When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 78, L-48, automatic with true dual exhaust and no cat. It also does not have a cross-over. Getting ready
to install Flowmaster mufflers, but want your opinion on the model. I want it to sound like a Vette, but not run me out
of the car. I've seen some discussion regarding 40 and 50 series - which is best and do I need to install a cross-over?
What does the cross-over do? I'm a new Vette owner (as if you couldn't already tell that) and am learning as I go.
Wanted a Vette for years and finally bought one for my 50th Birthday. Daily driver, great condition, mostly original,
but not for show - puely for enjoyment. Any help is appreciated. :cheers: :flag
I have the 40's dual straight back no cat's w/auto trans, and let me just say it sounds sweet low rpms with the auto, but the resonance is a pain as it winds up a bit.
*** Another consideration is checking out walker chambered exhaust tubes, they sound great on my friends chevelle. quite on the low rpm range but loud when you get into it. ***
It is loud, and can set of car alarms in the parking deck if i idle by cars. I dunno but have heard the crossover reduces some of the resonance. Conversations are a bitch city traffic, but hiway the sound is just a low hum in the background.
I've got the Delta 50 series with a crossover Y-pipe in my 86 and I love them. Not too loud and great at cruising. In my 73 I've got the 40 series, it is loud. I didn't like it at first, but now it's growing on me. The 73 has a band around 30-35 MPH where the resonance is bad, but it's fine at cruising speed. The 73 is no cat, true duals also. I like flows, but you should find somebody who has the same set-up and take a ride to see if you can live with them.
I have the 50 series and am happy I was talked out of the 40s. The 50s are loud enough. If it is a daily driver I would stick with the 50s. A crossover will lessen the resonance a little. Mine is right behind the crossmember.
I have the 40's on mine. Let me tell you, it'll set off car alarms :D :D . MAN that's fun. Anyway, there is a resonance with mine at about 1500rpms. It's not bad though. You get used to it pretty fast, and boy does it turn heads. :lol:
It was explained to me that a cross-over's primary function is to balance out the back pressure between the left and right bank/chambers. It is important and very inexpensive to have done... please don't skimp on this item...
as far as mufflers, have similar setup... tried flow's, dynomax turbos, straight exhaust out 3" tubes.... ended up with shorty glass packs (8 inches short) welded just prior to the exhaust tips.. the perfect deep throaty sound the is very likeable under normal driving, but agressive when leaned on... plus it was the cheapest experiment that worked ($22 total).
good luck,
krafty
Thanks so much for the input. As I thought, it really depends on personal taste. Those of you with 40's love them and those of you with 50's love them. I like the suggestion to ride in both, but don't have that option here.
If you want loud inside and outside your Vette go with the 40 series delta flow. I have them and they are loud with that metallic Flowmaster sound. They do resonate a lot inside between 1500 - 1900 rpm but it goes away at higher rpm. This can be annoying to some but I like it. It rattles the door panels and dash. The 40's are raw and 50's are more mellow. Go with the 50 series delta flow if you want less interior resonance. Whatever you decide, get the delta flow mufflers.
Install the balance pipe. This adds torque, balances the pressure, reduces popping/raspy sound, reduces interior resonance, and makes a lower tone.
Just my two cents here...
I am using Magna Flows on my Vette, and Flowmaster Delta 40s on my Mustang. The way the guy at the muffler shop explained it to me was like this...Flowmasters are designed for an application with a length of pipe after the muffler, which our Vettes do not have. The sound resinated back into the car, and can get on your nerves after a while.
The Magna Flow mufflers have a "straight through" design, and actually flow air better than the Flow Masters. I am very happy with having the Magna Flows, and get plenty of complements on the sound of my car.
Check out their site: http://www.magnaflow.com
Eric is right, the two different all metal/chambered muffler sets that I tried on my car resonated badly (Flowmaster Delta 50's and the Summit Flowmaster knock-offs). They create the "metalic sound" that vettesite referred to above. Some like it, some don't, it's up to you. If you don't want resonance, you have to stick with straight-through style mufflers that contain some type of packing like Dynomax Ultraflow, Magnaflow, etc.
I went with a muffler you don't hear about much on the forum, the Edelbrock stainless 304s. They're a bit pricey ($225+ per pair), but they are top quality and sound great. Loud and low toned with 0 resonance.