Flowmasters JUNK on your Vette!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 2
Flowmasters JUNK on your Vette!
I have an 03 with about 39K miles on it, shortys and a tune.
I bought the car with the Flowmasters installed already and 18Kmiles or so,the right side has always rattled. In the last 4 months BOTH sides have had the internal baffle come loose and free,like rocks in a can. They are the only 'sore spot' on my Vette and need R&R,,how embarrassing.
I just spoke with Alex @ Flowmasters and although I was hoping frankly they would want them back to reverse engineer the anomoly, (read crap quality) he stated since I`m not the orginal person who bought them and have a reciept, I`m S.O.L.
My advice, skip Flowmasters, my expierence is they are indeed JUNK!!
Thanks,
I bought the car with the Flowmasters installed already and 18Kmiles or so,the right side has always rattled. In the last 4 months BOTH sides have had the internal baffle come loose and free,like rocks in a can. They are the only 'sore spot' on my Vette and need R&R,,how embarrassing.
I just spoke with Alex @ Flowmasters and although I was hoping frankly they would want them back to reverse engineer the anomoly, (read crap quality) he stated since I`m not the orginal person who bought them and have a reciept, I`m S.O.L.
My advice, skip Flowmasters, my expierence is they are indeed JUNK!!
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I've never used FLOWMASTER on a C5, but they were the only mufflers I used on three different GM crate motors (ZZ series) sbc in tri five Chevy cars I built.
Personally, I didn't have the baffles break loose on any of those three cars, but I did hear of one other person who did...stuff happens...
Personally, I didn't have the baffles break loose on any of those three cars, but I did hear of one other person who did...stuff happens...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
I've never used FLOWMASTER on a C5, but they were the only mufflers I used on three different GM crate motors (ZZ series) sbc in tri five Chevy cars I built.
Personally, I didn't have the baffles break loose on any of those three cars, but I did hear of one other person who did...stuff happens...
Personally, I didn't have the baffles break loose on any of those three cars, but I did hear of one other person who did...stuff happens...
S*#t happens! I've had um on my '98 for about 2yrs with no problems and I like the understated sound until WOT!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I believe that Fowmasters is the only aftermarket exhaust system for a C5 that is NOT stainless steel !
The original exhaust system is stainless steel, except for the ZO6 which is titanium.
So, the Flowmasters is a step down (longevity anyways) from a stock muffler.
The original exhaust system is stainless steel, except for the ZO6 which is titanium.
So, the Flowmasters is a step down (longevity anyways) from a stock muffler.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 3
From: slidell louisiana
If you end up replacing I just removed my corsa for ghl bullets and the bullets are fine looking and sound great. Chip (willfulone) is a vendor here and has a thread for the ghl $899.00 .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 36
From: Ocean Springs MS
Wow, so you LA people do have some taste!!
You know I had to get you back for that comment the other day. Yup, had them on mine a couple years now! 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Oakland Ca
St. Jude Donor '09
I had the same crappy Flowmasters that came with the car when I bought it also.
Like you the baffles inside broke loose. The rattling noise drove me crazy!
I bought NXT Step Exhaust for $670 shipped and thanks to Patches with some tips, I love how they turned out!
Like you the baffles inside broke loose. The rattling noise drove me crazy!
I bought NXT Step Exhaust for $670 shipped and thanks to Patches with some tips, I love how they turned out!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 3
From: slidell louisiana
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Had them on mine when I bought it. Worked well and I liked the sound!
I sold them for the C5 Z06 TI's and now have the LG BIG 3 3" Exhaust!
Thanks,Matt
I sold them for the C5 Z06 TI's and now have the LG BIG 3 3" Exhaust!
Thanks,Matt
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 2
Yeah that rattling is a trip, first in public you hurry and take off and hope no one hears it, then when I park it at home and its dead quiet the last thing I hear is this rolling sound like a big marble from inside the Flowmasters. Even when dog gone mustangs drive by me, I cough cough,,,aaacccchhhhh, sorry, appreciate the quiet smooth exhaust note.
Oh well only one way to go from here, UP! Appreciate all the recommendations, are Magnaflows good? I see on line they dyno up about 14 H.P. (grain of salt), I ask because I know my local performance exhaust shop can get them easily and has used them on many other vehicles.
Oh well only one way to go from here, UP! Appreciate all the recommendations, are Magnaflows good? I see on line they dyno up about 14 H.P. (grain of salt), I ask because I know my local performance exhaust shop can get them easily and has used them on many other vehicles.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I'm not saying it's happened, but I never had issues with Flowmasters on any of the 3 cars I had them on. My 85 Vette and 97 LT1 Firebird sounded fantastic with them. I haven't put flowmasters on an LS1 or my LS6 yet, but I don't plan to. I love the stock sound of my Ti exhaust.
