Mufflers

[1972RedNeck]

On my '72 GMC with a 383, I am going to have the exhaust redone. I am probably going with 2 1/2" pipe. Should I go with an H pipe also?

For mufflers I have always used glass packs. I want to try something new. I am thinking about flowmasters. What series is the deepest, loudest, and most aggressive sounding? Is there a different muffler that would be deeper and more aggressive? Do all the flowmasters have good flow or are some better for performance?

[68Stepbed]

I've seen alot of hypes and claims about some mufflers being better than others, but I really think it's all really about personal preference. I personally still like Flowmasters, but I have Magnaflows on my truck now. For an aggressive sound, I still think the 40 series Flowmasters are top dog. Magnaflow, Spin Tech, Hooker AeroChamber, and Borla mufflers all have a more subdued sound, especially at idle, but some still have a serious bark at WOT. My suggestion is to check out alot of videos on youtube and decide what you like best.

As for the question of the h-pipe, I suggest an x-pipe. The x -pipe configuration has better scavenging qualities than an h-pipe. An h-pipe basically just equalizes the pressures.

[1972RedNeck]

How about the flowmaster super 44's? They are advertised as deeper and more aggressive.

As far as the H pipe goes, there isn't much room for an x-pipe on my 4X4. An h-pipe would be easy with my strait dump ram horns.

[youngrodder]

I would suggest going to the flowmaster web site and listen to the sound clips and look at the chart that rantes all of there mufflers on sound level.

http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/

I chose 50 seriers SS mufflers which are some of the quietest mufflers they sell but with how short my system is and the fact that it dumps out in front of the rear fenders I didnt want a bunch of drown. I used 2 1/2" SS pipe. I also added a H member. It did smooth out the sound.

Good luck.
Marc

[doubleb's69]

Original 40 series I thought was supposed to be the loudest. How about some powerstick chambered mufflers. Look up powersticks on youtube they sound like original chevy chambered exhaust.

[LEX]

If you've always had glasspacks and you're looking for the loudest, most aggressive sounding muffler, I think you're going to end up being disappointed, imo.

Maybe some Borla XR-1 bullets or Pypes Violators may be right up your alley.

[68Stepbed]

The Super 40 and Super 44's both have aggressive sounds, but IMO the Super 44's are a tad more mellow than the Super 40's.

I personally just don't like glasspacks, at all. I don't think they have any kind of aggressive sound. To me they sound more like the engine is missing. Different strokes for different folks, though. If we all liked the same thing, the world would be boring.

Again research alot and go to alot of shows and hear what other people have. Hearing a vehicle in person sounds different than through computer speakers.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The Super 40 and Super 44's both have aggressive sounds, but IMO the Super 44's are a tad more mellow than the Super 40's.

I am convinced I want to go with the 40's. So what is the difference between the super 40 and the original 40?

[youngrodder]

The web site describes both. The way that I read it is the Super if for higer HP engines. It is also a black anadized muffler where the regular 40 is a silver anadized muffler. The over all size of the two mufflers are pretty close as well.

Marc

[68Stepbed]

The Super 40 has a larger case and has a deeper, throatier tone than the original 40.

[landsurvey1]

I am convinced I want to go with the 40's. So what is the difference between the super 40 and the original 40?


I have the 40 series Flowmaster on my BB 454 K-20 truck. When I start it early on a weekend morning, it pisses my neighbors off. I have the 44 Flowmaster on my 383 stroked. 71 El Camino. When I start it up early on a weekend, it only pisses them off a little bit. That is the difference between the two. IMO all 40 series Flowmasters are loud.

[70cst]

Just to add confusion this what I have connected to my 402BB

http://www.spintechmufflers.com/muff...77gdi0teivl6p0

[dhaymaker]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

I've seen alot of hypes and claims about some mufflers being better than others, but I really think it's all really about personal preference. I personally still like Flowmasters, but I have Magnaflows on my truck now. For an aggressive sound, I still think the 40 series Flowmasters are top dog. Magnaflow, Spin Tech, Hooker AeroChamber, and Borla mufflers all have a more subdued sound, especially at idle, but some still have a serious bark at WOT. My suggestion is to check out alot of videos on youtube and decide what you like best.

As for the question of the h-pipe, I suggest an x-pipe. The x -pipe configuration has better scavenging qualities than an h-pipe. An h-pipe basically just equalizes the pressures.

I agree with 68Stepbed's recommendation on the x-pipe. An x-pipe works better and, in many cases, makes the installation possibly just a little cleaner. One thing I will note, the reference to some of the mufflers having a more subdued sound...I have SpinTechs on my '72 GMC (I know, looks like a '68 Chevy) and they are very, very loud. It idles loud and it gets louder when the RPMs come up. I have a 5.3 LS with some minor head work, valve train upgrade, and a little cam worth about 400+ horsepower and the SpinTechs have a short turndown pipe and dump right in front of the rearend. It sounds good, but it's loud.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by landsurvey1

I have the 40 series Flowmaster on my BB 454 K-20 truck. When I start it early on a weekend morning, it pisses my neighbors off. I have the 44 Flowmaster on my 383 stroked. 71 El Camino. When I start it up early on a weekend, it only pisses them off a little bit. That is the difference between the two. IMO all 40 series Flowmasters are loud.

So does the 454 or the 383 have the supers?

I doubt I would do this but, would going with 3" mufflers and still have 2 1/2" pipe make any sound difference?

How would the noise differ if I went with 3" pipe?

[68Stepbed]

The 3" pipe would give it a deeper, throatier sound, but you will start losing low end torque(which is probably why you went with the 383) because of low back pressure. Using 3" mufflers with 2.5" pipe will make no difference. It will only make installation harder. The mufflers are all the same. It's only the inlet and outlet pipes that are 3".

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The 3" pipe would give it a deeper, throatier sound, but you will start losing low end torque.

Really?

I guess I will be going with 2 1/2" and 40's.

Now I just need to decide between the originals and super's.

[Gumby]

CherryBomb, CherryBomb, Cherrybomb

Just don't let it dump or install it way in the back.

A exhaust is like a horn, the muffler is the mouth piece, the tail pipe is the horn section.

[hjewell2]

Who needs mufflers, or neighbors.

[AusTx68]

I'm running Super 40s behind a 400+ hp 383 with a fairly aggressive cam (advertised duration is 306). My truck is not a daily driver but when I do start it all my neighbors know it. On the street, I get compliments all the time about the sound. Especially when idling. The Super 40s echo the cam lope beautifully! It's a very racy sound.

[68Stepbed]

Go Super 40's. IMO, they have a deeper, richer tone than the original 40's

[claytonisbob]

Originally Posted by Gumby

CherryBomb, CherryBomb, Cherrybomb

Just don't let it dump or install it way in the back.

A exhaust is like a horn, the muffler is the mouth piece, the tail pipe is the horn section.

Agreed. Which is why newer cars sound different than older cars and trucks that have the muffler further upstream.

It is all a sound preference thing really unless you're trying to squeeze an extra HP or two. Really most of the straight through turbo mufflers are going to perform about the same (and be better than chambered mufflers). But many people like the sound of chambered mufflers more. Super 40's and 44's sound more truck-y. I have Pypes Violators on my Chevelle and they sound damn mean at WOT and don't drone too badly (with a x-pipe), but to me their not as deep as I'd expect on a truck. I may go with some Race-Pro's for my 71 which are about the same, but they have glass in them where as the Violators don't. I'd like for it to be a little quieter than the Chevelle. With a LM7 5.3L and stock manafolds it should be pretty quiet.

If you want loud though, Violators scare kids and set off car alarms.

[OC 72]

I've had 40's on all my rods..they give a nice throaty sound. Maybe a bit loud..but all a matter of preference. Have some stock turbos on my 72..going to change to 40's tomorrow.