Hey All,

A little sound dilemma here! I've just installed hooker headers/2 camber flows/3 inch pipes - on my 70'454, that dump right infront of the rear wheels.

Wow, what a difference from Stock to this new setup! Gained so much more power, its great!

My problem is this now... the car is way to loud and I'm a driving ticket waiting to happen! Can anyone recommend any ways to soften it just a little bit? Drove it 5 miles about 30mins ago and my ears are still ringing! Oh.. it sounds good opening up on the freeway ramp, don't get me wrong. But, man.. to loud!

So far these are my ideas:
1: Stay with and deal and hope I don't get pulled over
2: Go redo everything and install 3chambers.
3: Look for a pretty quite exhaust (so people can't hear me coming
4: -Your advice here-

Thanks for the help!

CX get rid of the flows put on a set of Dynomax ultra flows also maybe an H pipe good luck

yes good luck when you dump in front of the rear tires its always gonna be loud. the ultra flows might help somewhat . try installing dynomax 2 ring baffles in the tips

Run them out of the back and use 2 1/2" pipe.

How does the system route to get the exits in front of the rear tires? I assume the muffs don't go in the stock location. I can't see how they would.
As far as I have ever been concerned, Flowmaster comes in 2 varieties......loud and really F'n loud. Maybe some of the newer stuff is quieter. I quit using their stuff years ago.
What inspired you to use 2 chamber's?
If you can, I'd find a better muffler, and put them in the stock location with 3" Torque Tech tailpipes. (Not 2.5") If you insist on Flowmasters, get a different model. Maybe the new Delta Flows. Figure out which ones they advertise as quiet....which is BS (IMO), and go with those. Or go with the 3" DynoMax turbos. They flow as good or better, and are reasonably quiet.
As far as I'm concerned, quiet and free flow are mutually exclusive when it comes to mufflers.
Ron

I had the same problem.

I have 3" from the headers and 2 1/2 tail pipes.
I fixed the "too loud" problem by switching to mangnaflow mufflers.

Great low tone but does not make you sound weak.
And they should increase your flow.


That is all I did to fix the loudness issue.

I'd say use some Ultraflows and maybe add a resonator to the end of the pipes if it's still too loud.

An X-pipe, Ultraflow ovals and you`ll be ok

go 3 chamber flowmasters, and sell the 2 chambers

Hey,

Wow! First, thanks for all the tips! Much appreciate it! I've been getting a lil frustrated on this one! Ok, maybe I'm a wuss, but wow.. my ears were sore even 2 hours after the trip! I felt like I went to a rock concert! Got one more trip to a body shop tomorrow (tow truck hit the car, long story...). It proably
doesn't help that the inside of the car is stripped, with just seats. I ordered alot of
Dynamat tonight for the inside, should be neat.

So, for now... I'm stuck with this exhaust! I can't afford to have them changed out, or any other big projects for awhile! Simple exhaust change has becoming a even bigger project. A simple exhaust change became a:
- New Hooker competition headers / dipped
- Wow, two cracks in the frame found! Fixed...
- Friend starter from the new headers! WOW. -

Conclusion: Loud Exhaust...

motown/malibu:
I've heard a bunch of things about the ultra flows. But I honestly don't know anything about them. If I do have to change the exhaust, Id proably have something alot quiter (semi sleeper), with an xpipe.


Chevelledude71: Every Chevelle has them out
the back, I thought it would look bad to have
it dump under, instead of going out the rear. It does look sweet though.

Ron454: Some good questions there! I've included some pics at the bottom of the page, check'em out! But yea, its friggin loud.. my family heard me coming a block away. Got up, opened the garage door for me before I got there! It was GREAT! As for what inspired me to get
the 2 chambers, got a deal from a friend. Gotta love deals...

dirty_dawg: How would a resonator on the end of my current setup sound?

BigRed-L72: I thought about doing an x-pipe. But right now, I have true dual exhaust, so I'm not sure how much more it would do for me. Id have to research the pros and cons.


From the ideas I've heard, the majority has suggested to just change the exhaust. Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas to lower the overall rumble?

What if I add tips or turn downs and or a H-Pipe?
I know the H will even the flow and help it.. but not sure by how much.


If I get the chance tomorrow, I'll do a sound clip so you all can hear it! The clip won't due it justice, but you'll get the overall idea.

Pics of the setup:
http://theargon.com/exhaust/IMG_1818.JPG
http://theargon.com/exhaust/IMG_1819.JPG
http://theargon.com/exhaust/IMG_1820.JPG
http://theargon.com/exhaust/IMG_1823.JPG

Ah,
You have the exits under the car in front of the axle. I thought you meant coming out the side in front of the tires.
So in fact you do have the muffs in the stock location.
I see you are on a budget, I can relate.
You essentially have turn downs, so that won't make any difference.
Also, you won't have room for a resonator or short glass pack after the mufflers. Resonators and short glasspacks are 12" long for the most part.
You can either add tailpipes...about $200 or simply change mufflers. Even if you do that, exiting under the car is the loudest situation.
A block away isn't all that bad BTW. I can hear my Nova from 3 blocks away, and it has 2 muffs per side with tailpipes and an X pipe.
Once you put the interior back together, the inside the car noise will drop dramatically. The rear seat does the most for that as does the carpet and padding.
If....you were to repalce the whole exhaust....and it aint cheap........do yourself a favor and add a 3" X pipe. The sound is way cool, and different, and the setup will replace everything you have up to the muffs. I guarantee it will turn heads and be quieter even with the 2 chamber flows.
I built a 3" X system for a buddies 57 Chev with a 400SB. He used the 2 chamber flows and we did 3" tail pipes out the back. Gong down the strip it sounded like a 12cyl Jag at 10,000rpm. Man was it sweet.
Thanks for the pictures!
Ron

"Walk softly and carry a big stick". Good exhaust advice, huh!

Had the same issue with a full tail system and 2 chambers. It was LOUDER than the makeshift 2.5" to Summit Turbos and dumps I had. LOUDER. WAY LOUDER.

With a 7200 rpm motor, it was way fun for a while too. Like Ron's bud make when you were easy on it and revved 6 it sounded like 8, adn when you twisted to 7 it was wild. Guys asked me if it was a 327 or 302 revving so high!

" Naw, big block, 427". :eek:

But, much much too loud. Chambered exhasut type loud.

Replaced the 2 chambers with B-I-G Magnaflow 12578's. Now I can hear the am radio! If you're on a budget the Summit $20 turbos are not bad in a dump system, but mine were 2.5". The 3" Summits are NOT 3" straight through.

So, for now... I'm stuck with this exhaust! I can't afford to have them changed out, or any other big projects for awhile! I changed out my Flows for some Summit Turbos ($15 each, $40 total with shipping). Quieted things down a bit, and no noticible performance loss... Still pretty loud, but no where near as loud as the Flows (and I had the 3-chamber)...

Thanks for the help! Hmm... sounds like I'm gonna have to deal with the noise or not take it out for awhile till I change things around.

So, I'm thinking I should save atleast $600 for a new exhaust.

What would you all recommend? I'm keeping the headers for sure, should I stick with 3' pipes?

- X-pipe or H-pipe? I'm looking for flow, and I've heard an H-Pipe, but not an X.

- Which exhaust? I'm thinking something alot software then these 2flows, a little bit aggressive but not enough where people can hear me coming with a lil on the throttle.

Thanks all!

cx1,

I can relate very well to your situation. Loud exhaust that I just love, but too loud for my old ears.

I'm running 3" Dynomax Ultra Flo's with 2.5 tails that some here think are quiet enough to run. But to me they are just too much, going down the freeway. Part of the problem is RPM's. I have already switched from 3.73 gears to 3.42, and 26.5" Dia tire to 29", but still too loud for me.

I am thinking along the lines of what Gene has (Magnaflows 12589's) but have other projects to finish before I can switch. I want to hear the "Oldies" on the juke box . Good luck.

Bill

I would try some 75 deg turndowns, aimed not straight down, but close.

cxi, screw the 600. Spend $40 and get it done ( ok maybe another $40 if you have a pro installer fit them and weld them. He can also put nice turndowns on them. ) .

Done for $100. Stop drinking for a week! smile.gif

cx1,
You are right (not everyone, but I get it), that's why I put dump downs on mine. smile.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

They are still pulling people over for loud exhaust? The cops around here don't bother with it. But I guess common sence when you drive by them helps. Guys run straight pipes on their Harleys and they don't bother them.

Hey,

Yea, Harleys are a totally different issue! They can get so friggin loud in my area.

Yep, cars still get pulled over for being to loud here, California, where everything is illegal! =P

A couple nights ago (prolly around 11pm) I was trying to sneak the chevelle home, I was letting it coast/pull itself and I was coming up to the home stretch when car alarms started going off. I was like arg... Then a few mins later PD pulls up on me, and follow me a block.

Hmm... loud 2 chambers.. *mumbles*