MagnaFlow vs Flowmaster vs Straight Pipes

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Frankenchevy

Proverbs 16:18
Joined
Jan 3, 2018
Posts
6,084
Reaction score
7,759
Location
USA
First Name
Jeremy
Truck Year
Square
Truck Model
CUCV
Engine Size
Small
this is a screenshot from another forum. has idle, cruise and WOT decibel levels as well as hp/tq numbers so you don't have to worry about quietness creating losses. I currently have the SS magnaflows and I can tell you they are definitely quieter than the two different setups I was given with the truck (glass packs and flow master 40 series). my new system is the hedman 63088 header 1-3/4 primaries, 3" collector reduced to 2.5" into x pipe with borla ProXS mufflers. I'm hoping the x-pipe will make it quieter below WOT. I will post a video once it's together for sound comparison.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Interesting chart, but umm??
This Rick Anderson at the end points out we should look at average power production figures but where are they? They surely are not the HP and TQ numbers posted, those are max power figures which doesn't mean anything on the street. Kinda like Engine Masters showing which components produce the best power... starting oh around 5rpm. Great fro race track but useless info for street application.
It is interesting to see the decibel numbers, but again relevant to the engine build. I find raising compression raises noise, but that could be my imagination. I invite comments regarding this.
 

4WDKC

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2016
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
1,090
Location
Southern Florida
First Name
Kacy
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
350
What was the cam's brand and model number? Also would you say that its not very drivable in town because its so loud?

its an Elgin cam same specs as the Summit k1103, i used to think these mufflers were quiet, they are not. I replaced glass packs on true duals with these, I dont think ill get stopped for them but not what I was looking for.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,828
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Interesting chart, but umm??
This Rick Anderson at the end points out we should look at average power production figures but where are they? They surely are not the HP and TQ numbers posted, those are max power figures which doesn't mean anything on the street. Kinda like Engine Masters showing which components produce the best power... starting oh around 5rpm. Great fro race track but useless info for street application.
It is interesting to see the decibel numbers, but again relevant to the engine build. I find raising compression raises noise, but that could be my imagination. I invite comments regarding this.
More compression, bigger bang, more noise......happy noise though
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Also I would like to mention the mod I just made on my exhaust.
Background info... I'm embarrassed to say my '86 K20 has a low compression 305(temporary believe me).
This engine is on propane and as expected very weak due to no CIs or compression or valve flow.
The truck has long tube 1 3/4" headers into 2.5 exhaust with an H pipe about 24" behind the collectors. Mufflers are a turbo design and back
just before the rear diff.

So I removed my rusty H pipe and now have slightly more power from idle to about 1600rpm. The truck makes less noise at idle because the rust
holes are gone, of course. But at highway 2200rpm it is slightly a higher pitch and slightly louder, just a bit.

My point is that I have a little more torque with a slightly less flowing exhaust. This is not a new discovery for me, back as a kid I discovered open headers make big noise and small power at least on stock engines. And again this is a stock anemic low compression boat anchor 305.
This engine imo would be better all around with 2" exhaust.
But...
This DRIVER would be better off with 2.5" exhaust blowing heat from a high compression 496...
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,828
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
this is a screenshot from another forum. has idle, cruise and WOT decibel levels as well as hp/tq numbers so you don't have to worry about quietness creating losses. I currently have the SS magnaflows and I can tell you they are definitely quieter than the two different setups I was given with the truck (glass packs and flow master 40 series). my new system is the hedman 63088 header 1-3/4 primaries, 3" collector reduced to 2.5" into x pipe with borla ProXS mufflers. I'm hoping the x-pipe will make it quieter below WOT. I will post a video once it's together for sound comparison.
You must be registered for see images attach
I was looking for a chart like that.

its an Elgin cam same specs as the Summit k1103, i used to think these mufflers were quiet, they are not. I replaced glass packs on true duals with these, I dont think ill get stopped for them but not what I was looking for.
That's almost as big as the cam I wanted for my truck when I had the square.
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,752
Reaction score
18,200
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
More compression, bigger bang, more noise......happy noise though

Less compression and it sounds like a wuss car, probably foreign.
Unless they install one of those Fosters beer can mufflers and it sounds like a grasshopper with a bad case of the farts.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
10,041
Reaction score
10,134
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Thanks for the tag, I will put forth effort to contribute for benefit if all.

Yes. I like Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers. Aggressive and powerful sounding but not too loud. Think - classy and in good taste. I have one on my C20.
I own a pair of Flowmaster 40series with dual outlets (4 tips) on my SS.
They are LOUD and BADASS. :headbang:
I ALSO have first-hand experience with Dynomax Race Bullets. My buddy had a pair on a 6 inch rod 360 in a 1977 El Camino. Whatever, he killed it with an Edelbrock Performer camshaft...beside the point! He had no torque and my SS drove circles around it.
They are like glasspacks but sound WILDLY different. Loud and obnoxious :imo: but wicked cool under full throttle. He had no H pipe. Pity.
Unique sound for certain.
I will like to add that in my opinion and what bothers me the most about this thread - I don't know why no one else will say it - is that 1&3/4 inch primary tubes are WAY TOO BIG. That FOR SURE kills part throttle street torque.

The emperor has no clothes.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

*edit*
AND! After I upped the Blazer's compression from 8.2 or 8.3:1 to 10.15:1 the exhaust sound is way meaner :imo: with no changes.
More than one person has made comment about the camshaft and to the best of my knowledge it's
stock.
Definitely more chop!

It sounds way faster and it is!

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
its an Elgin cam same specs as the Summit k1103, i used to think these mufflers were quiet, they are not. I replaced glass packs on true duals with these, I dont think ill get stopped for them but not what I was looking for.
You could send 'em to me :anitoof:.
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
Thanks for the tag, I will put forth effort to contribute for benefit if all.

Yes. I like Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers. Aggressive and powerful sounding but not too loud. Think - classy and in good taste. I have one on my C20.
I own a pair of Flowmaster 40series with dual outlets (4 tips) on my SS.
They are LOUD and BADASS. :headbang:
I ALSO have first-hand experience with Dynomax Race Bullets. My buddy had a pair on a 6 inch rod 360 in a 1977 El Camino. Whatever, he killed it with an Edelbrock Performer camshaft...beside the point! He had no torque and my SS drove circles around it.
They are like glasspacks but sound WILDLY different. Loud and obnoxious :imo: but wicked cool under full throttle. He had no H pipe. Pity.
Unique sound for certain.
I will like to add that in my opinion and what bothers me the most about this thread - I don't know why no one else will say it - is that 1&3/4 inch primary tubes are WAY TOO BIG. That FOR SURE kills part throttle street torque.

The emperor has no clothes.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

*edit*
AND! After I upped the Blazer's compression from 8.2 or 8.3:1 to 10.15:1 the exhaust sound is way meaner :imo: with no changes.
More than one person has made comment about the camshaft and to the best of my knowledge it's
stock.
Definitely more chop!

It sounds way faster and it is!

Hope this helps.
That was very helpful!
I'm just not sure I want to go that quiet with the super turbos.
Do you think the reason he had no torque was the set up of the engine?

Is backpressure a good thing to have?

And do tips on the exhaust make something sound different, I heard one kid say that it did and highly doubted it, but sense it was on the internet I figured it was true like most things on there.
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
anyone know how to post sound clips?
 

Derrick

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
544
Reaction score
271
Location
near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First Name
Derrick
Truck Year
2003
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
5.3
And do tips on the exhaust make something sound different, I heard one kid say that it did and highly doubted it, but since it was on the internet I figured it was true like most things on there.
I don't think they do but the claim resonator tips quite the ride i don't hear a difference when i ride with my friend to work. then again don't have very good hearing but i think i would be able to hear a difference before and after but i heard nothing.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,167
Posts
950,746
Members
36,282
Latest member
Doug Hampton
Top