectly good 2 inch exhaust system on my 66' BB (1 3/4 headers with quiet mufflers, not sure of brand).

I bought some used 2 1/4 inch Flow Master 40 Series mufflers from a member here. I want to install them, but the wife and I are concerned they'll be too loud. I've researched the forum, but am unsure of what to do: install or not.

We sold our 65' Corvette which had side pipes and that thing was so loud you could hardly carry on a conversation in the car. The older I get, the more mellow a sound I'm looking for; a deep rumble thats not ear deafening. I don't want to wake the neighbors and I would like to talk to the wife and son when we cruise.

Whats your opinion? Install or not?

Thanks
Tod:thumbsup:

I've been asked more about my car's mufflers (flowmasters) than anything else.....kind of funny, but they do sound good. Not too loud unless you are on the gas hard.

I dont think 2" and "performance" should be used in the same sentance, unless we're talkin headers.

Flowmasters do have a bit more raspy pitch under acceleration. And may have more resonance while cruising. Try an x-pipe to cut that down.

Jim

IMHO...I think (and agree with whoever said it above) that the FM's have a nice mellow sound. Will not wake the neighbors but will definitely "bark" (and wake the neighbors) when you step on the gas. I was just on the freeway with my wife, 70mph, windows down, and with all that she could still talk to me without yelling.

I would say, each vehicle might respond different depending on length of exhaust system, diameter of pipes, and rpm (if you happen to cruise at the resonant freq/rpm...they will be louder)

Like I said...JMO...65 biscayne, 2.25" pipes and FM 40's...I like them.

with 2" pipes,those Flowmasters will be fairly quiet

[quote=65cayne;1441295] I was just on the freeway with my wife, 70mph, windows down, and with all that she could still talk to me without yelling.

I didn't realize there was a volume control on that model, at least she swears I can't hear anything without the yelling part!
http://bestsmileys.com/notlistening/2.gif

Hey All,

I have a perfectly good 2 inch exhaust system on my 66' BB (1 3/4 headers)

As stated above very small pipes...:eek:

I think you will have the sound you are after as it will not be too loud with that restrictive exhaust...;)

Thanks to all. I somehow didn't mention that I was also going to increase the pipe size to 2 1/4 inch as well to match the FlowMasters. New Flow Masters, new exhaust pipe and new X pipe. I did make an X pipe (posted pics here about week ago), so X pipe will also be added.

I think I'll go ahead and have them mounted.

Thanks again to all who responded.

Tod :beers:

2 1/2 dynomax super turbos will be quieter until wot and no drone at cruise

I have 3.5" exhaust with Spintech "Sportsman XL's" all the way to the bumper. Allthough it is a pretty loud car from behind and next to it at idle, while driving it's VERY comfortable in the car. Only people behind me (which is everybody when I drive) hear the beastly sounds it makes, lol. Will never go back with a flowmaster style muffler after owning these.

I also have a layer of raammat BXT covering the entire floorpan of the car. That helps a LOT with both heat and resonance.

Just listen to the average 5.0 Mustang..they ALL have Flows on them!


JIM

I had Blowmaster on another car I had. I didn't too much care for it. Kind of sounded like I was dragging a 55-gallon drum behind me all the time. Definitely not my cup of tea. I couldn't stand it, ended up putting a Dynomax on the car, and was very RELIEVED. But with "sound" being what it is, namely a personal preference, my experience (or anyone else's....) might not translate directly to you.

Flowmasters, turned down at the axle and not out the back were too loud to hear anything, even valve noise, had one rocker arm off my motor when I got the car. Replaced them with Dynomax Super Turbos, 2 1/2 inch. With no tail pipes, it was better, with full tail pipes it is great. Not a loud glass pack sound, but a good mechanical sound of a strong engine.

Just as a comparison, here is my 408 SBC through 1-3/4 headers and a 3" exhaust with x-pipe through 3" Borla XR-1's turned out at the axle. I used to have Flowmasters...

http://rides.webshots.com/video/3014524990100104327FvoWGf

Jim

Take the exhuast out to the rear bumper and you'll be just fine. It'll sound just fine..... I have the 50 suv's on my 66 BB and love it....
Rick

I had a crush bent 2 1/2' H pipe with flowmaster 40's. They do crack, or rasp at WOT, and are fairly loud even taken all the way out back.
I recently switched to full 3" mandrel bent with x, and flowmaster delta 50's. That sharp crack of the 40's is gone, and a lot quieter until you are wide open, then you know its a flowmaster I like the 50's a lot better but I do run a lot with my window open. With the 40's my left ear with the window open would be ringing by the time I was done a drive. The X pipe will kill a lot of that rasp, and crack from the 40's.
Use the 40's, I would 100% do an X to quieten down the rasp.

Thanks to all that responded. When I get them installed, I'll let you know if I like them.

Tod:beers:

I run 1 and 3/4" headers, 2 and 1/2" pipes and a H-pipe with Flowmaster 40's. With turndowns, it's too loud to talk in the car, but when I ran it all the way to the bumper it was much better. Here's my vid for refrence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaQiF7ZBWFs