C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Magna Flow or Flowmaster

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Old May 20, 2012 | 07:17 AM
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Default Magna Flow or Flowmaster

I want a cat back system for my 90 vert. What are everyone's thoughts on Magna Flow or Flowmast?
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Old May 20, 2012 | 07:32 AM
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Corsa. I did a Flowmaster system, drone as we now call it, was more than I could take.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 07:43 AM
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I had the Flowmaster force II catback which is the one made for the C4s and its a 50 series muffler-not sure what youre looking for sound wise but those mufflers are way too quiet. If youre looking for something to sound mean check out Spintechs mufflers.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikepro76
I want a cat back system for my 90 vert. What are everyone's thoughts on Magna Flow or Flowmast?
I currently have the Magnaflow cat back system on my 94 C4 which produces a minimum amount of drone, love their sound, love their looks.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 10:07 AM
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I like the looks of the Magnaflow tips and their sound, but I don't like the way they mount the tips straight. Too much of the muffler is visible from the side. Others seem to angle the tips or have a thinner muffler that doesn't show so much.

I had Flowmaster's several generations ago on my '87. The were OK. A deeper sound, but not really my favorite.

My opinion is that I would look at Corsa, Borla, or B&B.

Try looking at several and listen to them if you can.

Good Luck with some tough choices.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 10:48 AM
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Ive had the original 40 series Flowmasters for 11 years. Loud and obnoxious. If they would rust out I'd go back to stock but it looks like they will last forever.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 12:06 PM
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Flowmaster. I have their cat back on my 95, and if their system for your 90 is as good, you'll love it. Absolutley no drone. Not loud until you really get on it. Nothing I have ever heard sounds better at idle. It's been on for over four years now, and is getting a little louder, but I can still hear the radio well at speed.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 12:18 PM
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Corsa! You won't be disappointed.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 12:25 PM
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I have flowmasters on my 84 the stock replacement flowmaster. they came with the tail pipe piece and tips. louder then stock. don't notice the new word drone. taking the cars to a show one day,wife was driving the vette,i was behind her. much louder outside then i thought they were. sounded pretty good. my 34 is 3 inch stainless from collector back,no mufflers. that you can hear inside . SWEEEEEEEEET no radio on just the sweet sound of the exhaust. you guys seem to call cruising speed a drone ??? i call it music. just my 2 cents :
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Old May 20, 2012 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by boonie c4
I currently have the Magnaflow cat back system on my 94 C4 which produces a minimum amount of drone, love their sound, love their looks.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 02:14 PM
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Old May 20, 2012 | 02:23 PM
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In the late 80's I worked at Flowmaster as lead tech advisor for 2 1/2 years, so I'm biased.

That said, I had Magnaflows on my 84 because I wanted the looks. They weren't bad at highway cruise with the 3.07's, but around town they were still quite loud inside the car regarding drone. When I bough the 91 I went ahead and got Flowmaster direct replacements. They are quieter inside than the Magnaflows were on the 84 at general driving loads. When you open it up they sound good without being wildly loud.

Keep in mind that those who typically complain about drone with Flowmasters didn't get the correct muffler. The internal design of them makes part selection very important unlike other mufflers. IT's a lot easier to buy the wrong one from a reseller/muffler shop who doesn't understand that (selling on price only) rather than getting the correct one for your application.

The mufflers for yours would be the 425501-L and 425501-R (left and right) and you could also get the 1012 Y-pipe. The direct replacement mufflers are tuned for the application to avoid problems like excessive drone, and also matched to the power output of a stock/slightly modded vehicle. If you're going to get all of that, you should also consider the cat-back kist with all stainless pipes and mufflers and polished tips. Just my 2 cents worth, but feel free to PM me if you have other questions.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by etteroc27
Flowmaster. I have their cat back on my 95, and if their system for your 90 is as good, you'll love it. Absolutley no drone. Not loud until you really get on it. Nothing I have ever heard sounds better at idle. It's been on for over four years now, and is getting a little louder, but I can still hear the radio well at speed.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikepro76
I want a cat back system for my 90 vert. What are everyone's thoughts on Magna Flow or Flowmast?
My strong recommendation is to look at comments from your engine class. Since you're an L98 owner, take notice to the L98 responses. Ignore the rest.

If you're an LTx owner, ignore the L98 responses.

There's a big difference in the results of the two. Believe it or not. I've heard it personally.

Basically, the LTx stuff is way friendlier in terms of exhaust options -- w/o getting into the drone issues.

Last edited by GREGGPENN; May 20, 2012 at 03:08 PM.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mcm95403
Keep in mind that those who typically complain about drone with Flowmasters didn't get the correct muffler.
Great point!

Originally Posted by mcm95403
The internal design of them makes part selection very important unlike other mufflers.
Wrong! Other muffler brands have similar variation and dependance on the specific part selected.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 03:11 PM
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I did a very lengthy comparison with videos here.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...te-videos.html
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Old May 21, 2012 | 11:25 PM
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Bump it!!! Bump it!!!
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Old May 21, 2012 | 11:34 PM
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Default MagnaFlows

I should speak up and say that I like my Magnaflows. I think they sound great and are not too loud at all. My system is from Corvette Central with no cats and they do mount where they hang down and are visible from the side of the car, but that is typical as far as I can tell for all mufflers for the C4.
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Old May 22, 2012 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Bump it!!! Bump it!!!
We better keep bumping it so it doesnt get closed.

Hedman Elite headers and SS Magnafows on the dyno.

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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 06:25 AM
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A good sounding stereo will take care of any droning sound. Again... From top to bottom, shorty headers, no cats, X pipe, flowmaster series 10 mufflers, 2.5 inch pipes. Sound like an angry V8 waiting for a rice burner to show up and rev up to be put in its place. In essence.... Go big or go home, let the wife play with the radio.
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