I just picked up a used magna flow muffler from a local wreckingyard it was in good shape so I got it. I was wondering if anyone could give some feedback on the difference in sound and performance (if any) before I waste my time and money. I currently have a flowmaster everything else on the exhaust is stock, would like to get some ca. smog legal headers one of these days. Anyones help would be great thanks.

 

The Magnaflow is supposed to flow better, but IMO, I think the Flowmaster sounds a little better.

 

Magnaflow. Yes Flowmaster has a nice sound, but it actually lowers your HP over stock.

If you want CARB legal headers, your only choice is shorties for your 97. Anything else moves the stock cat, making it illegal.

 

I have Magnaflow and my car sounds awesome. When i had my 96 i had flowmaster. I like magnaflow better.

 

It all depends on what you want...For sound then flowmaster but for performance then magnaflow will open up the exhaust. Now the only headers you can use are CARB cert. shorties since your in smog heaven CA...

 

Sorry, but that is BS. Either I had one of the worlds strongest stock Z's or I gained almost 15 rwhp over stock from a K&N cold air intake.

I am not saying they are the most efficient, but I haven't noticed any improvement in performance with my GMMG over my Flowmaster. I still hope to get it on the same dyno as I used last year for my tune to prove it, but I bet it is less than 10 rwhp on a my car that was already making around 400rwhp. The GMMG is pretty much a straight through design.

So I say go with what sounds best to your ears, I replaced mine because I wanted a new sound, and liked the way the GMMG looked. From the few videos I heard of the magnaflow I just didn't like the sound of it, but each person will probably have a different opinion.

 

The restriction in the stock exhaust is in the manifolds, not the catback. When people talk about gaining 20 rwhp out of a CAI/Catback most of it is coming from the CAI. Flowmasters add more restriction if you have ever seen what the inside of one looks like.

 

Flowmasters have a bad rep. I love my American Thunder catback. True they don't flow as much as whatever other muffler, but it's still better than stock and the sound is beautiful. There was a site that did a bunch of muffler comparisons on a dyno with a 330whp car. And all mufflers were within 5hp or so. Get one that you think sounds good and if you want performance, get a cutout.

 

What you gatta love is the fact that magnaflow comes with a lifetime warranty plus a great sound. True exhaust sound is very subjective so it will be different from everyone. flowmasters seem to give off a loud tinny sound while magnaflows give off the low mellow tone until WOT.

 

Never heard magnaflow, but I would definately not describe my flowmaster as loud tinny. I would say low and rumbly.

 

well, a LT1 will never sound tinny like a 5.0 regardless of what you put on it.

i ordered my SS with the optional catback system from slp with the powerflo muffler. it is a straight through muffler with some kind of material to deaden the sound. it has a wonderful tone (deep and rumbly), just not super aggresive while at wot. after owning the car for about 9 years my brother in law bought me a single chamber flowmaster race muffler, so i put it on. now the car doesnt have as much rumble under decel, but at wot , it sounds like a raped ape!

i'm actually thinking about trying out a spintech muffler. they sound pretty bad ***....

i agree that you should buy what sounds good to you, because the muffler is only going to make a few HP difference. so unless you are trying to squeeze every pony outta your car, it doesnt matter......

BTW, the SS's were supposed to have ported exhaust manifolds to increase HP over the standard Z28. i dont really believe it though......

 

flowmaster=

 

well what i was getting at is comparing a magnaflow to a flowmaster.

 

Both companies uses two different types of internal design which produces entirely different sounds. Magnaflow uses a one piece straight though design and produces a deep mellow tone, best described as "throaty". But ultimately what it comes down to is your preference in sound.

 

As you can tell from everyone, Magnaflow seems to be the better choice. Ive heard rumors as well about Flowmaster lowering your HP. So why take a chance? You know Magnaflow is good and will gain HP plus there warranty is great.

Magnaflow=