High flow cat/Muffler recommendations

[RC81]

I am looking for advice on mufflers for my car. I will replace the cat first with a high flow unit - which ones have you used? As for mufflers I am leaning towards the Ultra Flows but havent heard them on a car. I must retain my 2-1-2 exhaust configuration and was wondering how they will sound and fit. Any other brands you would recommend? Thanks.

[RC81]

I guess everyone runs the stock setup?

[Yoda]

RC,

I don't know how I missed this thread yesterday :eek

I run Flow Master 40's on mine with a flow through cat that was installed by the muffler shop that did the exhaust system, so I'm not sure which one they used :confused

I've seen them advertised at MidAmerica as well as other aftermarket vendors.

Where 'bouts in the "Bay Area" are you. I am just over a few hills over in Modesto ;)

[Yoda]

Also if you go to the "Search" feature (tab at the top) and type in Free Flow Cats you'll come up with a few pages of prior threads on this subject. I'm pretty sure manufacture's are mentioned in a few of them ;)

Bud

[RC81]

Thanks for the reply Bud. I am in Discovery Bay - about 1/2 hour from Modesto. How do you like your Flowmasters? Are they really loud or have much resonance? How do they fit in the muffler cavity? I have seen some that dont fit too well and hang down. Also who did your work as I may want to go there if local. Again thanks for your answers.

[Yoda]

RC,

Going down the road I don't think they are all that loud, but around town they have a very mellow growl and set off car alarms with ease :D

If I lug her down in 3rd or 4th around 1600 rpm there is a nice resonance. Personally I like that sound, it kind of gives the old girl a bit of meaness.

They fit up under the back panels as well as the stock mufflers. I had Modesto Muffler & Radiator do them. They did everything new from the front Y back.

I can't get away this weekend, and May 22nd we are leaving for vacation be back around June 7 or 8th. We can hookup for coffee some saturday morning and you can hear what they sound like.

I'll PM you my home phone number.

Bud

[Chris Kennedy]

I messed around with aftermarket mufflers for a long time, then finally took them off altogether and simply extended the standard pipes where the mufflers would ordinarily go----the catalytic converter cuts out lots of noise on its own, and with the mufflers off you get a real good tone (the "burble" at idle, etc.). Is it illegal? Probably so. It's a cheap thing to try to see if you like the sound. As to catalytic converters, lots of people seem to like one put out by Random Technologies, but I use a standard newer one that I got at a muffler shop.

--Chris Kennedy

[Tom Bryant]

I think you will like the Flowmasters Bud has. I liked the sound driving down the road. I can't tell you much about how they sounded from inside when sitting still. Chris was behind us with Killer and I couldn't hear anything else. Don't ask Bud how many times I killed it. :L

Tom

[phxraptor]

Originally posted by Chris Kennedy
I messed around with aftermarket mufflers for a long time, then finally took them off altogether and simply extended the standard pipes where the mufflers would ordinarily go----the catalytic converter cuts out lots of noise on its own, and with the mufflers off you get a real good tone (the "burble" at idle, etc.). Is it illegal? Probably so. It's a cheap thing to try to see if you like the sound. As to catalytic converters, lots of people seem to like one put out by Random Technologies, but I use a standard newer one that I got at a muffler shop.

--Chris Kennedy ;stupid I also removed my mufflers and ran straight pipes with chrome down tips,sounds great and didn't have to wonder about what mufflers to buy. Cost me $60 at the local muffler shop. Do you think if I also went to a high flow cat it would be too loud;shrug No one ever seems to respond much about us guys who run without mufflers:w

[Chris Kennedy]

Glad to read someone else runs w/o mufflers. What gave me the idea was that I was looking through either MidAmerica's or Eckler's catalog and saw a pipe you could use on a C4 if you wanted to remove the mufflers. Sooooo...., I tried the same idea with mine. It would be great if someone made chambered mufflers for an '81, but this is a terrific compromise. Anyhow, I did the muffler deletion after I got a larger catalytic converter, and the noise was fine. The only thing I have noticed is that there is a slight change in the noise between when you start up cold and the car warms up. I attribute this to some sort of "switching" of the emissions equipment. The start-up noise (cold) is a little harsh, and lasts about a minute or so. One nice thing about trying this idea is that it it very simple and cheap to do. If you don't like the sound, you can continue looking for mufflers. I fooled with Flowmasters, "Monza" style mufflers etc., but couldn't get the sound I wanted. Has anyone had experience with the Borla mufflers sold for this car?

--Chris Kennedy

[RC81]

Bud - I followed your recomendation and had two Flow 40s and a new cat put in this weekend. Sounds good and no resonance. Thanks.

[Yoda]

:cool RC... We need to get a few of us "Sharks" together some weekend this summer, I'd be willing to BBQ at my place in Modesto. Maybe discuss making the Tahoe Run this September ;)

Bud