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Those with Muffman's Flowmaster 70 setup - got any sound clips?

F

Fun Guy

Full Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2003
Messages
313
Location
San Diego, CA
I've got an installation appointment next week to get the Flowmaster 70 series muffler (P/N 530722) installed next week. The shop I took it in to suggested a Dynomax Super Turbo (P/N 17789) instead, saying that's about as quiet as they come. So now I'm torn....what would help would be a sound clip from inside the cab of Flowmaster setup. Does anyone have one?

Thanks.
 
Go to www.flowmastermufflers.com
They have 3 sound clips of the 70 series on a 5.3L.
One of them is from in the cab.
 
MR.SMITH said:
Go to www.flowmastermufflers.com
They have 3 sound clips of the 70 series on a 5.3L.
One of them is from in the cab.
Click to expand...

I've heard those, thanks. I'm looking for other information from people here.
 
Fan Guy I had the Flowmaster 70 series installed two weeks ago with a 3 1/2 inch stainless exhaust tip. Sounds nice and throaty under acceleration, but pretty quiet at a highway cruise. It sounds real close to Flowamsters sound clips. I'm pretty happy but it's all personal taste. Good Luck. :B:
 
Fun Guy:
My opinion is that unless you can wait for a GTG, it's really a crap shoot. The opinions expressed on this board and those sound clips are valuable to be sure, but you never really know how you'll react until you hear it for real yourself.

If you can get the muffler shop to back up his recommendation with a completely free swap to the FM70 (i.e. $0 for labor +/- difference in price between the mufflers), then you could try it out.

My original set up was a Magnaflow with a single 3.0" outlet , which was recommended by a few folks. Yes, it was a nice rumble on the outside. But inside there was so much resonance it basically negated the investment I had in my stereo.

It so happens that Muffman's shops are right here in Portland, so I was able to drive with him in his AV and chat with him personally while his guys reworked the exhaust. I have the exact same setup as on his AV, but with different tips.

I am much happier now! (y)
 
Thanks for replying Nick. I've got the shop appointment and that's a great suggestion - since he is so sold on the Dynomax (he shakes his head when I tell him of my plan to put on the FM70) then I just might see if he's willing to put his money where his mouth is and agree that if I don't like the Dynomax to have him put the FM70 on for a reduced rate.

Thanks for the suggestion.
 
muffman said:
Fun Guy,

You are going to the dark side young Luke...... (shakes head)
Click to expand...

Of course, I am also considering getting the FM70 installed first and presenting the same offer to him...
 
I had Muffman put on a FM70 as well. It is a great setup! Quiet enough that when you are on the freeway its not obnoxious but when you get on it you now its there. Unfortunately I have no sound clips.

I love the way it sounds and would highly reccommend it.
 
muffman said:
Fun Guy,

You are going to the dark side young Luke...... (shakes head)
Click to expand...

Hey Muffman -

I understand that you favor the FM70 setup. That's great, I have no issue with that. But if you would, please let me know why you have a problem with the Dynomax setup.

What Dynomax told me was that the Dynomax Super Turbo has a straight-through S-tube that is surrounded by fiberglass. The cannister is huge - almost 9" in diameter and 30 inches long (36" overall). The way I understand it, the fiberglass absorbs most of the sound, while the straight-through flow ensures minimum restriction on exhaust. Now I am no exhaust expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a hard time understanding why this is a bad setup, either for noise or performance.

We spoke on the phone and you said you didn't like it because it was 'old technology - chambers are old technology'....but there was no explanation offered and as a result, I don't know why that's bad. My experience shows me that there are lots of things that are 'old technology' that work well, because nothing has been invented that is better. New is not necessarily better. So the 'old technology' stand is okay with me, but if you would, please explain why the old technology in this case is poor or inferior.

Thanks!
 
No, you are incorrect fun guy. The Super Turbo does not have a straight through S-tube design. The Super turbo is an old style reverse flow muffler. What you are describing is Walkers Ultra Flow series, and Ultra Flow welded. You were talking about the #17789 were you not? Totally different muffler. The Ultra flow line uses a lazy "s" design, ala Magnaflow, Xlerator, and many other companies. The Ultra Flow utilizes CRF (continuous roving fiberglass), one consistent strand of fiberglass to deaden the sound, very similar to Euro glass. And they aren't quiet by the way.

I also have to disagree with you in regards to technology. I?ll take my color TV over your black and white, I?ll take my fuel injection over your normally aspirated, I?ll take my CD player over your 8-track, no, I don?t agree, I think nine times out of ten, new technology is better, if it isn?t, it won?t be around long.

As far as reverse flow mufflers; testing has shown they have only 60 - 70 percent of the flow of a straight-through muffler. It's not surprising when you consider the internal layout of a reverse flow muffler (3-inch flow tubes or not). The exhaust gasses are forced to turn back against their initial flow direction (hence the 'reverse flow' name), before turning around once again and exiting the opposite end of the muffler. So there are two 180-degree direction changes that contribute to the considerable overall restriction. Oh, but they are quiet though. But remember, the key to performance is eliminating excessive backpressure while maintaining exhaust gas velocity. When I spoke to you on the phone, I did explain this to you in short form.

If all you are looking for is "quiet" and you are not concerned with performance, or "premium" sound, it doesn't matter anyway. Although it is cheaper to just cram a potato up your tailpipe, and drill a 3/8 hole through it......lol >:D
 
muffman said:
No, you are incorrect fun guy. The Super Turbo does not have a straight through S-tube design. The Super turbo is an old style reverse flow muffler. What you are describing is Walkers Ultra Flow series, and Ultra Flow welded. You were talking about the #17789 were you not? Totally different muffler. The Ultra flow line uses a lazy "s" design, ala Magnaflow, Xlerator, and many other companies. The Ultra Flow utilizes CRF (continuous roving fiberglass), one consistent strand of fiberglass to deaden the sound, very similar to Euro glass. And they aren't quiet by the way.

I also have to disagree with you in regards to technology. I’ll take my color TV over your black and white, I’ll take my fuel injection over your normally aspirated, I’ll take my CD player over your 8-track, no, I don’t agree, I think nine times out of ten, new technology is better, if it isn’t, it won’t be around long.

As far as reverse flow mufflers; testing has shown they have only 60 - 70 percent of the flow of a straight-through muffler. It's not surprising when you consider the internal layout of a reverse flow muffler (3-inch flow tubes or not). The exhaust gasses are forced to turn back against their initial flow direction (hence the 'reverse flow' name), before turning around once again and exiting the opposite end of the muffler. So there are two 180-degree direction changes that contribute to the considerable overall restriction. Oh, but they are quiet though. But remember, the key to performance is eliminating excessive backpressure while maintaining exhaust gas velocity. When I spoke to you on the phone, I did explain this to you in short form.

If all you are looking for is "quiet" and you are not concerned with performance, or "premium" sound, it doesn't matter anyway. Although it is cheaper to just cram a potato up your tailpipe, and drill a 3/8 hole through it......lol >:D
Click to expand...

Geez, you'd think I attacked you by the way you responded. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? That was really unwarranted.

I was just repeating what Dynomax told me. If they're wrong, that's fine, but it's not me that's incorrect. I took the time and energy to put up my last post in order to gather more info and make an educated, informed decision. It sounds like their guy was either misinformed or telling me a story. At this point, that certainly doesn't surprise me, after all I've been through with Gibson. I'll likely be getting the FM70 put on this Wednesday.

As far as technology goes, I still have a Motorola Startac because it does all I need it to do - make rock-solid calls. No video, no camera, no 10-layer menus, no color screen with video clips to suck up my battery. Mobile phones is one of many areas where technology is promoted for technology's sake, without consideration for a certain segment of the market that doesn't want (or need) the extra stuff. Maybe some people want it, but many don't. Mobile phone manufacturers are only now beginning to recognize this.

I still respect your opinion, and especially your experience, but much of that last rant was uncalled for. You need to chill out.
 
I took no offense, nor did I feel attacked. That is the problem with typed words, you miss the sarcasm.

Was the part number I remembered correct? If so, it is a chambered muffler with 3-inch baffles.....

 
muffman said:
I took no offense, nor did I feel attacked. That is the problem with typed words, you miss the sarcasm.

Was the part number I remembered correct? If so, it is a chambered muffler with 3-inch baffles.....
Click to expand...

Yes, it is the Dynomax #17789 that the shop is promoting to me. I'm going to have them put on the #530722 Flowmaster that I already have in the back of my AV. I'll be getting the tailpipes routed out the passenger side, side-by-side - I like that look.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - I'll report back the results.
 
OK OK OK.... Im new to the site... so I have a question for the MuffMan. lol.. (i love that name.. haha) ok.. whats the best exhaust for performance on a 5.3 AV? A lot like your flomaster set up so I may go with that, but I definatley want noticable sound and performance when I get on it and still be able to hear the radio while driving normal.

thanks

Out Here

Collins
 
Ranger,

The Magnaflow ( 5 x 11 x 22) will produce 2-3 more HP than the Flowmaster I have been speaking of, the 70 series. However, you must consider all things. Useable power, all around drivablility, and most notably bottom end power and torque. This is why I believe that the 70 is the best for all around driving, and resonation free driving at all speeds. It's a trade off.
 
OK, I went with the 70 and kept the stock pipe. The muffler is a 70 series (Big Block II) P/N 53071. Single in/single out. I'm surprised at the sound. I swear it is louder than both the 70 and 50 that I had on my pickup. And there IS some resonance inside but not much. I really haven't driven enough at cruising speed to be sure, but in 3rd @ 2,000 rpms there is some drone. Maybe I've just been driving quiet for too long. :rolleyes: I am pleased with the sound at the pipe though. ;D I have the best of both worlds....got a Magnaflow SS tip. Those things are pricey. :cautious:
 
Muffman,
is there a cat back system for the 70 series, or is it just the muffler and I cut my factory system to install it?
Thanks
Pogo
 
muffman said:
Are you sure what are are hearing is resonation, and not just sound?
Click to expand...
Could be just sound. Never left stock pipe on before so never had a FM with side exit. It's all just a little different. Give me a few days with it. AND see what SO has to say. Does sound good though. Last tank was only 13.7 (musta been a fluke) and now it's going to get worse. >:D
BTW, thanks for all the advice, info, comments.
(y)
 
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