I've heard a number of times that the flowmaster american thunder exhaust is one of the worst performing. Is it just the muffler that makes it bad? If so do you think I could just take off the muffler, and run a single pipe from where the muffler used to be and have it make a turn and come out the drivers side rear?

 

I lost 12 rwhp on the dyno running through the Flowmaster over the cut-out. The graph showed 10-12 hp less through the Flowmaster all across the powerband.

 

flowmaster can't be that restrictive, tests have shown that it is much better flowing than stock, but maybe not the greatest , im sure there are better ones out there.

 

does anybody have a clue when it starts restricting you?
like what amount of hp?
i might be buying a z28 soon, and i just wanted to know, because i like the flowmaster sound (please, no pissing match about what's better sounding, that's just my opinion)
i would think if i got a z28, i'd get the a/t package, but not if it restricts too much

 

I have a flowmaster muffler and like the sound. I have heard millions of times that it is restrictive, but usually it's I haerd from this guy or that guy. I have never personally seen a dyon show it perform worse then stock (and I've seen a lot of dyno runs). if your concered about it, just get s cutout. Open it when you need (or what) the extra power, close it when you don't.

 

I'm not sure how restrictive mine is, but I can tell you that I'm running 12.25 THROUGH it, with no cut-out. That's with MAC headers, too.

Frank

 

mine sounds awsome, i never thought it would sound that good until i bought it, and ill buy it again, and i love the 80 series thats made especially for our cars, i would recommend it to anyone that wants a performance muffler, i love it when im driving slow and put it in second gear, i tell you it sounds really good, i always get compliments on it and people think that my car is modified or something, kinda cool.....

 

How the heck can you compare a cat-back to a cut-out? Obviously there will be a huge difference!

 

I dont think that anyone claims it is worse than stock, that is impossible, people say, and I believe it too that it just isnt as good as other aftermarket catbacks. By the way I have a basically brand new american thunder system with the 3" in and dual 3" out with stainless flowmaster tips, only about 500 miles on it for a 93-95 car, $150

 

whered you get it for that kinda money ?
also, could you get some pics of those tips?

 

NO...NO, im selling it for that price. Ill try to get a pic of the tips for ya tomorrow, if not tonight sometime.

 

go look for a cutted out pic of a flowmaster, and compare that to a magnaflow for example... and u tell me if its restrictive or not

 

My flowmaster is highly restrictive,thank God I've got an exhaust leak in my intermediate pipe,or I would dump it.Do a search for a more free flowing muffler,as they are out there.(They really do sound awesome though).Mines a 3 chamber,maybe the 2 chamber is less restrictive,Idunno.My02

 

I'm running an 80 series and I have no problems at all, unless you dont like turning heads whereever you go.

 

here:

http://budget-muffler.com/images/flo...open_empty.jpg

http://www.ramtuff.com/images/page_2_RTMB.jpg

http://ultimate4wheeldriveperformance.com/exh4.gif

you tell me which one looks less restrictive