[Larr]

I have a 66' Chevelle SS396. I am trying to decide which mufflers would be best to put on this car and retain an OEM look. My goal is to have the deep throaty sound of the 60's muscle cars but not a Flowmaster type. Right now I am leaning toward DynoMax Super Turbos (although they may not be loud enough to turn heads). Every now and then I'll hear a Chevy big block go cruising by that just sounds awesome but I can't chase the guy down in traffic to inquire.

I know all you Chevy diehards know that sound I am talking about. Any help would certainly be appreciated before I head for the muffler shop.

The car is slightly modified and street driven.......not a racer.

 

[tom3]

One of the things that really makes a good sound is the larger diameter tail pipes. I heard a really good sounding small block the other day with a pair of Eimco or Imco mufflers and 2 1/2 inch pipes. Perfect sound. Deep, just loud enough. System came from a muffler shop. Might check your area for something similiar and save some money over the premade expensive stuff. tom

 

[68502]

I'm running a complete Torque Tech 3" exhaust system with Walker Dynomax Hemi Super Turbo mufflers on my '68 Chevelle SS. It's relatively quiet at cruise rpm, but it has a nice rumble at idle. It has a very powerful sound under full throttle. Of course, the ZZ502/502 has a little to do with that. I strongly recommend this exhaust and muffler combination. Of course, a 396 would probably work just as well with a 2-1/2" mandrel bent system and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers.

 

[Gandalf80]

I don't know if the rest of the guys in here feel the same as me but I prefer that the sound people pay attention to comes from the engine itself. I had a nice HP 350 in my '71 malibu with headers, 2 1/4 inch pipes, some quiet good flowing mufflers and then 2 inch tail pipes. The exhaust didn't make much noise at all but i'm telling you, when i romped on the pedal everyone around would stare at my car, when it was pinned the engine would just scream and it attracted a lot of attention. And that was a small block. Big Blocks have a deep sound by nature and sound really cool, i'm building a 454 right now that is taking the place of the 350 but the exhaust is staying the same except for larger tail pipes.

Gandalf

 

[COPO]

Sold my Flowmaster kit due to a drone. Running stock and enjoy it again since I kept my OEM system. Been there done that with the noise thing in the 70's. Can't stand the noise now. You don't have to have sound to impress people. If they know enough about the Chevy BB then that's enough. It seems now a days young kids don't have a clue what these 60's-70s' cars are. They just want their Honda's.

Mark

 

[65ss327]

im 16 and i dont want anything to do with a honda im saving for a 65 chevelle for a first car.

 

[Guest]

I too am 16 and know from personal experience that not everyone today likes the Hondas. Yes a lot of kids like the hondas, but a lot of kids don't.There is a new generation of car guys. I like too think I am one of them. People are amazed that I can drive stick and get this like it. Amazing. My friends and I are very into the 60's and 70's. I have a buddy with a 72 monte carlo and another with a 66 F*** mustang, and when I find a good cheap A- body I too will have a muscle car. It all depends on what floats your boat.

My ma owns a 95 Accord with a 4 banger and a 5spd. Nice everyday car, but no power. There fine cars until someone slaps on some cheesy rims a pukespeed sticker and claims their car is the hottest thing on the street.
Sorry I got off the topic of mufflers. Can't really help you because Im young and like the loud flowmasters.

[This message has been edited by Jim T (edited 05-31-99).]

 

[Gene Chas]

When I spoke to Flowmaster I told them I wanted a relatively quiet system. At first they recommended their 3 chamber, but then after I emphasized quiet, the guy told me to use their BB mufflers. Quieter then the 3 chamber. Might lose a pony or two, but not meaningful. this was in the context of a 3" which they recommended for anyhting over 500HP. The BB mufflers are a little less expensive. I, like Gandalf, like to hear those 16 solid lifters chaterring their symphony.


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[flywheel]

Larr my 66 is a sm blk crate 350 with dynomax headers 2.5" pipes with 2.250" tail pipes out to bumper and i used the Flowmaster 3-chamber muffs and absolutly LOVE the sound Im over 40 so loud isn't cool. It's got a low rummble at idle and not annoying at cruise speed.But sounds great at WOT--- I was very worried the Flowmasters would be too loud but am glad I chose them over muffler shop turbo's.. Rick

 

[BillK]

Hi guys,
I'm surprised that Wally hasn't chimed in on this one yet ! He came by the shop this morning after having a complete system put on his son's 71. I think he said it was 2 1/4" pipe with Flowmasters, but I am not sure which ones. It sounded just right. The outlets were straight out the back with chrome tips.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

 

[Steve Balderson]

I second the Torque Tech system with the Hemi dynomax mufflers. I'm running the 2.5" system on a small block. Give the system a while to "burn in." My kids say they can always tell its me arriving to pick them up, and we get lots of nice comments. To me it sounds like a muscle car but won't drive you crazy. BTW, I noticed a performace improvement from the 2.25" pipes and cherry bombs (after my hearing came back.) My buddy has the 3" system with flowmasters on his BB camaro and is not well liked by the neighbors.

[This message has been edited by Steve Balderson (edited 06-03-99).]

 

[Bill64EC]

I'll 3rd it!

I'm running the same setup as Steve on my ZZ3 and it sounds perfect to me. Quiet idle, low rumble at cruise,(2,700 on my car) and sounds very strong, but not too loud at full throttle.

I would also think the 3" setup would be pretty loud behind a strong BB.

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Long time Chevelle fan and an owner since 1973

 

[71boo]

I am running a 71 with a tired 350 and I just installed a new exhaust system including 2-chamber flowmasters. Right now they sound great, I am not bothered by the "drone" some people speak of. Mind you, I have not redone the 350 yet, so it may get louder with a rebuild, bigger cam, etc. Right now, the mufflers are pretty mellow at idle, but sound great when you step on it. I have no complaints.

 

[prostreet]

im running the dynomax super turbo's on 71 sb with 3 inch pipe and muffles. it's loud but i wanted the most hp out of my exhaust.
my buddy's running same set up with 2 /12 pipe a little quiter.

 

[Chuck Nixon]

I just converted back to stock exhaust manifolds from Hooker headers on my 70 SS 396 El Camino. I replaced standard super turbo's from a muffler shop with 3 chamber Flowmasters and new 21/2 " leadin pipes from manifolds to mufflers and included an "H" section cross over ahead of the mufflers. I was looking for less noise and no drone so my wife would ride with me.

She says it is defintely quieter (it is) but I think it still sounds great both at idle (has a mild cam) and when goosed getting up to speed. Cruises nice and not too loud. Getting rid of the Drone was paramount in my mind.