Exhaust Notes

I'm switching out to L&L headers on my 545 build over the next month. Things are starting to fall into place for the rest of the build, but I'm curious on what people are running for mufflers. This is on a '78 Bronco with nickel plated fenderwell headers. It needs to look good and sound good. I'll have a ton of power on tap for what I want to do with it, so something that's not a "true" flow-through design won't put too much of a dent on the performance side unless it's really restrictive.
In my opinion, Flowmasters are a little played-out. Magnaflos are pricey, but stainless. I really haven't cared for the exhaust note on them either.
On the last version of my truck I was running Thrush's and really liked the sound of them- but they don't look so hot. I can always get whatever ceramic coated as well, but something shiney would be cool.

I'd love to see some lists of what you guys are running and maybe a you-tube vid so I can hear what it sounds like.....

OK- I know- it's a Ford and it's going to sound awesome! Right?

I've always figured that the note you hear is affected by a lot of things besides just the muffler itself...things like pipe diameter and length, WHERE in the system the muffler is placed, whether or not you use a X-pipe, outlet position, etc.. Personnally, I wouldn't use a Flowmaster either, but other than that, I'd just make sure to avoid that "droning" sound.

magnaflows make the power.

dfree383 wrote:magnaflows make the power.

Agreed.

I tried Hooker Areo Chambers after a friend had them already, I like quite a bit. Then he swapped to Dynatec, those sounded wicked on his old engine. As far a actual flow capacity, it's hard for me to say, but when there at 3.5" on a NA engine under 6500, the muffler probably won't be the cork, IMO

rmcomprandy wrote:PRICEY.?
Anything which works is not gonna be cheap; especially stainless steel.

Last I checked they where $80 ea?

Thanks guys- and yes- considering the magna flos for the performance and the SS construction.

I guess I was after some vids with sound and a list of what was used.... Just about all you guys have some clip of your ride on the track or in a mud pit or something...... Jus no one ever says- "Hey- this is with my new xxxxxx mufflers! Doesn't it sound great?"

have you heard spin tecs from Dr. gas? l love their sound and they have good performance also.

check with each companys web site some of them do have video's of sounds

dave d wrote:check with each companys web site some of them do have video's of sounds

Yeah- the problem with that is you just hear sound bites of their cat-back system on a new mustang or camaro. I want to hear somthing on a 460+ with headers and 3" or larger pipes.

J.Toney wrote:I tried Hooker Areo Chambers after a friend had them already, I like quite a bit. Then he swapped to Dynatec, those sounded wicked on his old engine. As far a actual flow capacity, it's hard for me to say, but when there at 3.5" on a NA engine under 6500, the muffler probably won't be the cork, IMO

I put the Aero Chambers on my truck and I really like sound (over the previous Flow Masters). I found a website (can't find the link right now - but I'll post back if I find it) that compared various muffler characteristics such as flow/restriction, db levels (idle/cruise/max), size, price, etc, and the Aeros where among the best flowing while still having a "reasonable" sound level (db) - meaning flowed the best compared to other mufflers tested within the db range I wanted.

I have a bronco as well... 466, Maddog 2" fender well headers, 3" side pipes w/ borla SS mufflers. This setup is on the loud side, but I think it sounds pretty good! On the performance side, my truck speeds up about 2 tenths on the 200' dirt drag when I take the pipes off and just run open headers.

460bronco wrote:I have a bronco as well... 466, Maddog 2" fender well headers, 3" side pipes w/ borla SS mufflers. This setup is on the loud side, but I think it sounds pretty good! On the performance side, my truck speeds up about 2 tenths on the 200' dirt drag when I take the pipes off and just run open headers.

Part of that is tune.