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Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

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Old 10-21-2002, 07:50 PM
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Default Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

This thing is the most restrictive pile of garbage that I have put on my car yet.

I recently installed a q-time cutout just for kicks. I didn't really expect any gains (maybe 5hp), but the HP difference with the cutout closed and open is night and day. I don't like posting SOTP comparions, but the difference is so blatently obvious. Opening the cutout in the middle of a WOT roll gives a significant SOTP feeling. It feels like I just piled on a 50 shot. Additionally, traction problems in 1st and second have gone south with the cutout open. 1st is now completely useless above 3000 rpm. 2nd literally lights up the tires above 5000 rpms.

Anyhoo, my car has always dynoed like trash for a Stage II H/C car. I think I found the problem. The flowmaster 80 series does not seem to work well with highly modified cars.

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Old 10-22-2002, 01:39 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

<img border="0" alt="[guns]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> FLOWMASTER <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />

I agree they SUCK! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
Old 10-22-2002, 04:06 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

I pulled 335hp with my cutout open , and 334 with my cutout closed through my flowmaster muffler, I dont think they are that bad.
Old 10-22-2002, 06:34 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 770boy:
<strong>I pulled 335hp with my cutout open , and 334 with my cutout closed through my flowmaster muffler, I dont think they are that bad.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">yours isn't highly modified.

if you want to make the most power get something other than flowmaster there is plenty of good flowing cat-backs that sound better for cheap if you look around. i recommend the hooker cat-back over the flowmaster anyday as far as sound and performance goes.

it may sound crazy to some people but i like the way my hooker cat-back sounds better than flowmaster. it really sounds good if you remove your cats. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Old 10-22-2002, 07:27 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 770boy:
<strong>I pulled 335hp with my cutout open , and 334 with my cutout closed through my flowmaster muffler, I dont think they are that bad.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">When my car was near stock, I really enjoyed the sound of the flowmaster. People commented on the sound of my car continuously, and if you are near stock, I think it is a great muffler for the sound. I was happy with mine for well over a year.

Lately though, I have become obsessed with HP, and have been going through the exhaust to try and free up a few. First it was a home job on the headers (JBA), next it was the canning the cats. Both didn't yield me squat for HP gains <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> . I had basically given up and figured the car was just a dog. The e-cutout absolutely just wakes the car up.

I am going to be changing to a quieter muffler setup, and when the flowmaster is off, I am going to take a look at it and see if there is squirrel stuck in there or something. The car just plain runs like a turd with it on and cutout closed.

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Old 10-23-2002, 04:25 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

They should be called "FlowSlower" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Old 10-23-2002, 04:31 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

How bout slowmaster?
Old 10-23-2002, 09:10 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

Unfortunately I went with a Flowmaster before I found out about LS1Tech.It was a waste of $$$.The drone inside the car was sickening.I left the slowmaster at the muffler shop for a christian burial.I had an SLP LM installed,much happier now.
Old 10-23-2002, 10:38 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

[/qb][/QUOTE]i recommend the hooker cat-back over the flowmaster anyday as far as sound and performance goes.
it may sound crazy to some people but i like the way my hooker cat-back sounds better than flowmaster. it really sounds good if you remove your cats. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> [/QB][/QUOTE]

I am thinking of getting the Hooker Y to go with Hooker LTs. You like the performance, that is good to hear, did you dyno the HP changes? or have an idea?
Old 10-23-2002, 04:55 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by mykdiver:
<strong>[/qb]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">i recommend the hooker cat-back over the flowmaster anyday as far as sound and performance goes.
it may sound crazy to some people but i like the way my hooker cat-back sounds better than flowmaster. it really sounds good if you remove your cats. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong>[/QUOTE]

I am thinking of getting the Hooker Y to go with Hooker LTs. You like the performance, that is good to hear, did you dyno the HP changes? or have an idea?[/QB][/QUOTE]
i live in the middle of nowhere. no dynos within' a good 2 or more hours drive.
Old 10-23-2002, 06:24 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fast Eddie 2002 T/A convert.:
<strong>Unfortunately I went with a Flowmaster before I found out about LS1Tech.It was a waste of $$$.The drone inside the car was sickening.I left the slowmaster at the muffler shop for a christian burial.I had an SLP LM installed,much happier now.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You are kidding right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

I originally had the Flowmaster A/T system, I liked it but it wasn't quite loud enough for me. Then went with the LM and it was drone city, and I mean the type of drone that will split your skull... t-tops, speakers, loose change, and just about everything rattled like crazy. Cut the resonator out and installed an 18" Dynomax bullet in it's place and it still drones a bit. As for flow difference between the two, I didn't notice much. The LM/Dynomouth does seem to pull a little more at the upper rpm's, but not enough to be sure and it could also be my imagination with all of the extra noise. I'm currently working on a custom muffler type of set up as the 4th configuration for me.

But my Flowmaster A/T certainly did not drone.

Just my $0.02
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Old 10-23-2002, 08:02 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

I'm running Midlengths, ORP, w/ 1 Chamber FlowMaster. the car sounds meaner that **** , It runs well also.
Old 10-24-2002, 05:40 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

I went from a flowmaster welded in place of the stock muffler to a loudmout, its a huge difference, major improvement.
Old 10-25-2002, 05:05 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

i had the same set up as rnr27band1 and i am much happier with my loudmouth. car definitely feels stronger. sounds better too!

<small>[ October 25, 2002, 05:39 AM: Message edited by: MEAN MACHINE ]</small>
Old 10-25-2002, 10:29 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

27band1,
That's what I had,an 80 series welded in place of the stock muffler.I'll probably get tired of the LM by next summer and go back to the drawing board.It seems as though all f-body LS1 owners go through these stages.
Old 10-25-2002, 10:38 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

BlackHawk,
I think maybe the LM is so loud that I can't hear the drone anymore.I'm sure I will get tired of it before to long.You know how it is when we get something new"it must be better".
Old 10-25-2002, 11:21 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fast Eddie 2002 T/A convert.:
<strong>BlackHawk,
I think maybe the LM is so loud that I can't hear the drone anymore.I'm sure I will get tired of it before to long.You know how it is when we get something new"it must be better".</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I know what you mean about the new toys.

I didn't even now what drone was until I put the LM in. The Flowmasters would hum a little at about 100-110mph on the way to Las Vegas but that was it. With the LM and Dynomouth I refuse to take my car on those types of long road trips... just too damn anoying. But also remember that I didn't have the 80 series, it was the 40 series that came with the A/T system. I also have little JBA headers that don't sound anything like LT's but are louder than the cast iron manifolds.

Funny thing about it though, I really don't even think that the car is all that loud. There is just this basd resonance.
Old 10-25-2002, 11:45 AM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

SOTP works, but how about this...+32rwhp and +34rwtq!!! That was from taking off the SLP y-pipe, cats, and Flowmaster 80 and putting in a true dual 2.5" setup with dual dynomax bullets and dumps right before the rear axle. Granted I used two different dynos....but come on! The biggest difference is in how quickly it revs now. Punching it at 3000rpms....hold the F%ck on!!

How can Flowmaster get away with selling such a performance restricting product??
Old 10-25-2002, 04:39 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

How much of a diff is there when you do this sound wise? Specifically what diff tones do you get?
Old 10-25-2002, 07:03 PM
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Default Re: Flowmaster 80 Series. The horrible truth

Well, took the car to the dyno tonight. Here are the new vs old.

Old (I don't have the sheet on me, so give or take a couple)
HP 358
TQ 352

Changes: Removed CATs. Ported Headers (JBA Shorties). Cutout open to skip the CHOKEMASTER

New
HP 389
TQ 382

That is a gain of 38 HP and 30 TQ by just freeing up the exhaust a little. The major addition, was the cutout, the car had been dynoed before with the Cats removed and I didn't gain squat over the "Old" values.

On a side not, the car put down 441 HP and 484 TQ with my piddly little 75 "street" shot. Unfortunately, it looks as though I maxing out the stock pump. Time for an upgrade.


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