How to quiet down a loud exhaust?

[Erik Beckett]

I just looked at a 68 Camaro I am wanting to purchase. Its a driver quality camaro with a highly built 496 bbc and 5 speed tranny. The exhaust is Hooker super comp headers and a 3" flow master exhaust all the way back like stock. This car is still way too loud, I assume because of the higher idle, radical cam and higher compression. I want to purchase it but I would really have to quiet the car down some.

I was thinking about a nice TIG welded stainless 3" exhaust with x-pipe and some big 18" magnaflow or borla mufflers. Do you think this would tame the obnoxiously load flow masters that are currently on the car now?

Examples or videos would be great!!

Thanks, Erik

[astroracer]

What series FlowMasters? 40's are going to be loud. Tig welded stainless will do nothing but suck money out of your wallet.... Put a set of big Magnaflows on the existing system and it will be quieter.
Mark

[cluxford]

any BBC with 3" pipes will be loud, I have a BBC with 3" pipes and to get it under 100db requires 4 magna flows (2 for each bank). With those it's nice. Loud still, but good loud.

[Erik Beckett]

I had a BM540 crate motor in 67 Camaro a few years back and I believe TIG welding an exhaust definetly quiets down compared to clamped together leak prone exhaust. I think a good x-pipe and big mufflers will help

[Interceptor5588]

Unless you're determined to get every last HP out of the 496 (probably has plenty) I would find out what Flowmasters you have, call their tech line, see what Flowmasters they recommend, then just swap them out. They have mufflers for just about any goal. Most people will just buy a system and then complain that it doesn't sound like they want. Like any other powertrain component, exhaust responds differently to every engine combo and may require a little tuning.

[Erik Beckett]

It's got Flowmaster 40's on it, which are probably the loudest mufflers out there.

[Kenova]

Try smaller tailpipes. You may be able to use 2 1/2" tailpipes without choking it.

Ken

[1989GTA]

Couple of additional ideas. You can always add some free flowing resonators to your system. Another one is "Helmholtz" resonator J-pipes. Those are good for a certain rpm range and most people install them tuned to the cruising rpm. In fact you can find those installed on factory cars. Some are hidden in the muffler.

[MonzaRacer]

Is it exhaust noise or resonance from pipes, I have made hangers that hang away from pipe, then start hanging weightson the these till resonance is lowered.

[MonzaRacer]

On and unless you have LOTS cash to waste why not simply find shop that has good welder, using quality mig products.
But for me I use strap claps that tie same size pipes together just like trucks and bus exhaust, add some silicone for leak free connections and you can drop pipes with ratchet

[MonzaRacer]

On and unless you have LOTS cash to waste why not simply find shop that has good welder, using quality mig products.
But for me I use strap claps that tie same size pipes together just like trucks and bus exhaust, add some silicone for leak free connections and you can drop pipes with ratchet

[72BBSwinger]

I would ditch the Dronemasters and get Borla's or Jones mufflers.

[dropped72ss]

I just completed my mild cammed (228r) in an ls2. I had 3" exhaust w x pipe into borla proXs mufflers and 2 1/2" out of muffler and over rear axle in my 72 Chevelle! Sounds really quiet in the car but really awakens when you bury the gas pedal!