Flowmaster Fan, here! (Don't Shoot!)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Weston Fl
Flowmaster Fan, here! (Don't Shoot!)
Ok, so after speaking with many many people about my '88, I have decided that even though I'd like it to stay stock for resale later on in my lifetime, I'd still like to have somethings on it, which make it "MINE!" So since I've always loved the sound of Flowmasters, I have decided to buy a pair of Flowmaster Mufflers.
http://www.zip-products.com/Corvette...C2473FD7423E7C
That is the link to the pair I want. My question is whether or not those look direct bolt-on. It says you can just mount them directly to the stock rear Y-Pipe. Since I know 0 about muffler systems (I had my last one welded on by some redneck in a discount store for my Mustang) I'd like to make sure that I'm getting bolt-on, as I am hoping! I know that some will say that I should just go out and get the entire system done, but since I am on a EXTREMELY tight budget (trying to pay off the car so I can quit this job), I should really only do the system in sections.
Thanx in advance!
~Derek
(I usually get yelled at for posting in the tech section, but I'm hoping I won't this time, since this seems like a legit tech question! lol)
http://www.zip-products.com/Corvette...C2473FD7423E7C
That is the link to the pair I want. My question is whether or not those look direct bolt-on. It says you can just mount them directly to the stock rear Y-Pipe. Since I know 0 about muffler systems (I had my last one welded on by some redneck in a discount store for my Mustang) I'd like to make sure that I'm getting bolt-on, as I am hoping! I know that some will say that I should just go out and get the entire system done, but since I am on a EXTREMELY tight budget (trying to pay off the car so I can quit this job), I should really only do the system in sections.
Thanx in advance!
~Derek
(I usually get yelled at for posting in the tech section, but I'm hoping I won't this time, since this seems like a legit tech question! lol)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Weston Fl
Originally Posted by PAINTER MAN
I believed they are direct bolt on as long as you can get the old ones off your Y pipe.
~Derek
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 397
From: Lakeville MI
You can do better on the price ($115 from summit).
I've always liked the flowmasters on my car, even though the sound has changed completely over the years from stock with cats, to true duals, then to headers/duals and finally an x-pipe. They're typically silver/aluminum in color, rather than the black as pictured. I painted my black last spring, and I think I prefer the more subtle look.
Funny thing is now they're actually kind of quiet since the x-pipe was installed, the old rumble has been replaced by an exotic sort of snarl.
It should be possible to get the old mufflers off of the rear y-pipe.
By the way, flowmasters were my first mod back in 1991...good luck stopping there.
I've always liked the flowmasters on my car, even though the sound has changed completely over the years from stock with cats, to true duals, then to headers/duals and finally an x-pipe. They're typically silver/aluminum in color, rather than the black as pictured. I painted my black last spring, and I think I prefer the more subtle look.
Funny thing is now they're actually kind of quiet since the x-pipe was installed, the old rumble has been replaced by an exotic sort of snarl.
It should be possible to get the old mufflers off of the rear y-pipe.
By the way, flowmasters were my first mod back in 1991...good luck stopping there.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
You might actually consider having them welded. Rusted exhaust clamps never looked real good in my book, and where those will be, I promise you'll be able to see them. Welds are also less likely to leak if done properly.
Otherwise it's a love / hate relationship with flowmasters. You either love the sound or you hate it. Then there's the interior sound to contend with, generally that's a hate / tolerate relationship.
Otherwise it's a love / hate relationship with flowmasters. You either love the sound or you hate it. Then there's the interior sound to contend with, generally that's a hate / tolerate relationship.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Weston Fl
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
You might actually consider having them welded. Rusted exhaust clamps never looked real good in my book, and where those will be, I promise you'll be able to see them. Welds are also less likely to leak if done properly.
Otherwise it's a love / hate relationship with flowmasters. You either love the sound or you hate it. Then there's the interior sound to contend with, generally that's a hate / tolerate relationship.
Otherwise it's a love / hate relationship with flowmasters. You either love the sound or you hate it. Then there's the interior sound to contend with, generally that's a hate / tolerate relationship.
I'm kind of iffy about welding, because if I want to revert back to stock, or find a new set of mufflers, I'm stuck with cutting them. Plus, I've never welded and since I don't like spending more $ than I have to (and REALLY don't want someone touching my 'Vette), I'd rather do the job myself.
I've always loved the Flowmaster sound. Had it on my '96 Mustang and couldn't have been happier. I even loved the internal rumble. I don't know about anyone else, but I LOVE the sound of internal rumble. Screw the stereo, because if I really want to hear my music, I can always turn it up =) It's a relaxing sound, I guess you could say.
~Derek
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1
From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
The first mod I did was flow--40's with a D-max the pipe w/cross over & I hollowed the cat -- still sounds good after 2yrs. The only thing is the stainless out let pipes are 3/4ins. longer on one side. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
[QUOTE=Fork501]Ok, so after speaking with many many people about my '88, I have decided that even though I'd like it to stay stock for resale later on in my lifetime, I'd still like to have somethings on it, which make it "MINE!" So since I've always loved the sound of Flowmasters, I have decided to buy a pair of Flowmaster Mufflers.
I love my flowmasters, awesome sound, but I did insulate for noise control inside the car. I think you should do what you want to do to your car to make you happy with it. Unless you have a truly rare car it doesn't do much good to keep the car stock just for the sake of "collector value" because there generally isn't any. C4 cars look great and generate a lot of excitement, but few are rare to the point that changing the mufflers will desimate their value. You will lose more value from rock chips in the paint. As a group, C4 values are at the bottom of the corvette world (too old to be new, too new to be valuable). You won't gain or loose much either way. Why not please yourself? That's where the value is.
I love my flowmasters, awesome sound, but I did insulate for noise control inside the car. I think you should do what you want to do to your car to make you happy with it. Unless you have a truly rare car it doesn't do much good to keep the car stock just for the sake of "collector value" because there generally isn't any. C4 cars look great and generate a lot of excitement, but few are rare to the point that changing the mufflers will desimate their value. You will lose more value from rock chips in the paint. As a group, C4 values are at the bottom of the corvette world (too old to be new, too new to be valuable). You won't gain or loose much either way. Why not please yourself? That's where the value is.
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Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Put me in the camp of those who don't like the Flowmaster sound. However, the mufflers they use in their Force II catback (I think that's what it's called) for these cars has a very nice sound worthy of a Corvette. I think they are a 50 series something or other. I probably shouldn't have even posted since I've already got a head start on the evening's festivities! 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
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From: Oceansaide CA
1. buy mufflers
2. go to exhaust shop
3. pay $40 or so and have it done right
All that slip on/clamp business is cool for when you're just getting the thing smogged and whatnot, but not for the rest of it's natural life. It's worth it.
Having said that I just put two spintechs on mine. Pretty burly at idle, and doesn't really get any louder the more you mash the go pedal. Very interesting muffler, and I like the sound. No rasp what-so-ever, but a bit of resonance in the cab.
2. go to exhaust shop
3. pay $40 or so and have it done right
All that slip on/clamp business is cool for when you're just getting the thing smogged and whatnot, but not for the rest of it's natural life. It's worth it.
Having said that I just put two spintechs on mine. Pretty burly at idle, and doesn't really get any louder the more you mash the go pedal. Very interesting muffler, and I like the sound. No rasp what-so-ever, but a bit of resonance in the cab.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Exactly what ClarenceT said..
Order a pair of Flowmaster 40 Series (or 50 series if you want them a little quieter) from Summit, get ones with 2¼" Offset Inlet/2½" (Or 3") Center or Offset Outlet. (Should be like $75 per muffler)
Go down to a local exhaust shop, give them $75 to have them cut the stockers off and weld on the new flowmasters.
Order a pair of Flowmaster 40 Series (or 50 series if you want them a little quieter) from Summit, get ones with 2¼" Offset Inlet/2½" (Or 3") Center or Offset Outlet. (Should be like $75 per muffler)
Go down to a local exhaust shop, give them $75 to have them cut the stockers off and weld on the new flowmasters.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
The ones on the zip link will "bolt in" as they have the bracket mount welded on. I;'d use those or delta flo 50's made specifically for the C4, same way. I tried using a plain old flomaster to save some money and couldn't get them to sit and line up the way I wanted. Plus, I would have had to buy tips that stuck out to far, etc. Better to grab ones made for your car and like the others said, weld them on.
The Deltas will have a more subtle tone than a typical flo, but still sound good. More $ though.
Heres an old pic, but they tuck up nice.
The Deltas will have a more subtle tone than a typical flo, but still sound good. More $ though.
Heres an old pic, but they tuck up nice.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 210
Likes: 6
From: Palm Harbor FL
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
I bought regular 40 series flowmasters, 2.5" offset in, center out. The muffler shop was able to make it fit and even use my stock LT1 tips for $25.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
I bought regular 40 series flowmasters, 2.5" offset in, center out. The muffler shop was able to make it fit and even use my stock LT1 tips for $25.
Not a great picture, but here's mine.
Last edited by TA; Jan 1, 2006 at 08:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Originally Posted by ClarenceT
1. buy mufflers
2. go to exhaust shop
3. pay $40 or so and have it done right
All that slip on/clamp business is cool for when you're just getting the thing smogged and whatnot, but not for the rest of it's natural life. It's worth it.
Having said that I just put two spintechs on mine. Pretty burly at idle, and doesn't really get any louder the more you mash the go pedal. Very interesting muffler, and I like the sound. No rasp what-so-ever, but a bit of resonance in the cab.
2. go to exhaust shop
3. pay $40 or so and have it done right
All that slip on/clamp business is cool for when you're just getting the thing smogged and whatnot, but not for the rest of it's natural life. It's worth it.
Having said that I just put two spintechs on mine. Pretty burly at idle, and doesn't really get any louder the more you mash the go pedal. Very interesting muffler, and I like the sound. No rasp what-so-ever, but a bit of resonance in the cab.
I have the LT1, with a stock exhaust except for the mufflers - those are flowmaster 40 series. A muffler shop welded them on and welded on the stock square tips (you don't have those) They work great. A little bit of noise - but with the stock resonator, it's not obnoxious. No power increase at all. Looks OK, (flowmasters are one of the ugliest mufflers in production) tips fit perfect and the sound is great!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: N. Tonawanda NY
Buy the Flow Master Force II! This comes with a 3" Y pipe and the 2 mufflers. Now all you have to do is undo 2 bolt from the cat and and 2 bolts on each muffler. Now the whole system drops. reinstallation is just as easy. Besides trying to get the old mufflers off the Y pipe is not an easy task. I did it 2 years ago and never regreted it. Last year I replace the front Y less the precats and a new high flow main cat. Now there a little louder and the motor runs better.
