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

muffler dyno tests

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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 09:59 PM
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Default muffler dyno tests

Does anyone have dyno test chart with stock and different mufflers. I know I could ask the quest what is the best one but I like to see hard facts. Ill tell you what im trying to choose between is flow master 50 series price is 240 for both mufflers and the borla 11134 price is 409 for both mufflers.Is the price difference worth it is what im trying to find out. If anyone can find them cheaper please let me know. Thank you
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:03 PM
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The difference of mufflers is all in the sound. I think that horsepower gains from mufflers is just a myth. I don't believe it.
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:08 PM
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you wont feel a few hp +-
Easy to misconstrue loud with power weve all done it. Get what sounds good to you. Some big ci monster maybe theres a small gain somewhere

Last edited by cv67; Jan 26, 2014 at 10:10 PM.
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:24 PM
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My understanding was it is more of a back pressure issue, A muffler with a straight thru flow does better than one with baffle's. A good cat back straight thru set up could gain you 10+hp over a stock setup.
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:26 PM
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I just replaced the cat and pipe behind the cat ....still stock mufflers
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:39 PM
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What year? Auto or stick? sounds like you have an earlier C4 with a single pipe down the center not sure you will have a lot of gain as a later duel cat with center resonator would. It would help if you fill out your details at least year.
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:45 PM
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1985 stick single pipe down the center.
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Old Jan 26, 2014 | 10:47 PM
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There are muffler flow tests out there. I like perforated tube mufflers myself.
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 04:16 AM
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Originally Posted by DanielRicany
The difference of mufflers is all in the sound. I think that horsepower gains from mufflers is just a myth. I don't believe it.
You can't gain any power from mufflers, but you sure can loose multiple hp's with bad mufflers.

I also prefer perforated tube straight thru mufflers
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 10:33 AM
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My 85 came with an 86 Magnaflow system that was fitted to the 85 cat. It has 2 1/2 pipes to the muffles. I wanted to get rid of the drone so I bought a rear pipe with crossover 2 1/4 and 2 standard muffles with all 4 tail pipes open. I can tell you I did feel the difference in hp. It felt way down on off the line torque, and didn't have the punch on rolling acceleration. The drone moved from 1900 rpm to idle rpm. It was very quite at freeway speeds. I put the Magnaflow system back on and wow the performance was back. The 2 1/4 system just felt mushy or softened up. Just my experience.
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by DanielRicany
The difference of mufflers is all in the sound. I think that horsepower gains from mufflers is just a myth. I don't believe it.
Oh yee of little faith.....
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 12:11 PM
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Read the review of ZR-1 exhaust systems I'm sure the finding can be applied to all exhaust systems.

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ons%20Page.htm
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 03:58 PM
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I don't have dyno tests, but I remember reading that the '90 had a rating of 245 hp or 250 hp depending on which muffler was used. So a less restrictive stock muffler made a 5 hp difference.

My opinion (without data) is that there is not much to be gained with different mufflers other than the sound you like, however some gains are possible.
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 04:18 PM
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I think it's more fair to say mufflers with similar sound levels will vary little in HP figures. But there may be a small amount. Maybe a couple of car lengths in 100 laps? Rarely enough that you'd feel anything. What you did feel would be the illusion that more/less sound changes power level.
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Tapio@FTTRacing
You can't gain any power from mufflers, but you sure can loose multiple hp's with bad mufflers.

I also prefer perforated tube straight thru mufflers
This guy "gets it".
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 07:56 PM
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Ok, young-en's
You made the old man get up out of his chair a photo this old Corvette Fever Muffler test from June 1998.
Interesting info.















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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 08:01 PM
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Try and listen to what you want to buy. Especially if you have to live in the car everyday.
I put walker dynomax and y pipe on my 87 15 yrs ago. They are still on it without rusting out.
The cat will have a huge difference on sound.

JS
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 10:36 PM
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How about that....Mufflers can make a power difference.
I ran a dyno test like this on a VW GTI back in the late 80's @ CompCams dyno in FL.
Same type of results, a little here and a little there.
But the biggest loss for power was a straight pipe and perforated tube like the ol" Cherry Bombs.

Like I said..Oh yee of little faith.
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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
How about that....Mufflers can make a power difference...Like I said..Oh yee of little faith.
The point was/is there IS little difference between best/worst muffler. 6hp is jack for most people/situations. Definitely not something you can feel. It would only matter at the track.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 12:06 AM
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In the 300-350 hp range it does not take much of an exhaust system to be adequate and not cost you much power. Thats mostly why there is not a lot to gain. One place that you can help your self out is weight.
Weight; minimize, keep it low, in front of the rear Axel (I know that aint corvette style pretty).
I realize dual exhaust with 2 big cans under the rear bumper is the regular way. The way mine is planed is a 3" collector extension in to a y 3" in 3 1/2 out(up to about 400hp). A nice light 3 1/2" straight through oval body muffler under the driveline. Positioned something like the oem resonator or cat. Choose a long muff to quiet things down, a shorty to pi$$ of the neighbors. Then a 3 1/2" tail pipe out to the stock position on the right side.
It aint as cool as a polished up borla system but it will be faster. Particularly if you spend the savings on other go fast stuff.

Last edited by Crepitus; Jan 28, 2014 at 12:09 AM.
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