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Muffler Shootout, How Does Your Muffler Stack Up?

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GranTorinoMan View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GranTorinoMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Muffler Shootout, How Does Your Muffler Stack Up?
    Posted: 07-September-2009 at 3:48AM
I chose Hooker MaxFlow because they rate near the top for HP/TQ and are quiet on the street until you punch it.  
 
MUFFLER SHOOTOUT:

Results based on 5.0 Mustang Magazine December 2002 issue (page 55). Test car is a ’90 Coupe with 370 HP and 11 second potential. A number of 66 pulls were made to compile this information. Where does your muffler stack up?

The results in HP order:

1.Flowtech Warlock (open) 374.2 hp/ 333.1 tq
2.Bassani Real Street 373.7 hp/ 333.8 tq
3.Hooker Maxflow 373.5 hp/ 333 tq
4.Borla XS 373.3 hp/ 332.6 tq
5.Magnaflow 372.8 / 332.5 tq
6.MAC 372.3 hp / 331.5 tq
7.Flowtech Afterburner 372.3 hp/ 330.1 tq
8.Hooker Aerochamber 372.1 hp/ 330.4 tq
9.Bassani 372 hp/ 333.5 tq
10.Spintech 371.6 hp/ 332.2 tq
11.Edelbrock Performer RPM 370.9 hp / 331.3 tq
12.Borla XR1 370 hp/ 334 tq
13.Flowtech Terminator 369.5 hp / 331.3 tq
14.Dynomax Ultra Flo 369.4 / 333.2 tq
15.Flowmaster 369.4 hp / 331.8 tq
16.Flowtech Warlock 366.3 hp / 325.3 tq
17.No muffs 365.2 hp / 330.1 tq

Sound Off in Quietest to Loudest (Decibels):

1.Borla XS, 80db at idle, 90db at 2,000 rpm, 110db at WOT.
2.Hooker Maxflow, 80db at idle, 90db at 2,000 rpm, 120db at WOT.
3.Magnaflow, 82db at idle, 91 at 2,000 rpm, 114db at WOT.
4.Flowmaster, 82db at idle, 93 at 2,000 rpm, 115db at WOT.
5.Flowtech Warlock, 83db at idle, 92 at 2,000 rpm, 112db at WOT.
6.Dynomax UltraFlo, 83db at idle, 94 at 2,000 rpm, 113db at WOT.
7.Borla XR1, 83db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, 118db at WOT.
8.Bassani Street, 83db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, 120db at WOT.
9.Edelbrock RPM, 84db at idle, 93db at 2,000 rpm, 118db at WOT.
10.Bassani Real Street, 84db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, MAX. (120+db).
11.Flowtech Afterburner, 86db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 115db at WOT.
12.Flowtech Terminator, 86db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 119db at WOT.
13.Hooker Aerochamber, 87db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 114db at WOT.
14.SpinTech, 87db at idle, 97db at 2,000 rpm, 116db at WOT.
15.MAC, 87db at idle, 98db at 2,000 rpm, 119db at WOT.
16.No Muffler, 91db at idle, 103db at 2,000 rpm, MAX. (120+db).
Credit2nv is offline  
      


Edited by GranTorinoMan - 07-September-2009 at 4:03AM
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crispy23c View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crispy23c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-September-2009 at 7:02AM
Yeah, but how do they sound?  You like them?
Chris P. '73 GTS FastBack 351CJ-4V Triple black


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote occupant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-September-2009 at 7:49AM
I like the sound of Magnaflows better than Flowmasters on Ford 4.6 engines. I bet the sound of a 302 or 351 would be better. And they do allow more power although a small amount. I have not heard the Hooker mufflers yet. I would definitely like a calm sound below 2000-2400rpm but above that I want to hear Classic American Muscle V8 sound.

Which is probably why I put glasspack mufflers on anything I change out (so far, a Crown Vic taxi, a Grand Marquis taxi, and an Aerostar minivan with a 3.0V6 and it didn't get louder than it was without a muffler at all, but it was better sounding than open pipes!)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ramair351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-September-2009 at 10:42AM
i had an exhaust shop locally do an exhaust a while back on my 73, they installed the flowmaster 40 series backwards on the car.  car ran like crap and had no power. took a week of screwing around to figure it out. i wonder what the dyno pull would have been before and after i switched them. probably 50-75 horses i would guess.
-Pete
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crispy23c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-September-2009 at 12:14PM
Yikes.  That scares the crap outa me, how some "mechanics" can't even put a muffler on right...
~Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GranTorinoMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:56PM
Chris, I like the sound very much and I've received a lot of compliments on how my Torino sounds from guys at the race track. This video has the sound of my Torino and a Mustang at full throttle, I believe my car is making most of the noise that can be heard. http://www.dragtimes.com/1972-Ford-Torino-Videos-16441.html
I have a DVD of my car doing a burn out and an exclusive 1/4 mile run that my buddy borrowed, I'll post it as soon as I get it back.  
I bought the largest case (truck style) 3.5" In/Out MaxFlow mufflers. My 472, Hooker headers, 3.5" X-pipe, 3.5" pipes front to back, under the trunk muffler location and 4" chrome tips all add up to make that killer sound.    


Edited by GranTorinoMan - 07-September-2009 at 5:28PM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crispy23c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-September-2009 at 2:00AM
Whoa, that does sound very nice.  Thanks.  Definitely post that when you get back!
~Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-September-2009 at 6:10AM
I like the 70 series flowmasters.
I have had comments about how nice and mellow it sounds and silent it is.
Personally, I've been down the rattle your brains out muffler route, and I am glad as hell Paul Psquare75 traded me for these units. I have a street car, not a open pipe drag machine. I like having a conversation.
The most irritating thing is I can head my header gasket leaks like a mother right now. LOL
 
As far sound, take a look&listen.
 
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psquare75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-September-2009 at 7:10AM
It's funny, I had those 70's and I hated em...
Paul
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-September-2009 at 12:30PM
That's because you are picker than me. LOL
Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hey Z Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 9:20AM
Thanks for the info on the mufflers.  I too want a muffler that is quiet at idle because I live near a cop who goes nuts over my loud cars. 
 
Looks like the Hooker or Borla XS are both good options although I'm sure the Borla's are more money.  I had Borla's on my 700 hp mustang cobra and really liked the sound.  Of course that was on a procharged 347, not a 460 like in my torino so the borla's would sound different.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hey Z Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 9:23AM
Originally posted by GranTorinoMan GranTorinoMan wrote:

I bought the largest case (truck style) 3.5" In/Out MaxFlow mufflers. My 472, Hooker headers, 3.5" X-pipe, 3.5" pipes front to back, under the trunk muffler location and 4" chrome tips all add up to make that killer sound.    
 
Did a shop do your 3.5" pipes?  I'm having a hard time finding a shop locally that can mandrel bend 3.5" pipe.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torinogts73c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 10:26AM

I've got Flowmaster original 40 series they sound great but the drone at 2000rpm drives me nuts!#%&!!!  Angry 

Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 1975MontegoMX Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 12:54PM
Originally posted by Torinogts73c Torinogts73c wrote:

I've got Flowmaster original 40 series they sound great but the drone at 2000rpm drives me nuts!#%&!!!  Angry 



Yeah, its BAD, i just turn the radio up Thumbs Up


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torinogts73c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 2:02PM
See , that's why I had to upgrade the sound system!!
Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote occupant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2009 at 6:14PM
am I the only person in the northern hemisphere who LIKES the typical American V8 drone around 1900-2000 rpm?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GranTorinoMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-September-2009 at 4:51AM
Did a shop do your 3.5" pipes?  I'm having a hard time finding a shop locally that can mandrel bend 3.5" pipe.
[/QUOTE]
 
My exhaust shop bought pipes that were pre-mandrel bent. Bring your car in so they can measure and order the mandrel pipes ahead of the install. The dreaded drone at 2000 RPM happens because of the limited space for a large case muffler under the cab floor. By removing the stock gas tank I freed up all that room under the trunk and moved the noise as far back as possible. The exhaust gas & sound shrinks 50% by the time it passes over the axle, so the high flow mufflers work better at dropping the sound to a repectable level and no cab drone.      
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torinogts73c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-September-2009 at 5:08AM
That maybe ok for a drag car but I still like the use of my trunk for something more than a gas tank. I have had other turbo type mufflers on my car in 30+ years i have owned it and nothing was as bad as the 40 series flowmasters. I guess you have to have your own set of priorites.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-September-2009 at 5:58AM
On the exhaust, the 70 series flowmasters are big mufflers...not going to BS any of you, it's a tight fit but they will work, but it requires some artestry to fit the pipes over the rear axle.
Easies way is order up a flowmast universal U-fit kit, there is an assorment of pipes. I know with the 2.5" exhaust, what little drone I do have is plesent and mellow.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JimW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-September-2009 at 11:00AM
On another shootout on a Buick 455 powered wagon running low 12's/high 11's the Borla XR1's did very well, as did the Hooker Aerochambers, and another straight through type muffler, and the x crossover did the best..  (as an aside, the X crossovers supposedly do not like a chambered muffler).  Another high flowing muffler in that test was surprisingly the big case Walker dynomax, I belive under the "tough truck turbo" label..
 
I like my 12" XR1's, I liked the Flowie 2 chambers as well, but they were considerably louder inside the car than the Borlas, whereas the flows were quieter outside and under full throttle. 
 
All of the clips below have the HKR 6126 headers, 3" Dr Gas X-pipe, 3" mandrel pipes all the way to the bumper..
 
Flowmasters + 460
 
Borlas + 545
 
Jim
 
 
1976 S&H Gran Torino

460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6

545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8

More to come!!!!

463rwhp/495rwtq

two tons of fun

see it and hear it at:

www.torinocobra.com

www.st
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GranTorinoMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-September-2009 at 3:14AM
Andrew, great job using a shoehorn to fit those big mufflers, I bet the cab noise reduction was worth it.
 
Jim, big blocks create that distinct sound and your car sure demands attention with those XR1's. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-September-2009 at 6:13AM
Thanks. It took me a bit to figure out how I was going to get the pipe up and over the axle, but it was so worth it.
Some times I wish this thing was quiet, but I value having my {what's left anyways} of my hearing.
Now, when I get to my stereo install...that'll be something different.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GranTorinoMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21-September-2009 at 4:23AM
600 watts and 10 speakers should just about do it.Big smile
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