Muffler Sounds??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Muffler Sounds??
I have read many comments on the preffered mufflers of many corvette owners. Speak to ten people and you get ten different answers! I have listened to examples on YouTube and other sites. Unfortunately, I haven't found an example of a stock 1980 with a set of Flowmasters or Magnaflows. If anyone has any sound bites of a 1980, I would appreciate it. I would be interested in your thoughts on your particluar model of muffler. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
On two different cars, on a Vette, and my Durango, I have had both Flowmasters, followed by Magnas.
I used to have two other '77 Vettes. One had stock exhaust switched to side pipes, and the other head stock exhaust switched to true duals. The true duals were Flowmasters at first, but I was not happy with them at all, and within a week switched to Magnas.
I tried the Flowmasters on my Durango and just wasn't happy with the droning and resonance at any RPM above idle. I swapped them for Magnas and still to this day five years later I smile when i hear my Durango started.
Magnas really do sound better in my honest opinion, based on my dealings and preferences.
I used to have two other '77 Vettes. One had stock exhaust switched to side pipes, and the other head stock exhaust switched to true duals. The true duals were Flowmasters at first, but I was not happy with them at all, and within a week switched to Magnas.
I tried the Flowmasters on my Durango and just wasn't happy with the droning and resonance at any RPM above idle. I swapped them for Magnas and still to this day five years later I smile when i hear my Durango started.
Magnas really do sound better in my honest opinion, based on my dealings and preferences.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
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From: Rochester NY
I had a feeling you would weigh in! Thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards the magnaflows, but I would love to hear an example of what I can expect on a 1980.
I would like the car to have some rumble to it, however, not too loud.
I would like the car to have some rumble to it, however, not too loud.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Bay Area CA
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
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From: North Royaton Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Mundelein Illinois
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
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I just got in the mail today my new exhaust system 2 1/2 pipe with the Magnaflows. I hope they sound better than the flowmasters. I have them on my truck and don't really like how they sound.Let you know in a few days.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
I really like the MagnaFlows.. (with my application) they are relatively quiet at idle... almost on the verge of not having enough "rumble" unless you are directly behind them...a great sleeper system... Once you get into it however its a whole different story- a very rich deep rumble that turns into an all out roar in the upper RPM's... I love T-topin it and taking the rear window out to hear it even better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
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From: San Diego California
Hey Vettevice, I also had a stock L48 in an 80- before the recent engine rebuild. My experience was that you need quite an open exhaust- with little mufflers- to get any "rumble" out of that engine. My car originally came with inexpensive aftermarket turbo mufflers that sounded like a Hoover vacuum and were too quiet. I tried straight pipes with no muffers and the noise was embarrasing and deafening. Then I installed Hooker Aero mufflers- and they were disappointingly quiet. Then I had Summit bullets- really glass packs- and they were pretty loud and I liked them for a couple of years till the guts deteriorated. Now I have Flowmaster Delta 40's, and they're pretty loud and deliver a good pulse at RPM's- but thats wth the rebuilt 355 engine. If you have a stock L48 and want rumble, then I suggest minimal mufflers thru 2 1/2 "pipes. The original Flowmaster 40's or very short race versions, or glass packs might be to your liking. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 140
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What if you want to have a dark resonant open sound that is not very loud? I'm thinking of a big dog that is giving you his polite but very resolute warning. It should just be as a hint of something bad that might happen. And not to loud cause I love my neighbors and want to keep the good relation. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
What if you want to have a dark resonant open sound that is not very loud? I'm thinking of a big dog that is giving you his polite but very resolute warning. It should just be as a hint of something bad that might happen. And not to loud cause I love my neighbors and want to keep the good relation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
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From: Bay Area CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Lake Geneva WI
I guess the only question I have on this topic since it interests me too, is what if any modification to timing/idle/carb, etc., is needed when changing the stock setup. I know on my V-Rod a new map was required when I changed the Pipes. Is there anything special needed if I moved to a 2 1/2" open dual or dual magna flow set up on a stock L48?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
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From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
On a 2 1/2" chambered system, how far does the pipe neck down? 2 1/4"? or 2"? or what? Doesn't that effectively change your exhaust system from a 2 1/2" to whatever. Do you lose power? What is more restrictive, a 2 1/2" glass pack, or a 2 1/2" chambered exhaust?
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Last edited by Bee Jay; Mar 20, 2008 at 05:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
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From: charlotte north carolina
i was informed by corvette cental that the bb 2 1/2" magna flow systems all neck down to 2" at the muffler output and the exhaust extensions are 2" also, as per factory. is this true? what's the sense of corking these 2 1/2" magna flows down to 2"?
jeff
jeff
