do flowmasters really flow?

[atvcrazy]

I was wondering the true benifit of flowmaster mufflers compared to a catback like bassani or something similar. Do flows really make anymore power or do they just sound good? The reason im asking is cause I am thinking of getting a midpipe but dont want to waste my money if the new flow from a mid pipe will just get slowed down in the chambered mufflers.

 

[alfman9]

No, they do not flow as well as the others, they sound better, but are cheap as hell. Id rather go with the high quality, better flowing, and good sounding Bassani or Magnaflow.

 

[Uncle Meat]

No, they do not flow as well as the others, they sound better, but are cheap as hell. Id rather go with the high quality, better flowing, and good sounding Bassani or Magnaflow.

alfman9 is exactly right! Flowmasters make the least amount of HP/TQ of all the major CB's available.

U.M.

 

[mikey99cobra]

but damn do they sound good. Honestly, on the new mustangs, catbacks add such an insignificant amount of hp and tq that you should just get what you think sounds best. one might get 5 more hp over another but thats only gonna show up on a dyno.

 

[Craig Mack]

I ditched my flows for my Bassani. I loved the way both sound, but they sound very different. Bassani has more of a spintech type snarl, very edgy and racey, flows has that classic muscle car sound.

Anyways, mikey99cobra, there is a difference. My friend picked up 6rwhp alone from switching out his Flowmaster catback to a Bassani catback. I had flows welded into the stock pipes so I am hoping to pick up even more by going to a full bassani CB.

 

[01BlueCOBRA]

i agree, flow's are basically for sound. im gonna give magnaflow a try.

 

[wythors]

Just got the SLP Loudmouth system for my wife's 96 Cobra. I'll be installing it Sunday and I'll let you know if there's any noticeable difference between it and Flowmasters.

 

[mikey99cobra]

I ditched my flows for my Bassani. I loved the way both sound, but they sound very different. Bassani has more of a spintech type snarl, very edgy and racey, flows has that classic muscle car sound.

Anyways, mikey99cobra, there is a difference. My friend picked up 6rwhp alone from switching out his Flowmaster catback to a Bassani catback. I had flows welded into the stock pipes so I am hoping to pick up even more by going to a full bassani CB.

but damn do they sound good. Honestly, on the new mustangs, catbacks add such an insignificant amount of hp and tq that you should just get what you think sounds best. one might get 5 more hp over another but thats only gonna show up on a dyno.

Again, it is my opinion that the gains are not enough to worry about. Get what you think sounds best. I have had magnaflow and i think the flowmasters sound way better than they ever did. With my longtubes and off road x pipe the magnaflows sounded like glasspacks on a 70s pickup. Again, this is just my opinion.

 

[Craig Mack]

Again, it is my opinion that the gains are not enough to worry about. Get what you think sounds best. I have had magnaflow and i think the flowmasters sound way better than they ever did. With my longtubes and off road x pipe the magnaflows sounded like glasspacks on a 70s pickup. Again, this is just my opinion.

I personally hate Magnaflows as well, but some people like that particular sound.

IMO, the 6rwhp over the flow catback was partially enough to make me ditch my stock pipes/weld ins for a Bassani CB. Less interior noise, louder at full throttle, a bit quieter under 2krpm, and louder at mid rpm cruising.

But I also got a killer deal on my Bassani, $315 + $40 shipping brand new, I couldn't let that deal slip away.

 

[mikey99cobra]

I personally hate Magnaflows as well, but some people like that particular sound.

IMO, the 6rwhp over the flow catback was partially enough to make me ditch my stock pipes/weld ins for a Bassani CB. Less interior noise, louder at full throttle, a bit quieter under 2krpm, and louder at mid rpm cruising.

But I also got a killer deal on my Bassani, $315 + $40 shipping brand new, I couldn't let that deal slip away.

Yeah, i can see swapping out the stock pipes. I think that helps flow by itsself. And that is a great deal on bassani. I got 2 flowmaster mufflers off of ebay for $100 and got 15$ worth of clamps and pipes at autozone and made me some dumps. Very deep sound. I know i have lost some hp and tq but my car is a daily driver and id rather have a great sounding car at the expense of 6 hp. I guess its just personnal preference.

 

[tygr1]

Yeah, i can see swapping out the stock pipes. I think that helps flow by itsself. And that is a great deal on bassani. I got 2 flowmaster mufflers off of ebay for $100 and got 15$ worth of clamps and pipes at autozone and made me some dumps. Very deep sound. I know i have lost some hp and tq but my car is a daily driver and id rather have a great sounding car at the expense of 6 hp. I guess its just personnal preference.

How does that really HURT hp and tq numbers? Anyone have proof of this? I think the stock 2-1/4" 4 cat system with weld in (or bolt in) Flows and turndowns would be at least as good as stock (better by a little, I'll bet).

I want as much torque at as LOW an rpm range as possible (it's a STREET car driver in my case), so I'll keep the small pipe and Flows for now thank you.

It just sounds so cool too.

 

[dastang2]

i've heard that somebody did a test with some newer stock mufflers and got more flow with them than flowmasters

 

[Dr. Wu 2000]

How does that really HURT hp and tq numbers? Anyone have proof of this? I think the stock 2-1/4" 4 cat system with weld in (or bolt in) Flows and turndowns would be at least as good as stock (better by a little, I'll bet).

I want as much torque at as LOW an rpm range as possible (it's a STREET car driver in my case), so I'll keep the small pipe and Flows for now thank you.

It just sounds so cool too. [/QUOTE
By removing the stock midpipe and installing a full cat-back you lose back pressure and low end trq. SOTP you will definately feel it. You will make it back up on the top end.

 

[Craig Mack]

i've heard that somebody did a test with some newer stock mufflers and got more flow with them than flowmasters

View attachment 521792 View attachment 521794


Tygr1: I experimented by dumping my bassani system and I felt a HUGE power loss. I mean, it was immediete. (sp?) Power around the mid rpm range suffered HUGE. It was hard to tell at times, in certain gears, but I felt it the most in second gear around 3-5krpm. I knew it was a bad idea to run dumped systems on our DOHC revvers, but damn!

On a side note, it took away the hollow rumble at idle and was unbearably loud under 2k rpm. It was a loud monotone BLURRRRR. Since the exhaust was coming out underneathe me, however, it did give me a great sense of what my car sounds like with the Bassanis when getting on the gas. Sick, just simply SICK.

 

[Booya]

I have Flowmaster Deltaflow 40 series welded in with a custom larger inlet pipe from the midpipe to the muffler. The guy that did this said that this larger inlet pipe will lessen the drone. It definitely drones less than my old 99 GT (with Flowmasters).

Also, I did not notice any change in performance, except now it sounds a lot faster! I love that Flowmaster sound.

When I go forced induction, I'll consider a serious exhaust system. But to spend an extra $300-$400 for 6 more hp? No thanks.

 

[tygr1]

Ok, please...someone tell me how ADDING 30-48 inches of 2-1/4" pipe with bends and curves (I realize this creates a bit more restriction) is going to result in better performance.

Wait, better yet, just explain to me how turn-downs @ the mufflers HURTS performance.

I sincerely wish to understand this.

 

[Dr. Wu 2000]

Ok, please...someone tell me how ADDING 30-48 inches of 2-1/4" pipe with bends and curves (I realize this creates a bit more restriction) is going to result in better performance.

Wait, better yet, just explain to me how turn-downs @ the mufflers HURTS performance.

I sincerely wish to understand this.

Losing back pressure will result in loss of low end trq. Fact. SOTP. You will make it back up on the top end.

 

[Craig Mack]

Losing back pressure will result in loss of low end trq. Fact. SOTP. You will make it back up on the top end.

Pretty much. We don't drive 350ci chevys that redline at 5000rpm, our cars are revvers. The exhaust flows better with a different application. I could definately feel the loss in low RPM power by taking off my tailpipes. I probably gained some power above 6000rpm, but who the hell cares about that when you lose tons of power down low?

Actually for power under 2krpm, i've been told the stock exhaust gives the meatiest power, believe it or not. But since you don't race in that RPM range, its pointless. Of course it becomes extremely restrictive in mid-high RPM range where you DO race.

 

[Nazman]

I ran some welded in to the after fix pipes 2 chambers flowmasters (center in/center out) on my 99 Cobra and they worked fine, the car pulled every little of 320RWHP with them on so I dont think that they hurt performance.

Now, I run the SLP stuff and it ROCKS! Best sound out there and plenty of power!

Just my .02

Naz