Flowmasters - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Man · 11-02-2002, 09:05 PM

Well, the wife's S-10 been running crappy, exhaust choking up real bad, so I figured the cat was clogged up. I went to hollow it out today (I know...its a no-no) and when I removed the 3 chaimber flowmaster that I installed in 98, it made clunking and rattling.
I have been talking bad about these things for a while, mostly from the heat they make, and the ugly sound they make, but now, I'll add poor quality and low life expectancy.
While I am up in the rust belt, this is a solid Central Texas grocery getter that has been in the snow less than a dozen times in its life....it was not rotted from salt. Heck, I unbolted the pipe from the cat with a 3/8 inch drive rachet and a bit of P.B. Blaster P-oil. (original pipes...138,000 miles and 10 years old)
This Flow master has the baffles all rusted and holes in them and all kinds of crap.
Am i asking too much out of an 80 FRIKKEN DOLLAR muffler? Or am I right to asume more than 4 years service?
Now the next desison... a thrush turbo, or a $10 life time deal from the parts store...
I gotta admit, the bare cat sounds pretty darned cool, and it lights them up at will....well, ok, it lights up the right rear at will.

Blaze69 · 11-02-2002, 09:15 PM

I've had my flows in since '94 and so far have had no problems with them, they sound great. (although mine has been off the road for the last year). Maybe they made a better model a few years back and the newer ones are just garbage.

Hooter · 11-02-2002, 09:17 PM

I was going to consider gettin flowmasters for my monte now i am having second thoughts. Maybe some nice blue bottles or a chambered exahuast system now

TODDS 72 · 11-02-2002, 09:28 PM

I for 1 hate the slow masters,but thats just my 2cents,
Andy drive on up to mass and I'll bend up a pipe from cat back for FREE LOL

BTW you and me I like the way the CATS sound.

Blue_71 · 11-02-2002, 09:38 PM

am i the only one here who thinks $10 mufflers are fine for anything?

*Piston* · 11-02-2002, 09:39 PM

I'm running 40's on my '71 and wouldnt trade them for anything. I've tried alot (not all) of different type of mufflers to get "that sound" and these are it!

These (flowmasters) were welded on in '95 and have gone through 3 sets of pipes. Pipes rust almost all the way through but the mufflers are still in great shape.
I would have gone through 3 or more mufflers if it werent for these. Kansas road salt sucks!!!!

I definatly plan on installing 50's on the '72 in a few weeks. No use in replacing mufflers ever few years.

**Palf70Step** · 11-02-2002, 09:49 PM

My wife would say..NO NOISE...so $10 ones for her....good stuff and noisey for me!!

dion · 11-02-2002, 09:51 PM

I like mine just fine but I wouldn't say I'm a die hard fan, if I hear something with a tone that I like better I wouldn't think twice about switching.

mikep · 11-02-2002, 09:56 PM

I dont like them either. Ive had 40's and 50's before and they all sound like something faling on the bottom of a 55 gallon drum. Been working on my brothers 68 big block cougar foor the last few days and its a sweet ride except for those annoying flowmasters.

crazy longhorn · 11-02-2002, 10:00 PM

i had a set of 40s on the longhorn for about 2000 mi. other than the headache they gave me I didnt have any problems with them. i went back to a set of Dyno max superturbos,& they are still plenty loud turned out the sides with 3" tailpipes!

mooneyes · 11-02-2002, 10:39 PM

i like the sound of flowmasters but i'd be damned if i would ever pay $80 for a muffler..thats why i make my own

Fred T · 11-02-2002, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Palf70Step
My wife would say..NO NOISE...so $10 ones for her....good stuff and noisey for me!!

Once I start my truck I can't hear my wife say anything!

Gene · 11-02-2002, 10:51 PM

Have had mine on since 96, still sound great, yes they are a bit loud but thats what I bought them for. Did'nt pay 80 bucks though? I think I gave around 60 for the set of 2 chambers. Now mind you thats not including the 2 1/2 exaust I had welded on to them. No rust on either of them either, so i'd say you got a bad set. But I am like a previous poster, I am no diehard fan of flows and if I heard something I liked better I would go with them next time fer sure!

Longhorn Man · 11-03-2002, 12:04 AM

Well, I know I did pay a bit for this ONE Flowmaster, but it was a center inlet, off center outlet, and it was odd size in/out...I can't remember the pipe sizes, but it was an odd ball though.
The neighbors had a 305 Camaro with 3 inch pipes and a 2 chaimber on it, and she liked the sound it made, so I got her a 3 chiamber to put on it so it wouldn't be quite so annoying...she loved it. Just enough 'noise' to be noticed by some one with an ear for performance, but quiet enough to slip by John Q. Public.
She took it oug for a spin with the open cat, and she does like the power. (this is the 'Vortec' engine with the Central Port Injection, it does have a little bit of power to it) I cought her brake torquing it at the end of the street...a pretty healthy burn out too I might add.
Kinda makes me proud.

I still hate the dang things though. The caseing stil looks almost new, that's the kicker. rotted from the inside out.

Brewski* · 11-03-2002, 12:16 AM

I have the Flowmaster 70 series big block mufflers on my 350 with 2.5" aluminized pipes with a custom H pipe behind the tranny/transfer. They are nice and quiet you can listen to the radio in the cab turned down low, but when you get on it they make the most awesome mellow roar you have ever heard on a 350. I give the 70 series BB muffs a big thumbs up but I do not like the 50 series on my GT 5.0 Musturd Vrt. Horrible racket, can't hear yourself think. I am putting stock or turbo muffs back on it soon.

Sierra · 11-03-2002, 01:21 AM

I ran the Flowmaster 50 series 5" X 10" 3 chamber mufflers for about 2 years. They were quite loud even at moderate throttle, but were particularly irksome and resonant at a steady 70 mph. I ditched them in favor of generic turbo-style mufflers, at about $30 each. I noticed no power loss at all; in fact, performace seems to be a bit better, but I really appreciate the peace and quiet, not to mention these mufflers are less than half the size of the Flowmasters.

mtdave2 · 11-03-2002, 01:55 AM

magnafloaws,,,,,love mine. ill post a sound file someday. when ever it stops rainig

down side is they are exspensive too

Slammed67 · 11-03-2002, 02:05 AM

Dynomax Super Turbos!

Hooter · 11-03-2002, 02:14 AM

How bout some sidepipes!!

Longhorn Man · 11-03-2002, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hooter
How bout some sidepipes!!

On an S-10 Blazer Kroger Cruiser?
I'm not even that sick and demented.....or am i?

**68 Stepside** · 11-03-2002, 02:46 AM

The cheaper the better when it comes to a "Kroger Cruiser". I had one muffler on my Thunderturd rot out, so I just cut em both off, and have yet to replace em. With 4 cats and a huge resonator, it's still quiet. Or, if you like the sound of it, with just a cat, run a straightpipe back. I personally am not a fan of flowmasters either, IMHO, they all sorta sound the same, and they're way too expensive for me. I'll just get some parts store cheapies when I'm ready for exhaust on the 68.

TJ

*Piston* · 11-03-2002, 02:53 AM

Alot... ALOT of it depends on your engine health/build. My old 350 was plain worn out, I'm amazed it still had enough compression to still run.. The exhaust sounded nice and mello. Great tone to it with flowmasters.

Now with the new engine, Holy cow! I never knew it would sound like this. It's friggen loud lol. Not a rotted out cherrybomb kinda loud... just a low rumble x10. I cant see out of my rear view mirror at idle LMAO. Between that and the timing "gears" its completly obnoxious and I love it!

Winter is gonna be a b!tch though. I dont feel right sitting out in the drive running that truck to warm it up. I'll have to park it or at least run the tail pipes on it. (It's dumped right before the rear shocks right now).

I love noise. I rarely turn the stereo on just so I can listen to the engine/exhaust. Guess I just like to hear my money talking to me LOL

bigjimzlll · 11-03-2002, 11:09 AM

did you try to contact flowmaster??? they might just suprise you.. a free flowmaster would be good..

**MikeB** · 11-03-2002, 12:21 PM

I had a pair of 50s with Delta Flow technology, but they were too loud, especially inside the cab. (They are for sale very cheap.) I currently have the DynoMax Super Hemi Turbos w/ 20" case. They are much quieter, but have a "rat-tat-tat" sound on heavy acceleration that I hate.

Based on Brewski's comments (in this thread) and others, I'm considering the Flowmaster 70s with offset in/ offset out. By the way, Scoggin Dickey has very good prices on Flowmasters and reasonable shipping charges.

**Desert Rat** · 11-03-2002, 12:47 PM

My father has Fowmasters on his Boss 302 Mustang,but it dont have a typical motor,hi-performanc and compression,i get a kick out of the fools that stick them on a stock small motor,they sound irratating,but with some nasty motor i thi8nk they sound sweet.my truck right now has Dynomax at no extra charge from the muff shop,it sounds good,but i wish i put the Flows on,but the price ouch,maybe on the all out hot rod,and not the daily driver.it also matters what series you get.

View Poll Results: Should a $80 muffler last more than a few years?
Your right...Flows suck	13	27.66%
No problem with mine...you have crappy luck.	24	51.06%
OEM $10 deal should be good enough for the Kroger Cruiser	4	8.51%
Get the Thrush, to h*ll with the neighbors who sleep all day.	7	14.89%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll

11-02-2002, 09:05 PM	#1
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Flowmasters Well, the wife's S-10 been running crappy, exhaust choking up real bad, so I figured the cat was clogged up. I went to hollow it out today (I know...its a no-no) and when I removed the 3 chaimber flowmaster that I installed in 98, it made clunking and rattling. I have been talking bad about these things for a while, mostly from the heat they make, and the ugly sound they make, but now, I'll add poor quality and low life expectancy. While I am up in the rust belt, this is a solid Central Texas grocery getter that has been in the snow less than a dozen times in its life....it was not rotted from salt. Heck, I unbolted the pipe from the cat with a 3/8 inch drive rachet and a bit of P.B. Blaster P-oil. (original pipes...138,000 miles and 10 years old) This Flow master has the baffles all rusted and holes in them and all kinds of crap. Am i asking too much out of an *80 FRIKKEN DOLLAR* muffler? Or am I right to asume more than 4 years service? Now the next desison... a thrush turbo, or a $10 life time deal from the parts store... I gotta admit, the bare cat sounds pretty darned cool, and it lights them up at will....well, ok, it lights up the right rear at will.

11-02-2002, 09:15 PM	#2
Blaze69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	I've had my flows in since '94 and so far have had no problems with them, they sound great. (although mine has been off the road for the last year). Maybe they made a better model a few years back and the newer ones are just garbage. __________________ 1969 Blazer: 350/350, 4X4, HEI, Edlebrock carb/intake, dual flowmasters, np205, 3:07's and the rest is mostly stock. The front end disc swap is finally complete 2002 Z71 Tahoe. CAI, Flowmaster 40, Silverstars in high, low and fogs and a bunch of mods (upgrades) inside and out.

11-02-2002, 09:17 PM	#3
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	I was going to consider gettin flowmasters for my monte now i am having second thoughts. Maybe some nice blue bottles or a chambered exahuast system now __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-02-2002, 09:28 PM	#4
TODDS 72 Not the nightly winner Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CHARLEMONT MA.USA Posts: 763	I for 1 hate the slow masters,but thats just my 2cents, Andy drive on up to mass and I'll bend up a pipe from cat back for FREE LOL BTW you and me I like the way the CATS sound. __________________ 72C10SWB BLUE 350/350 86K10LWB BLUE 5.7 700r4 7.5' fisher plow 93S10XCAB4X4 BLUE 4.3 4L60e 69gmc c10 v8 3 on the tree yellow 72k10 swb 350 3 on the tree green 86k15 swb5.0L 4spd brown

11-02-2002, 09:39 PM	#6
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	I'm running 40's on my '71 and wouldnt trade them for anything. I've tried alot (not all) of different type of mufflers to get "that sound" and these are it! These (flowmasters) were welded on in '95 and have gone through 3 sets of pipes. Pipes rust almost all the way through but the mufflers are still in great shape. I would have gone through 3 or more mufflers if it werent for these. Kansas road salt sucks!!!! I definatly plan on installing 50's on the '72 in a few weeks. No use in replacing mufflers ever few years.

11-02-2002, 09:49 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	My wife would say..NO NOISE...so $10 ones for her....good stuff and noisey for me!! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-02-2002, 09:51 PM	#8
dion 72 Cheyenne Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,086	I like mine just fine but I wouldn't say I'm a die hard fan, if I hear something with a tone that I like better I wouldn't think twice about switching. __________________ Burnout Idle 1972Cheyenne 1966/67Stouts

11-02-2002, 09:56 PM	#9
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I dont like them either. Ive had 40's and 50's before and they all sound like something faling on the bottom of a 55 gallon drum. Been working on my brothers 68 big block cougar foor the last few days and its a sweet ride except for those annoying flowmasters. __________________ No truck :-(

11-02-2002, 10:00 PM	#10
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	i had a set of 40s on the longhorn for about 2000 mi. other than the headache they gave me I didnt have any problems with them. i went back to a set of Dyno max superturbos,& they are still plenty loud turned out the sides with 3" tailpipes!

11-02-2002, 10:39 PM	#11
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	i like the sound of flowmasters but i'd be damned if i would ever pay $80 for a muffler..thats why i make my own __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

11-02-2002, 10:51 PM	#13
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Have had mine on since 96, still sound great, yes they are a bit loud but thats what I bought them for. Did'nt pay 80 bucks though? I think I gave around 60 for the set of 2 chambers. Now mind you thats not including the 2 1/2 exaust I had welded on to them. No rust on either of them either, so i'd say you got a bad set. But I am like a previous poster, I am no diehard fan of flows and if I heard something I liked better I would go with them next time fer sure! __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

11-03-2002, 12:04 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Well, I know I did pay a bit for this ONE Flowmaster, but it was a center inlet, off center outlet, and it was odd size in/out...I can't remember the pipe sizes, but it was an odd ball though. The neighbors had a 305 Camaro with 3 inch pipes and a 2 chaimber on it, and she liked the sound it made, so I got her a 3 chiamber to put on it so it wouldn't be quite so annoying...she loved it. Just enough 'noise' to be noticed by some one with an ear for performance, but quiet enough to slip by John Q. Public. She took it oug for a spin with the open cat, and she does like the power. (this is the 'Vortec' engine with the Central Port Injection, it does have a little bit of power to it) I cought her brake torquing it at the end of the street...a pretty healthy burn out too I might add. Kinda makes me proud. I still hate the dang things though. The caseing stil looks almost new, that's the kicker. rotted from the inside out.

11-03-2002, 12:16 AM	#15
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Flowmaster 70 series bb muffs I have the Flowmaster 70 series big block mufflers on my 350 with 2.5" aluminized pipes with a custom H pipe behind the tranny/transfer. They are nice and quiet you can listen to the radio in the cab turned down low, but when you get on it they make the most awesome mellow roar you have ever heard on a 350. I give the 70 series BB muffs a big thumbs up but I do not like the 50 series on my GT 5.0 Musturd Vrt. Horrible racket, can't hear yourself think. I am putting stock or turbo muffs back on it soon.

11-03-2002, 01:21 AM	#16
Sierra Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 71	I ran the Flowmaster 50 series 5" X 10" 3 chamber mufflers for about 2 years. They were quite loud even at moderate throttle, but were particularly irksome and resonant at a steady 70 mph. I ditched them in favor of generic turbo-style mufflers, at about $30 each. I noticed no power loss at all; in fact, performace seems to be a bit better, but I really appreciate the peace and quiet, not to mention these mufflers are less than half the size of the Flowmasters.



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11-03-2002, 01:55 AM	#17
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	magnafloaws,,,,,love mine. ill post a sound file someday. when ever it stops rainig down side is they are exspensive too __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

11-03-2002, 02:05 AM	#18
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Dynomax Super Turbos! __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

11-03-2002, 02:14 AM	#19
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	How bout some sidepipes!! __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-03-2002, 02:46 AM	#21
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	The cheaper the better when it comes to a "Kroger Cruiser". I had one muffler on my Thunderturd rot out, so I just cut em both off, and have yet to replace em. With 4 cats and a huge resonator, it's still quiet. Or, if you like the sound of it, with just a cat, run a straightpipe back. I personally am not a fan of flowmasters either, IMHO, they all sorta sound the same, and they're way too expensive for me. I'll just get some parts store cheapies when I'm ready for exhaust on the 68. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

11-03-2002, 02:53 AM	#22
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	Alot... ALOT of it depends on your engine health/build. My old 350 was plain worn out, I'm amazed it still had enough compression to still run.. The exhaust sounded nice and mello. Great tone to it with flowmasters. Now with the new engine, Holy cow! I never knew it would sound like this. It's friggen loud lol. Not a rotted out cherrybomb kinda loud... just a low rumble x10. I cant see out of my rear view mirror at idle LMAO. Between that and the timing "gears" its completly obnoxious and I love it! Winter is gonna be a b!tch though. I dont feel right sitting out in the drive running that truck to warm it up. I'll have to park it or at least run the tail pipes on it. (It's dumped right before the rear shocks right now). I love noise. I rarely turn the stereo on just so I can listen to the engine/exhaust. Guess I just like to hear my money talking to me LOL

11-03-2002, 11:09 AM	#23
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	did you try to contact flowmaster??? they might just suprise you.. a free flowmaster would be good.. __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

11-03-2002, 12:21 PM	#24
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,599	I had a pair of 50s with Delta Flow technology, but they were too loud, especially inside the cab. (They are for sale very cheap.) I currently have the DynoMax Super Hemi Turbos w/ 20" case. They are much quieter, but have a "rat-tat-tat" sound on heavy acceleration that I hate. Based on Brewski's comments (in this thread) and others, I'm considering the Flowmaster 70s with offset in/ offset out. By the way, Scoggin Dickey has very good prices on Flowmasters and reasonable shipping charges. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

11-03-2002, 12:47 PM	#25
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	My father has Fowmasters on his Boss 302 Mustang,but it dont have a typical motor,hi-performanc and compression,i get a kick out of the fools that stick them on a stock small motor,they sound irratating,but with some nasty motor i thi8nk they sound sweet.my truck right now has Dynomax at no extra charge from the muff shop,it sounds good,but i wish i put the Flows on,but the price ouch,maybe on the all out hot rod,and not the daily driver.it also matters what series you get.

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