I am tired of the exhaust leak and have heard sooooo much about this system vs. that system. I originally was going to get a set of Flowmasters put on, but here in the islands it runs about 5-$600.00 from the manifold back w/original tips out and down behind the bumper. Is this something an ameteur like me could do, or do they have to be welded? FEEDBACK PLEASE! Scott Bolter Hawaii
There are parts of the exhaust system that have to be welded, but it takes an experienced hand to install a good exhaust system. If you can find a good premade system that fits you car, then you might be able to tackle it, but therin lies the task of welding specific parts. Don't go cheap on the exhaust...that's what everyone hears that gives them their impressions of the car. $5-600 sounds a hair high...have you shopped around? Flowmasters are great products...you just have to find a good exhaust shop that isn't going to rape you for all you've got. Good luck in HI finding someone.
Easy exhaust fix Scott have you thought about getting a hacksaw and cutting off your old system from in front of the old mufflers back? The pre made systems fit great and are not too hard to install. If you take your time it's pretty easy. I got tired of listening to my old system and did the job myself(first time). Except instead of going all the way back to the bumper I did it the easy way and installed a set of flowtech afterburner mufflers with turn downs on each one. I haven't had any problems with fumes entering the interior or excessive interior noise and the sound is kind of a mellow rumble at idle but when you get on it, it's all business!!Muffler selection is up to your own personal tastes .The main thing is to measure your tubing size and match the mufflers to them. Until you can afford or get to a welder, the"quick steel" puddy works very nice and hardens quickly and gives a good seal. If the mufflers are just a hair too small to fit over the existing pipes you can cut the inlets with a hacksaw straight across and your new muffler clamps will seal sufficiently(sorry about the spelling). Just take your time and you shouldn't have any problems and I think you'll be surprised at how well it works and sounds.Doing this and taking it to a welder or muffler shop later will save you a lot of money.Good luck!:TU: Jeff B.
I also recommend the flowtech afterburners. I put them on my Electra and really like them. Jeff, you're the first person I've seen who has also used these mufflers on their buick :TU: . I also agree that that estimate seems abit steep. It cost me just under $400 to have 2.25" dual aluminized pipes put on my car. The mufflers were another $80 total from Jeg's. I don't the exhaust guy welded my pipes, just used clamps, but it doesn't leak a bit.
Walker Dynomax Rob, Do these compare to A Flowmaster system? I don't mind some rumble at idle. I wish I could hear what each one sounds like on, but thanks for the tip. I am going to check out the costs w/shipping for the ones at TA Perf.. Do you recommend headers or not? Thanks, Scott Bolter Pearl City, Hawaii
I have the TA system on my GS with headers. I have the 3 chamber deltaflow flowmasters , and it sounds really mean. Easy install in the backyard. Avoid the 2 chamber flows they are to noisy.
Delta vs. Flow Chris & Rob, Are these bolt on systems? Is there any bending required or are the kits bent for the specific year you order for? Let me know. Scott
So with stock exhaust manifolds, is there an extension I need, or does one exist? Is it worth the extra $300-400 for the headers?
Great topic-I'm exactly where Hawaii69 is-pipe & muffler decision time. I'm leaning toward the Flowmasters since the system comes with an H-pipe. Does anyone have any experience installing one of these systems? O.K., I can't resist-Ironic moment of the day-I work a mile from the Flowmaster factory, but they won't sell over-the-counter. The best I can do is to purchase it from Sparks, Nevada, 300 miles away and out-of-state. Thank goodness for free shipping.o No:
Hey Jim, I was waiting to hear from you yesterday or the day before. You said you were going to the muffler shop or? I was wondering, does Sparks ship free? If so, I was wondering what the rest would cost to get it over to Hawaii. Is the box or boxes too big to check in on a flight if I have someone coming over from Calif? What about the extension for me since I have no headers or would the headers be worth it.
The results are in... Scott, I just got back from the local "pipebender's" shop. $350 for 2-1/2" from headers back, with h-pipe and 2-chamber Flows. Not bad. The system is $285 from Summit or Jeg's. Now, payday's a-coming. Time to wait. Maybe I'll go by Flowmaster and see the size of the box. Maybe I'll hand carry it to you! Oahu's a nice place to be! Jim T.
Flows and a round trip to Oahu :beer Hey, hand carry...sounds good to me! Haha. Really, I just wanted to mention that all this time, folks have been saying that the 2-chamber flows are too loud and to go with the 3-chamber. I don't have any experience with these and personally like some loud rumble, but I don't want to wake the dead either, or set off every alarm in my parking structure. I already do a good job of that with the system I have. I believe right now I have std turbo mufflers and they'rw on straight pipes from the manifolds and turn down right in front of the rear axle. I was wondering about just going to a local no name muffler shop here to see if I could get a break on the price. I wanted to mention that I have an appointment on the 28th ofthis month to have my engine compression and some other things checked. I never took it to a mechanic for a simple inspection like you would do before you buy a car. There's a oilleak that I would like to resolve before it gets new exhaust. Besides, the guy at Midas said it would be a good idea to fix the oil leak so the oil doesn't contaminate the new exhaust manifold gaskets. Pretty fair of him...I think. I hope this guy doesn't get me too bad on charges for the inspection. I asked him what he thought the fees would be for what I needed and he said it was hard to say until I get him a list of what I want him to look at and try and fix. (Oil leak, exhaust leak, check the undercarriage for any signs of damage that might be causing this thing to sit high on the right or low on the left. Enough...
I think there's more to this thread, let's keep it going. I've heard and read the Flowmaster 2 chamber mufflers are just plain too loud. The advice I'm hearing is the Dynomax or Afterburners are a good substitute with a quieter low-end. I plan to go to the pipe shop this week, so if you got an opinion, I'd like to hear it.
I put Flowmaster 3-series delta flows on my use to be '70 Lesabre convertible. It has 2 1/4" dual exhaust. It's nice because it gives a rumble that isn't to loud. It's actually about perfect because, you can carry a conversation without yelling to each other while producing a nice sound. That was with stock manifolds and with headers it might give you alittle more. Rob
I put Flowmaster 3-series delta flows on my use to be '70 Lesabre convertible. It has 2 1/4" dual exhaust. It's nice because it gives a rumble that isn't to loud. It's actually about perfect because, you can carry a conversation without yelling to each other while producing a nice sound. That was with stock manifolds and with headers it might give you alittle more. Rob
I put Flowmaster 3-series delta flows on my use to be '70 Lesabre convertible. It has 2 1/4" dual exhaust. It's nice because it gives a rumble that isn't to loud. It's actually about perfect because, you can carry a conversation without yelling to each other while producing a nice sound. That was with stock manifolds and with headers it might give you alittle more. Rob
Flows... Rob, Jim and all who are watching: I am set on the Flowmaster 40 3-chamber or delta-flows, the problem is that I really can't bring myself to paying $500+... I wwould be willing to try to install myself, but I am afraid I'll screw something up and rely on a shop in the long run. BTW-shipping is going to get the best of me. Maybe someone will be having a great sale on what I want real, real soon! Feedback??????
