Custom Shop Exhaust Vs Flowmaster System?

[fast 3.4]

I was thinking about getting a Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System for my 3.4, when my brother suggested that I just go to the custom muffler shop, "American Muffler", and ask for a dual exhaust system with mufflers. He said it would be better and cheaper. I've heard some bad things about flowmaster, ie: "chokemaster", so I'm thinking this may be a good idea. Any thoughts?

[BLLDOGG]

well a dual exhaust would probably not be cheaper unless they are useing small piping which means worthless and having duals in general is pretty much useless. flowmaster is good. i flows less than other because its an actual muffler.

[fast 3.4]

Ok, well now I'm a little confused, because I was under the impression that my stock piping was 3 or 3 and 1/2, but it says that the American Thunder Exhaust, which is dual exit, has a 2 and 1/2 I-pipe and tailpipe diameter. So it would do no good to put a smaller piping on, right?

[articacid]

stock piping on v6's is 2 1/4. so you would be upgrading to 2 1/2. most people here use the v8 exhausts and make them fit. the v8 exhuast are 3 in.

[fast 3.4]

Ok, thanks. I'm actually eyeing the more expensive Magnaflow system, which I'll have to save up for. The Flowmaster one I could have bought right now, but I can wait. Any idea how much it would cost to get someone to install a new exhaust system, Magnaflow or otherwise?

[Paul Ford]

A flowmaster muffler will flow plenty for a v6 car.
My vote is for the flowmaster catback with the resonator, It sounds better and will add more power than the dual exhaust your local muffler shop will give you.

[jessica2112]

I thought stock v8 piping was 2 5/8"

[99v6cam]

Originally posted by jessica2112:
I thought stock v8 piping was 2 5/8"

its 2 3/4, he meant aftermarket v8 exhaust.

[fast 3.4]

I'm still not sure what to get, I learn more every day, but I'm still learing. Sometimes it's all a little too much to learn in a short time. So forgive me when I don't quite get something immediately.

If I go to the custom muffler shop, I'll ask for a cat-back system with 2 1/2" piping, 3 tips", dual exit rear, with resonator. How's that sound?

[ July 19, 2005, 01:21 AM: Message edited by: fast 3.4 ]

[lookout4theyeti]

Originally posted by fast 3.4:
I'm still not sure what to get, I learn more every day, but I'm still learing. Sometimes it's all a little too much to learn in a short time. So forgive me when I don't quite get something immediately.

If I go to the custom muffler shop, I'll ask for a cat-back system with 2 1/2" piping, 3 tips", dual exit rear, with resonator. How's that sound?

you'll catch on...

If your gonna go and ask for that, you may as well just get the flowmaster cat-back...

Flowmaster 80 series for our v6's consists of:
2.5" piping
resonator
80 series dual muffler
3" chrome tips

[PonyRunner96]

check this out im real good friend with a local guy who does sick work on camaros corvettes and mustangs..he know his stuff.. he deals with flowmaster frequently..he told me the 40 series is one of the best bang for buck you can get. i have that on my car now, and it sounds beefy but i want something more aggressive..but as far as going with a custom made system vs cat back system alright..

heres the scoop..
when you buy a cat back from a muffler company. whether it being magna flow, flowmaster,spintech,slp,or borla and corsa or WHOEVER , they have dynoed there products and have an overall idea of what is going on with flow and restriction. and what application will benefit your vehicle, with the chambers and so forth...

But at a muffler shop, some random "Billy Bob mechanic " who has no idea what the hell hes doing other then to weld and fit pipes together thats where you can get into alottrouble. he doesnt know what hp gains or percentage of flow your car is in need of or if the set up he gives you (custom set up that is) is actaully giving you to much flow or to little. ive seen custom jobs turn out better then brand name cat backs. but on the other hand ive seen them turn out pretty pathetic, jsut keep this in mind and make sure that he knows what he is doing and you'll be fine... but please..PLEASE as around and check out his work..cuz even if you got to drive for an hr to go somewhere else its some serious money your spending and you want to get it right the first time around. cuz good mechanics warranty there work. keep this in mind.

good luck and let me knwo what you do

[PonyRunner96]

as for flowmaster vs. magnaflow.. my buddy has a 1998 z28 .got maganflows put on like a while back.. a week later i saw him and he said his car was back at the shop..i ask him why and he said he drove it home one day jacked it up and took a recipricating saw to it cuz it sounded jsut like a mustang. flowmaster flows fine and sounds beefier in comparison with maganflow. plus price wise flowmaster hands down wins ..magan flows cost more and gains arent even noticable compared with flowmaster.

[fast 3.4]

Wow, thanks a lot Pony, that was extremely helpful. The only reason I considered the custom shop is because my brother told me to go there, and he knows his stuff. Only a lot of times....he thinks he knows more than he does, and he's also never been to the shop he told me to go to, or heard anything about it. I've been thinking a lot and I decided on a Flowmaster. Either American Thunder or 40 series. I hope to get a sound or video clip when I can, which won't be for a while. I'll be happy just as long as I don't have too much rice up top, I absolutely hate the fart-can noise and i'll be so embarassed if I sound like that.

Thanks for all the help Pony and everyone else.

[ July 19, 2005, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: fast 3.4 ]

[IceBird]

What ever you do dont waste your money on a borla cat back! It is basicly a single exaust with a cutout. With a price tag of $800 - about $300 for the exaust system you are basicly paying $500 for a $45 cutout! I dont think i have seen a bigger ripoff mod than the borla catback! If you spend $500 you can have an electric cutout, high flow cat and an american thunder system which will make the borla catback seem like a pinto exaust with a hole in the muffler!

[ July 19, 2005, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: IceBird ]

[PonyRunner96]

not a problem man it was either 40 series or 80 series flowmaster i said 40 on accident i think..ANYWAYZ.. ya man go for it you will be satisfied and if your car has over 80,000 miles you can get the hi-flow cat (flowmaster is fine again for its high flow) put on..im pretty sure 80,000 miles is the regulation. you should have a beefy tone..if ur automatic like myself you will have to watch out for the rev limiter be 4 it embarrasses the hell out of you and kills your nice rev.--keep us posted man