I have a 95 formula and i need some of your opinions on which muffler would sound best. I have no cats and 3" pipeing so all i really need is a muffler. I was thinking about a flowmaster 80 series or a magnaflow, i just want a good/mean sound. Let me know what you think, thanks.

I'm not sure about other but to me Flowmaster, no matter the series, doesn't sound very good on the 4th gen cars. I've got Magnaflow on my 4th gens and I think they sound good. I've also heard Spintech mufflers too and they don't sound bad either. But it's really up to you as the owner on what kind of sound you like and want.

I don't know if this will help you or not but here's a link to some sound clips for LT1 cars: http://www.lt1engine.com/media/exhaust.php

Yeap Flowmaster with a Magnaflow high catalytic converter, make sure you get dual 3.5 inch exhaust tips not the ones that split up into 2 on each side. Make sure the pipes are secured. If i were you I would drop in a bottle of Sea Foam before doing that. good luck

i had a 95 formula as well and i swapped off the stock cat-back for the SLP Dual-Dual exhaust. It sounded awesome, it wasn't so loud where it was obnoxious yet it had an awesome low growling rumble to it. Sue is 100% correct when she said Flowmasters sound terrible on 4th gen cars. Magnaflow sounds really nice, and also i would suggest looking into the SLP loudmouth. It sounds really nice on the LT1's. Pretty decent price too. Also, everybody who owns one recommends getting GMMG's chambered cat-back. I haven't heard one in person, but i am told they sound awesome. Quite pricey though...

"make sure you get dual 3.5 inch exhaust tips not the ones that split up into 2 on each side."

^^actually i think the quad tips on formulas are VERY nice looking, much better than the 2 bigger single tips. Here's a shot of the back of my 95 w/ the SLP Dual-Dual

"^^actually i think the quad tips on formulas are VERY nice looking, much better than the 2 "
well maybe on a formula, but not a Trans Am. Perfect poll question.

I love my magnaflow

"well maybe on a formula, but not a Trans Am. Perfect poll question"

^^ I agree with you 100% on that one. I ONLY like the look on Formies...thats why i ordered my SLP LM for my T/A with the single's on each side Only reason i mentioned it was because he's got a formula that he wants the exhaust for.

kewl

Sound is subjective cause everybody likes something different.
I personally like my 40 series 2 chamber Flowmaster SOTL but I don't like the traditional 80 series with dual outlets. I like Magnaflow but not a fan of the Big 3.5 " tips. I love the SLP DOTL but it's not available anymore the SLP Dual Dual sounds good but is expensive. The Loadmouth sounds great without headers but raspy with them.
I hate Borla and the Corsa sounds like crap to me. JMO

Nothing beats a GMMG. The Formula WS6...

View Video on FQuick

View Video on FQuick

I agree with scrmnws6 GMMG is very nice sounding but it's also got a nice price tag to go along with that nice sound (but then again so does Borla and Corsa).

How much are you looking to spend since that will make a difference on what we could recommend to you.

Very true statement. Your best bet is to listen to a bunch of F-bodies with different exhausts. This site www.ls1sounds.com has sound and video clips of different exhausts. Looks and price are other issues to consider. Personally, I like my custom exhaust and how it sounds. I put a Dynomax bullet muffler after the Y-pipe and had a tailpipe custom bent coming out the side in front of the rear tire. (see signature pic) Cost me $100 parts and labor. It's loud though!

95xlt1, one thing I wanted to mention after reading JoeCool's post - no matter what muffler/exhaust system you end up getting be sure to check your local/state regulations on where you can have the exhaust exit at. Some localities/states only allow the exhaust to exit at certain parts of the car (ie under the rear bumper unless the car came with it from the factory exiting elsewhere) and with other localities/states allow you to have the exhaust exit just about anywhere you want it too. Just thought I'd mention that cause I wouldn't want you to get the exhaust set up that you like and have it put on your car for you to only be told that you have to remove it cause it's illegal.

Joe you're lucky you're getting away with having your exhaust exit where it does. Here where I live in Illinois you couldn't have it exit there since it's less then 6 inches after the side window (ie infront of the rear tire) due to the fact that the exhaust fumes could enter the car easily through the window with it open. You'd have to have it either exit behind the rear tire someplace or have it dump under the car close to the rear axle.

Never heard that law before Sue. That stinks! What if you drive an old musclecar, like the old Mopars all had side exit tailpipes?
Any vehicle registered in NC (or TN where my parents live) they are only specific on the exhaust has to exit from UNDER the vehicle. Meaning no turndowns, cutouts, or lack of a real tailpipe. NC is just more interested on whether or not your car passes the smog test, or as of two years ago, the OBD plug in test.

Yea it does sorta stink. As for the exhausts on the old school cars, you can have those exit wherever they exited from the factory. So if they came with side exit exhaust that's where you can have it exit still. But to me it just seems stupid that you can have the old school stuff exit like that but you can't have the newer school cars do the same. Oh well, guess that's the government for you.

But we've got emissions here too, only in this past year they've changed it a bit on what cars need to get it. Starting this past September only OBD II cars need to get emissions tested and then it's only plug and play. They plug the computer in to see if the car is throwing any codes, no codes and you're good to play. With the older OBD I cars now as long as you passed the last emissions inspection (inspection given every 2 years) with it you're given a waiver and don't have to have them tested anymore. Older non OBD I cars, like my 79, never did have to have emissions testing done on them. So with the new law I'm down to 2 cars out of my 5 that need it done now (my 97 and 99).

NC is similar to yours, Sue. Emissions on OBD2 only(96-up non deisel), fails if throwing codes or no communication. Safety and emissions visual check for 1995-1972 and Diesels.
1971 down, none.

Yea it is similar. We don't have safety or visual inspections on any of our non-diesel vehicles, just the plug and play emissions on the 96+ ones.

On an LT1? Borla hands down.

so what would the best route be if i already have like A5 Flowmasters but stock tips on my 97 camaro . what would be the best way around it to upgrade to a better sound cuz i don't like it .

well if you don't like the sound, you'll have to replace the muffler. Do you want to keep your stock tips? If not, then it will be very easy, you can just simply chose what cat-back you want and put it on. It includes all the pipes after the cat. Pretty easy to put on.

ls1sounds.com

check that link out, they have tons of different setups on LS1 / LT1 cars.

so what would magna flow cat backs cost me . and what would the instalation be like ? - SRCamaroguy89

Didn't Tyler have a hook up with Magnaflows?

I had Hooker Aerochamber on my bird and liked the sound. I also liked the stock tips and kept them.



Got an SLP 2 to one side on the Z and don't care for it too much. I may go magnaflo or Hooker - I loved my Hooker!

that would be nice . .. . . wants hook up . . . = ) lol

Charlie, it wasn't Tyler who had the hookup with the Magnaflow catback systems, that was me. But my hookup had to go out of business due to family issues so I don't have it anymore. Sorry.

From regular sources a Magnaflow catback last time I checked will run you around $450 and install is easy. Just take off your old exhaust and put the Magnaflow on and tighten down all the clamps/bands that come with it. Heck it's so easy even a gal can do it by herself so I'm sure you can.

My Vote?!

Borla, no question. I have had it on my car since '94. Many people have commented on it and how good it sounds. I love it. I also have the Magnaflow cat on it now since the stock one died about 2 years ago.

Fixing to have Mac's on it.

E.

ah yes another Borla fan. yeah.... sorry to rehash, but Borla sounds the best by far on an LT1, IMO. It's deep and growly, yet smooth and refined without excessive crackle when letting off the gas. No offense to anybody, just seems like everybody has Magnaflows or SLP Loudmouths lol. Borla can be pricey, but it's the only exhaust you'll ever need to buy since they don't rust and have a million mile warranty.... If you're worried about the price, you can probably find a used catback on eBay. Since it's stainless, I wouldn't imagine much could be wrong with a used kit unless the car was hit or something. Also, you could just buy a Borla muffler and have an exhaust shop custom fabricate the rest of your piping. Just use common sense, I'd say

I had a Flowmaster (sounded OK but rotted out) before I got the Spintech muffler, and I'm happier with the Spintech. Spintech is a little bit quieter than a Flowmaster at idle, has a nice deep rumble at part throttle, and screams at WOT. Doesn't drone like a Flowmaster either.

yea, I got a flowmaster on my 95...It sounds good around 2 grand, really nice and rumbly...but at wide open throttle, it's very high pitched...doesn't sound muscley...and when you let off the gas...it almost sounds like the exhaust is going to fall off...Im planning on gettin a spintech or a magnaflow with 3 inch piping...

I really like the hooker on lt1's, then borla, then magnaflow I've heard them all on my friend's cars. Flowmasters sound ok, but EVERYONE has them on EVERYTHING. I live in the city so most f bodies have them, and so does every dodge ram is seems. I just get tired of soundling like everyone else. Personally I made a fourth gen magnaflow catbck fit on my 89 formula just to be different and i like the sound. I've heard spintechs on other cars and they sounded ok, but like flowmasters they are heavy and don't flow well. I never really liked the concept of the exhaust entering the muffler and hitting a wall.

-Jim

i'm gonna throw i my vote for Corsa. I think it's an amazing system... definitely not the loudest, but absolutely no drone and sounds amazing at WOT. I dont know how it would sound without cats, but i've had mine since like 03, and love it! It's also an official GMPP.